This Dementia Blood Test Panel includes the following:
- Complete Blood Count (CBC)
- Electrolytes
- Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
- Thyroxine (T4)
- Vitamin B12
- C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Quantitative
- Sedimentation Rate (ESR) Westergren
What is dementia?
Dementia is a general term for the diminished ability to remember, think, or make decisions that affect everyday activities. The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer's disease; however, dementia primarily affects older adults and is not part of normal aging.
Several conditions may cause dementia besides Alzheimer's disease. For example, periodic forgetfulness is normal and should not be a cause for concern unless it occurs frequently or interferes with daily activities. However, some of the causes of cognitive decline, besides Alzheimer's, may include:
- Specific medication or side effects and over-medication
- Nutritional deficiencies (vitamin B12 deficiency)
- History of other conditions that may contribute to mental changes (diabetes, hypertension, or kidney, liver, or thyroid disorders)
- Brain tumors or head injuries
- Degenerative diseases (Huntington's Chorea disease, Parkinson's disease, and Pick disease)
- HIV/AIDS, Creutzfeldt-Jakob, meningitis, encephalitis, or syphilis
- Anxiety or depression
- Heavy metal poisoning (lead poisoning)
- Seizures
What is the purpose of this test?
Order this Dementia Blood Test Panel to help evaluate an individual's risk for developing dementia and assist in differentiating between Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. This panel offers a range of standard routine blood tests to rule out deficiencies and other diseases and conditions affecting an individual's memory.
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
The Complete Blood Count (CBC) test gives essential information about the numbers and kinds of cells in the blood, especially red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. A CBC helps your health professional check any symptoms, such as fatigue, weakness, or bruising, that you may have. A CBC also helps your health professional diagnose conditions such as infection, anemia, and other disorders. The test includes: WBC, RBC, Hemoglobin, Hematocrit, MCV, MCH, MCHC, RDW, Platelets, Neutrophils, Lymphs, Monocytes, Eos, Basos, Neutrophils (Absolute), Lymphs (Absolute), Monocytes(Absolute), Eos (Absolute), Basos (Absolute), Immature Granulocytes, Immature Grans (Abs)
Electrolytes
Sodium- is essential in the body's water balance and the electrical activity of nerves and muscles and is one of the major salts in body fluid. Potassium Helps to control the muscles and nerves. Chloride- Like sodium, chloride helps maintain the body's electrolyte balance. Carbon Dioxide- Total Used in detecting, evaluating, and monitoring electrolyte imbalances. Calcium- A mineral essential for developing and maintaining healthy teeth and bones. It is also crucial for the normal function of nerves, muscles, and blood clotting.
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
A TSH test, also known as the Third-generation TSH, is commonly ordered to help evaluate a person's thyroid function and aid in diagnosing thyroid disorders such as hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism.
Thyroxine T4
A T4 test measures the amount of a particular hormone, T4 or Thyroxine, produced by the thyroid gland. T4 helps maintain the body's metabolism, temperature, and heart rate.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is essential for many bodily functions, such as brain health, blood cell production, proper nerve functioning, and tissue and cellular repair.
C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Quantitative
The CRP QN blood test determines whether a high or increasing amount of CRP in your blood suggests an acute infection or inflammation. CRP is a protein produced by the liver. Higher than average concentrations of CRP are often an indicator of infection or inflammation in the body. Therefore, this test can help determine if an infection is present but not the source of the infection.
Sedimentation Rate (ESR) Westergren
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is an easy, inexpensive, nonspecific test that has been used for many years to help diagnose conditions associated with acute and chronic inflammation, including infections, cancers, and autoimmune diseases. ESR is considered nonspecific because increases do not tell the health provider exactly where the inflammation is or what is causing it. It can also be affected by conditions other than inflammation. Because it is nonspecific, ESR is typically used with other tests. For example, ESR aids in diagnosing two specific inflammatory diseases, polymyalgia rheumatica and temporal arteritism, a high ESR being one of the main test results used to support the diagnosis. The test also monitors disease activity and therapy response in polymyalgia rheumatica and temporal arteritism.
When should I order a Dementia Blood Test Panel?
Individuals may order this Dementia Blood Test Panel if they have experienced symptoms related to dementia. Dementia is a general term, and its symptoms can differ from person to person. Commonly observed signs or symptoms of individuals with dementia include the following:
- Memory
- Attention
- Communication
- Reasoning, judgment, and problem solving
- Visual perception beyond typical age-related changes in vision
