Electrolytes, Serum is a blood test that measures the levels of essential minerals like sodium, potassium, and chloride in your blood. These minerals carry an electric charge and help maintain fluid balance, nerve function, muscle contraction, and blood pressure. Imbalances in electrolytes can indicate various health conditions, including dehydration, kidney disease, heart problems, and hormonal disorders. This test helps assess overall health, monitor treatment effectiveness, and identify potential complications.

HbA1c (Glycosylated Hemoglobin) is a blood test that provides a snapshot of your average blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 months. It measures the percentage of hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells, that has glucose attached to it. This test is crucial for managing diabetes as it helps assess how well blood sugar levels are controlled. A high HbA1c indicates poor blood sugar control and an increased risk of diabetes complications, while a lower HbA1c reflects better blood sugar management.

A Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS) test measures the level of glucose (sugar) in your blood after not eating or drinking anything (except water) for at least 8 hours. This test is crucial for diagnosing prediabetes, diabetes, and monitoring blood sugar control in people with diabetes. Elevated FBS levels can indicate insulin resistance or impaired glucose metabolism, while abnormally low levels might signal other health issues.

Urine Microalbumin/Creatinine Ratio is a test that measures the amount of albumin, a type of protein, in a urine sample compared to the creatinine level. It's used to detect early signs of kidney damage, especially in people with diabetes or high blood pressure. Albumin normally shouldn't be present in urine, and even small amounts can indicate kidney problems. This test is more sensitive than traditional urine tests and can help prevent the progression of kidney disease.

Liver function tests are a group of blood tests that evaluate the health and function of your liver. They measure levels of various enzymes, proteins, and substances produced by the liver. Abnormal results can indicate liver damage, inflammation, or disease. Common liver function tests include ALT, AST, alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin, and albumin. These tests help diagnose conditions like hepatitis, cirrhosis, and fatty liver disease, as well as monitor liver health in people with chronic conditions.

A Postprandial Blood Sugar (PPBS) test measures the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood two hours after a meal. 1 This test helps assess how well the body processes sugar, particularly for individuals with diabetes or those at risk. 2 Elevated PPBS levels can indicate impaired glucose tolerance or diabetes, while normal levels suggest healthy sugar metabolism.

A Lipid Profile is a blood test that measures the levels of different types of fats (lipids) in your blood. It includes total cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol, HDL (good) cholesterol, and triglycerides. This test helps assess your risk of heart disease and stroke. By understanding your lipid profile, you can work with your healthcare provider to manage cholesterol levels through diet, exercise, and medication if necessary.

Kidney Function Tests (KFTs) evaluate how well your kidneys are filtering waste products from your blood. These tests typically include measurements of creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and electrolytes. By assessing these values, healthcare providers can identify potential kidney problems, monitor kidney disease progression, and evaluate the effectiveness of treatment. KFTs are crucial for individuals with diabetes, high blood pressure, or a family history of kidney disease.

Iron Studies without Ferritin typically include measurements of serum iron, total iron binding capacity (TIBC), and transferrin saturation. These tests provide valuable information about the body's iron stores and how efficiently iron is transported. While ferritin is a more sensitive indicator of iron storage, these tests can still help diagnose iron deficiency anemia or iron overload in certain cases. However, a complete picture of iron status often requires additional testing, including ferritin levels.

A Complete Blood Count (CBC) is a comprehensive blood test that provides information about the cells in your blood. It measures the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, as well as hemoglobin (the protein that carries oxygen) and hematocrit (the percentage of red blood cells in your blood). A CBC is used to diagnose and monitor a wide range of conditions, including anemia, infections, bleeding disorders, and blood cancers.

A Thyroid Function Test (TFT) is a group of blood tests that measure the levels of thyroid hormones and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in your body. The thyroid gland, located in your neck, produces hormones that regulate metabolism, energy levels, and heart rate. TFTs help diagnose thyroid disorders such as hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) or hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) and monitor the effectiveness of treatment.