Blood test endocrine/metabolic

Certainly, a variety of blood tests are used in the diagnosis and management of endocrine and metabolic conditions. Here’s a list categorized by specific conditions or areas of interest:

  • Diabetes Mellitus
    • Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG)
    • Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)
    • Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT)
    • C-Peptide Test
    • Insulin Level
    • Fructosamine
  • Thyroid Disorders
    • Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
    • Free Thyroxine (FT4)
    • Free Triiodothyronine (FT3)
    • Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (TPOAb)
    • Thyroglobulin Antibodies (TgAb)
    • Calcitonin
  • Parathyroid Disorders and Calcium Regulation
    • Serum Calcium
    • Serum Phosphate
    • Parathyroid Hormone (PTH)
    • Vitamin D (25-Hydroxyvitamin D)
    • Magnesium Level
  • Adrenal Disorders
    • Cortisol (Serum, Urine, Saliva)
    • Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)
    • Aldosterone and Renin Levels
    • Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate (DHEA-S)
    • 24-Hour Urinary Free Cortisol
  • Pituitary Gland Disorders
    • Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1)
    • Growth Hormone (GH)
    • Prolactin
    • Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
    • Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)
    • Beta-Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (β-hCG)
    • Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP)
  • Bone Metabolism
    • Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP)
    • Serum Calcium and Phosphate
    • Vitamin D (25-Hydroxyvitamin D)
    • Parathyroid Hormone (PTH)
    • Bone-Specific Alkaline Phosphatase
    • Telopeptides of Type I Collagen (NTX and CTX)
  • Lipid Disorders
    • Fasting Lipid Profile
      • Total Cholesterol
      • High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C)
      • Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C)
      • Triglycerides
  • Electrolyte and Metabolic Function
    • Electrolytes
      • Sodium
      • Potassium
      • Chloride
      • Bicarbonate
    • Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
    • Serum Creatinine
    • Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR)
    • Liver Function Tests
      • Alanine Transaminase (ALT)
      • Aspartate Transaminase (AST)
      • Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP)
      • Bilirubin
  • Sex Hormone Panel
    • Testosterone
    • Estradiol
    • Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG)
  • Insulin Resistance Markers
    • Fasting Insulin Level
    • HOMA-IR (Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance)

Conclusion

These tests are vital in diagnosing and managing a wide range of endocrine and metabolic disorders. The selection of specific tests should be based on the patient’s symptoms, history, and clinical presentation. Regular monitoring of certain levels is crucial for the ongoing management of these conditions.

Diabetes Mellitus

  • Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG): Measures blood sugar levels after fasting for at least 8 hours. Used to diagnose diabetes.
  • Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c): Reflects average blood glucose levels over the past 2-3 months, used for diagnosing and monitoring diabetes.
  • Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT): Assesses body’s response to sugar; high glucose levels post-ingestion indicate diabetes.
  • C-Peptide Test: Measures insulin production; low levels suggest reduced pancreatic function.
  • Insulin Level: Determines the amount of insulin the pancreas is producing.
  • Fructosamine: Reflects blood glucose levels over the previous 2-3 weeks.

Thyroid Disorders

  • Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH): Evaluates thyroid function; high levels may indicate hypothyroidism, low levels hyperthyroidism.
  • Free Thyroxine (FT4): Measures the free, unbound thyroxine hormone; important for assessing thyroid function.
  • Free Triiodothyronine (FT3): Measures the free, active thyroid hormone; helps diagnose hyperthyroidism.
  • Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (TPOAb): Detects antibodies against thyroid peroxidase, an enzyme in the thyroid gland; helps diagnose autoimmune thyroiditis.
  • Thyroglobulin Antibodies (TgAb): Assesses for antibodies against thyroglobulin, used in monitoring thyroid cancer treatment.
  • Calcitonin: A marker for medullary thyroid cancer.

Parathyroid Disorders and Calcium Regulation

  • Serum Calcium: Measures calcium levels in the blood; abnormal levels can indicate parathyroid disorders.
  • Serum Phosphate: Inversely related to calcium levels; important in diagnosing parathyroid disease.
  • Parathyroid Hormone (PTH): Regulates calcium and phosphorus levels; important for diagnosing parathyroid disorders.
  • Vitamin D (25-Hydroxyvitamin D): Essential for calcium absorption; deficiency can lead to bone disorders.
  • Magnesium Level: Important for bone health and many cellular functions.

Adrenal Disorders

  • Cortisol (Serum, Urine, Saliva): Measures the body’s stress response and adrenal function.
  • Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH): Stimulates cortisol production; important in diagnosing Addison’s disease and Cushing’s syndrome.
  • Aldosterone and Renin Levels: Important in diagnosing primary aldosteronism and related disorders.
  • Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate (DHEA-S): An androgen produced by the adrenal glands; used to evaluate adrenal function.
  • 24-Hour Urinary Free Cortisol: Assesses cortisol production over a full day; used in diagnosing Cushing’s syndrome.

Pituitary Gland Disorders

  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1): Reflects growth hormone levels; used to diagnose acromegaly or growth hormone deficiency.
  • Growth Hormone (GH): Direct measurement of growth hormone; used in diagnosing pituitary disorders.
  • Prolactin: High levels can indicate a prolactinoma or other pituitary disorders.
  • Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH): Important for evaluating reproductive and gonadal function.
  • Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH): Assessing pituitary function and diagnosing ACTH-dependent Cushing’s syndrome.
  • Beta-Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (β-hCG): Elevated in some cancers, including those of the pituitary.
  • Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP): A tumor marker, including for pituitary tumors.

Bone Metabolism

  • Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP): Elevated in bone diseases; indicates bone turnover.
  • Serum Calcium and Phosphate: Key minerals in bone metabolism; abnormal levels can indicate bone disorders.
  • Vitamin D (25-Hydroxyvitamin D): Essential for calcium absorption and bone health.
  • Parathyroid Hormone (PTH): Regulates calcium and phosphorus metabolism.
  • Bone-Specific Alkaline Phosphatase: Indicates bone formation activity.
  • Telopeptides of Type I Collagen (NTX and CTX): Markers of bone resorption.

Lipid Disorders

  • Fasting Lipid Profile: Assesses risk of atherosclerosis; includes total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and triglycerides.

Electrolyte and Metabolic Function

  • Electrolytes Panel: Measures sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate; essential for metabolic function.
  • Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN): Indicates kidney function and hydration status.
  • Serum Creatinine: Measures kidney function.
  • Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR): Estimates kidney filtering capacity.
  • Liver Function Tests: Assess liver health; includes ALT, AST, ALP, bilirubin.

Others

  • Sex Hormone Panel: Evaluates hormonal status; includes testosterone, estradiol, SHBG.
  • Insulin Resistance Markers: Assesses for insulin resistance; includes fasting insulin level, HOMA-IR.

Each of these tests provides crucial information in the diagnosis, management, and monitoring of various endocrine and metabolic disorders, helping to guide appropriate medical care.