Energy Blood Tests - Page 2

Inflamation: These tests look to see if you have high levels of inflammation in your body—these, or what is causing the inflammation, can cause fatigue. Your doctor may follow up with more specific tests (such as for rheumatoid factors or lupus or other less common diseases if these screening tests for inflammation indicate that your fatigue may be due to these causes).

C-reactive protein (CRP) is produced in the liver, and its levels rise dramatically in the presence of inflammation or infection. Although not a telltale diagnostic sign of any one condition, CRP may be measured to check for rheumatoid arthritis or to measure a patient’s response to treatment. As a marker of inflammation, CRP has also been established as an important predictor of cardiovascular risk. CRP levels between 3 and 10 ug/mL are suggestive of the inflammatory process caused by the formation of plaque within arteries or atherosclerosis. Most docs think the evidence to treat such elevations with a statin drug after a search for other causes warrants that such treatment be recommended to patients. Levels greater than 10 ug/mL suggest other types of inflammation that can occur with such conditions as arthritis or infection.

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate. This is another way to measure inflammation in the body.

IL-6, IL-8, and/or TNF Alpha: These are special chemicals or biomarkers in the blood that are released by one group of inflammatory cells to tell the others that there is a site of inflammation within the body and that more help (more inflammatory cells) is needed to respond to the problem. These biomarkers may signal a greater intensity of inflammation.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF): This is a very interesting biomarker that is often associated with inflammation. Since it stimulates the growth of tiny blood vessels, it can be elevated in healing wounds or nasal polyps. Perhaps related to inflammation in general, many people with sleep apnea have an elevation of VEGF.

Diabetes and Impaired Glucose Metabolism: Diabetes mellitus is a disease in which the body cannot make or respond to insulin, allowing glucose to build up in the bloodstream. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps the body’s cells to take in glucose and convert it to energy. When the pancreas does not make enough insulin or the body is resistant to the insulin that is present, excess glucose builds up in the bloodstream, setting the stage for diabetes. Diabetes is a growing health concern, affecting about 8 percent of the U.S. population. It plays a major role in strokes and cardiac and vascular disease, and can cause injury to the kidneys, eyes, and other parts of the body. Diabetes is divided into two types: type 1 (also called juvenile or insulin-dependent diabetes) and type 2 (also called adult-onset or non-insulin- dependent diabetes). In addition, there is a form of prediabetes called impaired glucose metabolism (IGM). IGM is often observed in individuals with an increased waist size and increases one’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Fasting blood glucose level: A level from 79 to 99 mg/dL indicates normal glucose metabolism. A level from 100 to 125 mg/dL indicates impaired glucose metabolism, while a level above 125 mg/dL on two separate occasions indicates the presence of diabetes.

Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c): This biomarker level is an indication of the average amount of glucose in your blood over time, as HbA1c levels are not influenced by daily fluctuations in the blood glucose concentration. An insulin measurement helps determine whether a high blood glucose reading is the result of insufficient insulin or poor use of insulin. Individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus may have elevated levels of insulin.

Kidney Function: Kidneys are the beanlike organs that are essential for micro-managing your blood chemicals and often the first organ injured by chronic disease.

Creatinine. Creatinine is a protein waste product generated by muscle metabolism and is eliminated by the kidneys. Because creatinine is released at a constant rate (depending on muscle mass), its serum level is a good indicator of kidney function. Creatinine levels can increase temporarily as a result of muscle injury.

BUN: Measures the amount of urea nitrogen in the blood. Urea is the major breakdown product of bodily protein and contains nitrogen. Urea and other nitrogen-richwaste products are normally eliminated from the bloodstream by the kidneys, so an increased BUN level may indicate impaired renal (kidney) function. However, many conditions other than renal disease can cause BUN alterations. An elevated BUN level may also be caused by dehydration.