What is the purpose of this test?
The Top 12 Important Blood Test Panel, Men, is a set of blood tests that are recommended for men to help assess their overall health. These tests can help detect various conditions such as diabetes, thyroid disorders, anemia, liver or kidney disease, and prostate cancer. The panel typically includes tests for blood glucose, cholesterol, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), complete blood count (CBC), PSA, and more. By getting these tests done, men can identify potential health issues early on and take necessary steps to manage or treat them. It is always recommended to consult a healthcare professional to determine which tests are appropriate for each individual's specific health needs.
The Top 12 Important Blood Test Panel for Men includes the following:
Complete Blood Count (CBC) With Differential and Platelets - measures various components of the blood, such as red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. An abnormal CBC result can indicate anemia, infection, inflammation, or other blood disorders affecting kidney function.
- White Blood Cells (WBC) - The body's primary defense against disease and helps to fight infection.
- Red Blood Cells (RBC) - Responsible for carrying oxygen and carbon dioxide away from all cells. Iron deficiency will lower the RBC count.
- Hemoglobin - A chemical compound inside red cells that transports oxygen through the bloodstream to all body cells. Hemoglobin gives the red color to blood.
- Hematocrit - Measures the amount of space red blood cells take up in the blood. It is reported as a percentage.
- Neutrophils - Neutrophils are the most common type of white blood cells created by the bone marrow to combat various inflammatory and infectious diseases.
- Lymphocytes - B-cells and T-cells are lymphocytes that fight bacteria and other pathogens in the blood. They are primarily found in the lymph system.
- Monocytes - Working alongside neutrophils, monocytes play a vital role in fighting infections and other diseases and clearing away dead or damaged cells.
- Eosinophils - White blood cells called eosinophils activate in response to allergies and certain infections.
- Basophils - Basophils play a role in detecting infections early on, aiding in wound healing, and reacting to allergic responses.
- Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH) - The average hemoglobin concentration within a red blood cell.
- Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC) - A red blood cell's average hemoglobin concentration percentage.
- Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) - The average size of red blood cells.
- Platelets - Blood cell particles associated with the forming of blood clots.
- Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW) - Measures the amount of red blood cell variation in volume and size.
- Absolute Neutrophils - The absolute neutrophil count measures the number of neutrophils in your blood. Normal range is 2,500-7,000 per microliter. Counts outside this range indicate a possible condition.
- Absolute Lymphocytes - To calculate your absolute lymphocyte count, multiply your white blood cell count by the percentage of lymphocytes. This gives you the number of lymphocytes as an absolute number.
- Absolute Monocytes - The absolute monocyte count indicates the number of monocytes in the blood, helping to identify if the count is normal, high, or low.
- Absolute Eosinophils - Absolute eosinophil count measures the number of eosinophils in blood by multiplying the percentage of eosinophils in a complete blood count with the total number of white blood cells in the same count.
- Absolute Basophils - Absolute basophil count is calculated by multiplying the percentage of basophils by the total number of white blood cells in a blood sample.
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP-14) - A Comprehensive Metabolic Panel, or CMP, is a blood test that measures various substances in the blood, such as glucose, electrolytes, and proteins. It is usually done as part of a routine check-up or to monitor certain medical conditions. The results of a CMP can help doctors evaluate how well the liver, kidneys, and other organs are functioning, as well as detect any imbalances in the body's electrolyte and fluid levels.
- Glucose - Blood sugar level, the most direct test to screen for diabetes and also used in diabetes management.
- Kidney Profile
- Bun or Urea Nitrogen (BUN) - An indicator of kidney function.
- Creatinine, Serum - An indicator of kidney function.
- Bun/Creatinine Ratio - Calculated by dividing BUN by creatinine. This ratio can suggest conditions including dehydration or intestinal bleeding.
- Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) - Measures kidney function to determine kidney disease stage and detect early kidney damage.
- Liver Panel
- Protein, Total - Assists in determining liver and kidney function and nutritional health.
- Albumin Serum - One of the major proteins essential for the healthy function of the liver and kidney.
- Globulin, Total - One of the major proteins that assist the blood to clot properly and also comprises infection-fighting antibodies.
- Albumin/Globulin Ratio - Calculated by dividing albumin by globulin. When paired with other test results, this ratio can assist in diagnosing various liver problems.
- Bilirubin, Total - Aids in detecting hepatitis, sickle cell, anemia, cirrhosis, alcohol, and drug abuse. High concentrations may result in jaundice.
- Alkaline Phosphatase - A protein vital in detecting bone disorders and liver disease.
- Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST or SGOT) - An enzyme helpful in evaluating liver function. An elevated level is an indication of hepatitis.
- Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT or SGPT) - An enzyme helpful in identifying liver damage. Abnormalities may represent liver disease.
- Fluids & Electrolytes
- Sodium - One of the major salts in body fluid. Sodium is important in water balance and the electrical activity of nerves and muscles.
- Potassium - Helps to control the nerves and muscles.
- Chloride - Similar to sodium, it helps to maintain the body's electrolyte balance.
- Carbon Dioxide, Total - Used to help detect, evaluate, and monitor electrolyte imbalances.
- Calcium - A mineral essential for developing and maintaining healthy bones and teeth. It is also important for the normal function of muscles, nerves, and blood clotting.
Lipid Panel With Total Cholesterol: HDL Ratio
- Cholesterol, Total - A measurement used to assess heart health. Cholesterol is required by your body to build healthy cells, but high cholesterol levels can increase your risk of heart disease.
- Triglycerides - Surplus fats that are transported in the bloodstream and are also responsible for providing energy to the body.
- HDL Cholesterol - High-density lipoproteins, or "good" cholesterol, take cholesterol away from the cells and transport it back to the liver for removal or processing.
- LDL Cholesterol - Low-density lipoproteins (calculation), or "bad" cholesterol, contain the highest percentage of cholesterol and are responsible for depositing cholesterol on the artery walls.
- Total Cholesterol/HDL Ratio - This ratio is calculated by dividing total cholesterol by HDL cholesterol and is used in determining the relative risk of heart disease.
Testosterone, Free and Total - Testosterone is a hormone that affects male characteristics and reproductive functions. Both men and women produce it, with free and total testosterone being the two forms that are measured to diagnose hormonal imbalances. Free testosterone is the active form, while total testosterone includes both bound and unbound testosterone.
DHEAS - DHEAS stands for Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate. It is a hormone that is produced by our adrenal glands. DHEAS is a building block for both male and female sex hormones, such as testosterone and estrogen. It is also involved in the production of cortisol, which helps our body deal with stress. DHEAS levels tend to decline with age, and low levels may be associated with certain health conditions.
Estradiol - Estradiol is a type of hormone that is mainly produced in the ovaries in women and testes in men. It plays an important role in the development and maintenance of female reproductive organs and secondary sex characteristics, such as breasts and pubic hair. In addition, it helps regulate the menstrual cycle and is important for bone health.
Fibrinogen - Fibrinogen is a protein found in our blood that helps in clotting. When we have an injury, fibrinogen is converted to fibrin, which forms a clot to stop the bleeding. Think of it as a sort of "glue" that helps seal up wounds and prevent excessive blood loss.
Hemoglobin A1c - Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is a blood test that measures the average amount of sugar (glucose) in your blood over the past 2 to 3 months. It is used to diagnose and monitor diabetes. The higher your HbA1c level, the higher your average blood sugar level has been over the past few months. A normal HbA1c level is around 5%.
C-Reactive Protein, High Sensitivity, Cardiac Risk Assessment (CRP-HS) - C-Reactive Protein, High Sensitivity is a blood test that measures the level of a protein in your blood that indicates the presence of inflammation in your body. This test is used to assess the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and to monitor the response to treatment of inflammatory conditions such as arthritis or infections. A high level of C-Reactive Protein, High Sensitivity may indicate a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, while a low level is considered normal.
Homocysteine - Homocysteine is an amino acid that naturally occurs in the body. High levels of homocysteine in the blood have been associated with an increased risk of heart disease and stroke.
Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH) - TSH stands for Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone. It is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland that controls the production of thyroid hormones in the body. When the levels of thyroid hormones in the body are low, the pituitary gland releases more TSH to stimulate the thyroid gland to produce more thyroid hormones. On the other hand, when the levels of thyroid hormones are high, the pituitary gland releases less TSH to slow down the production of thyroid hormones.
Prostate-Specific Antigen - Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) is a protein produced by the prostate gland. It is primarily used as a screening test for prostate cancer in men. Elevated levels of PSA can indicate the presence of cancer or other prostate conditions.
Benefits of the Top 12 Important Blood Test Panel for Men:
- Hormonal Balance Assessment: Blood tests can measure hormone levels, including estradiol and testosterone, providing insights into hormonal balance. This is crucial for reproductive health, menstrual cycle regulation, and overall well-being.
- Thyroid Function Testing: The thyroid hormone (TSH) is often included in blood test panels. Thyroid function affects metabolism, energy levels, and other vital bodily functions.
- Complete Blood Count (CBC): CBC assesses red and white blood cell counts, hemoglobin, and platelets. It helps identify conditions such as anemia, infections, and blood clotting disorders.
- Blood Glucose Testing: Monitoring blood glucose levels helps assess insulin sensitivity and detect conditions like diabetes or insulin resistance.
- Lipid Profile: This includes tests for cholesterol and triglycerides, providing information about cardiovascular health and the risk of heart disease.
- Liver Function Tests: These tests assess the health of the liver, helping to identify liver disorders and assess overall liver function.
- Kidney Function Tests: Blood tests can measure markers like creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) to evaluate kidney function and detect potential kidney issues.
- C-reactive Protein (CRP): CRP levels can indicate inflammation in the body, which may be associated with various health conditions, including cardiovascular disease.
- Prostate Cancer Screen: Men can use the screening test included in this panel to detect prostate cancer. The test measures the levels of PSA, which can indicate the presence of cancer or other prostate-related conditions.
