More than half the adults in the United States are overweight. Losing weight has many benefits, including a decreased risk for diabetes, heart attack and stroke. However, it is possible for weight loss, particularly rapid weight loss, to cause elevated lead levels. Conversely, poor appetite and weight loss are common symptoms of lead poisoning.
Other than a “pregnant glow” at 12 weeks of pregnancy, no noticeable changes can be seen in the appearance of a woman’s body. The most significant change in women is the increase in hormone levels that cause s...
When you eat, the process of changing food into energy produces a substance called creatine which is transported to the muscles and broken down. The waste product of creatine is referred to as creatinine. Doctors sometimes perf...
Estrogen refers to a group of hormones present in the female body: estradiol, estriol and estrone. During the course of your life, the levels of these estrogen hormones fluctuate. They help to regulate your menstrual cycle and ...
There are two different types — “good” and “bad” — of cholesterol, which act in different ways. As you age, cholesterol levels may increase due to decreased physical activity, change in dieta...
Progesterone plays an important role during pregnancy. After delivery of the baby, the levels of this hormone begin to drop. Breastfeeding causes low levels of progesterone due to the effect of prolactin, which prevents ovulati...
Doing so helps detect potential problems in both mother and baby. Still, if you're not accustomed to checking your pulse rate, you might be wondering what all those numbers mean -- especially since your baby's heart rate can be...
If you have a deficiency in one type of hormone, your body may have difficulty performing certain functions such as sleeping or staying awake. Dehydroepiandrosterone, or DHEA, is a predecessor to several different hormones. As ...
Magnesium is a major component in the maintenance of several vital body functions. An optimal serum level -- within the range of 1.5 to 2.5 mEq/L for adults -- of the electrolyte is imperative for good health. Imbalances of mag...
Although it is small, this organ plays a critical role in the body's endocrine system by releasing hormones that regulate metabolism. If the amount of hormones released by your thyroid is below the normal functioning level, you...
DHEA is an androgen, or male hormone, that is made by both men and women. Your doctor can order lab tests that measure the levels of DHEA Sulfate in your blood to check for a number of conditions. DHEA may be measured along wit...
Present in both men and women, DHEA levels depend on age and, according to the National institutes of Health, normal amounts have a wide distribution range. Health conditions and several medications can contribute to DHEA imbal...
Dehydroepiandrosterone, known as DHEA, has been termed the "mother" hormone for its vital role in creating androgens and estrogens. Normal levels of DHEA depend on age and sex, and women tend to have lower amounts than men. As ...
During exercise, you breathe more heavily and more rapidly and your heart rate increases to supply muscles with needed oxygen. A pulse oximeter can be used during exercise to measure the oxygen saturation of your blood. Your pu...
Sucrose is a sugar that frequently is added to processed foods, so it is important to read labels to identify added sucrose and limit your daily levels.
Having low cholesterol is usually a good thing, especially when it comes to LDL, or the "bad" cholesterol that can pile up in your arteries. LDL levels a few points below the normal range are probably nothing to worry about, bu...
If you use a home pregnancy test and get a positive result, your doctor may suggest a test to find out the amount of human chorionic gonadotropin, or HCG, you have in your blood. Your body begins producing small amounts of this...
Your body needs adequate amounts of vitamin B-12 to function properly. Your physician can run a simple blood test to ensure your B-12 level is within normal limits to prevent complications. Determining your level of B-12 may be...
You generally get enough B-12 from animal products in your diet. However, restricting animal foods, or an inability to digest B-12 from your diet can cause lower than normal B-12 levels. Normal B-12 levels are 200 to 900 pg/ml ...
Tests for urine protein and serum creatinine are a regular part of most routine laboratory lab work. Urine protein is even tested by insurers when you apply for life insurance. Whether these are part of your routine physical or...
Oxygen is necessary to sustain your life. The normal oxygen levels between women and men do not vary; oxygen is needed equally by both genders. However, the factors that influence your body's ability to take in and carry oxygen...
The nutrient serves a wide range of purposes in your body, including regulation of your blood sugar, blood pressure and heart rate. Magnesium is also involved in protein synthesis and supports your immune system. Because the mi...
High cholesterol is a leading risk factor in heart disease, the number one killer of American women as of 2011. The American Heart Association recommends that all adults aged 20 and older have a lipid profile done once every fi...
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, high blood cholesterol strikes one of five American teens, increasing their risk of heart disease, stroke and a myriad of other obesity-related illnesses. Discuss you...
Urine tests commonly measure protein and creatinine to check for the presence of kidney disease or dysfunction. Protein in your urine is abnormal and prompts follow-up testing. If your kidneys do not work properly, your doctor ...
Lipoprotein (a), Lp(a) cholesterol, is a type of low-density lipoprotein -- LDL, the "bad" cholesterol linked to high blood pressure and heart disease. Cholesterol and blood, like oil and water, don't mix well. To move through ...
This is why it pays to know just how much cholesterol is too much. Cholesterol levels are measured in milligrams per deciliter, and a normal cholesterol test measures the levels of four substances -- low-density lipoprotein cho...
Cholesterol gets a bad rap in popular media, but not all fats or cholesterol are bad. Total cholesterol numbers come from a combination of low-density lipoproteins, high-density lipoproteins and triglycerides, according to the ...
Low levels of DHEA have been linked to heart disease, osteoporosis, memory loss and breast cancer, but more research is needed to establish a definitive association. If your DHEA levels are abnormal, talk with your doctor about...
Exercise and eating habits can mean the difference between having a normal cholesterol level and having cholesterol levels that predispose you to a stroke or a heart attack. The more abnormal your cholesterol level is, the grea...
The liver, bile ducts and bone are tissues with particularly high levels of ALP. A liver function test or blood chemistry panel may measure alkaline phosphate levels. Certain conditions may result in elevated or low alkaline ph...
Sometimes abbreviated AP or alk phos, alkaline phosphatase functions as an enzyme. That means it is important in certain chemical reactions within the human body. Among other causes, problems with the liver or certain bone dise...
Keeping your cholesterol level within the normal level will decrease your risk of heart disease, heart attack and stroke. You should have your cholesterol level checked every five years since abnormal cholesterol levels have no...
HCG, or human chorionic gonadotropin, is a hormone that comes from a developing embryo to let your body know that you're pregnant. Adult humans don't normally produce any hCG; it's only normal in pregnant women. Quantities of h...
Because cholesterol and triglycerides are lipids, they are hydrophobic, which means that cannot dissolve in water -- or your blood. Maintaining the normal levels of cholesterol and triglycerides is important in preventing ather...
Cholesterol in itself is not a bad thing. In fact, your body needs a certain amount of cholesterol every day to produce hormones, hold cells together and perform other functions. The American Heart Association states your liver...
In order to keep your risk of developing these diseases low, it is important that you keep your cholesterol levels within normal ranges. Your doctor can test your cholesterol levels using a blood test called a lipid profile.
TSH, or thyroid stimulating hormone, signals the thyroid to make and excrete thyroid hormone into the body, which effects the speed of metabolism. Hypothyroidism, which consists of low thyroid hormone, and hyperthyroidism, whic...
Sodium is an abundant mineral in the body. It is found as an electrolyte, which is an electrically charged mineral. Sodium is important for regulation of many physiological processes, and problems with sodium are both a manifes...
You can lower your risk for heart disease by maintaining normal good cholesterol levels. More than 102 million American adults have high cholesterol, according to the American Heart Association. About 35 million of these people...
A blood urea nitrogen, or BUN, and creatinine test are usually used in conjunction to measure kidney function, help diagnose kidney disease or monitor kidney status in those who have already been diagnosed with kidney disease. ...
A high reading of some types of cholesterol, like low-density lipoprotein, are bad, while a high reading of high-density lipoprotein, or good cholesterol, is beneficial. Eliminate the guesswork of your cholesterol results by ed...
Homocysteine is a naturally occurring amino acid found in the blood that is important in the production of the amino acids methionine and cysteine. However, if homocysteine levels become too high, it can damage arteries and pro...
High cholesterol may raise your risk for heart disease, high blood pressure and hypertension. Women over 20 years old should have their cholesterol and triglyceride levels tested every five years, according to the National Wome...
HCG, short for human chorionic gonadotropin, is a hormone secreted by a developing embryo, starting early in pregnancy. If you're pregnant, you'll have hCG in your bloodstream starting around the third week of pregnancy and las...
In a healthy person, the kidneys remove the creatinine from the bloodstream and excrete it in the urine. Checking urine creatinine levels helps medical professionals diagnose some conditions and determine the best treatment opt...
The risk of heart disease comes in many forms, as do the fats in your blood that increase your risk. You might think that triglycerides and cholesterol are one in the same, but this is not the case as both perform important vit...
Children and adolescents naturally produce creatine, as do adults. Normal levels vary depending on age and gender, and can be altered by foods high in protein. Taking creatine supplements can also affect creatine levels, a tren...
Fatty deposits collect in the arteries in a condition called atherosclerosis. Eating fatty food and living a sedentary lifestyle can result in the formation of fatty deposits, or plaques in the arteries. With continued poor lif...
In order to determine cholesterol levels and risk of heart disease, physicians will often check high-density lipoproteins, or HDL, low-density lipoproteins, or LDL, as well as triglycerides and lipid profile. Knowing your chole...
When you consume calories your tissues either use them for energy or convert them and store them in your fat cells for future energy reserve. Healthy triglyceride levels positively impact your health while excess levels may be...
If you're a healthy adult, you might not give much thought to your salt intake. But if you're like most Americans, you could be eating far too much sodium, increasing your risk of serious health conditions. Even if you're watch...
The body produces cholesterol, but some is introduced into the body via food that is eaten. The American Heart Association recommends that all women have a cholesterol test every five years beginning at age 20. Those with eleva...
Therefore, doctors recommend monitoring blood cholesterol levels with a goal of keeping cholesterol at a normal level. Increased cholesterol levels increases the risk of developing heart disease, especially coronary heart disea...
Blood levels of the hormone are sometimes measured to gauge adrenal function and health. In men, normal levels of DHEA sulfate vary according to the age of the individual undergoing testing.
Your body requires a small amount of cholesterol to make hormones, vitamin D and fat-digesting bile acids, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Cholesterol travels in the bloodstream combined with protein,...
Being older than 45 years old if you're a man and older than 55 if you're a woman is a "risk factor" for having a cholesterol problem, according to the U.S. government's National Cholesterol Education Program, or NCEP. Women ha...
High cholesterol can trigger a number of serious problems, including a heart attack. This substance however, plays many important roles in the body, but your liver produces the majority of what it requires. The excess from food...
In the human body, the liver produces all the cholesterol required by the body to keep cells healthy and hormones at regular levels. However, many individuals also take in cholesterol through the foods they eat. When an individ...
However, too much cholesterol in your body is a health issue because it places you at a higher risk of developing atherosclerosis and heart disease. Starting at age 20, everyone should start having their cholesterol levels regu...
Pregnancy is an intricate development of cells which multiply and eventually form a baby. Hormones play a complex role in this metamorphosis and assist physicians in determining the healthy progression of a pregnancy or potenti...
Cymbalta is the brand name of duloxetine and Pristiq is the brand name of desvenlafaxine. Both of the medications block the reabsorption of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. Cymbalta weakly inhibits a third chemical ca...
Clearly, the association of high blood cholesterol with heart disease and stroke risk has not helped its reputation. Yet cholesterol is essential to your body's health. What's more, all cholesterol types are not created equal....
Your blood cholesterol number is important because it is one of the indicators of your risk of heart disease. Other risk factors involve your gender, age, family cardiac history, whether you smoke and your blood pressure.
Stored body creatine supports short duration, high intensity activity and the initiation of all muscle activity. Creatine levels vary among individuals and depend on diet, fitness level, muscle size and age. Increased creatine ...
As you age, your risk for developing high cholesterol increases, explains the National Institutes of Health. Like high blood pressure, the symptoms of high cholesterol often go unnoticed. Maintaining normal cholesterol levels i...
However, both males and nonpregnant females produce low levels of hCG throughout their lives as well. In healthy adult males, the normal level of hCG is quite low, and should range between being undetectable and 5 milli-interna...
Total cholesterol is a measurement made with a simple blood test, and has a normal level below 5.2 millimoles per liter of blood, or mmol/L. Additionally, a normal cholesterol test gives a breakdown of two types of cholesterol,...
Cholesterol: good, bad and necessary. This natural substance is one of the many your body uses to stay healthy. Keeping a normal level of high-density lipoprotein, or HDL, cholesterol and healthy levels of total cholesterol, ca...
Measuring cholesterol and triglyceride levels in your bloodstream provides an idea of the health of your blood vessels as well as your risk for heart disease. A normal total cholesterol level is below 200 mg per dL of blood, an...
Too much cholesterol, though, is a serious condition. Two types of cholesterol are in the body. Low-density lipoprotein---bad cholesterol---can build up in the arteries, while high-density lipoprotein---good cholesterol---helps...
It comes in a few major types, though the most often discussed types are LDL and HDL. According to MayoClinic.com, healthy adults are recommended to aim for an HDL level above 60 mg/dL when measured by a standard blood test. Th...
It is also known as creatine phosphokinase and can be used to diagnose and monitor disorders in which all types of muscle are damaged. Normal levels can be disrupted in a variety of disorders, which can be distinguished by your...
Measuring levels of TSH is one way to assay the function of a child's thyroid gland. Typically, levels of TSH are quite high immediately after birth, and fall to adult levels by school age. TSH levels in school-age children nor...
Over time, exposure can cause lead to build up in a child's body and cause dangerous complications. Certain lead levels in your child's blood can indicate lead poisoning. If you're concerned about your child's lead levels, cons...
So by measuring the creatinine levels, whether from the blood or urine, in a laboratory test, a physician can determine the general health of a patient's kidneys based on the filtration rates. In children, the normal level of c...
Ferritin levels are indicated on a laboratory test that indirectly measures the amount of iron in a patient's body. Normal ferritin levels change as children age, but they typically fall between 6 and 55 ng/mL. Abnormal ferriti...
TSH instructs the thyroid to produce thyroid hormone. High TSH levels indicate that the thyroid is underactive, and a low TSH means the thyroid is overactive. Abnormal TSH levels alert medical professionals to diseases of the t...
Cholesterol levels are important to physical health. They are usually checked by a blood test after fasting overnight. How often cholesterol levels need to be checked depends on an individual's age, inherited risks and medical ...
New information continues to emerge, illuminating the causes of high cholesterol and treatment options. As a result, "normal" levels of cholesterol are being redefined to take into account current understanding about genetic fa...
If healthy, your body keeps the balance of oxygen—breathed in, and carbon dioxide—breathed out, in perfect harmony. There are guidelines for normal oxygen levels and they may vary according to demands placed on your...
Thyroid.org describes the thyroid gland as a butterfly-shaped gland located in the lower front of the neck. It makes hormones that help each cell in the body to work right. Thyroid function tests are used to tell how well the t...
Sodium also plays a role in the movement of substances in and out of the cells, according to the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University. When abnormal sodium levels result from dietary changes, kidney dysfunction an...
If some of those glucose molecules aren't needed by the body cells, they stay in his bloodstream and attach themselves permanently to the hemoglobin in his red blood cells. According to the Children with Diabetes website, a l...
Women produce hormones, such as estradiol, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and progesterone. Certain hormones rise at various times of the menstrual cycle and during pregnancy. Hormone levels also c...
This can lead to serious cardiovascular problems such as heart attacks and strokes. Getting your cholesterol checked and understanding proper levels is an important part of preventing these conditions.
Cholesterol levels should be checked a minimum of every five years for adults. Those with high cholesterol levels will likely be asked to have their cholesterol tested more frequently by their physician.
High cholesterol is a problem for many people and is a leading cause of heart disease. Factors that contribute to cholesterol numbers are age, blood pressure, hereditary factors and smoking.
CoA is essential for chemical reactions in metabolism, energy and the breakdown of drugs in the liver. CoA also synthesizes cholesterol and steroids in the body. Pantethine can be found in the diet or in over-the-counter supple...
Vitamin B12 is found in milk products, shellfish, poultry, eggs and meat. A vitamin B12 level is generally drawn to diagnose or monitor conditions such as pernicious anemia, symptoms of an abnormal B12 level, delirium and demen...
Both are easily tested through a blood sample taken at your doctor's office, a clinic and there are even home models. You will be given your results in numbers that tell if your levels are high or normal. Keeping your levels in...
High levels of cholesterol can lead to heart disease, so it's a good idea to know whether your child is at risk, and how to lower his cholesterol level. Luckily, helping your child have normal cholesterol levels can be as simpl...
