Glucose Tolerance (GTT) Blood Test, 2-hour (Oral WHO Protocol)
The glucose tolerance, 2hr test is principally used to test for and diagnose Types 1 and 2 diabetes. The test can also be used to track the progression of treatment. This test helps to determine how an individual's blood sugar levels change over time. When glucose is introduced to the body, it moves quickly into the blood. In response to this increase in blood sugar, the pancreas starts to produce and release insulin into the bloodstream. The insulin helps the glucose to leave the bloodstream and enter cells where it is stored for later energy use. Within two hours, glucose in the blood should have fallen back to normal. In individuals with diabetes, however, insulin is either not produced or is blocked from doing its job, and glucose remains in the blood.
Insulin Response Blood Test, 3 Specimens
The insulin response to glucose infusion is useful in evaluating patients with hypoglycemia and suspected insulin-resistance. Insulin is a peptide hormone produced in the pancreas and used to control the level of glucose in the blood. Glucose is blood sugar that is introduced into the body by consuming carbohydrates. When glucose blood levels increase, insulin is then released from the pancreas into the bloodstream. The insulin helps to remove the glucose from the blood and put it into fat and tissue cells where it can be stored for energy.
Hemoglobin (HB) A1c Blood Test
This test is used to evaluate glucose levels in the blood over the 2 to 3 months previous to the test. This test is crucial in managing one's diabetes. Hemoglobin is stored in red blood cells. When glucose levels are high, the sugar starts to combine with the hemoglobin. It takes the body 8 to 12 weeks to bring hemoglobin A1c levels back to normal. Therefore, if hemoglobin A1c levels are high, that means that there has been a high level of glucose in the blood over the last 2 to 3 months.
C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Blood Test, High Sensitivity
The CRP Blood Test, High Sensitivity, Cardiac Risk Assessment test uncovers lower levels of CRP, a protein that is released into the blood, than the standard CRP test. This test might also be used to evaluate a person's risk for cardiovascular disease. Normal or mildly elevated amounts of CRP in healthy individuals can help in predicting the future risk of stroke, peripheral arterial disease, sudden cardiac death, heart attack, and even to the point of when cholesterol levels are within the acceptable range.
CRP is a marker of inflammation that can affect many organs. Studies have directed their focus on heart disease, but as research develops, it is showing that having high CRP levels may also be associated with conditions such as complications of diabetes, obesity, and colon cancer.
Fibrinogen
Fibrinogen, a protein essential for blood clot formation, is produced by the liver and released as needed into the bloodstream. Typically, when a blood vessel wall or body tissue is injured, the coagulation cascade activates fibrinogen and more than 20 other clotting factors, one after the other. As the cascade nears completion, soluble fibrinogen changes into insoluble fibrin threads. The threads crosslink to form a fibrin net that stabilizes at the site of injury. The fibrin net adheres to the site of injury, along with platelets, and forms a stable blood clot. This blood clot serves as a barrier and prevents additional blood loss. The clot remains in place until the injured area heals completely. Fibrinogen is one of many blood factors called acute phase reactants. Along with other acute phase reactants, blood levels of fibrinogen rise sharply with some conditions, causing acute tissue inflammation or damage. A fibrinogen test measures the amount of soluble Factor I (which is fibrinogen dissolved in the blood) before it has turned into insoluble fibrin and crosslinked into a fibrin net.
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
A Complete Blood Count (CBC) Panel gives important information about the numbers and kinds of blood cells in the blood, especially red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. A CBC with differential helps your health professional check any symptoms, such as fatigue, weakness, or bruising that you may have. CBC testing also helps your health professional diagnose conditions, such as infection, anemia, and several other disorders.
A CBC blood test includes: WBC, RBC, Hemoglobin, Hematocrit, MCV, MCH, MCHC, RDW, Platelet count, Neutrophils, Lymphs, Monocytes, Eos, Basos, Neutrophils (Absolute), Lymphs (Absolute), Monocytes(Absolute), Eos (Absolute), Basos (Absolute), Immature Granulocytes, Immature Grans (Abs)
