Lipid Panel and Chol/HDL Ratio

The "Lipid Panel" is a group of tests used to determine risk of coronary heart disease. "Chol/HDL Ratio" refers to your total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol (often called good cholesterol), LDL-cholesterol (often called bad cholesterol), and triglycerides.

Includes the following tests:

Cholesterol, Total - The total amount of cholesterol in your blood.

Triglycerides - like cholesterol, are another lipid. As with LDL cholesterol, lower is better for triglycerides.

HDL Cholesterol - considered "good" because it helps return cholesterol to the liver, where it can be eliminated from the body. As a rule, you want your HDL's in the higher levels.

VDL Cholesterol - considered "bad" cholesterol and may be associated with increased risk of heart disease.

LDL Cholesterol - measures beta lipoproteins and is used to predict heart disease.

CBC With Differential / Platelet

CBC is a Complete Blood Count Test. The "Differential" measures the different percentage of each type of different white blood cell in your blood. Platelet refers to the measurement of how many blood cells you have in your blood. The CBC includes 19 "counts" or specific "parts" of the blood that is "counted" or measured and are listed below as a part of your WBC.

Includes the following tests:

WBC - measures your number of White Blood Cells (WBCs). White blood cells help fight infection. A healthy WBC is not too high or too low but falls within the "normal" reference range.

RBC - measures the Red Blood Cells found in your blood, responsible for carrying oxygen to the body.

Hemoglobin - transports oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body, like the muscles, where it releases its load of oxygen.

Hematocrit - measures the proportion of blood volume that is occupied by red blood cells. Red blood cells with a low hematocrit leaves the tissues relatively oxygen-starved and weak. A high hematocrit produces problems as well, but is uncommon.

MCV - the Mean Corpuscular Volumis a measure of the average red blood cell volume. An MCV measurement above or below the "normal" range may suggest some type of anemia.

MCH - the Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin is a measurement of the mass of hemoglobin contained by a red blood cell. An MCH measurement above or below the "normal" range may suggest one of the anemia's.

MCHC - MCHC is the Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration. It is used to assess the possibility of different kinds of anemia's.

RDW - the Red Blood Cell Distribution Width is a measure of the variation of red blood cell width. Usually red blood cells are a standard size. A percentage of blood cells outside the normal ranges suggests a greater variation in size and possible anemia or iron deficiency.

Platelets - measurement of how many blood cells you have in your blood. Platelets help the blood clot.

Neutrophils - a type of white blood cell that is responsible for much of the body's protection against infection.

Lymphs - or Lymphocytes are one of the major white blood cell categories that help the body's "defense system" against germs and foreign invaders.

Monocytes - Monocytes are large, circulating white blood cells that play an important role in killing some bacteria, protozoa, and tumor cells and release substances that stimulate other cells within the immune system.

Eos - a type of white blood cell that may increase because you have allergies or other infections.

Basos - the least common of the white blood cells. They release histamine and other chemicals that act on the blood vessels when the immune response is triggered.

Absolute Counts - actual number of Neutrophils, Lymphs, Monocytes, Eosinophils, and Basophils in your blood.