What is it?
Testosterone is a steroid hormone that impacts many areas of men's health such as sleep, sex drive, bone density, cognition, ability to build muscle, hair growth, and sperm production. Testosterone helps build muscle mass, increases bone density, and improves exercise capacity. Testosterone can be improved by getting more sleep, eating healthy foods, and by exercising regularly.
How does it affect me?
Low testosterone may make it difficult to build muscle mass. Testosterone can be improved by getting more sleep and by exercising regularly.
What is it?
Ferritin is a protein that stores iron and delivers it to different tissues in your body. Red blood cells use iron to carry oxygen around your body. Other parts of your body, such as your liver, bone marrow, and muscles, also need iron to function properly.
How does it affect me?
Low Ferritin may indicate that you have low iron levels, or iron deficient-anemia.
What is It?
Cortisol affects several aspects of your body including regulating your stress response, immune system and inflammation, blood pressure, heart rate, glucose metabolism. Cortisol levels can impact your cardiovascular health, risk for diabetes, immune system, fertility, and even cognition.
How does it affect me?
Elevated cortisol may cause a wide array of health problems including mental health issues, infertility, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. With respect to athletic performance, cortisol causes muscle breakdown and may inhibit growth factors that help build muscle.
What is it?
Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium and regulates many other functions in your body, including inflammation, antioxidants, and neuroprotection. Healthy Vitamin D levels are associated with improved mental health, endurance, muscle function, and bone strength. High levels of physical activity in atheletes may increase the body's demand for Vitamin D.
How does it affect me?
Healthy Vitamin D levels are associated with improved endurance and muscle function. High levels of physical activity in athletes may increase the body's demand for Vitamin D.
What is it?
Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) plays an essential role in red blood cell formation, cell metabolism, nerve function and the production of DNA. Metformin is a common and effective treatment for diabetes and pre-diabetes, but may lower your B12 levels. Measuring B12 can help a care provider determine if metformin is an appropriate treatment option for you or if you could benefit from B12 supplements.
How does it affect me?
B12 is essential for red blood cell production. Low B12 may cause anemia and can cause fatigue in athletes.
What is it?
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone, or TSH, is produced by the pituitary gland and regulates the production of thyroid hormones by the thyroid gland. TSH levels are affected by a number of factors, including stress, diet, and certain medications.
How does it affect me?
An imbalance of TSH levels may indicate an underactive or overactive thyroid, which can cause fatigue and diminish your ability to effectively exercise.
What is it?
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that's found in all the cells in your body. Your body needs some cholesterol to make hormones, vitamin D, and substances that help you digest foods. However, if you have too much cholesterol in your blood it can combine with other substances in the blood to form plaque. Plaque sticks to the walls of your arteries, which can develop into atherosclerosis and lead to cardiovascular disease.
How does it affect me?
If you have too much cholesterol in your blood, it can combine with other substances in the blood to form plaque. Plaque sticks to the walls of your arteries. This buildup of plaque is known as atherosclerosis. It can lead to coronary artery disease, where your coronary arteries become narrow or even blocked.
What is it?
Often referred to as "good cholesterol" HDL (high-density lipoprotein) is a type of cholesterol that is associated with better cardiovascular health. HDL helps clear unhealthy cholesterol, like LDL, out of your body. Understanding your HDL levels can help a care provider evaluate your cardiovascular health.
How does it affect me?
With HDL cholesterol, higher numbers are better, because a high HDL level can lower your risk for coronary artery disease and stroke. How high your HDL should be depends on your age and sex: 19 or younger = More than 45mg/dl, Men age 20 or older = More than 40mg/dl, Women age 20 or older = More than 50mg/dl
What is it?
Often referred to as "bad cholesterol" LDL (low-density lipoprotein) is a form of cholesterol that may increase your risk of developing atherosclerosis, the most common cause of cardiovascular disease. Understanding your LDL levels can help a care provider evaluate your cardiovascular health.
How does it affect me?
If you have a high LDL level, this means that you have too much LDL cholesterol in your blood. This extra LDL, along with other substances, forms plaque. The plaque builds up in your arteries and puts you at risk of developing atherosclerosis.
What is it?
Cholesterol ratio is the ratio of your total cholesterol to your HDL cholesterol. This number indicates how much of your total cholesterol comes from unhealthy forms of cholesterol (LDL, IDL, VLDL). A higher number means unhealthy cholesterol constitutes a larger amount of your total cholesterol. A cholesterol ratio less than 5 is considered normal, and less than 3.5 is considered to be optimal.
What is it?
If you eat more calories than you need, your body turns the extra calories into triglycerides and stores them in your fat cells to use later. A high blood triglyceride level usually doesn't cause any symptoms, but over time it may affect your arteries and increase your risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Understanding your triglyceride levels can help a care provider evaluate your cardiovascular health.
How does it affect me?
A high blood triglyceride level usually doesn't cause any symptoms, but over time, it may affect your arteries and increase your risk of heart disease. Extremely high levels of triglycerides also increase the risk of acute pancreatitis in adults and children.
What is it?
ApoA-1 promotes the formation of HDL (healthy cholesterol). Low ApoA-1 may cause low HDL and put you at risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Adapting healthy habits like sleeping, exercising, and eating healthy foods can improve ApoA-1 levels, but there may also be underlying genetic causes for low ApoA-1.
How does it affect me?
ApoA-1 promotes the formation of HDL (healthy cholesterol). Low ApoA-1 may cause low HDL and put you at risk of cardiovascular disease. Adapting healthy habits like sleeping, exercising, and eating healthy foods can improve ApoA-1 levels, but there may also be underlying genetic causes for low ApoA-1.
What is it?
ApoB is a protein attached to unhealthy cholesterol like LDL, VLDL, and IDL and allows these types of cholesterols into your cells. Understanding your ApoB levels can help a care provider evaluate your cardiovascular health.
How does it affect me?
ApoB is a protein attached to bad cholesterol like LDL, VLDL, and IDL and allows these types of cholesterols into your cells. Elevated ApoB means you may be at risk of cardiovascular disease.
What is it?
High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) is a test to measure inflammation in your body, which may be caused by injury, infection, chronic disease, or certain medications. In combination with the other biomarkers on this panel, it may be helpful in determining if you have inflammation associated with diabetes, prediabetes or lipid disorders.
How does it affect me?
Elevated CRP may be caused by injury, infection, or chronic disease and may increase your risk of heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular disease.
What is it?
Cortisol affects several aspects of your body including regulating your stress response, immune system and inflammation, blood pressure, heart rate, glucose metabolism. Cortisol levels can impact your cardiovascular health, risk for diabetes, immune system, fertility, and even cognition.
How does it affect me?
Elevated cortisol may contribute to array of health problems including mental health issues, infertility, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
What is it?
A hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) test measures the amount of sugar (glucose) attached to hemoglobin. This biomarker indicates your average blood sugar level over the past three months, which may be useful in identifying people suffering from diabetes or prediabetes. In people with known diabetes or prediabetes, HbA1c levels help indicate how well these conditions are being managed.
How does it affect me?
HbA1c is a biomarker that indicates your average blood sugar level over the past three months, which may be useful in identifying people suffering from diabetes or prediabetes. In people with known diabetes or prediabetes, HbA1c levels help indicate how well these conditions are being managed.
What is it?
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone, or TSH, is produced by the pituitary gland and regulates the production of thyroid hormones by the thyroid gland. TSH levels are affected by a number of factors, including stress, diet, and certain medications.
How does it affect me?
Elevated or suppressed TSH may indicate hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.
What is it?
Creatinine is a byproduct of normal muscle function that is filtered out of your blood by your kidneys and exits your body in urine. Diabetes can impair the kidneys' ability to remove creatinine from blood. Measuring creatinine can help understand whether your kidneys are functioning properly.
How does it affect me?
A creatinine test may be helpful in understanding how well your kidneys are functioning.
What is it?
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that's found in all the cells in your body. Your body needs some cholesterol to make hormones, vitamin D, and substances that help you digest foods. Your body makes all the cholesterol it needs. Cholesterol is also found in foods from animal sources, such as egg yolks, meat, and cheese
How does it affect me?
If you have too much cholesterol in your blood, it can combine with other substances in the blood to form plaque. Plaque sticks to the walls of your arteries, which can develop into atherosclerosis and lead to cardiovascular disease.
What is it?
Often referred to as "good cholesterol" HDL (high-density lipoprotein) is a type of cholesterol that is associated with better cardiovascular health. HDL helps clear unhealthy cholesterol, like LDL, out of your body. Understanding your HDL levels can help a care provider evaluate your cardiovascular health.
How does it affect me?
HDL is a healthy type of cholesterol that helps clear unhealthy cholesterol, like LDL, out of your body. Understanding your HDL levels can help a care provider evaluate your cardiovascular health.
What is it?
Often referred to as "bad cholesterol" LDL (low-density lipoprotein) is a form of cholesterol that may increase your risk of developing atherosclerosis, the most common cause of cardiovascular disease. Understanding your LDL levels can help a care provider evaluate your cardiovascular health.
How does it affect me?
LDL is an unhealthy form of cholesterol that may increase your risk of developing atherosclerosis, the most common cause of cardiovascular disease. Understanding your LDL levels can help a care provider evaluate your cardiovascular health.
What is it?
Cholesterol ratio is the ratio of your total cholesterol to your HDL cholesterol. This number indicates how much of your total cholesterol comes from unhealthy forms of cholesterol (LDL, IDL, VLDL). A higher number means unhealthy cholesterol constitutes a larger amount of your total cholesterol. A cholesterol ratio less than 5 is considered normal, and less than 3.5 is considered to be optimal.
What is it?
Bilirubin is a byproduct of the normal breakdown of red blood cells. This byproduct is processed by the liver, where it becomes incorporated into bile and eventually excreted from your body.
How does it affect me?
The amount of bilirubin in your blood may be an indicator of your liver's ability to filter your blood. This can help a care provider evaluate your overall liver function.
What is it?
ALT is an enzyme found mostly in liver cells. Liver damage caused by infection, injury, alcohol consumption, certain medications, or liver disease can cause an elevated amount of ALT in the blood stream. Measuring ALT and AST may help a care provider evaluate your overall liver health.
How does it affect me?
Liver damage caused by infection, injury, alcohol consumption, certain medications, or liver disease can cause an elevated amount of ALT in the blood stream. Measuring ALT and AST may help a care provider evaluate your overall liver health.
What is it?
AST is an enzyme found in the liver, heart, muscles, kidneys, brain, and red blood cells, which helps these tissues metabolize amino acids. AST levels in blood are most commonly used to evaluate liver health, but may also indicate tissue damage in the heart, muscles, kidneys, brain, or red blood cells.
How does it affect me?
AST levels in blood are most commonly used to evaluate liver health, but may also indicate tissue damage in the heart, muscles, kidneys, brain, or red blood cells.
What is it?
Cortisol affects several aspects of your body including regulating your stress response, immune system and inflammation, blood pressure, heart rate, glucose metabolism. Cortisol levels can impact your cardiovascular health, risk for diabetes, immune system, fertility, and even cognition.
How does it affect me?
Elevated cortisol may contribute to array of health problems including mental health issues, infertility, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
What is it?
Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium and regulates many other functions in your body, including inflammation, antioxidants, and neuroprotection. Healthy Vitamin D levels are associated with improved mental health, endurance, muscle function, and bone strength. High levels of physical activity in athletes may increase the body's demand for Vitamin D.
How does it affect me?
Healthy Vitamin D levels are associated with improved endurance and muscle function. High levels of physical activity in athletes may increase the body's demand for Vitamin D. Vitamin D deficiency may cause fatigue, muscle weakness, bone pain, or depression.
What is it?
If you eat more calories than you need, your body turns the extra calories into triglycerides and stores them in your fat cells to use later. A high blood triglyceride level usually doesn't cause any symptoms, but over time it may affect your arteries and increase your risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Understanding your triglyceride levels can help a care provider evaluate your cardiovascular health.
How does it affect me?
A high blood triglyceride level usually doesn't cause any symptoms, but over time, it may affect your arteries and increase your risk of heart disease. Extremely high levels of triglycerides also increase the risk of acute pancreatitis in adults and children.
What is it?
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that's found in all the cells in your body. Your body needs some cholesterol to make hormones, vitamin D, and substances that help you digest foods. However, if you have too much cholesterol in your blood it can combine with other substances in the blood to form plaque. Plaque sticks to the walls of your arteries, which can develop into atherosclerosis and lead to cardiovascular disease.
What is it?
Often referred to as "good cholesterol" HDL (high-density lipoprotein) is a type of cholesterol that is associated with better cardiovascular health. HDL helps clear unhealthy cholesterol, like LDL, out of your body. Understanding your HDL levels can help a care provider evaluate your cardiovascular health.
What is it?
Often referred to as "bad cholesterol" LDL (low-density lipoprotein) is a form of cholesterol that may increase your risk of developing atherosclerosis, the most common cause of cardiovascular disease. Understanding your LDL levels can help a care provider evaluate your cardiovascular health.
What is it?
Cholesterol ratio is the ratio of your total cholesterol to your HDL cholesterol. This number indicates how much of your total cholesterol comes from unhealthy forms of cholesterol (LDL, IDL, VLDL). A higher number means unhealthy cholesterol constitutes a larger amount of your total cholesterol. A cholesterol ratio less than 5 is considered normal, and less than 3.5 is considered to be optimal.
What is it?
Screening for hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) measures the amount of blood sugar (glucose) attached to hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the part of your red blood cells that carries oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body.
How does this effect me?
Diabetes is a chronic disease in which your blood sugar levels are too high. Over time, diabetes can cause serious health problems, including heart disease, kidney disease, and nerve damage.
HbA1c is a biomarker that indicates your average glucose level over the past three months. Elevated HbA1C may be an indicator pre-diabetes or diabetes.
What is it?
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that's found in all the cells in your body. Your body needs some cholesterol to make hormones, vitamin D, and substances that help you digest foods. However, if you have too much cholesterol in your blood it can combine with other substances in the blood to form plaque. Plaque sticks to the walls of your arteries, which can develop into atherosclerosis and lead to cardiovascular disease.
What is it?
Often referred to as "good cholesterol" HDL (high-density lipoprotein) is a type of cholesterol that is associated with better cardiovascular health. HDL helps clear unhealthy cholesterol, like LDL, out of your body. Understanding your HDL levels can help a care provider evaluate your cardiovascular health.
What is it?
Often referred to as "bad cholesterol" LDL (low-density lipoprotein) is a form of cholesterol that may increase your risk of developing atherosclerosis, the most common cause of cardiovascular disease. Understanding your LDL levels can help a care provider evaluate your cardiovascular health.
What is it?
Cholesterol ratio is the ratio of your total cholesterol to your HDL cholesterol. This number indicates how much of your total cholesterol comes from unhealthy forms of cholesterol (LDL, IDL, VLDL). A higher number means unhealthy cholesterol constitutes a larger amount of your total cholesterol. A cholesterol ratio less than 5 is considered normal, and less than 3.5 is considered to be optimal.
What is it?
ALT is an enzyme found mostly in liver cells. Liver damage caused by infection, injury, alcohol consumption, certain medications, or fatty liver disease can cause an elevated amount of ALT in the bloodstream. Measuring ALT and AST may help a care provider evaluate your overall liver health.
What is it?
Creatinine is a byproduct of normal muscle function that is filtered out of your blood by your kidneys and exits your body in urine. Measuring how much creatinine is in your blood may be helpful in understanding how diabetes may be affecting your kidney function.
What is it?
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone, or TSH, is produced by the pituitary gland and regulates the production of thyroid hormones by the thyroid gland. TSH levels are affected by a number of factors, including stress, diet, and certain medications.
What is it?
Screening for hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) measures the amount of blood sugar (glucose) attached to hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the part of your red blood cells that carries oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body.
How does this effect me?
Diabetes is a chronic disease in which your blood sugar levels are too high. Over time, diabetes can cause serious health problems, including heart disease, kidney disease, and nerve damage.
HbA1c is a biomarker that indicates your average glucose level over the past three months. Elevated HbA1C may be an indicator pre-diabetes or diabetes.
What is it?
Glucose is the most abundant sugar found in your blood. It comes directly from the foods you eat and is released by the liver and other tissues between meals to supply a steady source of energy to your body. Sometimes, glucose levels may become too high (hyperglycemia) or too low (hypoglycemia). Measuring glucose levels in blood may help diagnose someone with diabetes.
What is it?
Magnesium is an important mineral, playing a role in over 300 enzyme reactions in the human body. Its many functions include helping with muscle and nerve function, regulating blood pressure, and supporting the immune system.
How does it affect me?
Low magnesium may make you feel nauseated, and fatigued. Over time, magnesium deficiency may cause osteoporosis (weak bones), cause headaches, and may have a negative impact on cardiovascular health.
What is it?
Calcium is a mineral most often associated with healthy bones and teeth, although it also plays an important role in blood clotting, helping muscles to contract, and regulating normal heart rhythms and nerve functions.
How does it affect me?
Low calcium may make you feel fatigued and may cause dizziness and brain fog. Over time, calcium deficiency can cause osteoporosis (weak bones), cataracts, and may put you at risk of developing tooth decay.
Elevated calcium may decrease bone strength, create kidney stones, cause high blood pressure, or slow your heart rate.
What is it?
Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium, which is the primary component of bone. Vitamin D also regulates many other cellular functions in your body, including inflammation, antioxidants, and neuroprotection. Vitamin D supports immune health, muscle function, and brain cell activity.
How does it affect me?
Healthy Vitamin D levels are associated with improved endurance and muscle function. High levels of physical activity in atheletes may increase the body's demand for Vitamin D. Vitamin D deficiency may cause fatigue, muscle weakness, bone pain, or depression.
What is it?
Vitamin B12 is needed for the formation of red blood cells and DNA, and is also a key player in the function and development of brain and nerve cells. Vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to fatigue, anemia, and neurological problems.
How does it affect me?
Low B12 may cause fatigue, headaches, depression, and can cause a specific type of anemia called "B12 anemia." Low B12 can also have neurological symptoms such as vision problems, memory loss, a tingling sensation, or a loss of coordination.
What is it?
Ferritin is a protein that stores iron. Red blood cells need iron to form normally and carry oxygen around your body. Other parts of your body, such as your liver, bone marrow, and muscles, also need iron.
How does it affect me?
Low Ferritin may indicate that you have low iron levels, or iron deficient-anemia.
What is it?
B9, or Folate, is a vitamin your body uses to make DNA, other genetic material, and red blood cells. Folate also plays an important role in the brain development of fetuses. The CDC recommends that reproductive aged women take Folate supplements to prevent birth defects.
How does it affect me?
Low Folate (B9) may cause fatigue, weakness, mouth sores, and neurological issues. It may also contribute to "B12 anemia." Low Folate in pregnant women may also contribute to the development of birth defects in fetuses.
Definition:
A hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) test measures the amount of sugar (glucose) attached to hemoglobin. This biomarker indicates your average blood sugar level over the past three months, which may be useful in identifying people suffering from diabetes or prediabetes. In people with known diabetes or prediabetes, HbA1c levels help indicate how well these conditions are being managed.
How does this effect me?
Diabetes is a chronic disease in which your blood sugar levels are too high. Over time, diabetes can cause serious health problems, including heart disease, kidney disease, and nerve damage.
HbA1c is a biomarker that indicates your average glucose level over the past three months. Elevated HbA1C may be an indicator pre-diabetes or diabetes.
What is it?
Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) is the estimated rate at which your kidneys are able to produce "cleansed blood" by filtering out waste products, like creatinine. This number is calculated using your serum creatinine result along with your age, weight, and biological sex. A care provider can use this number to understand how well your kidneys are functioning and if you may benefit from medical or lifestyle interventions to improve kidney function. If you have diabetes, it is especially important to understand how your condition is affecting your kidneys.
What is it?
Creatinine is a chemical compound left over from energy-producing processes in your muscles. Healthy kidneys filter creatinine out of the blood. Creatinine exits your body as a waste product in urine.
How does it affect me?
Creatinine is byproduct of normal muscle function that is cleared from your blood by your kidneys. A creatinine test may be helpful in understanding how diabetes may be affecting your kidney function.
What is it?
A hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) test measures the amount of sugar (glucose) attached to hemoglobin. This biomarker indicates your average blood sugar level over the past three months, which may be useful in identifying people suffering from diabetes or prediabetes. In people with known diabetes or prediabetes, HbA1c levels help indicate how well these conditions are being managed.
How does this effect me?
Diabetes is a chronic disease in which your blood sugar levels are too high. Over time, diabetes can cause serious health problems, including heart disease, kidney disease, and nerve damage.
HbA1c is a biomarker that indicates your average glucose level over the past three months. Elevated HbA1C may be an indicator pre-diabetes or diabetes.
What is it?
Glucose is the most abundant sugar found in your blood. It comes directly from the foods you eat and is released by the liver and other tissues between meals to supply a steady source of energy to your body. Sometimes, glucose leves may become too high (hyperglycemia) or too low (hypoglycemia). Measuring glucose levels in blood may help diagnose someone with diabetes.
How does it affect me?
Diabetes is a chronic disease in which your blood sugar levels are too high. Over time, diabetes can cause serious health problems, including heart disease, kidney disease, and nerve damage.
A Glucose test indicates how much sugar is in your blood. Glucose levels may indicate either hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) or hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), and can help identify people suffering from diabetes.
What is it?
Insulin helps regulate the amount of sugar in your blood. Insulin levels along with glucose levels and HbA1c can help a care provider determine if you have developed insulin resistance, which may make it difficult for your body to properly regulate blood sugar. Insulin may also be used to help determine type I vs type II diabetes.
How does it affect me?
Diabetes is a chronic disease in which your blood sugar levels are too high. Over time, diabetes can cause serious health problems, including heart disease, kidney disease, and nerve damage.
Insulin helps regulate the amount of sugar in your blood.
If you have high blood sugar, elevated insulin may mean your body has developed a resistance to insulin. Insulin resistance makes it difficult for your body to properly regulate blood sugar and puts you at risk of developing Type II diabetes.
If you have high blood sugar and low insulin, then your body may not be able to produce enough insulin to properly regulate blood sugar and you may be at risk of having Type I diabetes.
If you have low blood sugar, elevated insulin may cause hypoglycemia
What is it?
High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is a test to measure inflammation in your body, which may be caused by injury, infection, chronic disease, or certain medications. In combination with the other biomarkers on this panel, it may be helpful in determining if you have inflammation associated with diabetes, prediabetes or lipid disorders.
How does this affect me?
Diabetes is a chronic disease in which your blood sugar levels are too high. Over time, diabetes can cause serious health problems, including heart disease, kidney disease, and nerve damage.
Elevated CRP may be caused by injury, infection, or chronic disease such as diabetes and may increase your risk of heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular disease.
What is it?
Creatinine is a byproduct of normal muscle function that is filtered out of your blood by your kidneys and exits your body in urine. Diabetes can impair the kidneys' ability to remove creatinine from the blood. Measuring creatinine can help understand whether your kidneys are functioning properly.
How does it affect me?
Creatinine is byproduct of normal muscle function that is cleared from your blood by your kidneys. A creatinine test may be helpful in understanding how diabetes may be affecting your kidney function.
What is it?
Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) plays an essential role in red blood cell formation, cell metabolism, nerve function and the production of DNA. Low B12 may cause B12 anemia and can cause fatigue in athletes.
How does it affect me?
Metformin is a common and effective treatment for diabetes and pre-diabetes, but may lower your B12 levels. Measuring B12 can help a care provider determine if metformin is an appropriate treatment option for you or if you could benefit from B12 supplements.
What is it?
Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone, or TSH, is produced by the pituitary gland and regulates the production of thyroid hormones in the thyroid gland. TSH levels are affected by a number of factors, including stress, diet, and certain medications. An imbalance of TSH levels may indicate an underactive or overactive thyroid, which can cause fatigue and diminish your ability to effectively exercise.
What is it?
Chlamydia is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis and is the most common bacterial STI in the US.
It can be spread through sexual contact, including vaginal, anal, and oral sex. In addition, an infected mother can pass the infection to their baby during childbirth. Chlamydia can cause future issues like Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (an infection of the female reproductive system), ectopic pregnancy, infertility, and chronic pelvic pain.
Many people with chlamydia do not experience any symptoms and may not be aware they are infected, which is why regular testing is recommended if you are sexually active. When symptoms are present, they can include pain or burning during urination; abnormal discharge from the vagina, penis, or rectum; pain during sexual intercourse; and pain or swelling of the testicles (in males).
What is it?
Gonorrhea is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae and is the second most common bacterial STI in the US. It can be spread through sexual contact, including vaginal, anal, and oral sex. In addition, an infected mother can pass the infection to their baby during childbirth. If left untreated, potential health risks can include Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (an infection of the female reproductive system), infertility, and an increased risk of HIV transmission.
In some cases, people with gonorrhea may not experience any symptoms at all. It is important to note that gonorrhea can also infect other parts of the body, such as the throat, eyes, and joints. When symptoms are present, they can include pain or burning during urination; abnormal discharge from the vagina, penis, or rectum; pain or swelling in the testicles (in males); sore throat (if the infection is acquired through oral sex); painful bowel movements; and conjunctivitis (pink eye).
What is it?
Trichomoniasis is a common infection caused by a parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis. It can be spread through sexual contact, including vaginal, anal, and oral sex. Left untreated, Trichomoniasis can raise pregnancy risks in women such as premature birth and low birth weight. It can lead to painful chronic scrotum swelling and urinary issues in men. It is important to note that trichomoniasis can increase the risk of other STIs, including HIV, and lead to pregnancy complications.
Many people with trichomoniasis do not experience any symptoms and may not be aware they are infected, which is why regular testing is recommended if you are sexually active. When symptoms are present, they can include burning or discomfort during urination, itching and swelling in the genital area, abnormal vaginal discharge, and pain or discomfort during sexual intercourse.
What is it?
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks the body's immune system, making it harder for the body to fight off infections and diseases. HIV is spread through contact with infected bodily fluids, such as blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk. If left untreated, HIV can lead to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). Because HIV attacks your immune system, you are more likely to develop different types of infections and cancer that your body cannot fight off.
Many people with HIV do not experience any symptoms in the early stages of the infection. However, as the virus progresses and the immune system becomes weaker, some symptoms of the HIV virus or an opportunistic infection may begin to appear. The only way to know if you have HIV is to get tested. When symptoms are present, they can include fever, fatigue, rash, night sweats, sore throat, mouth sores, diarrhea, weight loss, headaches, and swollen lymph nodes.
What is it?
Syphilis is caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. It can be transmitted through sexual contact, direct contact with a syphilis sore, and from mother to baby during childbirth. Left untreated, syphilis can cause chronic conditions like dementia, stroke, meningitis, hearing loss, blindness, and a host of other issues stemming from the damaged nervous system.
People with syphilis may not experience any symptoms and may not be aware they are infected, which is why regular testing is recommended if you are sexually active. There are four different stages of a syphilis infection, each with its own set of potential symptoms.
The 4 stages of Syphilis are:
- Primary stage: This stage begins with a painless sore that is located in the area of your body where the syphilis bacteria first enters. The sore usually appears 2-12 weeks after infection and can last for 3-6 weeks. If left untreated, the infection will now move to the second stage.
- Secondary stage: This stage occurs about one to six months after the initial sore heals and is characterized by rough, reddish skin rashes. The rash can cover your hands, feet, or even your entire body. You may or may not have any other additional symptoms, but other potential symptoms are fever, fatigue, muscle aches, headaches, hair loss, weight loss, sore throat, and swollen lymph nodes. If left untreated, the infection may move to the latent stage.
- Latent stage: During this stage, you will still have a syphilis infection but there might not be any more outward signs or symptoms. However, irreversible damage will still be occurring to the internal organs. This phase can last for years. If left untreated, may move to the tertiary stage.
- Tertiary stage: This stage occurs in about 20% of those infected with syphilis and can happen many years after the initial infection. Serious health problems begin to occur including damage to your nervous system, heart, and internal organs, potentially resulting in death.
What is it?
Hepatitis B is a preventable liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). The virus can cause two different infections: acute (short-term) and chronic. Hepatitis B can be transmitted through sexual contact, sharing needles, and from mother to baby during childbirth. If left untreated, Hepatitis B can lead to liver disease, liver cancer, and liver failure. Vaccines are currently available to prevent hepatitis B infections.
Many people with hepatitis B do not experience any symptoms and may not be aware they are infected, which is why regular testing is recommended if you are sexually active or an intravenous drug user. When symptoms are present, they can include stomach pain, nausea, loss of appetite, fatigue, fever, joint pain, dark urine, and jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin).
What is it?
Hepatitis C is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). It is transmitted through contact with infected blood, such as sharing needles or other equipment to inject drugs. If left untreated, hepatitis C can lead to liver disease, liver cancer, and liver failure.
Many people with hepatitis C do not experience any symptoms and may not be aware they are infected, which is why regular testing is recommended if you are sexually active or an intravenous drug user. When symptoms are present, they can include stomach pain, nausea, loss of appetite, fatigue, fever, joint pain, dark urine, and jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin caused by excess bilirubin).
