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?

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.

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?

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.

What is it and how does it affect me?

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.

What is it and how does it affect me?

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.