What Tests to Order on Your Chem Screen

Knowing which elements or panels to run on a blood test can be quite confusing. Most labs offer a multitude of combinations, each at a different price. I suggest that you order the following basic panel and add additional panels or elements if needed.

Basic Metabolic Panel

Glucose
BUN
Creatinine
BUN/Creatinine ratio
Sodium
Potassium
Chloride
CO2
Anion Gap (can calculate)
Uric acid
Total protein
Albumin
Globulin
Albumin/Globulin ratio
Calcium
Phosphorous
Alk Phos
SGOT/AST
SGPT/ALT
GGTP
LDH
Bilirubin (total, direct and indirect)
Total Iron
Ferritin
TIBC
Total cholesterol
HDL
LDL
Chol/HDL
TSH
CBC with differential

Blood Sugar regulation concerns? Add the following:
Fasting insulin and Hemoglobin A1C

Thyroid concerns? Add the following:
Free T4 and Free T3.
Run thyroid antibody studies if primary hypothyroidism is suspected.

© 2004 Dicken Weatherby, ND

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Dicken Weatherby is a graduate of the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon. He is the co-author of the best-selling book "Blood Chemistry and CBC Analysis- Clinical Laboratory Testing from a Functional Perspective". To learn more about Dr. Weatherby's functional diagnosis books and sign up for FREE functional diagnosis tips, tools, and techniques, visit his web site at http://www.BloodChemistryAnalysis.com

NOTE: You're welcome to "reprint" this article online as long as it remains complete and unaltered (including the "about the author" info at the end), and you send a copy of your reprint or the url to DrWeatherby@BloodChemistryAnalysis.com

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