The New Cholesterol Test

I KNOW MY CHOLESTEROL LEVEL, ISN'T THAT ENOUGH?

Actually, no! Studies show that HALF the people who had heart attacks had NORMAL
cholesterol levels (1). You see, cholesterol is carried by particles or containers in the blood
called lipoproteins. If you have too many of these particles they can build up in your arteries
and cause heart disease.

The higher the number of lipoprotein particles in your blood, the greater the risk you have for
developing Coronary Heart Disease.

The NMR LipoProfile® test measures your risk for heart disease more accurately
than a standard cholesterol test.

Since cholesterol is carried inside lipoprotein particles, it is helpful to think of cholesterol as a passenger and the lipoprotein particle as a vehicle. It’s not the number of passengers that
causes a traffic jam... it’s the number of vehicles! Similarly, it’s not the amount of cholesterol that causes heart disease - it’s the number of lipoprotein particles!

Only the NMR Lipoprofile® test actually counts the number of lipoprotein particles.

In the example below, two patients have the same cholesterol levels (same number of passengers on the road) but have different numbers of particles (cars on the road). Patient A's passengers are carpooling and riding buses, while Patient B's passengers are each driving their own car. Patient B is at higher risk for Coronary Heart Disease because they have more cars on the road, thus causing a "traffic jam" in their arteries...just like many cars can "clog" the road, many particles can cause clogged arteries.

Patient A
LESS RISK FOR HEART DISEASE:
Less Particles
Less Traffic
Same Cholesterol Levels (same number of passengers as Patient B)

Patient B
MORE RISK FOR HEART DISEASE:
More Particles
More Traffic
Same Cholesterol Levels (same number of passengers as Patient A)

A standard cholesterol test does not provide information on the nubmer of particles, but the NMR LipoProfile test does. That is why it is a superior test.

References:
1. Kannel, WB. Am J Cardiol 1995;69C-77C.


Let's compare the standard cholesterol test with the NMR LipoProfile test. The following explains what each of the two tests measures, and the patient goals for each test.

Test 1) Understanding the Standard Cholesterol Test:

A lipid panel is a standard cholesterol test. It is made up of four values: LDL-C (“bad” cholesterol), HDL-C (“good” cholesterol), triglycerides and total cholesterol.

The following are the goals for LDL-C:

160 = GOAL FOR LOW RISK PATIENTS
130 = GOAL FOR MODERATELY HIGH RISK PATIENTS
100 = GOAL FOR HIGH RISK PATIENTS

(standard units of measure for cholesterol numbers are expressed in mg/dL)


Test 2) Understanding Your NMR LipoProfile® Test - Understanding your LDL Particle Numbers:

Your LDL Particle number, called LDL-P number, is the most important value of the NMR LipoProfile report. The lower this number is, the less risk you face. Your LDL-P number can range from less than 1000 to more than 2000 nmol/L. Based on this number and your medical history, your doctor can advise you on a treatment plan designed to reduce your score to a low-risk level.

The following are the goals for LDL-P:

1600 = GOAL FOR LOW RISK PATIENTS
1300 = GOAL FOR MODERATELY HIGH RISK PATIENTS
1000 = GOAL FOR HIGH RISK PATIENTS

(standard units of measure for NMR cholesterol is expressed in nmol/L)

Final Assessment

Your risk level for heart disease is the number that is HIGHER (LDL-P or LDL-C) and should determine your overall risk.

The results of your test provide information about your heart health that you and your clinician can use to make more informed decisions about your risk for heart disease.

Be sure - because it is treatable. Get your NMR LipoProfile test today!

To purchase a NMR LipoProfile test simply order online at LabSafe at http://www.labsafe.com/lab-tests/test/532/ or visit our website at www.LabSafe.com

For more information, or to speak with a member of our professional Medical Staff, call LabSafe toll free at 1-888-333-LABS.

How Does a Blood Glucose Test Check for Diabetes?

SIMPLY SUGAR

Glucose, also known as table sugar or blood sugar, is essential for providing energy to our bodies. Our brains run primarily on glucose and it is the fuel of choice for our bodies. However, just like the gas tank in our car can hold only so much gasoline, our bloodstream can only hold so much glucose, and running out of gas (glucose) leaves us feeling like we are broken down on the side of the road. That is why our pancreas functions to help control our glucose levels by secreting insulin to aid in and regulate glucose metabolism.

There are several disease processes relating to our blood glucose, including hypo (not enough) and hyperglycemia (too much). Diabetes is a blood sugar disorder that can be genetic (Diabetes Type I), and can be acquired (Diabetes Type II). Obesity is the number one preventable cause of diabetes. The American Diabetes Association recommends the fasting blood glucose test (a simple blood test) as a tool to help screen for a potential problem.

Blood glucose testing can be used to screen healthy individuals who may have no symptoms of diabetes, hyperglycemia, or hypoglycemia. Many people go undiagnosed because initial symptoms seem so harmless or may go completely unrecognized. LabSafe provides glucose testing as well as more advanced screening tests, such as the Hemoglobin A1c test. These simple tests could save your health and help prevent many harmful health factors related to abnormal blood sugar levels.

To purchase a glucose test simply order online at LabSafe at http://www.labsafe.com/lab-tests/test/36/ or visit our website at www.LabSafe.com

To purchase a Hemoglobin A1c test simply order online at LabSafe at http://www.labsafe.com/lab-tests/test/484/ or visit our website at www.LabSafe.com

For more information, or to speak with a member of our professional Medical Staff, call LabSafe toll free at 1-888-333-LABS.

Molds That Cause Allergies

Allergen Profile: Mold Tests

As the modern world continues to evolve, it is becoming increasingly apparent that our indoor environment can have a huge impact on our health. Molds (also know as fungi) are ubiquitous in the environment and can concentrate in homes, offices and public buildings. This test will test for the most common mold that can cause respiratory problems.

This Allergen profile can be used to find a particular mold and can be used to rule in/out mold exposure as a potential causative factor with regard to chronic fatigue, depression, inability to concentrate (brain fog), Fibromyalgia, etc. It is primarily meant to document toxic mold exposure. It is important also to note that molds can destroy B-cells, hence lowering our humoral immunity.

Stachybotrys chartarum, Aspergillus fumigatus, Alternaria tenuis, Cladosporium herbarum and Penicillium notatum are all molds that are common in buildings and homes and will grow anywhere indoors where there is moisture. In water damaged or "problem" structures, mold levels in indoor air greatly exceed levels outdoors. Inhaled molds as well as molds, fungus and yeasts ingested in foods can colonize the gastrointestinal tract, the sinuses, Eustachian tubes and the oral cavity. Some people are sensitive to molds. For these people, exposure to molds can cause symptoms such as nasal stuffiness, eye irritation, wheezing, or skin irritation. Some people, such as those with serious allergies to molds, may have more severe reactions. Severe reactions may occur among workers exposed to large amounts of molds in occupational settings, such as farmers working around moldy hay. Severe reactions may include fever and shortness of breath. Some people with chronic lung illnesses, such as obstructive lung disease, may develop mold infections in their lungs.

LabSafe offers an allergy blood test panel that tests for the most commonly problematic molds, called the Allergen and Mold Profile. Specifically, the panel tests for the following molds: Alternaria tenuis; Aspergillus fumigatus; Candida albicans; Cladosporium herbarum; Epicoccum purpurascens; Fusarium moniliforme; Helminthosporium sativum; Hormodendrum hordei; Mucor racemosus; Penicillium notatum; Phoma betae; Pullularia pullulans; and Stemphylium solani.

The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) has recommended that if you test positive for mold you should consult a family or general health care provider who will decide whether you need referral to a specialist. Such specialists might include an allergist who treats patients with mold allergies or an infectious disease physician who treats mold infections. If an infection is in the lungs, a pulmonary physician might be recommended. Patients who have been exposed to molds in their workplace may be referred to an occupational physician.

This Allergen and Mold Profile can be the first step towards having a healthy home environment and lifestyle.

To purchase an Allergen and Mold Profile test simply order online at LabSafe at http://www.labsafe.com/lab-tests/test/488/or visit our website at www.LabSafe.com

For more information, or to speak with a member of our professional Medical Staff, call LabSafe toll free at 1-888-333-LABS.

What Causes Male Pattern Baldness?

DHT, Testosterone, and Male Pattern Baldness

The most common form of hair loss is determined by our genes and hormones. By age 35 to 40, two thirds of Caucasian men experience some hair loss, and it is estimated that approximately 30% of Caucasian women are affected by hair loss before menopause.

Hair follicles produce hair in three phases. A growing (anagen) phase, which lasts from 2 to 6 years, a resting (catagen) phase, which lasts about three months, and a shedding (telogen) phase which allows the follicle to push a new hair to the surface.

Most modern medical research leans towards the position that a male hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is a primary factor in hair loss. DHT, which is converted from testosterone, binds to sites on hair follicles. DHT appears to make hair follicles go into their “resting” phase faster, which in turns leads to thinning hair. Studies show that balding men don’t have higher than average circulating levels of testosterone, but they do have above average amounts of DHT in the scalp follicles. Some other causes of hair loss that have been identified are a low-carb diet (a study funded by Dr. Atkins himself found about 10% suffered from hair loss), systemic lupus, and hypothyroidism. In addition, mercury toxicity (amalgam illness), vitamin A toxicity, iron deficiency and manganese deficiency have been associated with hair loss. Many of these conditions can be detected with a simple blood test and effective treatments may be available.

Medical studies have also associated DHT with a prostate condition known as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). BPH is a gradual enlarging of the prostate that occurs in men over time and may cause PSA test (Prostate Specific Antigen) values to increase.

To purchase a DHT test simply order online at LabSafe at http://www.labsafe.com/lab-tests/test/536/, or visit our website at www.LabSafe.com

For more information, or to speak with a member of our professional Medical Staff, call LabSafe toll free at 1-888-333-LABS.

What is a Diabetes Hemoglobin A1C Test?

Glycated Hemoglobin: HbA1c

The glycated hemoglobin test (also called the glycosylated hemoglobin test, or hemoglobin A1c test) is used to monitor the overall sugar control of a diabetic over the course of several months. This test may also be used as a screening tool for early detection of diabetes, although the American Diabetes Association (ADA) has recommended that a less expensive (and less accurate) fasting plasma glucose test (FPG) be used for screening. The A1c test looks backward to give you an overview of your blood glucose control for the past 2-3 months.

In some ways, the A1c test is like a baseball player's season batting average. Both A1c and the batting average tell you about a person's overall success. Neither a single day's blood test results nor a single game's batting average gives the same big picture.

How does the A1c test look backward? Suppose your blood sugar was high last week. What happened? More glucose hooked up (glycated) with your hemoglobin. This week, your blood glucose may be back under control. Still, your red blood cells carry the 'memory' of last week's high blood glucose in the form of a higher percentage of glycated A1c. This record changes as old red blood cells in your body die and new red blood cells (with fresh hemoglobin) replace them. The amount of A1c in your blood reflects blood sugar control for the past 120 days, or the lifespan of a red blood cell.

People who have type 2 diabetes are two to six times more likely to develop coronary heart disease than people without diabetes. Diabetics are also at greater risk for high cholesterol, stroke and heart attacks. Diabetics may reduce their risks by maintaining well-controlled blood sugar levels. The ADA recommends that if you are a diabetic, you should have an A1c test performed every 3 months.

According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) there are 17 million Americans with diabetes. More than 200,000 people die each year from complications related to diabetes. The American Diabetic Association recommends early detection, improved care, and education on diabetes self-management as a preventive measure.

To purchase a Hemoglobin A1c test simply order online at LabSafe at http://www.labsafe.com/lab-tests/test/484/or visit our website at http://www.labsafe.com/

For more information, or to speak with a member of our professional Medical Staff, call LabSafe toll free at 1-888-333-LABS.

Helicobacter Pylori (H. Pylori)

Helicobacter Pylori Test (H. pylori test)

The Helicobacter pylori (H. pyloric) test is a test that looks for evidence of an infection by a bacterium, known as Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). H. pylori are actually a class of microorganisms called spirochetes. They got their name because they are spherical in shape, like spiral pasta shells. Their hard, acid resistant exterior allows them to survive inside your stomach amongst your strong stomach acid that is there to break down things you eat and acts as an important step in the digestive process. It is theorized that the spherical shape of the microorganisms may also help them burrow into your stomach lining. These microorganisms also make chemicals that alter the acidity (Ph balance) of your stomach. The stomach lining is genetically designed to withstand the acid that your body produces for food digestion, but when the lining is compromised, such as from H. pylori, then the regular cells underneath the lining are easily broken down by the same stomach acid that is there to break down the foods you eat, and this can result in ulcers and bleeding.

However, other things, such as aspirin and NSAIDS (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) can also compromise the lining of your stomach. Common NSAIDS include ibuprofen, aspirin, and such brand names as Motrin, Voltaren, Naproxen, Advil, and just about anything you can buy over the counter in a drug store except for Tylenol. Tylenol is not an NSAID. Its generic name is acetaminophen and it acts to relieve pain in a different way than the other over the counter drugs aforementioned. However, for some pains and some conditions (such as certain liver diseases), many patients needed a better answer than Tylenol, and so many turned to NSAIDS, but it was discovered that with prolonged daily usage of NSAIDS, the stomach and gastrointestinal lining often became compromised. So, Drug Companies developed what was called "super-aspirins," such as VIOXX, with the intention that these super-aspirins would be easier on the gastrointestinal lining and cause fewer gastrointestinal bleeding incidents, including ulcers. It is important to note that opiate drugs such as codeine, hydrocodone, oxycodone and other morphine-like drugs do not seem to be associated so much with damage to the gastrointestinal lining. However, abuse of these drugs is unfortunately so common and such a problem that many physians are reluctant to use them or may use them as a last resort. Rashes and allergies are also common side effects of these drugs and may inhibit their usage.

So, what do H. pylori and pain relievers have in common? Well, if a pain medication compromises the integrity of the stomach lining, then it may make it easier for H. pylori to burrow in and take residence. From there, the problem can simply get worse. More and more damage to the stomach lining can occur, and more and more antacids (Pepcid, Zantac, famotidine, cimetidine, Tums, Rolaids, etc.) or analgesiecs (Maalox, Pepto-Bismol, etc.) seem needed to bring relief to hearburn and/or an upset stomach.

So, how could a H. pylori test help? Well, LabSafe tests for antibodies produced by your body to H. pylori. If your body is producing antibodies to H. pylori, then that is important information for your doctor because you most probably are infected with H. pylori, or you have been infected before and may be at risk for future infection. H. pylori infection can be treated and cured with a simple round of medications that include antibiotics. Clinical studies suggest that if the H. pylori infection is cured, and the gastrointestinal lining (including the stomach lining) is given enough time to heal, then the integrity of the stomach lining may be largely or even fully restored and then it may be o.k. to take NSAIDS again. It is important to remember that your physician should oversee and manage this process with you.

Many people who can not tolerate NSAIDS, do not want to take or can not take potentially addictive opiate drugs, do not find acetaminophen effective or can not or do not want to take it, and do not want to take "super-aspirins" (a subject of many lawsuits these days!); may find relief of their pain and a better lifestyle if they can identify antibodies to H. pylori, have their doctor evaluate them for active H. pylori infection and/or a damaged stomach lining, diagnose it and treat it and cure it, and then they may be able to better tolerate NSAIDS again.

*Disclaimer: Motrin, Voltaren, Naproxen, Advil, VIOXX, Maalox, Pepto-Bismol, Tums, Rolaids, Pepcid, Zantac, and Tylenol are each registered trademarks of their respective companies and are in no way associated with LabSafe or with this blog. LabSafe intentionally does not sell or promote any drugs and makes no claims on any drugs (prescription or otherwise) as to the safety, efficacy, or indications for usage of any drugs, be it by prescription, over the counter, or otherwise. Always consult your physician before you begin to use any medications; before you discontinue use of any medications prescribed by your doctor, and/or you choose to take or not take any medications. LabSafe is a medical laboratory testing company and is not a Drug Company, and is in no way associated with any Drug Company or Insurance Company. LabSafe's business concern is the health and well being of the American consumer as it relates only to laboratory tests and how those tests can help you and your doctor better manage your health.

H. pylori bacteria are now known to be a major cause of peptic ulcer disease. Helicobacter pylori is also associated with the development of gastric cancer. If you are experiencing gastrointestinal pain and symptoms of an ulcer, The Helicobacter pylori test may be ordered to determine if there is evidence of this disease. A positive test for Helicobacter pylori indicates that your gastrointestinal pain may be caused by this bacterium. Taking antibiotics and other medication(s) will kill the bacteria and may stop the pain and the ulceration. The American Cancer Society has stated that "people in families at high risk of developing stomach cancer may be even more likely to develop the disease if they are infected with a common bacteria known as Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). According to a recent study, screening these people for the bacteria might save lives."

To purchase a H. pylori test simply order online at LabSafe at http://www.labsafe.com/lab-tests/test/404/ or visit our website at www.labsafe.com

For more information, or to speak with a member of our professional Medical Staff, call LabSafe toll free at 1-888-333-LABS.

Anti-Aging Laboratory Tests

LabSafe Anti Aging Panel - Level 1

LabSafe offers three levels of Anti-Aging testing, and each level is designed for different needs. This article relates to the Anti Aging Level 1 testing. For information regarding Level 2 and Level 3 testing, please visit our website at www.labsafe.com or call us toll free at 1-888-333-LABS to speak with a Medical Counselor.

LabSafe does not sell or market steroids, testosterone, Human Growth Hormone (HGH) or related products. Therefore, when you test with LabSafe you can be sure that your best interests are in mind because we are not trying to sell you drugs (steroids, HGH, etc.), unlike other companies.

When we are young, our hormone systems function at their peak abilities. As we age, imbalances may occur that can lead to hormonal dysfunction, such as the underproduction of testosterone and estradiol. Testosterone begins to decline in men at about age 30- 40 yrs old. Low testosterone has a number of negative effects on mental, sexual, and physical health. Therefore, many people seek anti-aging therapy or hormone replacement. There is a basic set of laboratory tests required by a Medical Doctor to prescribe Hormone Replacement Therapy for either men or women. Having these lab tests performed before you seek a pharmaceutical prescription can save you money and time because your prescribing physician will know beforehand if your lab test results indicate such therapy is safe and appropriate for you.

In addition to providing a basic health check, the LabSafe Anti-Aging Panel Level 1 also checks your levels of free and total Testosterone, estradiol, and IGF-1. Because men and women produce different hormones at different levels, LabSafe has developed lab test panels for men and lab test panels specific for women. For example, the Level 1 Anti-Aging Therapy Panel For Men includes a Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA), and Testosterone, free and total test. Because women do not have prostates, the test is not performed in the Level 1 Anti-Aging Panel For Women. The Level 1 Anti-Aging Panels for both men and women contain tests such as the Complete Blood Count, Cholesterol Profile, Estradiol, Metabolic Panel, Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1) Testosterone, free and total, and a thyroid profile.

The American Heart Association’s recommendation is that hormone therapy should not be used for prevention of cardiovascular disease. Its use for other reasons should be cautiously considered with the advice of a physician.

To purchase an Anti-Aging Level 1 test simply order online at LabSafe at http://www.labsafe.com/anti-aging/ or visit our website at www.labsafe.com

For more information, or to speak with a member of our professional Medical Staff, call LabSafe toll free at 1-888-333-LABS.

Cancer Antigen 125 - CA 125 Test

CA-125 Testing

Cancer Antigen 125 is a tumor marker. A tumor marker is a biochemical substance that is produced by some cancers. CA-125 (cancer antigen 125) is a tumor marker often used to help detect or track ovarian cancer and some types of lung cancer. The American Cancer Society has stated “90% of patients have levels above 30 u/ml when ovarian cancer is advanced." High levels of Ca 125 may also be found in women with endometriosis and in men and women with lung cancer.

Several different blood tests have been developed for early detection of ovarian cancer. The most successful appears to be the use of Ca-125 to help detect evidence of cancer in women in the earliest stages of the disease.

However, it is important to understand that a low or normal Ca-125 level does not exclude ovarian or other cancer, and as well an elevated level does not always suggest illness. To be clear, CA-125 is a marker for a tumor. It does not distinguish from a benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous) tumor. Therefore, CA-125 is often not considered a screening test for Ovarian cancer. However, some Physicians believe it is useful to establish a baseline CA-125 value, and the CA125 test can be very useful when used to follow patients who have been diagnosed with cancer and have been treated. The CA-125 test is in no way intended to replace a visit to your doctor and should be used in the proper clinical context.

To purchase a CA-125 test simply order online at LabSafe at http://www.labsafe.com/lab-tests/test/106/or visit our website at www.labsafe.com

For more information, or to speak with a member of our professional Medical Staff, call LabSafe toll free at 1-888-333-LABS.

Fats ARE Good For You!

Good Fat and Bad Fat

Fats ARE good for you. This is contrary to what many of us have steered clear of in the past as we have consistently been told: “fat is bad for you."

However, there is such a thing as "good fat" and "bad fat." Some fats are essential to our body's normal metabolism, growth, development, and maintenance. If it were possible for a human to have absolutely no fats in their diet ever, that person would absolutely die (reference the movie Lorenzo's Oil). Fats are important components of the cells of our body as they form the outer cell wall that protects our DNA on the inside. They also give us energy when they are burned as fuel for our body. Furthermore, they are collected and set aside as important fuel depot reserves in case we should go hungry or starve, which fortunately is uncommon in American society today. Throughout many years of evolution, however, our bodies learned to put aside fats for tough times such as winter, famine, or disability.

The human body is very evolved in managing fats and has developed complex systems for fat management, storage, production, absoprtion from the foods we eat, and transporation to and from all parts of the body. This concept is perhaps best understood when we talk about two components of total cholesterol, HDL and LDL. HDL (High Density Lipoprotein) is often referred to as "good fat." LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein) is often referred to as "bad fat."

But why is HDL considered good while LDL is considered bad? The answer is simply about what these two are doing in the body...that is, what their job is...what they are there to do. HDL takes fat from throughout the body and transports it to the liver. The liver is "fat central." That is to say, the liver is the organ in the body that processes fat. The more fat that HDL brings to the liver, the more fat the liver processes. LDL on the other hand, takes fat from the liver to the body. The problem is that along the way LDL can and does get stuck in the arteries and blood vessels, much like chicken fat sticks to your fingers when you're preparing chicken for dinner. You literally have to wash your hands with soap and water to get it off and sometimes your hands still don't feel clean. You can just imagine how the smooth inner walls of your blood vessels would feel after 20, 30, 40 years etc. of the same kind of thing happening every single day of your life.

Recommendations from the American Medical Association (AMA) state that every American should have a cholesterol test at 25 years of age to learn a baseline cholesterol level. Sometimes, diet and exercise programs may be all that is needed to lower high cholesterol levels. Standard cholesterol tests include the HDL (good), LDL(bad), triglycerides (main components of fat stored in the body), and VLDL, which aides in transportation of triglycerides.

Inherited genes and diet are the two main components that determine our cholesterol levels. Early detection of potential high cholesterol can lower your risks for Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) and stroke.

Healthy fats include mono and polyunsaturated fats (such as olive oils, fish oils, nuts and seeds). Monounsaturated fats increase the HDL (healthy fats). Unhealthy fats include saturated and trans-fatty acids (fatty meats and hard vegetable oils).

A simple and inexpensive blood test called a lipid panel can determine your cholesterol levels, which includes HDL and LDL levels as well as total cholesterol.

LabSafe provides an inexpensive and convenient way to monitor your levels without the inconvenience of waiting for a doctor’s appointment, taking time off of work, etc.

To purchase a cholesterol test simply order online at LabSafe at http://www.labsafe.com/lab-tests/test/472/ or visit our website at www.labsafe.com

For more information, or to speak with a member of our professional Medical Staff, call LabSafe toll free at 1-888-333-LABS.

Syphilis Testing

SYPHILIS TEST


Syphilis is a bacterial infection that can be easily missed. The first symptom is a painless blister or sore that will disappear on its own. Syphilis can be treated with antibiotics. However, if left untreated, the disease can spread throughout your body over the course of many years and cause considerable organ damage.

The latent (hidden) stage of syphilis begins when secondary symptoms disappear. Without treatment, the infected person will continue to have syphilis even though there are no signs or symptoms; infection remains in the body. In the late stages of syphilis, it may subsequently damage the internal organs, including the brain, nerves, eyes, heart, blood vessels, liver, bones, and joints. This internal damage may show up many years later. Signs and symptoms of the late stage of syphilis include difficulty coordinating muscle movements, paralysis, numbness, gradual blindness, and dementia. This damage may be serious enough to cause death.

You should check for Syphilis if you have symptoms of a syphilis infection, if you have another STD, or are pregnant.

Syphilis is passed from person to person through direct contact with syphilis sore. Sores occur mainly on the external genitals, vagina, anus, or in the rectum. Sores also can occur on the lips and in the mouth.

Transmission of the organism occurs during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. In the United States, The Center for Disease Control reported increases in syphilis over the past several years. Increases have been reported in various cities and areas, including Chicago, Seattle, San Francisco, Southern California, Miami, and New York City. In the recent outbreaks, high rates of HIV co-infection were documented, ranging from 20 percent to 70 percent. While the health problems caused by syphilis in adults are serious in their own right, it is now known that the genital sores caused by syphilis in adults also make it easier to transmit and acquire HIV infection sexually.

False postive Syphilis tests can occur are are usually associated with certain medical conditions. That is why at LabSafe a confirmation test is performed free of charge when a Syphilis test comes back positive.

To purchase a Syphilis test simply order online at LabSafe at http://www.labsafe.com/lab-tests/test/220/ or visit our website at www.labsafe.com

For more information, or to speak with a member of our professional Medical Staff, call LabSafe toll free at 1-888-333-LABS.

Genital Herpes Testing

Genital Herpes




Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease (STD). This virus causes recurrent, periodic outbreaks of sores in the genital region and remains in your body for life. However, there are anti-viral therapies available that can shorten the duration of symptoms. Some research studies suggest that the anti-viral medications may also help prevent transmission of the disease.

Some sexually transmitted diseases will cause symptoms that should be brought to the attention of your doctor immediately. However, others may be "silent" - a person could have the disease but might not notice any symptoms of the infection. Therefore, it is important to be tested for STDs if you are sexually active.
The herpes simplex virus can be passed from person to person through skin contact while the sores are open and healing, and sometimes asymptomatically when there are no visible sores. Of the major classes of Herpes viruses, Herpes Type 1 (HSV-1) is known for causing cold sores; Herpes Type 2 (HSV-2) causes genital herpes, and Herpes Zoster causes chickenpox and shingles. HSV-2 is frequently a sexually transmitted disease but HSV-1 also may be acquired during oral sex and found in the genital area. Therefore it generally best to test for both HSV-1 and HSV-2 when concerned about STDs. LabSafe offers the Herpes Select blood tests, which are more sensitive and specific than older tests. These tests are the ones that are recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Many people who have herpes don’t know it because they never have symptoms or don’t recognize the symptoms they do have. When you are first infected, you may have obvious and painful lesions at the site of infection. These lesions appear within two weeks after the virus is transmitted and usually heal within two to four weeks. The vesicles can appear in the vaginal area, on the penis, around the anus, or on the buttocks or thighs. This primary episode can include a second outbreak of lesions and even flu-like symptoms of fever and swollen glands. However, you may not have any lesions or have symptoms that are so mild that you don’t notice them or mistake them for something else, such as insect bites or a rash.

Once someone is infected and the initial infection resolves, they will harbor the HSV in a latent form. During periods of stress or illness, the virus may reactivate. In most cases, HSV outbreaks are a painful annoyance rather than a health threat, but the virus can also cause neonatal herpes (an infant is infected by the mother during birth) and encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). These illnesses can be fatal and can cause serious permanent neurological problems in those who survive. Patients with conditions that cause their immune system to be suppressed, such as those with HIV/AIDS or those who have had an organ transplant, may have more frequent and serious outbreaks of HSV.

According to the American Social Health Association and their National Herpes Resource Center, about 50% to 80% of adults in the U.S. have HSV-1 and about 20% have HSV-2 (that is 1 in every 5 adults). Because symptoms may be mild, 90% of those who have HSV-2 may be unaware that they have been infected.

To purchase a Herpes Type I/II test simply order online at LabSafe at http://www.labsafe.com/lab-tests/test/429/or visit our website at www.labsafe.com

For more information, or to speak with a member of our professional Medical Staff, call LabSafe toll free at 1-888-333-LABS.

Hepatitis B Test

Hepatitis B (HBV) Testing

Hepatitis B is caused by a virus that attacks the liver. The virus, which is called hepatitis B virus (HBV), can cause lifelong infection, cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver, liver cancer, liver failure, and death.
HBV is spread when blood from an infected person enters the body of a person who is not infected. For example, HBV is spread through having sex with an infected person without using a condom (the efficacy of latex condoms in preventing infection with HBV is unknown, but their proper use might reduce transmission), by sharing drugs, needles, or "works" when "shooting" drugs, through needlesticks or sharps exposures on the job, or from an infected mother to her baby during birth.

Hepatitis B is not spread through food or water, sharing eating utensils, breastfeeding, hugging, kissing, coughing, sneezing or by casual contact.

One out of 20 people in the United States will get infected with HBV some time during their lives.

How do you know if you have hepatitis B? Only a Hepatitis B blood test can tell for sure. At LabSafe, a panel of tests are performed to ensure Hepatitis B may be detected at any stage of infection. The LabSafe panel can also detect if you are immune to the Hepatitis B virus, typically due to vaccination.

According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control), in 2003, an estimated 73,000 people were infected with HBV. People of all ages get hepatitis B and about 5,000 die per year of sickness caused by HBV.

To purchase a Hepatitis B test simply order online at LabSafe at http://www.labsafe.com/lab-tests/test/423/or visit our website at www.labsafe.com

For more information, or to speak with a member of our professional Medical Staff, call LabSafe toll free at 1-888-333-LABS.

HIV Testing

HIV TEST

AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) was first reported in the United States in 1981 and has since become a major worldwide epidemic. AIDS is caused by HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). By killing or damaging cells of the body's immune system, HIV progressively destroys the body's ability to fight infections and certain cancers. People diagnosed with AIDS may get life-threatening diseases called opportunistic infections, which are caused by microbes such as viruses or bacteria that usually do not make healthy people sick.
More than 900,000 cases of AIDS have been reported in the United States since 1981. As many as 950,000 Americans may be infected with HIV, one-quarter of whom are unaware of their infection. The epidemic is growing most rapidly among minority populations and is a leading killer of African-American males ages 25 to 44. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), AIDS now affects nearly seven times more African Americans and three times more Hispanics than whites. In recent years, an increasing number of African-American women and children are being affected by HIV/AIDS. In 2003, two-thirds of U.S. AIDS cases in both women and children were among African-Americans. Clearly, HIV can not be thought of as a virus that infects only homosexual white males. This attitude is simply incorrect.

Because early HIV infection often causes no symptoms, it is often first found by testing your blood for the presence of antibodies (disease-fighting proteins) to HIV. However, HIV antibodies generally do not reach noticeable levels in the blood for 1 to 3 months following infection. It may take the antibodies as long as 6 months to be produced in quantities large enough to show up in standard blood tests (ELISA). The time point to antibody production differs from one person to another, and this process is called seroconversion. So, to determine whether you have been recently infected (acute infection), your blood can be screened for the presence of HIV genetic material using a test called the HIV Proviral DNA by PCR test. This test does not have to wait for the presence of HIV antibodies. Rather, it looks for the HIV virus DNA in your blood. Remember, your body first has to detect HIV DNA in your blood, and then it begins producing HIV antibodies, and this seroconversion can take up to 6 months.

Direct screening of HIV is extremely critical in order to prevent transmission of HIV from recently infected individuals.

Additionally, some studies suggest that it may be possible to prevent AIDS if the disease is caught early enough. For this reason, when Nurses or Doctors are accidenally exposed to HIV postive blood (like through an accidental needlestick from a needle that was used on a HIV positive patient), they often get the HIV Proviral DNA test and start a one month preventative course of anti HIV medications. Further testing typically occurs after the end of the prophylactic drug therapy, and/or at 6 months after exposure, just to be sure the Nurse or Doctor is still HIV negative.


*Editor's note: Having worked in the HIV field for 12 years, it seemed only a matter of time before I was directly exposed to HIV positive blood. My doctor tested me one week after exposure using the HIV Proviral DNA test, and the test was negative. I took a drug called combivir for 28 days and my doctor tested me again using the HIV Proviral DNA test. Again the test was negative. Six months later my doctor tested me using the HIV Antibody test, and I prayed to God every day and night for those six long months. Thanks be to God and my Doctor that I am HIV negative to this day.

To purchase a HIV Proviral DNA test simply order online at LabSafe at http://www.labsafe.com/lab-tests/test/436 or visit our website at www.labsafe.com

To purchase a standard HIV Antibody Test you can order online at LabSafe at http://www.labsafe.com/lab-tests/test/437

For more information, or to speak with a member of our professional Medical Staff, call LabSafe toll free at 1-888-333-LABS.

Prostate PSA Testing

Prostate Specific Antigen

Prostate cancer will claim over 30,000 lives and 232.090 new cases will occur in the U.S. during 2005, according to the American Cancer Society. By the end of the 1970’s blood tests had been developed for several cancers, but only one marker has been discovered that allows for early detection of disease and is useful in testing for EARLY prostate cancer. That marker is the “prostate specific antigen”. Even in early prostate cancers the PSA level will rise so that most prostate cancers can be detected in their earliest stage.

PSA levels can be measured by a simple blood test. The FDA has approved the PSA test to help detect prostate cancer in men age 50 and older. The American Cancer Society has recommended that the PSA and DRE (digital rectal examination) be offered annually to men beginning at age 50. Men at high risk (African American men and men with a strong family history of 1 or more first degree relatives diagnosed with prostate cancer at an early age) should begin testing at age 45.

In addition to early detection, the PSA test is also useful in monitoring the effectiveness of treatment so it is important to know your baseline PSA value.

PSA levels may also be elevated in a prostate condition known as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). As the name implies, the condition is bening and therefore not cancerous. However, some studies have suggested an increased risk of prostate cancer in men who have BPH. In more that 50% of American men, BPH occurs naturally as men age. There are several well established medications to treat this condition, so knowing you have the condition is the first step to getting help.

Another common condition in which PSA levels may be elevated is prostatitis. Prostatitis is often a result of infection of the prostate with common bacteria such as E. coli, or sexually transmitted disease bacteria such as chlamydia and gonorrhea. As with BPH, there are several well establsihed medications to treat prostatitis and a visit to your doctor can help him or her understand which condition you have and what to do next. The PSA test, as with all laboratory tests, must be evaluated in a clinical context with your private physician or clinic.

To purchase a PSA test simply order online at LabSafe at http://www.labsafe.com/lab-tests/test/480/ or visit our website at http://www.labsafe.com/

For more information, or to speak with a member of our professional Medical Staff, call LabSafe toll free at 1-888-333-LABS.

Genetic Screening Tests for Glaucoma and Macular Degeneration

Glaucoma & Macular Degeneration DNA Analysis

Age related macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness for people over 55 years of age in the US and glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness. Regular eye exams and awareness can greatly help in early diagnosis. If an individual has a genetic profile that predisposes him or her to Glaucoma, the disease can be treated if identified early enough. Once the disease has progressed, it is very difficult to treat or to reverse.

With Macular Degeneration, individuals can take preventative action to delay or avoid the possible onset. The disease is stress related and complicated by dietary deficiencies and other risk factors.

While Glaucoma is not preventable, early intervention is the key to successful treatment.

LabSafe offers a simple screening test, the Glaucoma & Macular Degeneration DNA Analysis. It is designed to help identify the risk factors that can adversely affect healthy eyesight with these two commonly occurring eye diseases.

Taking the test is virtually painless. All you have to do is swab the inside cheek of your mouth with a cotton swab. The few cells that collect on the cotton are then analyzed using advanced DNA analyses.

To purchase a Glaucoma & Macular Degeneration DNA Analysis test simply order online at LabSafe at http://www.labsafe.com/lab-tests/test/525/ or visit our website at www.labsafe.com

For more information, or to speak with a member of our professional Medical Staff, call LabSafe toll free at 1-888-333-LABS.

*Editor's note: My Mother has taken this test. My Grandmother (my Mom's Mom) struggled with the progressive loss of eyesight due to Macular Degeneration over the last decades of her life. This test identified that my Mom does indeed have the same genes and is at risk. She has shared the test results with her eye doctor and is now taking vitamins and changing her diet to help prevent the onset of the diseaese. Her eye doctor now knows to check for it at every doctor's visit and is keeping close watch. She thanks me for getting this test for her almost every time I talk to her and her new diet, vitamins, and latest news from the eye doctor are now regular topics of conversation. Fortunately for me, I inherited my Dad's genes on this because according to the test I don't have these same Macular Degeneration genes. I hope everybody who has a loved one with Macular Degeneration gets screened. It worked for my family.

Genetic Screening Test for Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis DNA Analysis

Osteoporosis is a major public health threat. The National Osteoporosis Foundation describes it as "a debilitating disease that can be prevented and treated." Osteoporosis currently affects 28 million Americans in women and men. The estimated national expense is 13.8 billion per year (38 million each day) and the cost is rising. The ability to take proactive measures can delay the onset or may even prevent Osteoporosis. Researchers have found a gene that may help identify individuals at high risk for osteoporosis. A simple test can determine if someone is at risk. LabSafe is pleased to announce that we now offer a genetic screening test for Osteoporosis genes. Knowing your genetics can help you prevent osteoporosis through early intervention.

Osteoporosis is a disease that causes bones to become fragile and more likely to break. If not prevented, or if left untreated, Osteoporosis can progress painlessly until a bone breaks. These broken bones, also known as fractures, occur typically in the hip, spine, and wrist.

Osteoporosis is a preventable disease and the Osteoporosis DNA Analysis can iden­tify if a person is at risk of the disease and help guide them through their available options.

To purchase an Osteoporosis genetic screening test simply order online at LabSafe at http://www.labsafe.com/lab-tests/test/527/ or visit our website at www.labsafe.com

For more information, or to speak with a member of our professional Medical Staff, call LabSafe toll free at 1-888-333-LABS.

Wellness Test For Women

Women’s Health Wellness and Sexuality

As a women ages many changes take place within the body:

-Thyroid changes
-Increased risk of high cholesterol
-Heart disease
-Vitamin and Mineral deficiency
-Drop in iron levels

Just as you think nothing else can go wrong, menopause begins.

What Are the Stages of Menopause?

Menopause is a gradual process. The events proceeding and following menopause amount to a huge change for women both physically and socially. Physically, this process has four stages:

1) Premenopause. Although some doctors may refer to a 32 year-old woman in her childbearing years as premenopausal, this is not really an appropriate label. The term premenopause ideally refers to women on the cusp of menopause. Their periods have just started to get irregular, but they do not yet experience any classic menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes or vaginal dryness. A woman in premenopause is usually in her mid-to-late 40s. If your doctor tells you that you're premenopausal, you might want to ask him or her how he or she is using this term.

2) Perimenopause. This term refers to women who are in the thick of menopause. Their cycles may be erratic, and they may begin to experience hot flashes and vaginal dryness. On average, women are about 47 when they hit the perimenopause stage.

3) Menopause. This refers to your final menstrual period. You will not be able to pinpoint your final period until you've been completely free from periods for one year. Then, you count back to the last period you charted, and that date is the date of your menopause. Note: After more than one year of no menstrual periods due to menopause, any vaginal bleeding is now considered abnormal.

4) Posttmenopausal. This term refers to the last third of most women's lives, ranging from women who have been free of menstrual periods for at least one year to women celebrating their 100th birthday and beyond. In other words, once you're past menopause, you'll be referred to as postmenopausal for the rest of your life.

When menopause occurs naturally, it tends to take place anywhere between the ages of 48 and 52, but it can occur as early as your late 30s, or as late as your mid-50s. When menopause occurs before 35, it is considered premature menopause, which means genetically predetermined. Here is a list of the most common signs and symptoms.

-Mood swings
-Decreased sex drive
-Hot flashes
-Sweating
-Racing heart (palpitations)
-Headaches
-Vaginal dryness and soreness
-Trouble sleeping
-Bone thinning (osteoporosis)

It is very important at this time in a women’s life she takes control and monitor for any changes. Here is a list of some of the recommended blood tests:

CBC (complete blood count)
Lipid Panel
Thyroid Panel with TSH
Hepatic Function Panel
Iron
Uric Acid
C-Reactive Protein
Homocysteine
CA-125
IGF-1
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin
Testosterone, Free and Total
Estradiol

For details, or to purchase any of these tests simply click on the test name for the link to the test page. Or, you can visit the LabSafe home page at www.labsafe.com

For more information, or to speak with a member of our professional Medical Staff, call LabSafe toll free at 1-888-333-LABS.

LabSafe Direct Lab Services

Safe, Reliable, Private and Affordable Laboratory Testing. Same Day Lab Tests, Nationwide, At a Location Near You. Call LabSafe Toll Free at 1-888-333-LABS or Simply Order Online at www.labsafe.com

Hepatitis C Tesing

HEPATITIS C VIRUS TESTING - HCV Test, Hepatitis C Virus Antibody Test

Hepatitis C is a virus that can infect and damage the liver. In most cases, it is contracted through exposure to blood (usually from sharing contaminated needles while injecting drugs or, before 1992, through a blood transfusion) or through sexual relations, and it can be passed from mother to baby. Hepatitis C antibody is produced in response to exposure to the hepatitis C virus (HCV). The most common test for Hepatitis C looks for these antibodies in your blood.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends the following persons have a Hepatitis C test

1. IV drug users, including persons who have just done it once
2. People with undiagnosed liver problems
3. Healthcare workers and public safety workers
4. Recipients of blood and/or solid organs
5. People having unprotected sex
6. Recipients of clotting factors

Eighty percent of people with Hepatitis C have no signs or symptoms. There is no vaccine to prevent hepatitis C. The CDC estimates 3.9 million Americans have been infected with HCV, of whom 2.7 million are chronically infected. If you fall into one of these high-risk categories, early detection by a simple blood test could help save your life.

To purchase a screening test for Hepatitis C, simply order online at LabSafe at http://www.labsafe.com/lab-tests/test/426/ or visit our website at http://www.labsafe.com/

For more information, or to speak with a member of our professional Medical Staff, call LabSafe toll free at 1-888-333-LABS.

Kidney Function Test (Renal Function Test)

Kidney Function Test (Renal Function Test)

Kidney disease often proceeds silently over many years, with no signs or symptoms the patient can recognize or with signs that are too general for the patient to suspect kidney trouble. For that reason, routine blood and urine tests are especially important; these screening tests may detect blood or protein in the urine and abnormal chemical levels in the blood.

Any diseases that affect the blood vessels, including diabetes, high blood pressure, and atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), can impair the kidneys’ ability to filter blood and regulate fluids in the body. Disease and infection in other parts of the body can also trigger a kidney disorder. Because kidney impairment can be life-threatening, disorders and diseases that may affect the kidney deserve prompt attention. Kidney disease often causes no symptoms until late in its course and can lead to end-stage kidney failure, which is fatal unless a dialysis machine is used.

Risk factors include older age, family history of kidney disease, African-American ethnic background, diabetes, and high blood pressure. The National Kidney foundation suggests patients and doctors should think about risk factors for kidney disease as part of usual care. Patients who have risk factors should be tested at least once a year for kidney disease. People with existing kidney problems may also use this test to monitor themselves. A simple blood test could help save your life.

To purchase a Kidney function test simply order online at LabSafe at http://www.labsafe.com/lab-tests/test/459/ or visit our website at www.labsafe.com

For more information, or to speak with a member of our professional Medical Staff, call LabSafe toll free at 1-888-333-LABS.

Genetic Thrombosis Screening Test

Thrombosis DNA Analysis

According to the American Heart Association, Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) occurs in about 2 million Americans every year. More people suffer from DVT annually than heart attack and stroke. Up to 600,000 people are hospitalized in the U.S. each year for DVT. Fatal Pulmonary Embolism may be the most common preventable cause of hospital death in the United States . Thrombosis or DVT is a PREVENTABLE condition and a Thrombosis DNA Analysis can lead you to make lifestyle changes or to consider becoming a candidate for medication, possibly saving your life.

Of those who develop a Pulmonary Embolism (PE) from DVT, up to 200,000 will die each year. More people die in the United States from PE than breast cancer and AIDS combined. These significant statistics do not account for DVT related stroke or heart attack. DVT is the leading cause of maternal death during child birth.
However, using the power of genetic testing, a genetic test panel can examine a number of genetic factors that may indicate a predisposition to Thrombosis or blood clotting problems. These gene mutations combined with other factors such as smoking, frequent air travel, sustaining a sports injury, hospitalization – and, in the case of women, the use of oral contraceptives, hormone replacement therapy or pregnancy – could put an individual at a much higher risk of DVT. The more risk factors an individual has, the greater the likelihood of developing DVT.

For more information, or to order a genetic test for Thrombosis, visit the LabSafe website at http://www.labsafe.com/lab-tests/test/526/ or call LabSafe toll free at 1-888-333-LABS.

LabSafe Direct Lab Services - www.labsafe.com

Chlamydia & Gonorrhea Testing - Should A Urinalysis Be Done Too?

Chlamydia, Gonorrhea Test - Why Add a Urinalysis?

Chlamydia is the most prevalent STD in the U.S. It is most common among people in their late teens and early twenties and can coexist with gonorrhea and other STDs. It is estimated that one in five college students are infected with Chlamydia. The infection is most commonly transmitted through sexual intercourse. If Chlamydia is left untreated, women can develop Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). There is also an increased danger of having an ectopic pregnancy if Chlamydia is left untreated.

People with Chlamydia do not necessarily know that they are infected. Sixty to eighty percent of women and ten percent of men who have Chlamydia exhibit no symptoms. In women, symptoms include: genital itching and burning, vaginal discharge, dull pelvic pain, bleeding between periods, and cervical inflammation. In men, symptoms include: mucus discharge from the penis (gradual onset five to twenty-one days after exposure) and painful urination. Again, these symptoms may be so mild that a man may not notice them. Some times urinary tract infections may be missed due to similar symptoms.

Bacteria that may cause urinary tract infections include E. coli and species of: Proteus, Klebsiella, Enterococcus and Staphylococcus. Occasionally, a urinary tract infection may be due to yeast, such as Candida albicans; urethritis is often due to a sexually transmitted disease such as herpes, chlamydia, or gonorrhea. Infection with more than one microorganism can and often does occur.

Urine does not normally contain microorganisms, but if it is obstructed from leaving the body or retained in the bladder it provides a good environment for bacteria to grow. Most urinary tract infections are due to bacteria that are introduced into the opening of the urethra. They stick to the walls of the urethra, multiplying and moving up the urethra to the bladder. Most urinary tract infections remain in the lower urinary tract (urethra or bladder) where they cause annoying symptoms, such as a burning sensation during urination, but are more easily treated. A routine Urinalysis preformed with your Chlamydia/Gonorrhea test can detect these microorganisms. While these infections are easily treated in most cases, if inadequately treated, the infection may spread up through the ureters, and into the kidneys. A kidney infection is more dangerous, and can lead to permanent kidney damage in those with diabetes and those with other underlying kidney diseases. In some cases a urinary tract infection may lead to an infection in the bloodstream (sepsis, septicemia) that can be life-threatening. Treatment with an antibiotic is usually successful. Some people choose to be retested after the course of treatment has been completed.

A Chlamydia and Gonorrhea urine test only checks for the presence of these two bacteria. An inexpensive urinalysis, performed with the Chlamydia/Gonorrhea test can detect other microorganisms. Sometimes a person can have a negative Chlamydia & Gonorrhea test yet symptoms persist and they can't figure out why. In these cases, the person is often infected with a simple urinary tract infection, such as E. coli which could have been detected with an inexpensive urinalysis.

To purchase a Chlamydia & Gonorrhea test simply order online at LabSafe at http://www.labsafe.com/lab-tests/test/120/ or visit our website at www.labsafe.com

To purchase a Urinalysis test, visit our website at http://www.labsafe.com/lab-tests/test/286/


For more information, or to speak with a member of our professional Medical Staff, call LabSafe toll free at 1-888-333-LABS.

Prostatitis, Thyroid, and Blood Disorders

Did you know?
A simple and inexpensive lab test could save your life. Call LabSafe toll free at 888-333-LABS or visit us online at www.LabSafe.com

PROSTATITIS
Prostatitis is an inflammation of the Prostate gland. The prostate is a small organ about the size of a walnut that lies below the bladder and surrounds the urethra (the tube that carries urine from the bladder). Its function is to produce a fluid that becomes part of the semen.

The term “prostatitis” encompasses four specific conditions. 1) acute bacterial prostatitis, 2) chronic bacterial prostatitis, 3) nonbacterial prostatitis, and 4) prostadynia. Prostatitis is very common in men and accounts for up to 25% of medical visits by young to middle age men complaining of urinary and genital problems. Signs and symptoms include but are not limited to difficulty urinating, pain or burning during urination, pelvic or lower back pain.
Acute bacterial prostatitis is the least common but the easiest to diagnose and treat. A laboratory test can be performed to detect white blood cells and bacteria in the urine. Chronic bacterial prostatitis is also uncommon and usually includes and underlying defect in the prostate. Non bacterial prostatitis is the most common and believed to occur eight times more often than bacterial prostatitis and effects men of any age. Prostatodynia is similar to nonbacterial prostatitis, however there seem to be no objective findings such as the presence of infection fighting white blood cells in the urine. Remember, prostatitis is a treatable condition so always consult a Health Care Professional.

A PSA test may be an early detector of prostate problems, such as prostatitis, enlarged prostate (BPH), or prostate cancer. You can get a PSA screening test at http://www.labsafe.com/lab-tests/test/480/

Blood Disorders
A blood disorder is any disorder that disturbs the regular or normal function of the blood. There are a number of conditions and diseases that can impact the blood cells such as anemia, sickle cell, thalassemia, hemophilia, leukemia, lymphoma, and blood coagulation.
A simple blood test called a CBC (complete blood count) measures the different components in the blood. White blood cells protect the body against infection. Red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. An abnormal CBC can be the first sign of a problem. One of the most common blood disorders is anemia. According the U.S. Center for Disease Control & Prevention, anemia affects approximately 3.4 million Americans, people of all ages and from all walks of life.
It's important to note that a low or abnormal blood test does not always suggest illness and should be followed up with a doctor.

You can get an inexpensive and safe CBC test at LabSafe. Visit our CBC test page at http://www.labsafe.com/lab-tests/test/118/

The Thyroid
The thyroid is a gland located at the base of the neck, whose main job has to do with the metabolism. The thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) is controlled by the pituitary gland which controls hormone production. The TSH levels are the main test ordered by doctors to detect Hypothyroidism, Hyperthyroidism and to also monitor thyroid replacement therapy. The American Thyroid Association recommends the TSH levels be used as a screening device for adults. The TSH levels are also important in monitoring treatment for any know disorders.
At LabSafe we provide a fast and easy method to make testing and monitoring as convenient as possible. A simple thyroid panel includes TSH levels as well as other indicators of potential problems or abnormalities. Visit our Thyroid Panel with TSH page at http://www.labsafe.com/lab-tests/test/261/

This, as with all laboratory tests, must be evaluated in a clinical context with your private physician or clinic.

Monthly Promotion:
Get a free Blood Sugar test when you purchase any other LabSafe test!

To purchase a screening test for prostatitis, blood disorders, or thyroid problems, simply order online at the LabSafe website www.labsafe.com

For more information, or to speak with a member of our professional Medical Staff, call LabSafe toll free at 1-888-333-LABS.

Gamma Glutamyl Transferase - GGT

Gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) has been identified as a possible independent risk factor for cardiovascular death, according to an October 4 article in Circulation, a journal published by the American Heart Association. GGT is an enzyme that is present in the liver, blood, and also on the surface of many cells. A test for GGT levels is included in most panels to test liver function, as GGT levels are commonly elevated in alcohol abuse, or in other conditions affecting the liver.

This study used data from an analysis of 163,000 Austrian adults who were monitored over a course of 17 years. The analysis demonstrated a statistically significant link between elevated GGT and death from chronic forms of heart disease, stroke, and congestive heart failure. Interestingly, the link was strongest among adults younger than 60 years. There was also a link between acute heart attack and GGT in this group, but only among women.

Can GGT be confidently added to other serum markers for cardiovascular disease or mortality, such as C-reactive protein, homocysteine, lipid subfractions, or cholesterol? Further study is indicated. This study had some limitations noted by the authors. For example, the study population was predominately white. The authors refer to other studies that demonstrated possible ethnic differences in regard to elevated GGT, alcohol consumption and liver disease.

To purchase a GGT test, simply order online at LabSafe at http://www.labsafe.com/lab-tests/test/365/ or visit our website at www.labsafe.com

For more information, or to speak with a member of our Medical Staff, call LabSafe toll free at 1-888-333-LABS.