Men’s Health

What this laboratory test evaluates

This profile is excellent for monitoring risk factors for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and metabolic and hormonal dysfunction. These conditions are widespread and very common among patients, but they are largely treatable, reversible, and/or preventable. The right combination of blood tests is needed to unmask risk factors and optimize health.

Cardiovascular and Diabetes Risk Advanced Lipid Testing and InflammationRoutine lipid testing is insufficient to identify and monitor patients’ cardiometabolic risk adequately. Small Dense LDL-C, Lp(a), and fatty acids are all important for uncovering and treating hidden risk. Inflammation in the arteries is an important cause of cardiovascular risk. Basal levels of the inflammation marker, CRP, are good measures of CVD risk after ruling out other causes of inflammation.

Fatty AcidsFatty acids are essential to heart health. Balancing fatty acids can improve cholesterol and triglyceride levels, improve immune system function as well as reduce inflammation and rate of heart disease. The Boston Heart Fatty Acid Balance™ test measures the major fatty acids (FA) for the purposes of cardiovascular disease characterization and management.

Glucose TestingPrediabetes is a serious health condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough yet to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes. Approximately 96 million American adults—more than 1 in 3—have prediabetes. Of those with prediabetes, more than 80% don’t know they have it. Prediabetes puts you at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

Over 37 million people in the U.S. have diabetes with approximately 1 in 4 undiagnosed. Diabetes is associated with a significantly increased risk of developing CVD, stroke, peripheral vascular disease, kidney failure, neuropathy, and retinopathy.

Hormonal ImbalanceHormones affect how patients feel and how well their body functions. They affect mood and can influence personality, behavior and decision making. They also affect metabolism, sex drive, and physical appearance. In women, hormones also affect fertility, the menstrual cycle and symptoms of menopause. Men’s testosterone levels are higher than women’s, accounting for many of the physical and other differences between the sexes.

Imbalances happen when there is too much or not enough of certain hormones. The imbalance can happen suddenly or gradually over time. Some imbalances cause physical illness, while others reduce quality of life. Many hormonal imbalances require testing and evaluation of underlying causes to determine the appropriate treatment options.

Examples of hormonal imbalances are: constipation, infertility, diarrhea, acne, depression or anxiety, obesity, hair loss, diabetes, fatigue, high cholesterol, erectile dysfunction (ED), and thyroid disease..

Metabolic DysfunctionElectrolytes, kidney function, liver function and other measures of normal metabolic activity are valuable tools for health assessment and patient management. When deficiencies are detected, it is important to understand the underlying cause to determine treatment options.

Additional test information

Use this panel to screen men who are concerned about testosterone levels impacting their overall health and well-being. This panel looks at overall male health including their basic lipid parameters, Lp(a), chemistries, male hormones and serum cortisol, while screening for thyroid and inflammation in the body.

Collection and processing

• Sample type: Serum, Plasma
• Fasting: Yes
• Estimated laboratory processing: Results should arrive 14 business days after the lab receives samples.

How Sunridge uses laboratory information

Sunridge considers the medical question, symptoms, history, medications, prior results, and whether the finding could change care before recommending testing. A laboratory result is not interpreted in isolation and does not establish a diagnosis by itself.

Before requesting this test

Availability, collection requirements, eligibility, and processing estimates can change. Sunridge reviews each request and, when appropriate, creates the order through Fullscript. Follow the current instructions supplied with the approved order.