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If you want to ask your doctor for bloodwork but aren't sure what to ask for, just tell them you're looking for a comprehensive test. You want your cholesterol, LDL's, HDL's, etc. Depending on your insurance, this test could likely cost you nothing other than a co-pay to your physician.
They'll give you a form to bring to the lab. For what you're looking to track, you want to make sure you're getting a Comprehensive Metabolic Profile as well as a Lipid Panel Profile. On your form will be sections to fill in to have a copy of your results mailed to you. If you're uncomfortable with this, just ask your physician for a copy. Save the copies so you can track your progress over time.
The following are some brief descriptions of what each component is and its recommended range. These descriptions have been taken from the http://www.siouxvalley.org website. The recommended ranges have been taken directly from a profile sheet I received in late 2004.
I am not and do not purport to be a doctor or medical professional. This is for informational purposes only.
A Comprehensive Metabolic Profile includes:
Albumin
Albumin is made in the liver and is the major protein of the blood, helping to keep water in blood vessels and transport substances. Decreased albumin levels can be associated with malnutrition, liver disease, and kidney disease.
Recommended Range: 3.2-5.0
Alkaline Phosphatase
Alkaline Phosphatase levels are very useful in evaluating liver and bone disease.
Recommended Range: 30-135
Total Bilirubin
As red blood cells normally age and break down, bilirubin—a by-product—is released into the blood and is cleared by the liver. High bilirubin values may indicate a liver function problem, bile duct blockage, or excessive destruction of red blood cells.
Recommended Range: 0.0-1.0
Calcium
Calcium is primarily found in the bones and is the body’s most important mineral. It is necessary for many important body functions, such as muscle contraction, blood clotting, bone formation, conduction of nerve impulses, and parathyroid gland activity. Abnormal levels may be associated with bone diseases and excess intake of antacid, calcium-rich foods and Vitamin D.
Recommended Range: 8.5-10.2
Carbon Dioxide
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the major waste product of normal metabolism.
Recommended Range: 22-30
Chloride
Chloride is involved in maintaining the normal amount of water and balance in body fluids.
Recommended Range: 98-108
Creatinine
Creatinine is a waste product in muscles and is constantly released into the blood and excreted by the kidneys. Higher levels usually indicate kidney disease.
Recommended Range: 0.7-1.4
Glucose
Glucose is the primary source of energy for all bodily functions. Elevated results can be associated with eating shortly before the blood sample was drawn and/or may suggest diabetes (hyperglycemia). Low glucose levels are called hypoglycemia and may cause weakness or dizziness.
Recommended Range: 65-110
Potassium
Potassium plays a significant role in water balance inside cells and in the function of nerve tissue and heart and muscle contraction. Low values can occur after prolonged fluid loss (vomiting and diarrhea), in renal disease, and from taking diuretics. High blood potassium levels may indicate kidney disease.
Recommended Range: 3.5-5.0
Sodium
Sodium plays a key role in salt and water balance. Low levels can be found in a variety of conditions. High sodium levels can occur from too much salt in the diet or by too much water loss.
Recommended Range: 135-145
SGOT/AST
This enzyme is found mainly in the liver, heart, and muscle. Any damage, trauma, or disease involving any of the tissues can cause a high level.
Recommended Range: 7-37
SGPT/ALT
This enzyme is found primarily in the liver and is a very good indicator of liver damage or disease.
Recommended Range: 20-65
Total Protein
Proteins aid the body in immune defense, inflammation, blood clotting, and transport of other substances in the blood. Values below or above the reference range may require further testing.
Recommended Range: 6.4-8.2
Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
Blood urea nitrogen is a waste product produced by the body. An elevated BUN level may be caused by various kidney diseases, urinary tract obstruction, or high-protein diet.
Recommended Range: 8-20
A Lipid Profile includes:
Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a soft, fat-like substance necessary for proper body cell function. “Lipoproteins” transport cholesterol in the blood. The major forms are high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Cholesterol can build up in artery walls, narrowing or blocking arteries and causing atherosclerosis, the condition responsible for 97% of heart attacks. For most people, the optimal cholesterol is less than 200 mg/dl.
Recommended Range: 100-200
Cholesterol-HDL
High-density lipoprotein (HDL), a fat and protein combination, is often considered “good cholesterol” as it carries cholesterol away from blood vessels. Research indicates that high levels of HDL are linked with lower risk of heart and artery disease.
Recommended Range: 35-130
Cholesterol-LDL and VLDL
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is also a fat and protein combination, but contains more fat than HDL. It is often called “bad cholesterol” since it tends to build up as fatty deposits in artery walls. Very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) contains large quantities of triglycerides.
Recommended Range: 65-130
Coronary Risk Factors
These calculated values offer additional information in determining an individual’s risk for coronary heart disease. They are calculated based on total cholesterol, triglyceride, and HDL values.
Recommended Range:
Risk Group|||||Men|||||Women
Lowest|||||<3.8|||||<2.9
Low|||||3.8-4.7|||||2.9-3.6
Moderate|||||4.8-5.9|||||3.7-4.6
High|||||>5.9|||||>4.6
Triglycerides
Triglycerides are fatty molecules formed in the liver and make up 95% of fat stored in tissue. Their major function is to provide energy. Triglycerides should be less than 400 mg/dl even shortly after eating. When serum triglyceride and cholesterol levels are both elevated, the risk for coronary heart disease increases. Since triglycerides are often higher after eating a meal, a minimum 12-hour fast is required to obtain meaningful results.
Recommended Range: 30-190
They'll give you a form to bring to the lab. For what you're looking to track, you want to make sure you're getting a Comprehensive Metabolic Profile as well as a Lipid Panel Profile. On your form will be sections to fill in to have a copy of your results mailed to you. If you're uncomfortable with this, just ask your physician for a copy. Save the copies so you can track your progress over time.
The following are some brief descriptions of what each component is and its recommended range. These descriptions have been taken from the http://www.siouxvalley.org website. The recommended ranges have been taken directly from a profile sheet I received in late 2004.
I am not and do not purport to be a doctor or medical professional. This is for informational purposes only.
A Comprehensive Metabolic Profile includes:
Albumin
Albumin is made in the liver and is the major protein of the blood, helping to keep water in blood vessels and transport substances. Decreased albumin levels can be associated with malnutrition, liver disease, and kidney disease.
Recommended Range: 3.2-5.0
Alkaline Phosphatase
Alkaline Phosphatase levels are very useful in evaluating liver and bone disease.
Recommended Range: 30-135
Total Bilirubin
As red blood cells normally age and break down, bilirubin—a by-product—is released into the blood and is cleared by the liver. High bilirubin values may indicate a liver function problem, bile duct blockage, or excessive destruction of red blood cells.
Recommended Range: 0.0-1.0
Calcium
Calcium is primarily found in the bones and is the body’s most important mineral. It is necessary for many important body functions, such as muscle contraction, blood clotting, bone formation, conduction of nerve impulses, and parathyroid gland activity. Abnormal levels may be associated with bone diseases and excess intake of antacid, calcium-rich foods and Vitamin D.
Recommended Range: 8.5-10.2
Carbon Dioxide
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the major waste product of normal metabolism.
Recommended Range: 22-30
Chloride
Chloride is involved in maintaining the normal amount of water and balance in body fluids.
Recommended Range: 98-108
Creatinine
Creatinine is a waste product in muscles and is constantly released into the blood and excreted by the kidneys. Higher levels usually indicate kidney disease.
Recommended Range: 0.7-1.4
Glucose
Glucose is the primary source of energy for all bodily functions. Elevated results can be associated with eating shortly before the blood sample was drawn and/or may suggest diabetes (hyperglycemia). Low glucose levels are called hypoglycemia and may cause weakness or dizziness.
Recommended Range: 65-110
Potassium
Potassium plays a significant role in water balance inside cells and in the function of nerve tissue and heart and muscle contraction. Low values can occur after prolonged fluid loss (vomiting and diarrhea), in renal disease, and from taking diuretics. High blood potassium levels may indicate kidney disease.
Recommended Range: 3.5-5.0
Sodium
Sodium plays a key role in salt and water balance. Low levels can be found in a variety of conditions. High sodium levels can occur from too much salt in the diet or by too much water loss.
Recommended Range: 135-145
SGOT/AST
This enzyme is found mainly in the liver, heart, and muscle. Any damage, trauma, or disease involving any of the tissues can cause a high level.
Recommended Range: 7-37
SGPT/ALT
This enzyme is found primarily in the liver and is a very good indicator of liver damage or disease.
Recommended Range: 20-65
Total Protein
Proteins aid the body in immune defense, inflammation, blood clotting, and transport of other substances in the blood. Values below or above the reference range may require further testing.
Recommended Range: 6.4-8.2
Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
Blood urea nitrogen is a waste product produced by the body. An elevated BUN level may be caused by various kidney diseases, urinary tract obstruction, or high-protein diet.
Recommended Range: 8-20
A Lipid Profile includes:
Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a soft, fat-like substance necessary for proper body cell function. “Lipoproteins” transport cholesterol in the blood. The major forms are high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Cholesterol can build up in artery walls, narrowing or blocking arteries and causing atherosclerosis, the condition responsible for 97% of heart attacks. For most people, the optimal cholesterol is less than 200 mg/dl.
Recommended Range: 100-200
Cholesterol-HDL
High-density lipoprotein (HDL), a fat and protein combination, is often considered “good cholesterol” as it carries cholesterol away from blood vessels. Research indicates that high levels of HDL are linked with lower risk of heart and artery disease.
Recommended Range: 35-130
Cholesterol-LDL and VLDL
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is also a fat and protein combination, but contains more fat than HDL. It is often called “bad cholesterol” since it tends to build up as fatty deposits in artery walls. Very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) contains large quantities of triglycerides.
Recommended Range: 65-130
Coronary Risk Factors
These calculated values offer additional information in determining an individual’s risk for coronary heart disease. They are calculated based on total cholesterol, triglyceride, and HDL values.
Recommended Range:
Risk Group|||||Men|||||Women
Lowest|||||<3.8|||||<2.9
Low|||||3.8-4.7|||||2.9-3.6
Moderate|||||4.8-5.9|||||3.7-4.6
High|||||>5.9|||||>4.6
Triglycerides
Triglycerides are fatty molecules formed in the liver and make up 95% of fat stored in tissue. Their major function is to provide energy. Triglycerides should be less than 400 mg/dl even shortly after eating. When serum triglyceride and cholesterol levels are both elevated, the risk for coronary heart disease increases. Since triglycerides are often higher after eating a meal, a minimum 12-hour fast is required to obtain meaningful results.
Recommended Range: 30-190
