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    Blood Chemistry 101 from a Functional Medicine Perspective

    Receive aemail containing the next unit.
    • Introduction to Blood Test Analysis
      • 1.1Why You Need Understanding of Your Blood Tests
      • 1.2Decoding Medical Jargon
      • 1.3Introduction to Functional and Lifestyle Medicine
    • Understanding Complete Blood Count (CBC)
      • 2.1What is CBC and Its Components
      • 2.2Understanding Laboratories Ranges
      • 2.3Interpretation from a Functional Medicine Perspective
    • Insight into Complete Metabolic Panel (CMP)
      • 3.1Importance of CMP
      • 3.2Knowing High and Low Ranges
      • 3.3Functional Medicine Perspective on CMP
    • Studying Vitamin D
      • 4.1The Role of Vitamin D
      • 4.2Laboratory Ranges for Vitamin D
      • 4.3Functional Medicine Advice for Vitamin D Levels
    • Inflammation Markers - CRP
      • 5.1Understanding CRP
      • 5.2CRP's Laboratory Ranges
      • 5.3CRP from a Functional Medicine Perspective
    • Decoding Thyroid Markers
      • 6.1The Significant Role of Thyroid
      • 6.2Understanding Thyroid Marker Ranges
      • 6.3Thyroid Markers and Functional medicine
    • Iron Markers
      • 7.1Understanding Iron and Its Markers
      • 7.2Iron Marker Ranges and Their Meanings
      • 7.3Iron Markers in Functional Medicine
    • Lipid Panel Assessment
      • 8.1What is a Lipid Panel
      • 8.2Interpreting High and Low Lipid Ranges
      • 8.3Lipid Panel: Functional Medicine View
    • Micronutrient Markers: Folate, Vitamin B12
      • 9.1Importance of Folate and B12
      • 9.2Understanding Their Ranges
      • 9.3Functional Medicine Approach to Folate and B12 Levels
    • Micronutrient Markers: Zinc, Copper, Magnesium
      • 10.1Significance of Zinc, Copper, Magnesium
      • 10.2Ranges and Their Meanings
      • 10.3Functional Medicine Take on These Micronutrients
    • Other Key Blood Chemistry Markers
      • 11.1Unpacking Lesser Known Blood Markers
      • 11.2Deciphering Their Ranges
      • 11.3The Functional Medicine perspective
    • Implementing Lifestyle Recommendations for Improved Markers
      • 12.1Nutrition for Better Blood Markers
      • 12.2Exercise and Your Blood
      • 12.3Role of Sleep and Stress Management
    • Pulling It All Together – Your Personal Health Assessment
      • 13.1Comprehensive Review
      • 13.2Case studies
      • 13.3Crafting Personal Action Plan

    Other Key Blood Chemistry Markers

    Unpacking Lesser Known Blood Markers

    family of globular proteins

    Family of globular proteins.

    Blood tests are a crucial tool in modern medicine, providing a wealth of information about a person's health. While most people are familiar with common markers like cholesterol levels or blood sugar, there are many lesser-known markers that can provide valuable insights into your health. In this unit, we will explore some of these markers, including Albumin, Globulin, Bilirubin, and Alkaline Phosphatase.

    Albumin

    Albumin is a protein made by the liver and it makes up about 60% of the total protein in the blood. It plays a crucial role in maintaining the osmotic pressure that helps to transport molecules, including hormones, drugs, and fatty acids, throughout the body. Low albumin levels can indicate liver disease or malnutrition, while high levels can be a sign of dehydration or severe diarrhea.

    Globulin

    Globulins are a group of proteins in your blood. They are made in your liver by your immune system. Globulins play an important role in liver function, blood clotting, and fighting infection. There are three types of globulins: alpha, beta, and gamma. If your total globulin level is high, it could indicate chronic inflammatory disease, infection, or blood disorders. If it's low, it could mean you have liver disease, an immune disorder, or a genetic disorder.

    Bilirubin

    Bilirubin is a yellow substance that's produced when red blood cells break down. It's normally processed by the liver and excreted in stool. High levels of bilirubin can cause jaundice, which gives the skin and eyes a yellowish tint. Elevated bilirubin levels can indicate liver dysfunction or hemolytic anemia, a condition where red blood cells are destroyed faster than they can be made.

    Alkaline Phosphatase

    Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is an enzyme found in several tissues throughout the body, but primarily in the liver, bile ducts, and bone. A routine blood test can show up high levels of ALP, which could suggest liver disease or damage, bile duct blockage, or certain bone conditions. Low levels of ALP can indicate malnutrition or a deficiency in certain vitamins and minerals.

    Understanding these lesser-known blood markers can provide a more comprehensive picture of your health. In the next unit, we will delve into understanding the normal ranges for these markers and what it means if they are high or low.

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    Next up: Deciphering Their Ranges