What is it and how does it affect me?

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.

What is it and how does it affect me?

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.

What is it and how does it affect me?

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 and how does it affect me?

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.

What is it and how does it affect me?

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.

What is it and how does it affect me?

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.

What is it and how does it affect me?

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 and how does it affect me?

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 and how does it affect me?

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. 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 and how does it affect me?

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. 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 and how does it affect me?

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.

What is it and how does it affect me?

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.