The 50+ test list

 Heart 

  • Description text Total cholesterol numbers are part of a risk assessment for heart disease. Too much cholesterol in the blood can damage arteries and blood vessels and elevate the risk for stroke, heart attack, and heart disease. Cholesterol is a fatty substance produced by the liver to help with thousands of bodily functions, such as building cells, promoting hormone and brain function, and synthesizing vitamin D.goes here

  • This test is a risk marker for cardiovascular diseases. LDL is responsible for carrying cholesterol to cells. However, despite its good intentions, LDL is known as the “bad” cholesterol because, when levels are too high, it can cause the formation of plaque buildup in the arteries.

  • Measures the number of LDL particles, which are the carriers of cholesterol. Too many LDL particles can lead to plaque buildup in arteries, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke.

  • Small LDL particles in the blood are harmful, as elevated levels are linked to a higher risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease.

  • hs-CRP is revelatory in one's overall health as it relates to the risk of inflammation-related diseases. Chronic inflammation is linked to every major disease: heart disease (even before symptoms occur), type 2 diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure, Alzheimer’s, depression, all autoimmune diseases, and severe allergic reactions like asthma.

  • A chloride test is useful in diagnosing the underlying causes of abnormal fluid levels or pH balances, such as dehydration, kidney disease, liver disease, heart failure, high blood pressure, or other disorders. Chloride is a major mineral in the body that manufactures channels in cell membranes, which carry out different vital tasks.

  • Potassium levels can detect kidney disease, liver disease, heart failure, high blood pressure, or other disorders. As an electrolyte, potassium helps muscles contract, aids digestion, allows nerves to transport messages from the brain to the body, and balances fluids and regulates blood pressure.

  • Carbon dioxide (bicarbonate) levels monitor pH and/or electrolyte balance. When irregular, it can be a sign of dehydration, kidney disease, liver disease, heart failure, high blood pressure, or other disorders. Bicarbonate is an alkali of the electrolyte family. As an alkali, it plays a role in balancing the acid-base in pH balance.

  • HDL is part of a comprehensive lipid panel, an essential risk assessment for heart disease. There are two types of cholesterol: high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Think of the H as healthy, helpful, heart-supporting cholesterol that helps reduce plaque buildup.

  • About 50% of people who suffer heart attacks have a normal cholesterol level. Considering this, many cardiologists believe Lp(a) to be a major driver of cardiac events. This invaluable test is used by specialists but is not yet widely adopted in primary care. Lp(a) is a genetic marker that determines risk, particularly for those with symptoms or a family history of cardiovascular disease. Lipoproteins are made of lipids (fats) and proteins (energy) and are referred to as "sticky proteins."

  • Apo B helps transport lipids throughout the bloodstream, which is vital for cardiovascular health. Along with other lipid tests, Apo B is a powerful risk marker for cardiovascular disease.

  • The ratio of triglycerides to HDL measures risk for heart disease. Triglycerides are the most common type of fat in the body that stores excess energy from one's diet. An accumulation of triglycerides means there is too much fat in the blood and may indicate higher risk of a cardiac event.

Thyroid

  • About 1 in 5 women and 1 in 10 men have hypothyroidism, and a TSH test can help reveal thyroid issues. Looking at abnormal TSH results alongside thyroid peroxidase (TPO) may be a sign of Graves’ disease. TSH is produced by the pituitary gland and controls the release of thyroid hormones: triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4).

  • T3 levels can reveal an overactive (hyperthyroidism) or underactive (hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s) thyroid. T3 is the most powerful thyroid hormone in the body. It helps regulate body temperature, control heart rate, lower cholesterol, improve memory, promote regrowth after hair loss, soothe muscle aches, regulate bowel movements, and support fertility.

  • This test is typically cross-referenced with TSH and T3 to gain insight into overall thyroid function. Thyroxine, or T4, is produced in the thyroid then released into the bloodstream where it travels to the liver and kidneys. It is converted into the hormone triiodothyronine (T3). The synergy of T4 and T3 is important for heart and digestive function, metabolism, brain development, bone health, and muscle control.

  • This test checks for elevated antibodies created against thyroid peroxidase (TPO), an enzyme that helps produce hormones. Therefore, if antibodies are detected with this test, it can indicate thyroid-related autoimmune disorders, such as Hashimoto’s. Comparing this test with abnormal levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone may indicate Graves’ disease.

  • This test checks for antibodies created against thyroglobulin, a protein produced and used by the thyroid gland to make T3 and T4 hormones, which control metabolism and tissue/cell growth. If present, it may indicate thyroid-related autoimmune disorders, such as Hashimoto’s.

Metabolic

  • HbA1c is the average amount of glucose attached to blood cells over the last 90 days. It diagnoses, monitors, and screens for prediabetes and diabetes. This test is a revelatory look into one's health, specifically the body’s ability to control blood sugar. Unhealthy levels are triggered by inflammation, vitamin deficiencies, kidney damage, thyroid disorders, and more. One's diet and habits can have a substantial impact on this test.

  • Insulin levels can uncover reasons behind abnormal blood sugar, insulin resistance, and more. It can also reveal hidden blood sugar issues even years before they escalate to something like diabetes. Establishing one's insulin baseline can be incredibly insightful to how one's lifestyle affects health.

  • Too much glucose (hyperglycemia) is a major driver of many diseases and illnesses, including cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart attacks, kidney disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. Glucose is a type of sugar (from food) that the body uses for energy. When glucose is not absorbed and used, it can form glycogen and be stored as fat in the liver. Over time, this can lead to a decline in overall health.

  • Uric acid in the blood screens for metabolic disorders, like gout, anemia, and immunodeficiencies. This often overlooked test has renewed attention after recent studies show elevated levels can increase the risk of death from cardiovascular issues by 39% and stroke by 35%.

Nutrients

  • Ferritin levels can help diagnose iron deficiency, liver disease, inflammation, or insulin resistance. Ferritin is a protein that stores iron in cells and then releases the iron when the body makes more red blood cells.

  • Healthy iron levels create vitality throughout the entire body. Iron helps various vital functions, like providing energy and focus, building a strong gastrointestinal tract and immune system, and regulating body temperature. Iron deficiency can lead to numerous biological problems, including anemia.

  • Vitamin D deficiency is widely underdiagnosed and undertreated. Over time, low levels can lead to hypothyroidism, osteoporosis, cancer, heart disease, fatigue, depression, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), gut issues, and fibromyalgia. The role of vitamin D is vast and benefits the immune system, thyroid, bones and teeth, muscles, and brain.

  • Item description

  • Measures the amount of DHA, DPA, and EPA, omega-3 essentials for brain function and development.

  • Measures this pro-inflammatory omega-6 fatty acid, which can increase the risk of inflammatory diseases and mood disorders if chronically elevated.

  • Omega-3 fatty acids, including EPA and DHA, are essential for reducing inflammation, supporting heart health, and promoting brain function. This test is important because adequate omega-3 levels are associated with a lower risk of heart disease, better inflammatory response, and improved mental health.

  • A homocysteine test checks the body’s vitamin B levels and methylation function, a key biochemical process essential for almost all of the body’s systems. Abnormal homocysteine can build up and increase the risk of blood clots, dementia, osteoporosis, heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. Homocysteine is an amino acid that helps organs grow and regenerate.

  Liver  

  • AST is an enzyme mostly found in the liver and helps metabolize amino acids. Testing for AST in the blood can help detect liver damage from injury or a number of diseases and conditions, like hepatitis, cirrhosis, mononucleosis, or other liver diseases, heart problems, or pancreatitis.

  • ALT is an enzyme that checks on liver health. If one's liver cells are damaged due to excess alcohol, drugs, disease, or injury, ALT will appear in the bloodstream and, therefore, in a blood test.

  • In tandem with a full liver panel, this test can help determine the cause of jaundice and/or help diagnose conditions such as liver disease, hemolytic anemia, or blockage of the bile ducts. The liver makes bile to help digest food, and bile contains bilirubin. A healthy liver can get rid of bilirubin, but when the liver isn't working properly, it cannot break down bilirubin and dispose of it.

  • Monitor liver health with GGT. This test helps detect liver disease, identify bile duct blockages, and check for conditions related to alcohol and toxins. The GGT biomarker is a reliable detector (but not a diagnostic test) for toxin exposure or fatty liver from alcohol, even when other liver tests are normal.

  • Abnormal albumin can indicate malnutrition, liver or kidney disease, or a digestive inflammatory condition (Crohn’s or Celiac) resulting in malabsorption. Albumin is a protein made by the liver that helps fluid remain in the bloodstream rather than leaking into other tissues. It also helps hormones, vitamins, and enzymes transfer throughout the body to their final destinations.

  • Globulin is a protein essential for liver function, blood clotting, and immune system operations. Abnormal globulin levels can indicate various conditions, such as liver disease, autoimmune disorders, or chronic infections.

  • ALP can help detect and/or monitor conditions related to the liver, malnutrition, autoimmune disorders, or bone disease. ALP is an enzyme that breaks down proteins. It is found throughout the entire body, but is mostly prevalent in the liver, bones, intestines, and kidneys.

  • Protein levels explore the health of the kidneys, liver, and absorption processes. The human body is made up of thousands of proteins, all of which have various roles in making and maintaining every cell in the body, including enzymes and hormones. Proteins also fuel those cells and the immune system with energy.

Kidneys

  • Urea nitrogen is a waste product that the kidneys flush out, but the presence or buildup of urea nitrogen waste in the blood means the kidneys aren't regulating waste properly. Compared to one's creatinine levels, this test can screen for kidney disease.

  • Calcium levels help understand symptoms related to the kidneys, bones, thyroid, parathyroid, or nerves.

  • Creatinine levels vary from person to person, but abnormalities typically signal kidney disease or damage. One's creatinine levels are directly related to lifestyle, diet, medication, and how those can impact the kidneys’ ability to function. Creatinine (not to be confused with creatine) is a chemical compound left over from everyday wear and tear of the muscles.

  • Potassium is an electrolyte that aids in muscle contraction, digestion, messaging from the brain to the body, and regulating fluids and blood pressure. Potassium levels can help detect kidney, liver, heart, and blood disorders.

  • This ratio helps evaluate kidney function and can indicate conditions such as dehydration, kidney disease, or issues affecting kidney perfusion. A high ratio may suggest dehydration or upper gastrointestinal bleeding, while a low ratio can point to acute tubular necrosis or liver disease.

  • Chloride is a mineral in the body that creates channels in cell membranes to carry out vital tasks. This test can help detect dehydration, kidney disease, liver disease, heart failure, high blood pressure, or other disorders.

  • eGFR is a kidney biomarker, and this test is used to help diagnose kidney disease at an early stage when it is most treatable. It can also track those with pre-existing kidney-related conditions.

  • A sodium test looks at electrolytes and pH. When sodium levels are abnormal, it can signal issues with the brain, lungs, liver, heart, kidneys, thyroid, and adrenal glands.

  Blood  

  • Includes lymphs, monocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils, which are types of WBC

  • Hemoglobin reflects the number of red blood cells active in the blood. Low levels may uncover anemia, vitamin deficiencies, loss of blood (both internal and external), and chronic diseases. The test can also help detect diseases affecting the lungs, liver, kidneys, or cardiovascular system, significant long-term infection, cognitive impairment, and certain types of cancer, and diagnose chronic blood disorders.

  • As part of the complete blood count, an HCT test measures the percentage of red blood cells in the blood. This test helps screen for, diagnose, and monitor conditions that affect the blood or bone marrow.

  • MCHC measures the amount of hemoglobin per unit volume. So, this test assesses the hemoglobin content within the volume of the cell, which can uncover iron-deficiency anemia, hypothyroidism, spherocytosis, or RBC agglutination.

  • MCV's insight into the blood is a unique indicator of overall health. If MCV is either high or low overtime (most likely indicating a chronic vitamin deficiency or blood condition), it can degrade the body's general wellness and thus one's phenotypic age. MCV measures average size of red blood cells: whether they are too big, too small, or just right.

  • MCH is usually done as part of the complete blood count and can help detect various types of anemia (deficiency in iron, B12, or folate), blood loss, cancer, kidney or liver disease, or autoimmunity. MCH measures the average amount of hemoglobin in the red blood cells.

  • Hemoglobin reflects the number of red blood cells active in the blood. Low levels may uncover anemia, vitamin deficiencies, loss of blood (both internal and external), and chronic diseases. The test can also help detect diseases affecting the lungs, liver, kidneys, or cardiovascular system, significant long-term infection, cognitive impairment, and certain types of cancer, and diagnose chronic blood disorders.

  • Abnormal platelet count is a risk marker for heart attack, stroke, and other heart diseases, but this test can also help diagnose autoimmune disease, bone marrow damage (which can be caused by certain cancers, such as leukemia and/or cancer treatments), spleen disorder, and parasites. Platelets, which are made in the bone marrow, are small, colorless blood cells that form clots with the goal of stopping or preventing bleeding.

  • RBC count can reveal various anemias, vitamin deficiencies, colon, bladder, or kidney issues, chronic diseases that cause bone marrow suppression, autoimmune disorders, blood disorders, polycythemia vera, congenital heart disease, and more.

  • Ferritin levels can help diagnose iron deficiency, liver disease, inflammation, or insulin resistance. Ferritin is a protein that stores iron in cells and then releases the iron when the body makes more red blood cells.

  • Calcium levels help understand symptoms related to the kidneys, bones, thyroid, parathyroid, or nerves.

  • A sodium test looks at electrolytes and pH. When sodium levels are abnormal, it can signal issues with the brain, lungs, liver, heart, kidneys, thyroid, and adrenal glands.

Electrolytes

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  • In partnership with Grail, the Galleri® multi-cancer early detection test detects cancer signals across 50+ types of cancer as early as stage one. Test annually and stay vigilant for early warning signs.

    Types of cancer tested: Adrenal Cortical Carcinoma, Ampulla of Vater, Anus, Appendix, Carcinoma, Bile Ducts, Bladder, Urinary, Bone, Breast, Cervix, Colon and Rectum, Esophagus and Esophagogastric Junction, Gallbladder, Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor, Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasms, Kidney, Larynx, Leukemia, Liver, Lung, Lymphoma (Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin), Melanoma of the Skin, Merkel Cell Carcinoma, Mesothelioma, Nasal Cavity and Paranasal Sinuses, Nasopharynx, Neuroendocrine Tumors, Oral Cavity, Oropharynx, Ovary, Fallopian Tube and Primary Peritoneum, Pancreas, Penis, Plasma Cell Myeloma and Plasma Cell Disorders, Prostate, Small Intestine, Soft Tissue Sarcoma, Stomach, Testis, Ureter, Renal Pelvis, Uterus, Vagina, and Vulva.

  • Measuring one's PSA screens for tumors and/or monitors preexisting prostate cancer. On its own, it can not be used to diagnose cancer. Rather, this test and one's total PSA reveals the health of your prostate and acts as a signal if something is wrong.

  • The celiac panel includes a comprehensive evaluation of celiac antibodies including deamidated gliadin antibodies, endomysial antibodies, tissue transglutaminase (tTG) antibodies, and total IgA. When these panels are positive, this can be suggestive of celiac disease. This panel does not diagnose gluten sensitivity.

  • The Candida Antibodies panel tests for the presence of IgG, IgA, and IgM antibodies. These antibodies can indicate that the body has been fighting a yeast infection. Dr. Mitchell may order this test when managing difficult GI symptoms including SIBO and chronic fatigue.

  • ApoE is a predictive genetic biomarker for Alzheimer’s disease, currently one of the leading causes of death in the United States. The result of this test illuminates personal risk, even decades before the onset of the disease. Holding this wisdom, along with the health of a brain's support systems (many of which are part of your Function biomarkers), can potentially help avert onset completely.