Metabolic & Organ Health
catching insulin resistance 5–10 years before A1c does.

The Comprehensive Metabolic Panel covers glucose, kidney function, liver enzymes, electrolytes, and protein in one draw.

HbA1c reflects the 3-month average blood glucose by measuring glycation of red blood cells.

Fasting insulin is the earliest biomarker of insulin resistance, rising years before blood glucose or A1c shifts.

Pancreatic enzyme that digests carbohydrates; elevated in acute pancreatitis, salivary gland disorders, and some GI conditions.

Gamma-glutamyl transferase is a sensitive liver and bile duct enzyme elevated by alcohol, fatty liver, and many medications.

Pancreatic enzyme that digests fats; more specific to pancreatic injury than amylase and stays elevated longer.

Prealbumin reflects very recent nutritional status with a short 2-day half-life versus albumin's 20 days.

End product of purine metabolism; elevated by fructose, alcohol, and high-protein diets; the driver of gout.

A protease inhibitor cleared exclusively by the kidney; more accurate than creatinine for measuring GFR, especially in early kidney disease.

Anti-inflammatory fat-cell hormone that improves insulin sensitivity; inversely proportional to visceral fat.

Satiety hormone secreted by fat cells that signals the brain to stop eating; resistance leads to persistent hunger despite adequate stores.

Co-secreted with insulin in equal amounts; reflects endogenous insulin production and helps distinguish type 1 from type 2 diabetes.

Total count of white blood cells; the front-line defense of the immune system.

Total red blood cell count; used alongside hemoglobin and hematocrit to assess anemia.

The oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells; the primary measure of anemia severity.

The fraction of blood volume occupied by red blood cells.

Mean corpuscular volume — the average size of red blood cells; elevated in B12/folate deficiency, low in iron deficiency.

Mean corpuscular hemoglobin — the average amount of hemoglobin per red cell; low MCH is an early signal of iron depletion.

Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration — classic for iron-deficiency anemia when low.

Red cell distribution width — measures variability in red cell size; elevated RDW reflects oxidative stress and mixed deficiencies.

The circulating particles that initiate clotting; low counts increase bleeding risk, high counts can reflect inflammation or iron deficiency.

Mean platelet volume — larger platelets are more reactive; elevated MPV is associated with cardiovascular and thrombotic risk.

Absolute count of neutrophils — the first responders to bacterial infection.

Immature neutrophils (bands) — elevated counts (left shift) indicate acute bacterial infection or bone marrow stress.

Immature granulocyte precursors; presence in blood indicates bone marrow stress or severe infection.

Granulocyte precursors; circulating myelocytes indicate abnormal bone marrow release.

Very early granulocyte precursors; their presence in blood is abnormal and requires urgent evaluation.

Absolute count of lymphocytes — key mediators of adaptive immunity including T and B cells.

Absolute monocytes; these differentiate into macrophages and dendritic cells in tissue.

Absolute eosinophils; respond to allergic reactions and parasitic infections.

Absolute basophils — the rarest white cell, involved in allergic and inflammatory responses.

Blast cells in peripheral blood; any presence is abnormal and requires immediate haematology referral.

Nucleated red blood cells in peripheral blood; normally only present in foetal circulation and severe anaemia.

Percentage of neutrophils in the white cell differential; elevated in bacterial infection and stress.

Percentage of band (immature) neutrophils; elevated in acute bacterial infection.

Percentage of metamyelocytes; should be absent from normal peripheral blood.

Percentage of myelocytes; absent from normal blood.

Percentage of promyelocytes; absent from normal blood.

Percentage of lymphocytes in the white cell differential; reflects adaptive immunity.

Atypical (reactive) lymphocytes; elevated in viral infections such as EBV and CMV.

Percentage of monocytes; elevated in chronic infections and inflammatory conditions.

Percentage of eosinophils; elevated in allergic and parasitic conditions.

Percentage of basophils; mildly elevated counts can accompany allergic inflammation or thyroid disease.

Percentage of blasts; absent from normal blood. Any presence requires urgent evaluation.

Nucleated RBCs per 100 WBCs; should be absent in normal adults.

Pathologist or automated comment on peripheral blood findings.

Fasting serum glucose — the primary screen for diabetes and metabolic dysfunction.

Blood urea nitrogen — a kidney filtration marker; elevated with dehydration or renal impairment.

Muscle waste product filtered by the kidneys; used to estimate GFR.

Estimated glomerular filtration rate — the best single-number indicator of kidney function, calculated from creatinine using CKD-EPI.

The ratio of BUN to creatinine; helps distinguish pre-renal from intrinsic kidney causes of elevated BUN.

Primary extracellular cation; regulates fluid balance and nerve/muscle function.

Primary intracellular cation; critical for heart rhythm, muscle contraction, and nerve signalling.

The main anion that balances sodium; used to evaluate acid-base and electrolyte status.

Serum bicarbonate reflecting the body's acid-base reserve; low values can indicate metabolic acidosis.

Total serum calcium; critical for bone density, muscle contraction, and nerve signalling.

Total serum protein (albumin + globulins); reflects overall nutritional status and liver and immune function.

The most abundant serum protein; reflects liver synthetic function, nutrition, and systemic inflammation.

Calculated globulin fraction (total protein minus albumin); includes immunoglobulins, clotting factors, and transport proteins.

The A/G ratio; a low ratio (reversed) can indicate autoimmune disease, liver disease, or malignancy.

The breakdown product of haemoglobin; elevated in liver disease, haemolysis, or bile duct obstruction.

Enzyme produced in liver and bone; elevated in cholestasis, bone disease, and pregnancy.

Aspartate aminotransferase — liver and muscle enzyme; elevated with hepatocellular damage or intense exercise.

Alanine aminotransferase — the most specific liver enzyme; elevated in hepatitis, fatty liver, and medication toxicity.

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein — the most sensitive blood measure of systemic low-grade inflammation.