Blood Draw Descriptions

Chloride is involved in maintaining the normal amount of water and the acid-base balance in body fluids. In general, the serum level of chloride is closely associated with the level of sodium. Chloride levels higher or lower than normal can be associated with metabolic acidosis and alkalosis and with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, kidney, and adrenal gland.

An element widely distributed throughout the body. Approximately 85% of the body’s phosphorus is found in bone in a complex with calcium. Phosphorus plays an important role in bone formation, carbohydrate metabolism (sugar formation and degradation), and acid-base balance. Blood phosphorus levels fluctuate during the day and are affected by your diet and some antacids. Abnormal blood phosphorus levels are found in different types of bone disease and several other conditions.

A mineral necessary for many important bodily functions, including bone formation, muscle contraction, and blood clotting. In addition, calcium is involved in maintaining the stability of nerve cells. Abnormal blood calcium levels are associated with bone diseases and a variety of other conditions.

Sodium is involved in maintaining the normal amount of water and the acid-base balance in body fluids. Within the cells of the body, sodium is involved in nerve conduction. Serum sodium levels higher or lower than normal can be caused by various conditions, including diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, kidney, and adrenal gland.

Potassium is involved in the functioning of nervous tissue and in heart and muscle contraction. Serum potassium levels higher or lower than normal can be caused by various conditions, including diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, kidney, and adrenal gland.

Helps regulate energy production in the cells. This element is found primarily inside the cells. A low magnesium level in the blood may indicate severe malnutrition, severe diarrhea, alcoholism, or excessive use of diuretics. A very low level of magnesium in the blood can cause your muscles to tremble. High values may indicate kidney disorder. Any value outside the specified Reference Range should be reported to your health care provider.

Cholesterol / HDL Ratio – Calculation

CHD Risk, Estimated – Calculation

Lipids (fats) that account for 95% of the fat stored in tissue. Elevated serum triglyceride levels are found in metabolic disorders, liver disease, diabetes, and hypothyroidism (deficiency of thyroid activity). When serum triglyceride and cholesterol levels are both elevated, the probability of coronary artery disease may be increased.

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is sometimes referred to as “good” cholesterol. High levels of HDL are thought to be associated with a reduced risk for coronary heart disease.

Very low-density lipoprotein. VLDL contain large quantities of triglyceride and 10% to 15% of total plasma cholesterol.

Low-density lipoprotein. LDL is sometimes referred to as “bad” cholesterol. High levels of LDL are thought to be associated with an increased risk for coronary heart disease.

is an inflammatory marker – a substance that the body releases in response to inflammation. CRP levels can provide physicians with information about a patient’s risk of heart disease.

The major protein of blood. Albumin plays an important role in maintaining the plasma of blood in the blood vessels (osmotic pressure), transporting substances, and in nutrition. It is made by the liver. Consequently, decreased albumin levels may be associated with liver disease. Albumin levels may also indicate general health and nutritional status.

The second most common substance in blood. Serum proteins have many functions, including the transport of other substances, immune defense, blood clotting, and inflammation defense. Serum protein levels are useful for evaluating nutritional status, infection, and various other disorders.

One of the main protein groups found in blood. The alpha-and beta-globulins are produced by the liver, whereas the gamma-globulins (antibodies that play an important role in the body’s defense against disease) are produced by some of the white blood cells and plasma cells. The level of serum globulin is often elevated in liver disease, collagen diseases, and myeloma.

The calculated ratio of levels of these two serum proteins. A low A/G is found in certain liver diseases, kidney disease, myeloma, and inflammation, as well as other disorders.

An increased number of white blood cells is called leukocytosis and may occur with infections, appendicitis, pregnancy, leukemia, hemorrhage and hemolysis. Strenuous exercise, emotional distress and anxiety can also cause leukocytosis. A decreased number of white blood cells is called leucopenia and may occur in certain viral deseases such as mumps, lupus erythematosus and cirrhosis of the liver. In addition, radiation therapy and certain types of drug therapy tend to lower the white blood count.

Red blood cells are the most common type of cell in the blood and are produced by the bone marrow continuously in healthy adults. The cells contain hemoglobin, which carries oxygen and carbon dioxide throughout the body. The RBC determines if the number of red blood cells in your body is low (anemia) or high (polycythemia).

Red blood cells contain hemoglobin, the molecules that carry oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood. People with a low hemoglobin level have anemia and usually have low red blood cell count and a low hematocrit.

To determine the ratio of plasma (clear liquid part of blood) to red cells in the blood to give a level of how

much of your blood is made of red cells. Hematocrit

measurement is useful in identifying anemia, the presence of liver disease, and red cell production within the circulatory system. (Hematocrit increases with altitude training or dehydration.)

The Mean Cell Volume measures the average size of red blood cells.

Reflects the average weight of hemoglobin found in the red blood cell.

Reflects the average amount of hemoglobin in the red blood cell.

Platelets are the smallest type of cell found in the blood. Platelets help stop bleeding after an injury by gathering around the injury site, plugging the hole in the bleeding vessel and helping the blood to clot more quickly.

Reflects the distribution of the size of the red blood cell.