Obesity Profile

The Luteinising Hormone test determines the level of luteinizing hormone that promotes the functioning of the gonads, i.e., testes in men and ovaries in women. LH is produced by the pituitary gland, a pea-sized gland situated at the base of the brain. The production and release of LH are controlled by a system known as the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. A hormone called GnRH is released from the hypothalamus of the brain and binds to the cell receptors in the anterior pituitary gland, which in turn prompts the synthesis and release of luteinizing hormone. LH then travels across the blood and attaches to its target cells in the testes in men and ovaries in women to facilitate optimal sexual and reproductive activities.

A Follicle Stimulating Hormone test measures the level of FSH in your body. FSH is produced and subsequently released into the blood by the pituitary gland. Its production is controlled by a feedback mechanism involving a hormone situated in the hypothalamus in the brain. The released FSH travels through your blood and then attaches to receptors in the ovaries and testes. It exerts functional effects on the reproductive organs, such as sexual development, puberty, and maturation. FSH levels vary throughout the menstrual cycle in response to estradiol and progesterone. Any disruption or issue in this feedback mechanism can prevent the normal function of the testicles or ovaries. Thus, determining its level provides crucial information regarding your health.

An Insulin Fasting test evaluates the body's ability to regulate blood sugar levels by measuring the amount of insulin in the blood after an overnight fast. Glucose is a source of energy for the body to perform daily activities. Your body gets glucose from carbohydrates that are consumed in the diet. These carbohydrates are digested and converted into simple sugar (glucose). The cells then absorb the required amount of glucose to produce energy, and the remaining amount is stored in other forms, like fats. Insulin hormone helps the cells to uptake glucose from the blood for utilization and storage. Thus, it is necessary to maintain insulin levels in your body.

A Lipid Profile assesses the level of specific fat molecules called lipids in the blood and helps determine the risk of heart ailments. This test determines the amount of different types of lipids, including total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and triglycerides. Lipids play a pivotal role in the functioning of the body. They are crucial components of the cell membranes and hormones, provide cushioning, and are a storehouse of energy. Any alterations in the lipid levels may lead to potential heart ailments, making their monitoring crucial.

This further contains

• Cholesterol - Total
• Cholesterol - LDL
• Triglycerides
• Non HDL Cholesterol
• Total Cholesterol/HDL Cholesterol Ratio
• LDL/HDL Ratio
• Very Low Density Lipoprotein
• Cholesterol - HDL

A Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulphate test measures the levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) in the blood. DHEAS is a steroid hormone that is present in both males and females. It is primarily produced by the adrenal glands, with smaller amounts produced by ovaries in females and testicles in males. 

DHEAS plays a role in developing male secondary sexual characteristics at puberty. The body can convert it into more potent androgens like testosterone and androstenedione. Also, it can be converted into the female hormone estrogen. 

Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulphate test helps diagnose and differentiate certain endocrine disorders, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of hormonal balance in the body.

A Testosterone Total test measures the level of testosterone hormone in the blood. Testosterone is a steroid hormone primarily produced in the testes in men, although it is also present in smaller quantities in the adrenal glands. In women, it is made in small amounts by the ovaries. It is predominantly associated with male physiology and significantly influences physiological functions in both men and women. 

The pituitary gland produces luteinizing hormone (LH), which regulates testosterone production. As testosterone levels rise, LH production decreases, slowing down testosterone production. Conversely, when testosterone levels fall, LH production increases, stimulating testosterone production.

Most of the testosterone circulating in the blood gets attached to two proteins, albumin and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), and some of it remains unattached, called free testosterone. Free testosterone and albumin-bound testosterone are also known as bioavailable testosterone, as they are readily available for the body to use for proper functioning.

A Thyroid Profile Total (T3, T4 & TSH) measures the levels of three hormones in the blood, namely triiodothyronine hormone (T3) total, thyroxine hormone (T4) total, and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). T3 and T4 are thyroid hormones that help regulate metabolism and energy levels in the body. On the other hand, TSH is produced by the pituitary gland and stimulates the thyroid gland to produce T3 and T4 hormones. The serum levels of the thyroid hormones and TSH have an inverse relationship, i.e., low T4 (as observed in hypothyroidism) and high T4 (as seen in hyperthyroidism) levels are associated with high and low TSH levels, respectively.

This further contains

• Triiodothyronine Total
• TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) Ultrasensitive
• Thyroxine - Total

A fasting blood sugar test measures the glucose level in the body under overnight fasting conditions. Glucose serves as the body's energy currency and is broken down through metabolism to produce energy. Hormones and enzymes produced by the liver and pancreas control this process. The hormone insulin, produced by the pancreas, regulates blood glucose levels. When these levels are high, such as after a meal, insulin is secreted to transport glucose into cells for energy production. Elevated glucose levels in the body after fasting may indicate a risk of developing prediabetes or diabetes, which can be of two types- Type 1, caused by little or no insulin production, and Type 2, caused by insulin resistance or decreased insulin production.

An HbA1c (Hemoglobin A1c) test precisely measures the percentage of sugar-coated or glycated hemoglobin in your blood. The test results represent the proportion of hemoglobin in your blood that has been glycated. 

Hemoglobin, a vital protein found in red blood cells, is responsible for transporting oxygen throughout the body. Hemoglobin A is the most abundant form of hemoglobin, and when blood sugar levels increase, a higher proportion of hemoglobin A becomes glycated. As red blood cells have a lifespan of approximately 120 days, the sugar molecules remain attached to the hemoglobin for the duration of the cell's life. Consequently, the HbA1c test offers insight into your average blood sugar levels over the past 8 to 12 weeks. 

A Serum Creatinine test measures the level of creatinine in the blood. Creatinine is a byproduct of muscles’ wear and tear during energy production. The kidneys remove it from the body by filtering it from the blood and releasing it into the urine. Therefore, blood creatinine levels indicate how well the kidneys are functioning in filtering and removing waste products from the blood. Generally, higher creatinine levels in the blood may indicate reduced kidney function, while lower levels may suggest decreased muscle mass.