Erectile Dysfunction (ED) #2 Essential Blood and Urine Blood Test Panel

The Erectile Dysfunction (ED) #2 Essential Blood and Urine Blood Test Panel includes a Thyroid + TSH, Complete Blood Count (CBC), Testosterone Total & Free, Urinalysis plus Wellness #2 Essential Blood Test Panel, Follicle-stimulating Hormone (FSH) & Luteinizing Hormone (LH), Hemoglobin A1c w/eAG and Prostate-specific Antigen (PSA).

Description

Because there are a variety of causes of Erectile Dysfunction (ED), there are several different blood tests available to help your doctor diagnose the condition, determine its cause and put into place an effective treatment plan. Only after the cause of ED is determined can it be effectively treated.

Testosterone Free Direct with Total Testosterone includes both Free Direct and Total Testosterone results. Testosterone is a type of hormone (a steroid hormone). It travels around the body in the blood. Some of it floats about in the blood freely without being attached to anything else. This is 'free' testosterone. Some testosterone is attached/bound to a protein called SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin). Some testosterone is attached to a protein called albumin. So 'total' testosterone is the sum of all the testosterone in the blood, no matter what it is bound to. Free testosterone is floating around by itself and only a few percent of testosterone is free.

Testosterone is a steroid hormone (androgen) that is produced by special endocrine tissue (the Leydig cells) in the male testes. Its production is controlled and controlled by luteinizing hormone (LH), which is manufactured in the pituitary gland. Testosterone works within a negative feedback mechanism, so as testosterone increases, LH decreases, while increased LH causes decreased testosterone. Testosterone levels are diurnal and peak in the early morning hours (about 4:00 to 8:00 am), and have the lowest levels in the evening (about 4:00 to 8:00 pm). Levels increase after exercise as well, but decrease with age. Nearly two-thirds of testosterone circulates in the blood bound to sex-hormone binding protein and slightly less than one-third is bound to albumin. A small percent circulates in the blood as free testosterone. The concentration of free testosterone is very low, normally <2% of the total testosterone concentration. In most women and men, >50% of total circulating testosterone is bound to sex hormone-binding globulin, SHBG, and most of the remaining is bound to albumin. Routinely available assay methods that are used to measure total testosterone are not sensitive enough to accurately quantitate the free testosterone fraction directly. Free testosterone is estimated in this particular test by a direct, analogue radioimmunoassay method. This assay uses a labeled testosterone analogue that has a low binding affinity for both albumin and SHBG but is bound by antitestosterone antibody used in the assay. Since the analogue is unbound in the plasma, it then competes with free testosterone for binding sites on an antitestosterone antibody that is immobilized on the surface of the polypropylene tube.

Urinalysis Complete with Microscopic Examination - This test is useful in the evaluation of conditions such as urinary tract infection (UTI), dehydration, and kidney stones. It detects abnormalities of urine and urinary tract infection (UTI); diagnoses and manages renal diseases, urinary tract infection, urinary tract neoplasms, systemic diseases, and inflammatory or neoplastic diseases adjacent to the urinary tract.

Wellness #2 Essential Panel is a detailed assessment of overall health and contains 55 separate laboratory tests including:
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (14 tests) Includes:
Glucose-Blood sugar level, the most direct test to discover diabetes, may be used not only to identify diabetes, but also to evaluate how one controls the disease.
Uric Acid- The blood uric acid test measures the amount of uric acid in a blood sample. Uric acid is produced from the natural breakdown of your body's cells and from the foods you eat.
Kidney Profile
Bun or Urea Nitrogen BUN is another by-product of protein metabolism eliminated through the kidneys and an indicator of kidney function. 
Creatinine, Serum  An indicator of kidney function. 
Bun/Creatinine Ratio Calculated by dividing the BUN by the Creatinine.
Glomerular Filtration (eGFR) Provides an assessment of the filtering capacity of the kidney.
Liver panel
Protein, Total Together with albumin, it is a measure of the state of nutrition in the body.
Albumin Serum one of the major proteins in the blood and a reflection of the general state of nutrition. 
Globulin, Total A major group of proteins in the blood comprising the infection fighting antibodies. 
Albumin/Globulin Ratio Calculated by dividing the albumin by the globulin.
Bilirubin, Total A chemical involved with liver functions. High concentrations may result in jaundice.
Alkaline Phosphatase A body protein important in diagnosing proper bone and liver functions.
Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST or SGOT) an enzyme found in skeletal and heart muscle, liver and other organs. Abnormalities may represent liver disease.
Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT or SGPT) an enzyme found primarily in the liver. Abnormalities may represent liver disease.
Fluids & Electrolytes
Sodium One of the major salts in the body fluid, sodium is important in the body's water balance and the electrical activity of nerves and muscles.
Potassium Helps to control the nerves and muscles.
Chloride Similar to sodium, it helps to maintain the body's electrolyte balance.
Carbon Dioxide, Total Used to help detect, evaluate, and monitor electrolyte imbalances.

Lipid Panel With Total Cholesterol:HDL Ratio 
Cholesterol, Total A sterol in the blood. Knowing your cholesterol level may be as important as knowing your blood pressure. Elevated cholesterol levels are associated with an increasing risk of coronary heart disease.
Triglycerides Triglycerides are fat in the blood that are responsible for providing energy to the cells of the body. Triglycerides should be less than 400 mg/dl even while in a non-fasting state. 
HDL Cholesterol High-density lipoproteins are believed to take cholesterol away from cells and transport it back to the liver for removal or processing. They are known as the "good" cholesterol as people with high levels of HDL may have less heart disease. Low HDL could be the result of lack of exercise and smoking.
LDL Cholesterol Low-density lipoproteins contain the largest percentage of cholesterol and may be responsible for depositing cholesterol on the artery walls. They are known as the "bad" cholesterol.
Total Cholesterol/HDL Ratio calculated by dividing the total cholesterol by the HDL cholesterol. This is the ratio used by physicians in determining your relative risk for developing cardiovascular disease. Thyroid Panel with Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH) - Thyroid function is critical to your metabolism and affects your energy level, weight control, heart rate, and more. The thyroid-stimulating hormone is produced in the pituitary gland and stimulates the production of thyroid hormones. The TSH helps to identify an overactive or underachieve thyroid state. This comprehensive evaluation of your thyroid hormone levels includes: T-3 Uptake, T4, T7, and Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH)

Complete Blood Count (CBC) With Differential and Platelets:  A complete blood count (CBC) will give important information about the kinds and numbers of cells in the blood, especially red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. A CBC helps your health professional check any symptoms, such as fatigue, weakness, or bruising, that you may have. A CBC also helps diagnose conditions such as anemia, infection, and many other disorders.
Mineral and Bone: Total Iron, Calcium, and Phosphorus