Labor­atory diagnostics

We put together your laboratory panel individually & discuss the results with you in person.

Values in detail

What we measure & why

The overview below shows which values belong to which area. It is a section of our range, not a complete list.

Do get in touch if you cannot find a particular value here. Our laboratory range goes beyond what is shown.

Sugar & insulin

Fasting glucose
Blood sugar after eight hours without food. Shows sugar regulation at rest.
HbA1c
The sugar-bound share of the red blood pigment. Reflects blood sugar over the past eight to twelve weeks.
Fasting insulin
Insulin in the fasting state. Shows how much insulin the body needs at rest.
HOMA-IR
A calculated figure from glucose & insulin. Describes how well the cells respond to insulin.
Triglycerides
The most common dietary fats in the blood. Serve the body as an energy store.
Uric acid
The end product of purine breakdown. Excreted via the kidneys.

Blood lipids & vessels

LDL cholesterol
Cholesterol in low-density lipoproteins. Carries cholesterol from the liver into the tissue.
Non-HDL cholesterol
Total cholesterol minus HDL. Covers all lipoproteins that can enter the vessel wall.
ApoB
The structural protein carried exactly once by each of these particles. It therefore equals their number.
Lp(a)
An LDL-like particle with an additional apolipoprotein(a). Genetically determined & constant for life.
HDL cholesterol
Cholesterol in high-density lipoproteins. Returns cholesterol to the liver.
Total cholesterol
The cholesterol of all lipoproteins together. A building block of cell walls & hormones.

Blood count & iron

Full blood count
Number & condition of all blood cells. Reflects blood formation, oxygen transport & immune defence.
Ferritin
The storage protein for iron. Shows iron reserves, but also rises with inflammation.
Transferrin saturation
The share of the transport protein carrying iron. Shows the iron currently available.
Reticulocytes
Freshly released young red blood cells. Show how actively the bone marrow is working.

Inflammation

CRP, measured high-sensitivity
An acute-phase protein from the liver. Rises with inflammation, measurable even at low levels.
Differential blood count
The distribution of white blood cells across their subtypes. Shows which part of the immune system is engaged.
ESR
The distance red blood cells sink within one hour. A slow, non-specific marker of inflammation.

Liver & kidney

ALT, AST & GGT
Enzymes from liver cells & bile ducts. They enter the blood when cells are damaged.
Creatinine & eGFR
A breakdown product of muscle metabolism. Kidney filtration is estimated from it.
Cystatin C
A protein filtered by the kidney. Estimates kidney function independently of muscle mass.
Albumin-to-creatinine ratio in urine
The ratio of the two values in urine. Detects the smallest amounts of protein, independently of how much you drink.
Bilirubin & albumin
A breakdown product of the blood pigment & the most important blood protein. Show the liver’s excretory & synthetic capacity.

Thyroid & hormones

TSH
The control hormone of the pituitary gland. Regulates hormone release by the thyroid.
fT3 & fT4
The freely available thyroid hormones. They determine basal metabolic rate & energy metabolism.
Testosterone & SHBG
The main male sex hormone & its transport protein. Together they give the freely active share.
Oestradiol, FSH & LH
The main oestrogen & the two control hormones. They regulate the cycle & the function of the gonads.
Cortisol
The hormone of the adrenal cortex. Controls the stress response, blood sugar & daily rhythm.

Vitamins & minerals

Vitamin B12, active as holo-TC
The portion bound to transcobalamin. Only this reaches the cells.
Vitamin D
Measured as 25-OH vitamin D, the storage form. Acts on bone metabolism & the immune system.
Folic acid
Vitamin B9. Needed for cell division & blood formation.
Homocysteine
An amino acid of metabolism. Its breakdown requires vitamin B12, B6 & folate.
Omega-3 index
The share of EPA & DHA in the membrane of red blood cells. Reflects fatty acid supply over months.
Zinc & magnesium
A trace element & a mineral. Building blocks of numerous enzymes & of muscle function.

Which values make sense for you depends on your history, your complaints & your goals. We agree the scope together beforehand. The information on this page is for orientation & does not replace a medical consultation.

hey dr. schaaf!

I am happy to advise you & answer your questions. Arrange a no-obligation consultation now.

Yours, Dr Lucas Schaaf

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Praxis für Allgemein- & Ernährungsmedizin
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