Master Health Checkup - Silver

The Serum Calcium test measures the calcium level in your blood. Most of your body’s calcium (about 99%) is stored in bones and teeth to keep them strong. The rest (1%) circulates in the blood and helps your muscles move, nerves work, blood to clot, and heart to keep a steady rhythm.

Calcium in blood comes in two forms:

• Bound calcium, attached to proteins like albumin
• Ionized (free) calcium, which is active and helps many body functions

This test measures total calcium (both bound and ionized). This test cannot show if you have enough calcium in your diet. It also cannot detect bone diseases like osteoporosis. The body keeps blood calcium levels steady. It does this by taking calcium from bones during mild shortages.

The Serum Iron Studies Basic package measures the level of iron in the body. It comprises a series of blood tests, including a serum iron test that measures the level of iron in the blood, a Total Iron-Binding Capacity (TIBC) test that reflects the body's iron stores, an unsaturated iron binding capacity (UIBC) test that reflects binding of iron with transferrin which is the main protein that binds with iron, and transferrin saturation test that checks how much transferrin is saturated with iron.

The Vitamin B12 test measures the amount of vitamin B12 in your blood. Vitamin B12 is important for a healthy nervous system, making red blood cells, and helping in DNA formation. Low B12 levels are common in older adults, children, vegans or vegetarians, people with diabetes, those who had gastric bypass surgery, breastfeeding women, and people with conditions like Crohn’s disease that affect vitamin absorption. High B12 levels can occur in liver diseases, certain blood disorders, or from taking vitamin supplements. Usually, high levels from supplements are not harmful, as extra B12 is removed through urine.

The ESR (Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate) test measures how fast red blood cells (erythrocytes) settle in a tube over one hour.

When your body is inflamed, certain proteins, mainly fibrinogen, increase in the blood. These proteins cause the red blood cells to stick together in stacks. These stacks settle faster, leading to a higher ESR.

The ESR test shows that inflammation is present. However, it cannot tell you exactly where the inflammation is or what is causing it. That’s why doctors usually do this test along with other tests. This helps them understand and treat your health problems.

The HbA1c (Glycosylated Hemoglobin) 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 (Glycosylated Hemoglobin) test offers insight into your average blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 months.

The CBC (Complete Blood Count) test measures the number of red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), and platelets. Each of these blood cells performs essential functions–RBCs carry oxygen from your lungs to the various body parts, WBCs help fight infections and other diseases, and platelets help your blood to clot. Therefore, determining their levels can provide significant health information. A CBC test also determines the hemoglobin level, a protein in RBC that carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of your body. Evaluating all these components together can provide important information about your overall health.

The FBS (Fasting Blood Sugar) test measures the glucose level in the body under overnight fasting conditions. Glucose is the primary energy source 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 fasting glucose levels may indicate a risk of developing prediabetes or diabetes. Diabetes is broadly classified into two main types. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the pancreas produces little or no insulin due to autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing cells. Type 2 diabetes develops when the body becomes resistant to insulin or when insulin production is insufficient to meet the body’s needs.

The Lipid Profile assesses the level of specific fat molecules called lipids in the blood and helps determine the risk of heart ailments. This profile 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 increase the risk of potential heart ailments, making their monitoring crucial.

The Vitamin D (25-Hydroxy) test measures the levels of vitamin D in the body. Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that can be synthesized in the body upon healthy exposure to sunlight or absorbed from dietary sources. It exists in two forms: vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) and vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol). Vitamin D2 is present in plants, such as yeast or mushrooms, and is available as a supplement in fortified foods. Vitamin D3 is found in foods like cheese, mushrooms, egg yolks, and fatty fish.

Both forms of vitamin D need to be converted in the liver and kidneys before the body can use them effectively. This test shows the total level of vitamin D (D2 + D3) circulating in the body and guides your doctor in recommending the right treatment or lifestyle changes if needed.

The Urine R/M (Urine Routine & Microscopy) test involves gross, chemical, and microscopic evaluation of the urine sample.

1. Gross examination: It involves visually inspecting the urine sample for color and appearance. Typically, the urine color ranges from colorless or pale yellow to deep amber, depending on the urine’s concentration. Things such as medications, supplements, and some foods such as beetroot can affect the color of your urine. However, unusual urine color can also be a sign of disease.

   In appearance, the urine sample may be clear or cloudy. A clear appearance is indicative of healthy urine. However, the presence of red blood cells, white blood cells, bacteria, etc., may result in cloudy urine, indicating conditions such as dehydration, UTIs, kidney stones, etc. Some other factors, such as sperm and skin cells, may also result in a cloudy appearance but are harmless.

2. Chemical examination: It examines the chemical nature of the urine sample using special test strips called dipsticks. These test strips are dipped into the urine sample and change color when they come in contact with specific substances. The degree of color change estimates the amount of the substance present. Some common things detected include protein, urine pH, ketones, glucose, specific gravity, blood, bilirubin, nitrites, and urobilinogen.

3. Microscopic examination: This involves the analysis of the urine sample under the microscope for pus cells, red blood cells, casts, crystals, bacteria, yeast, and other constituents.

The LFT (Liver Function Test) helps determine the health of the liver by measuring various key markers in the blood, such as bilirubin, enzymes, and proteins. These components help assess inflammation, infection, diseases, etc., of the liver and monitor the damage due to liver-related issues.

The Thyroid Profile Total (T3, T4 & TSH) measures the circulating amounts of three key hormones:

• Total T3​ (Total Triiodothyronine): T3​ is the most active thyroid hormone and plays a major role in metabolism. The Thyroid Profile Total test measures both T3 bound to proteins and free T3 in the blood.
• Total T4​ (Total Thyroxine): T4​ is the primary hormone secreted by the thyroid gland. The Thyroid Profile Total test measures both protein-bound and free T4. It is a good indicator of overall thyroid hormone production.
• TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone): This hormone, released by the pituitary gland, controls the production of T4​ and T3​ by the thyroid. It is the best screening test for determining whether the thyroid is functioning normally.

The KFT with Electrolytes (Kidney Function Test with Electrolytes) test determines the health of your kidneys. It evaluates parameters such as creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), uric acid, electrolytes (sodium, potassium, and chloride), blood urea, and the BUN/creatinine ratio. This test also helps indicate possible kidney disorders like inflammation, infection, or functional damage.