Lab Testing

Product Description

**Note: All laboratory testing requires an authorizing physician. DHA Laboratory offers a patient direct program that partners you with an authorizing physician. If you have any additional questions regarding the availability of testing, please contact our laboratory by telephone or email.**

The Blood Sugar & Insulin Panel

C-Reactive Protein, hs + Homocysteine + Insulin + Hemoglobin A1c + Fibrinogen Activity

C-Reactive Protein, hs: Increases when there’s inflammation in your body. Also can be used to evaluate your risk of developing coronary artery disease.

Homocysteine: This test is ordered for a variety of clinical purposes including heart conditions, and vitamin b12 or folate deficiency. Testing homocysteine can be effective in identifying abnormal levels of B12 and folate before symptoms are present. Practitioners will order this test on patients who may be malnourished or with poor nutrition.  This includes the elderly, drug addicts, and alcohol addicts.

Individuals who are at risk of, or have a family history of heart disease or stroke are also strong candidates for the this test. Practitioners will also order this test on patients with a family history of coronary artery disease. Young children and babies are tested for homocysteine if they test positive for homocystinuria (high levels of methionine) during routine screenings.

Symptoms that qualify a patient to have a homocysteine test include but are not limited to:

• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Rapid heart rate
• Sore mouth/tounge
• Discomfort in the arms, feet, hands, or legs
• Loss of appetite

Practitioners order this test on patients who have recently experienced a stroke or heart attack in order to guide treatment.  This is due to the test’s ability to assess an individual’s risk of cardiovascular disease.

Practitioners can also order the homocysteine test on patients over the age of 30 who are going through supplemental treatment.  This allows for the practitioner to assess whether or not certain supplements will have a negative impact on the patient’s heart.

Insulin: This test is used to diagnose an insulin-producing tumor and verify that the removal of the tumor has been successful.  It can also be used to diagnose hypoglycemia, insulin resistance, and can be paired with a C-peptides test to determine levels of insulin being produced in the body, and levels of insulin coming from outside sources such as insulin injections.

Hemoglobin A1c: Diabetes and prediabetes in adults can be diagnosed and screened for using this test. When glucose attaches to hemoglobin, hemoglobin A1c is then created. When glucose levels are elevated, more glycated hemoglobin is created.

Fibrinogen Activity: This test is essential for the formation of a blood clot. Deficiency in fibrinogen can produce mild to severe bleeding disorders.

Fibrinogen Activity is used in the diagnosis of:
-Heterozygous fibrinogen deficiency
-Homozygous fibrinogen deficiency
-Dysfibrinogenemia

Patient Preparation: A fasting specimen is required. Patients should fast for 12 hours prior to specimen collection. Discontinue any supplements containing Biotin for 72 hours prior to specimen collection.