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MEDICAL SCREENING INFORMATION |
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Cholesterol Screening
Cholesterol is a soft, fat-like, waxy substance found in the bloodstream and in all your body's cells. Cholesterol is an important part of a healthy body because it's used for producing cell membranes and some hormones and serves other needed bodily functions. But too much cholesterol in the blood is a major risk for coronary heart disease and stroke.
Low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, is known as “bad” cholesterol. High-density lipoprotein, or HDL, is known as “good” cholesterol. These two types of lipids, along with triglycerides and Lp(a) cholesterol, make up your total cholesterol count.
Normal range of cholesterol: 125-200 mg/dL
Blood Glucose Screening
Blood glucose screenings determine whether your blood glucose levels are within healthy ranges. They screen for hyperglycemia (too much blood sugar), hypoglycemia (not enough blood sugar), diabetes, and pre-diabetes.
Normal range of blood glucose: 65-99 mg/dL
Blood Chemistry Panel
Glucose, Sodium, Potassium Chloride, Carbon Dioxide, Urea, Nitrogen, Creatinine, BUN/Creatinine Ratio, Uric Acid, Phosphorus, Calcium, Protein, Total Albumin, Globulin, Calculated A/G Ratio, Bilirubin, Total Bilirubin, Direct Alkaline Phosphatase, ALT Iron
Chemistry tests examine the levels of different elements and waste products in the blood and help determine how well different organs are functioning. Usually, the tests are divided into two panels:
Electrolyte tests (sometimes called "lytes")--These tests help measure how well your kidneys are working, and measure the balance of fluids, acids, and sugar in your body. They include tests for sodium, potassium, chloride, magnesium, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine and glucose.
Liver function tests (LFTs)--These tests measure whether your liver is being damaged. (Things that can damage the liver are viral hepatitis, alcohol, medications and street drugs.) These tests measure alkaline phosphatase, ALT, AST, albumin, and bilirubin. It is important to have a baseline measure of your liver health, because you may need to take HIV medications in the future, and some of these medications can cause liver damage.
Lipid Profile
Triglycerides, Total Cholesterol, HDL-Cholesterol, LDL-Cholesterol, Cholesterol/HDL Ratio
Lipid profile screenings determine the level of certain fatty substances in the blood. These can give clues to the risk of heart disease for an individual. Triglycerides and cholesterol are important for health, but too much of them in the blood can cause fatty deposits to form in the arteries. This increases the chances of a heart attack.
CBC (Complete Blood Count)
White blood cell count, WBC differential, Red blood cell count, Hematocrit, Hemoglobin, RBC Indices, Reticulocyte count, Erythrocyte, Sedimentation Rate and Platelets
White blood cell (WBC, leukocyte) count. White blood cells protect the body against infection. White blood cells are bigger than red blood cells but fewer in number. When a person has a bacterial infection, the number of white cells rises very quickly. The number of white blood cells is sometimes used to find an infection or to see how the body is dealing with cancer treatment.
Normal range of white blood cell count: 3.8- 10.8 thousand/ uL
White blood cell types (WBC differential). The major types of white blood cells are neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils. Immature neutrophils, called band neutrophils, are also part of this test. Each type of cell plays a different role in protecting the body. The numbers of each one of these types of white blood cells give important information about the immune system. Too many or too few of the different types of white blood cells can help find an infection, an allergic or toxic reaction to medicines or chemicals, and many conditions, such as leukemia.
Red blood cell (RBC) count. Red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. They also carry carbon dioxide back to the lungs so it can be exhaled. If the RBC count is low (anemia), the body may not be getting the oxygen it needs. If the count is too high (a condition called polycythemia), there is a chance that the red blood cells will clump together and block tiny blood vessels (capillaries). This also makes it hard for your red blood cells to carry oxygen.
Normal range of red blood cell count: 3.8- 5.10 million/ uL
Hematocrit (HCT, packed cell volume, PCV). This test measures the amount of space (volume) red blood cells take up in the blood. The value is given as a percentage of red blood cells in a volume of blood. Hematocrit and hemoglobin values are the two major tests that show if anemia or polycythemia is present.
Normal range of hematocrit: 35.0-45.0 %
Hemoglobin (Hgb). The hemoglobin molecule fills up the red blood cells. It carries oxygen and gives the blood cell its red color. The hemoglobin test measures the amount of hemoglobin in blood and is a good measure of the blood's ability to carry oxygen throughout the body.
Normal range of hemoglobin: 11.7-15.5 g/dL
Red blood cell indices. There are three red blood cell indices: mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC). The MCV shows the size of the red blood cells. The MCH value is the amount of hemoglobin in an average red blood cell. The MCHC measures the concentration of hemoglobin in an average red blood cell. These numbers help in the diagnosis of different types of anemia. Red cell distribution width (RDW) can also be measured which shows if the cells are all the same or different sizes or shapes.
Platelet (thrombocyte) count. Platelets (thrombocytes) are the smallest type of blood cell. They are important in blood clotting. If there are too few platelets, uncontrolled bleeding may be a problem. If there are too many platelets, there is a chance of a blood clot forming in a blood vessel. Also, platelets may be involved in hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis).
Normal range of platelet count: 140-400 thousand/ uL
Mean platelet volume (MPV). Mean platelet volume measures the average amount (volume) of platelets. Mean platelet volume is used along with platelet count to diagnose some diseases. If the platelet count is normal, the mean platelet volume can still be too high or too low.
PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen-Blood) Men 40 and Older
This blood test is a screening tool that aids in determining cancer of the prostate. This test is indicated for men age 40 and older. Elevated test results indicate the need to follow up with a physician for a digital examination of the prostate gland and further diagnostic testing.
CA-125 (Ovarian Cancer Marker)
This blood test is a screening tool that aids in determining ovarian cancer as well as a few other types of cancers. Elevated test results indicate the need to follow up with a physician for further diagnostic testing.
HsCRP (C-Reactive Protein)
Fairly new, this test looks for an elevated protein produced by the liver in response to inflammation in the body. Elevated levels of CRP are associated with an increased incidence of cardiovascular disease.
Thyroid Panel with TSH
This blood test determines normal thyroid function and/or disease.
VAP® Cholesterol Test
An expanded lipid panel providing a more accurate measurement of LDL and other important lipoproteins. This information can improve the ability to predict the risk of cardiovascular disease from about 40% to more than 90%. Because Lp(a) and LDL are under strong genetic control, increased levels may indicate premature heart disease. Those with a history of elevated cholesterol and/or currently taking cholesterol-reducing medication may wish to consider this test.
Body Mass Index (BMI)
BMI is a statistical measure of the weight of a person scaled according to height. BMI categories are regularly regarded as a satisfactory tool for measuring whether sedentary individuals are underweight, overweight, or obese.
Body Composition
The body mass index is the ratio of a person’s weight to height. BMI is commonly used to classify a person’s weight as being “healthy” or “unhealthy.” Because the BMI is dependent only upon weight and height, it makes simplistic assumptions about distribution of muscle and bone mass, and thus may overestimate the measurement of those with more lean body mass (e.g. athletes). It is meant to be used as a simple means of classifying sedentary (physically inactive) individuals with an average body composition.
Blood pressure
Blood pressure refers to the force exerted by circulating blood on the walls of blood vessels. The pressure of the circulating blood decrease as blood moves through your arteries, capillaries, and veins. High blood pressure, often referred to as the “silent killer” can lead to stroke, heart attack, heart failure, or kidney failure.
Eye Exams with Titmus Machine
A visual acuity test. Participants are checked on eye sight, depth perception & color perception.
ADVANCED SCREENINGS
Ultrasound Screenings
- ECHOCARDIOGRAM: An ultrasound study that depicts the resting function of the heart. The echocardiogram is recorded onto a video for a physician to read. This is considered the best and most accurate, non-invasive study to obtain a great deal of information about the heart including: size and strength of contractions, valve function, areas of old heart attack, fluid around the heart, and the effects of disease processes such as hypertension, coronary artery disease, diabetes, thyroid disease and many others. Also, the ejection fraction is one of the most powerful prognostic features in heart disease. In short, there is no other non-invasive study that has so much to offer.
- ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSM SCREENING
Ultrasound of the aorta, the main artery leaving the heart and supplying blood to the abdomen. Used to visualize the presence of an aneurysm, an abnormal swelling or dilation of a blood vessel.
- CAROTID ULTRASOUND: Ultrasound of the carotid (neck) arteries used to detect the possibility of stroke. A stroke is a “brain attack”, a condition in which a part of the brain is starved of blood. This may occur in a variety of ways, though about 80% of all strokes result from clots that block arteries in the brain, starving tissue of oxygen and nutrients. Furthermore, 80-85% of these clots originate from accumulated plaque in the carotid arteries. The amount of carotid plaque is a good prognostic indicator of stroke.
- THYROID SCREENING:
Ultrasound of the thyroid gland (located in the neck) used to detect the possibility of any visual thyroid abnormalities.
- BONE MINERAL DENSITY TEST: An ultrasound of the heel used to determine the mineral density of the bone. Osteoporosis is largely preventable for most people. While there is treatment for osteoporosis, there is currently no cure. If not prevented or if left untreated, osteoporosis can progress painlessly until a bone breaks. A bone mineral density test is used to determine whether you need medications to help maintain your bone mass, prevent further bone loss and reduce fracture risk.
ELECTROCARDIOGRAM: The EKG provides a picture of the electrical activity responsible for the heart’s cycle of contraction and relaxation. A single EKG “strip” shows the electrical changes (up and down) over time (left to right). Several leads, or electrodes, are placed on the body so the heart can be view from several angles. This is particularly useful in determining the locations of possible heart damage. By evaluating the tracings of the heart’s electrical activity, doctors can see whether the heartbeat is irregular (arrhythmia), detect an enlarged heart, or detect the signs of damage from a previous heart attack.
ARTERIAL STIFFNESS INDEX: The ASI of the brachial artery has been demonstrated in studies to correlate with the coronary arteries as to the extent of atherosclerotic lesions. The ASI is a number the correlates with arteriosclerosis. Because arteriosclerosis reduces flexibility in the arteries, the higher the ASI, the more likely someone is to have hardening of the arteries; the lower the number, the less likely. Arteries are responsible for moving the majority of the blood through the vascular tree. Consequently, hardened arteries cause the heart to work much harder when it is forced to push blood through partially occluded vessels. This extra strain on the heart and the resulting blockages are a root cause of cardiovascular disease.
ANKLE BRACHIAL INDEX: The ABI is an index used to measure blood flow in the lower extremities. Individuals with a high ABI are three to five times at greater risk of heart attacks.
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