Essential Blood Profile

Bilirubin: Bilirubin is a product of the breakdown of hemoglobin from red blood cells. Bilirubin passes through the liver and is eventually excreted out of the body. Occasionally, higher bilirubin levels may be caused by an increased rate of red blood cell destruction (hemolysis) and can be indicative of liver disease or jaundice.

Alanine Transaminase (ALT): ALT is an enzyme found mostly in the liver. When the liver is damaged, ALT is released into the bloodstream, hence increasing the concentration that can be detected in a blood test. Therefore, high levels of ALT can be indicative of liver damage, alcohol abuse, diabetes, or hepatitis.

Alkaline Phosphate (ALP): ALP is an enzyme found in the liver, bones, kidneys, and digestive system. The highest concentrations of ALP are contained within the tissues that make up the bone and liver. This test can be used as an aid in the diagnosis and monitoring of various liver conditions including liver cancer, cirrhosis, and hepatitis.

Albumin: Albumin is a protein made by the liver. This test is used to check your general health and to see how well your liver and kidneys are working. If your liver is damaged or you are not well nourished, your liver may not make enough albumin.

Globulins: Globulins are a group of 4 types of proteins in blood. Some are made by the liver and some by the immune system. Globulins play an important role in liver function, blood clotting, and fighting infections. The levels of specific globulins provide information about how well your immune system is working. The test can also be used to diagnose disorders of the immune system.

Gamma-GT: Gamma-GT is a liver enzyme. When the liver is injured or the flow of bile is obstructed, the concentration of GGT within the bloodstream rises. It is therefore a useful marker for detecting bile duct problems. High levels of GGT in the blood may be a sign of liver disease or damage to the bile ducts.

Sodium: Sodium is a type of electrolyte responsible for maintaining fluid levels and balancing the pH in your body. A sodium blood test is a routine test that may be used to check your general health. It may be used to help find and monitor conditions that affect the balance of fluids, electrolytes, and acidity in your body. Sodium is also essential for proper functioning of your nerves and muscles.

Potassium: Potassium is a type of electrolyte. Electrolytes are electrically charged minerals in your body that help control muscle and nerve activity, maintain fluid levels, and perform other important functions. Your body needs potassium to help your heart and muscles work properly. Potassium levels that are too low may indicate hypokalemia while high levels may indicate hyperkalemia.

Chloride: Chloride is an electrolyte that helps move fluids in and out of your cells. Electrolytes are electrically charged minerals that help control amount of fluid and the balance of acids and bases (pH balance) in your body. Low levels of chloride can suggest dehydration and high levels of chloride may indicate a kidney problem.

Bicarbonate: Bicarbonate is a form of carbon dioxide (CO2) that helps keep your body hydrated with balanced acidity. High or low levels of bicarbonate in your blood mean that the body is having trouble maintaining its acid-base balance, either by failing to remove carbon dioxide through the lungs or the kidneys or perhaps because of an electrolyte imbalance, particularly a deficiency of potassium.

Urea: Urea is the final breakdown product of amino acids. Urea is released into the bloodstream and carried to the kidneys where it is filtered out of the blood and excreted in urine. Most diseases that affect the kidneys or liver can affect the amount of urea present in blood. Urea and creatinine levels are used to evaluate how well the kidneys are working, and to monitor patients with kidney conditions such as those requiring dialysis.

Creatinine: This test is done to see how well your kidneys are working. A creatinine test is a measure of how well your kidneys are performing their job of filtering waste from your blood. Creatinine is a chemical compound left over from energy-producing processes in your muscles. Healthy kidneys filter creatinine out of the blood. Creatinine test is used to measure how well your kidneys filter waste from your blood.

Full Blood Count (FBC): Full Blood Count is a comprehensive test to check for types and number of different cells in your blood. These include red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. This test can detect signs of iron deficiency anaemia, infection, inflammation, or a clotting disorder. This full blood count test gives you an indication of your general health and immune system.

Triglycerides: Triglycerides are a type of fat found if your body that are stored in your fat cells for later use. Your cells release triglycerides into your bloodstream to provide fuel for your muscles to work. High levels of triglycerides may indicate that you are at risk of developing atherosclerosis (fat build-up inside your arteries).

Cholesterol: Cholesterol is a type of lipid found in your body needed to build healthy cells. High levels of cholesterol can indicate that you are at risk of getting fatty deposits in your vessels. Cholesterol plays an important role in the general function of the body, however too much can increase your risk of a stroke, heart attack or developing dementia.

HDL-Cholesterol: HDL-Cholesterol is considered the “good” cholesterol and is responsible for transporting cholesterol back to the liver to later be flushed out your body. It has several different functions, including helping to build your body’s cells. High levels of HDL-cholesterol can lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease and stroke.

LDL-Cholesterol: LDL-Cholesterol is often called the “bad” cholesterol as it can collect in the blood vessels. An excess of LDL-Cholesterol in your blood causes build-up of fatty deposits (plaques) in your arteries (atherosclerosis), which reduces blood flow. Therefore, high levels of LDL-cholesterol can indicate an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke.

Glycosylated Hemoglobin (HbA1c): Hemoglobin is the protein molecule in red blood cells with the main function of transporting oxygen and carbon dioxide in blood. HbA1c belongs to the glycated hemoglobin, a fraction formed by the attachment of various sugars to the Hb molecule and is proportional to average blood glucose concentration over the previous four weeks to three months. HbA1c tells you your average blood sugar level over the past 2-3 months. This test is used as an aid for monitoring glycemic control in diabetics. In addition, it can identify people at risk of developing the disease and ongoing monitoring.