Bio-Center Laboratory—HCG Rx+ Blood Test

Before beginning your HCG Rx+ weight loss journey, several laboratory tests are performed by the Bio-Center Laboratory, our onsite lab. These include a Complete Blood Count (CBC), a Chemistry Profile, and a C-Reactive Protein-hs (CRPs). Many people may wonder why these particular tests are required for the Riordan Clinic’s HCG Rx+ weight loss program. The following is a breakdown of the tests and why they are important:

COMPLETE BLOOD COUNT—CBC:
A properly functioning immune system is important for your health. By understanding your complete blood count, we are able to see if your white blood count is healthy and normal as well as make sure your immune system is functioning optimally.

  • White Blood Cells are used by the body to fight infection and inflammation. White blood cells defend the body via phagocytosis, and produce, transport, and distribute antibodies as part of the immune process.
  • Red Blood Cells function to carry oxygen from the lungs to the body tissues and to transfer carbon dioxide from the tissues to the lungs. An increase of RBC is associated with the need for vitamin C.
  • Hemoglobin is the oxygen-carrying molecule in the red blood cells. A decreased hemoglobin level is associated with a decreased vitamin C level.
  • Hematocrit is expressed as the volume of red blood cells in a known volume of centrifuged blood.
  • Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) will indicate whether the red blood cell size appears normal, small, or large. It also can help to determine the presence of anemia or a deficiency of vitamin B-6, vitamin B-12, or folic acid.
  • Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH) is an expression of the average weight of hemoglobin per red blood cell. A decrease in this level is also indicative of vitamin C deficiency.
  • Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC) measures the average concentration of hemoglobin in the red blood cells.
  • Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW) is an indication of the degree of abnormal variation in the size of red blood cells.
  • Neutrophils are the white blood cells used by the body to combat bacterial or pyrogenic infections.
  • Bands are young non-segmented neutrophils or metamylocytes.
  • Lymphocytes migrate to areas of inflammation in both the early and late stages of the inflammatory process. Lymphocytes are used by the body to destroy and get rid of the toxic by-products of protein metabolism.
  • Monocytes are the body’s second line of defense against infection. They are phagocytic cells that are capable of movement; they remove dead cells, microorganisms, and particulate matter from circulating blood.
  • Eosinophils are often elevated in patients that are suffering from intestinal parasites or from food or environmental sensitivities or allergies. They help to remove and breakdown the byproducts of protein catabolism.
  • Basophils constitute only a small percentage of the total white blood cell count. They are phagocytic and contain histamine, heparin, and serotonin in their cytoplasmic granules.
  • Platelets or thrombocytes are the smallest of the formed elements in the blood. Platelets are necessary for blood clotting, vascular integrity, and vasoconstriction.

CHEMISTRY PROFILE:
A Chemistry Profile helps us make sure that your body, especially the liver and kidneys, is metabolizing energy as well as releasing toxins and waste. These various levels are checked when a chemistry profile is performed.

  • Glucose levels in the blood are primarily dependent on the liver. Glucose is also directly formed in the body from carbohydrate digestion and from the conversion in the liver of sugars, such as fructose, into glucose.
  • Uric Acid is a chemical created when the body breaks down substances called purines, which are found in some foods and drinks.
  • Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) is a test that is predominantly used to measure kidney function. BUN is useful as a first indicator of renal insufficiency, especially if all the other renal indicators are normal.
  • Creatinine is a by-product of the breakdown of creatinine phosphate in the muscle during muscle contraction. It is produced primarily from the contraction of muscle.
  • Sodium constitutes 90% of the electrolyte fluid and is the most prevalent action in the extracellular fluid. Sodium acts as the chief base of the blood. It functions to maintain osmotic pressure and acid-base balance.
  • Potassium plays an essential role in nerve conduction, the maintenance of osmotic pressure, muscle function, cellular transport via the sodiumpotassium pump, and acid-base balance.
  • Chloride is under the same influence as sodium and is affected by many of the same conditions that affect serum sodium levels, due to their reciprocal relationship.
  • Calcium, in its majority in the body, is stored in the bone and teeth, which act as a major functional store. The body normally uses this reservoir to maintain the levels of calcium in blood, which are tightly regulated within a narrow range. Calcium absorption is dependent on optimal acidity of the stomach.
  • Phosphorus functions in the metabolism of glucose and lipids and is an important part of acid-base regulation and the storage and transfer of energy.
  • Total Serum Protein is composed of albumin and total globulin. Protein absorption is affected by stomach, pancreatic, or small intestine dysfunction. Therefore, total serum protein can be used to screen for nutritional deficiencies and functional digestive problems.
  • Albumin is one of the major blood proteins produced primarily in the liver. It plays a major role in water distribution and serves as a transport protein for hormones and various drugs.
  • Globulins function to transport substances in the blood and constitute the antibody system and clotting proteins. They are produced in the liver as well as other tissues in the body.
  • Albumin/Globulin Ratio (A/G Ratio) is totally dependent on the albumin and total globulin levels.
  • Bilirubin is formed from the breakdown of hemoglobin from red blood cells, by the cells of the spleen and bone marrow.
  • Alkaline Phosphatase levels are measured, as an increase in one or more of the isoenzyme levels indicates a problem in the specific tissue that is related to the elevated isoenzymes. An increase is seen in early liver disease.
  • Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) is the enzyme that is involved in the catalytic conversion of pyruvate into lactate.
  • SGOT (AST) is an enzyme present in highly metabolic tissues such as skeletal muscle, the liver, the heart, kidney, and lungs.
  • SGPT (ALT) is an enzyme present in high concentrations in the liver and to a lesser extent skeletal muscle, the heart, and kidney.
  • Gamma Glutamyl Transferase (GGT) is an enzyme that is present in highest amounts in the liver cells and to a lesser extent in the kidney, prostate, and pancreas. It is involved in amino acid and protein metabolism and can be liberated into the blood stream following cell damage or destruction and/or biliary obstruction.
  • Iron is in the form of hemoglobin in 70% of the body. The remaining 30% is found in storage form in the liver, spleen, and bone marrow.
  • Cholesterol is a steroid found in every cell of the body and in the plasma. It is an essential component in the structure of the cell membrane where it controls membrane fluidity. It provides the structural backbone for every steroid hormone in the body, which includes adrenal and sex hormones and Vitamin D.
  • Triglycerides are composed primarily of fatty acid molecules attached to a glycerol backbone. They enter the blood stream endogenously from the liver and exogenously from the diet.

SPECIAL ASSAYS:
By measuring inflammation in the body the C-Reactive Protein-hs assay can differentiate between chronic and acute inflammation. Various lifestyle choices have an effect on inflammation in the body.

  • C-Reactive Protein-hs (CRP) is produced in the fat cells and is related to both inflammation and an increased risk of heart disease and stroke. Fat cells have the ability to produce inflammatory signals that trigger cells to produce CRP’s. CRP’s may also produce biological effects on vascular walls that can cause a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. Obesity can cause an individual to have a higher level of CRP’s and therefore a higher risk of developing heart disease and stroke.

For more information on the Riordan Clinic HCG Rx+ weight loss program and all laboratory testing required, please call 316-682-3100 today.