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This panel includes hormones that have been implicated in gynecomastia by several studies. Gynecomastia is a benign enlargement of the male breast resulting from a growth of the glandular tissue of the breast. Since it causes anxiety, psychosocial discomfort and fear of breast cancer, early diagnostic evaluation is important, and patients usually seek medical attention. Causes include hormone imbalance and genetic predisposition.

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A blood pregnancy test is a medical test used to determine if a woman is pregnant by detecting the presence of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in her blood. hCG is a hormone produced by the developing placenta shortly after the fertilized egg implants into the uterine lining. This test is the Quantitative hCG test (also known as a beta hCG test) and measures the specific amount of hCG present in the blood. It can help determine how far along a pregnancy is, monitor the progress of the pregnancy, and detect potential issues like an ectopic pregnancy or a miscarriage.

Blood pregnancy tests are more sensitive than over-the-counter urine pregnancy tests and can detect pregnancy earlier – as soon as 6 to 8 days after ovulation.

 

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CPK is creatine phosphokinase, an enzyme in the heart, brain, and skeletal muscle. High CPK can indicate muscle destruction, heart attacks, and central nervous system issues. Long-term exposure to high CPK can load up your kidneys and cause muscle loss and weakness. Sometimes we have no symptoms when CPK is high, but most of the time, we have body aches and soreness. CPK can be increased by resistance exercise, so refrain from working out for at least five days before getting the CPK test.

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Hematocrit or hct blood test  is the volume measurement, i.e., the percentage of blood that is taken up by the red blood cells. Hemoglobin, on the other hand, is a density or concentration measurement and is expressed in grams per liter or deciliter. (Hemoglobin is, if you will recall from your high school biology, the iron-based protein that transports oxygen.) RBC is a simple count and is usually expressed as the number of million red blood cells that you have per microliter. Usually, hematocrit is three times the amount of hemoglobin.

Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) increases hematocrit in most men.  Read more about how to decrease hematocrit.

NOTE: Hematocrit is also part of the CBC panel, so no need to order separately if your order already includes CBC.

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This panel includes total testosterone measured by the most accurate method  and gold standard test (liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry), free testosterone percent by equilibrium dialysis, and free testosterone calculated from percent free T. This test is good more accurate for low and high testosterone blood levels (men who expect high testosterone blood levels over 1,500 ng/dL , women and children who usually have low T levels). It has no interferences with supplements or anabolics. Note: Results may take 5-7 business days. For a faster turnaround, choose this test instead: Testosterone, Free, Bioavailable and Total (With Lower & Upper Limit) plus SHBG

 

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This ultrasensitive estradiol test is based on liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS), an assay technology that has been shown to more accurately measure estradiol in men and women than the old immunoassay-based test. 

Important note:  The blood sample is sent out to Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute San Juan Capistrano, Caifornia.  Overnight delivery and testing is performed on Sunday and Friday.  Reports are available within 5-7 business days from the time the specimen is collected.

 

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 Progesterone is a female hormone important for the regulation of ovulation and menstruation. It is also present in men in smaller concentrations. Progesterone is a steroid hormone that plays numerous roles within the human body. It is crucial to the production of sex hormones and corticosteroids, as well as playing a role as a neuro-steroid (brain function). 

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Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a hormone produced by the adrenal gland. It is also made in the brain. DHEA leads to the production of androgens and estrogens (male and female sex hormones). DHEA levels in the body begin to decrease after age 30. Lower DHEA levels are found in people with hormonal disorders, HIV/AIDS, Alzheimer's disease, heart disease, depression, diabetes, inflammation, immune disorders, and osteoporosis. Corticosteroids, birth control taken by mouth, and agents that treat psychiatric disorders may reduce DHEA levels.

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This test measures thyroglobulin antibodies commonly present in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Antibodies against the protein thyroglobulin can result in the destruction of thyroid cells. This destruction can lead to hypothyroidism.

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The determination of TPO antibody levels is the most sensitive test for detecting autoimmune thyroid disease (eg, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, idiopathic myxedema, and Graves disease) and detectable concentrations of anti-TPO antibodies are observed in most patients with these disorders. The highest TPO antibody levels are observed in patients suffering from Hashimoto thyroiditis. In this disease, the prevalence of TPO antibodies is about 90% of cases, confirming the autoimmune origin of the disease. These autoantibodies also frequently occur (60%–80%) in the course of Graves disease.

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Homocysteine is an amino acid that is present in the blood. It is produced when the body breaks down an amino acid called methionine, which is found in protein-rich foods such as meat, fish, and dairy products. Homocysteine is normally converted back into methionine or other useful compounds in the body.

Elevated levels of homocysteine in the blood, known as hyperhomocysteinemia, have been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart attack and stroke. High homocysteine levels may also be associated with an increased risk of certain other health conditions, such as osteoporosis and pregnancy complications.

Homocysteine levels can be measured with a blood test. Elevated levels can be caused by a deficiency of certain nutrients, such as vitamins B6, B12, and folate, or by certain medical conditions or medications. In some cases, high homocysteine levels can be treated with supplements or lifestyle changes, such as increasing the intake of these nutrients or quitting smoking. Speaking with a healthcare provider if you are concerned about your homocysteine levels is essential.

 

 

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The fasting insulin test is a blood test that measures the level of insulin in your blood after you have fasted (not eaten or drunk anything except water) for at least 8 hours. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps regulate blood sugar levels. The fasting insulin test is often used to help diagnose conditions such as insulin resistance, prediabetes, and type 2 diabetes. It may also be ordered to monitor the effectiveness of treatment for these conditions. The test is usually done in the morning, after an overnight fast. The test results will be reported in units of insulin per liter of blood (U/L). It is important to note that the interpretation of a fasting insulin test may vary depending on the individual's medical history and other factors. A healthcare provider should be consulted to interpret the test results correctly.

 

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The GGT bood test looks for an enzyme, or protein, called gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) in your blood. GGT is found in liver cells. This test helps your doctor look for possible damage to your liver or its ducts. It can also help tell the difference between liver and bone disease if your results from a different blood test called alkaline phosphatase are abnormal. Higher than normal test results could be a sign of liver damage from diseases such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, tumors, or pancreatic cancer. But a higher than normal GGT level does not tell you the specific cause of liver disease or damage.

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Uric acid is a product produced by the body after the purines in many foods undergo the digestive process and are broken down inside the body. After this breakdown process, the uric acid travels through the bloodstream into your kidneys and most is actually eliminated through the urinary tract via urination. However, there are instances where you may have an excess of uric acid and are unable to excrete the bulk of this substance through urination. This could lead to gout-related issues.

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This panel is the most inclusive of all offered on the site for men who want a wide picture of their health or who are considering starting testosterone replacement therapy.  It provides a baseline overview of your sex hormones, thyroid gland, adrenal function, metabolic function, cholesterol, prostate, and overall health.  

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Women and men living with fibromyalgia do not have characteristic or consistent abnormalities on laboratory testing. However, routine laboratory and imaging studies are important to help rule out diseases with similar manifestations and to assist in diagnosis of certain inflammatory diseases that frequently coexist with fibromyalgia. These are the lab tests commonly checked by physicians treating fibromyalgia patients: CMP, CBC, Urinalysis, TSH, Vitamin D & B-12, Iron/TIBC, Magnesium in RBC, ESR, CPK and Ferritin.

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This blood donation panel includes these tests: Hematocrit, iron & total iron binding capacity (TIBC), and ferritin.This panel is designed to determine if: 1- Your blood donation or therapeutic phlebotomy was effective in lowering your high hematocrit without negatively affecting ferritin or iron. 2- It is safe to do another blood donation or therapeutic phlebotomy depending on ferritin or iron levels.

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This high sensitivity CRP test is used along other blood markers to assess a patient's potential risk for cardiovascular disease. To illustrate the difference between CRP and hs-CRP, traditional testing measures CRP (quantitative) within the range of 10 to 1,000 mg/L, whereas hs-CRP values range from 0.5 to 10 mg/L. In simpler terms, hs-CRP measures trace amounts of CRP in the blood. Hs-CRP is the analyte of choice for cardiovascular risk assessment

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This panel includes CBC (Complete Blood Count) with differential, CMP (Comprehensive Metabolic Panel), and Lipid Panel (LDL, HDL, Triglycerides). There are a total of 30 tests included in this panel for a very low price.

 

 

 

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Includes liver and kidney function, glucose and electrolytes

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This panel includes comprehensive testing of the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in addition to free thyroxine (T4) and free triiodothyronine (T3).

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NOTE: This test can only be purchased by men with suspect PSA over 4 mg/dL.  Free PSA will not be provided for PSA under 4 ng/mL.

PSA circulates through the body in two ways; bound to other proteins or by itself. Unbound PSA is called free PSA. A free-PSA test will measure the percentage of unbound PSA while a PSA test is used to measure the total of free and bound PSA in the blood. The free PSA is a defective variant of normal PSA that can no longer bind to other proteins and so circulates in the blood in the free form. Although the reason why this is the case is poorly understood - patients with prostate cancer may have lower free PSA levels than those with a benign prostate condition.

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The tests are usually ordered for patients prior to surgery to ensure normal clotting ability.  The PT and PTT Blood Tests are useful in the diagnosis of excessive, unexplained bleeding in patients who are not taking blood-thinning medications. These bleeding disorders include conditions such as nosebleeds, bruising, heavy menstrual periods, blood in the stool and/or urine, and bleeding gums, among others,

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