Patient Assessment Panels by LifeLabs

The Healthy Living Assessment and Enhanced Living Assessment are comprehensive panels of blood tests that provide insight into liver, kidney, blood, electrolyte, heart and metabolic health. The Healthy Living Assessment may be used as an initial screening test, or ordered as a follow-up panel. The Healthy Living Assessment may be recommended in the presence of elevated IgG to Candida, abnormal cortisol levels, low DHEAS, low testosterone, suspected anemia or nutritional deficiency, low levels of essential elements, gastric or peptic ulcer, and/or general malaise.

The Healthy Living Assessment includes the following tests:

The Enhanced Healthy Living Assessment includes all the tests in the Healthy Living Assessment Panel, plus those listed below. Fasting is recommended for this panel.

The Autoimmune Panel provides insight into levels of a variety of disease-specific antibodies. Research shows that organ-specific (e.g. thyroid peroxidase) and non-organ specific antibodies (e.g. rheumatoid factor) rise steadily in the years prior to diagnosis of auto-immune disease. In addition, research has shown that removal of wheat gluten from the diet often results in a significant decline in antibody levels.

By monitoring antibody levels, functional medicine practitioners may be able to identify and prevent or treat potential auto-immune disorders. The Autoimmune Panel may be recommended in the presence of elevated gliaidin antibodies or moderate or high risk for celiac disease associated with HLA antigens or other celiac markers.

The Autoimmune Panel includes the following tests:

• Antinuclear Antibody (ANA)
• ANA Reflex (if required, test is billed separately)
• Anti-TPO
• Anti-Thyroglobulin
• Rheumatoid Factor
• Transglutaminase

The Basic Thyroid Assessment is useful to assess the function of the thyroid gland by measuring levels of thyroid hormones (T3, T4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in the blood, to aid in diagnosis of conditions like hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) or hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) and monitor treatment effectiveness for thyroid disorder.  Understanding the balance between T3 and T4 allows the healthcare provider to make judgement on subclinical hypothyroid that may not be apparent with fewer analytes.

The Basic Thyroid Assessment includes the following tests:

• Free Triiodothyronine (FT3)
• Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
• Anti-Thyroglobulin (ATG)
• Free Thyroxine (FT4)
• Thyroperoxidase Antibody (TPO)

The Enhanced Thyroid Assessment also includes reverse T3. The additional analyte increases the ability to understand thyroid dysfunction in the face of a symptom picture and laboratory values within normal ranges for the other analytes. The Enhanced Thyroid Assessment includes the following tests:

The Enhanced Thyroid Assessment includes the following tests:

• Free Triiodothyronine (FT3)
• Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
• Anti-Thyroglobulin (ATG)
• Free Thyroxine (FT4)
• Thyroperoxidase Antibody (TPO)
• Reverse T3

The Thyroid Follow-Up Assessment facilitates therapy monitoring for thyroid dysfunction.

The Thyroid Follow-Up Assessment includes the following tests:

• Free Triiodothyronine (FT3)
• Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
• Free Thyroxine (FT4)

The Fatigue Panel provides insight into common causes of fatigue, which include anemias (macrocytic, microcytic, iron deficiency), infections (viral or bacterial), mononucleosis, and hypothyroidism. The Fatigue Panel informs on nutritional causes of anemias including iron, B12 and folate deficiency, thyroid function, and presence of antibodies to Epstein-Barr virus. The Fatigue Panel may be recommended in the presence of low cortisol or when clinical signs and symptoms of general malaise are evident.

The Fatigue Panel includes the following tests:

• CBC+ Differential
• Ferritin
• Folate (Serum)
• Iron/TIBC (includes Transferrin)
• Mono Spot
• TSH
• Vitamin B12

The Female Day 3 Panel may be recommended during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle to evaluate key reproductive and regulatory hormones. It’s particularly useful for diagnosing hormone imbalances and addressing concerns such as unexplained weight changes, persistent fatigue, menstrual irregularities, fertility issues, or mood disturbances. The panel includes FSH and LH to assess hypothalamic-pituitary health.

The Female Day 3 Panel includes the following tests:

• Cortisol AM
• Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
• Progesterone
• Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulphate (DHEAS)
• Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
• Total Testosterone
• Estradiol (E2)

The Female Day 21 Panel is clinically useful for evaluating luteal phase adequacy, especially concerning ovarian function. It’s commonly indicated for menstrual irregularities, suspected anovulation, and fertility concerns. This panel assesses key female hormones during the luteal phase, with serum progesterone measured around Day 21 to confirm ovulation and luteal phase status. Estradiol is also re-evaluated to ensure peak levels were reached during the follicular phase and maintained, providing insight into hormonal balance and the ability to support a healthy endometrial lining

The Female Day 21 Panel includes the following tests:

• Estradiol
• Progesterone

The Female Fertility Panel provides insight into the most common hormone abnormalities that can affect fertility including elevated prolactin, thyroid disorders, progesterone insufficiency, low testosterone in men, and polycystic ovarian syndrome. Stress can also affect fertility, so consideration may be given to ordering the Comprehensive Hormone Insights (CHI), an Adrenal Function Panel or a Month-Long Hormone Assessment for a view to cortisol production/patterns. The Female Fertility Panel may be recommended in the presence of decreased progesterone and elevated androgens in women and increased alpha-reductase activity in men, or whenever infertility is a clinical concern.

The Female Fertility Panel includes the following tests:

• Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH)
• Estradiol (E2)
• FSH
• Free Testosterone
• FT4
• LH
• Progesterone
• Prolactin (PRL)
• Total Testosterone
• TSH

The Hematology Assessment provides insight into common markers of blood health. The Complete Blood Count (CBC) reports on the health of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Iron, vitamin B12 and folate biomarkers are included to assess for anemias. The Hematology Assessment may be recommended in the presence of suspected anemias, nutritional deficiencies or any conditions related to blood health (e.g. infections, leukemias, clotting disorders).

The Hematology Assessment includes the following tests:

• CBC + Differential
• Ferritin
• Folate (Serum)
• Folate (RBC)
• Iron/TIBC (includes Transferrin)
• Vitamin B12

The Inflammation Panel provides insight into a variety of markers of inflammation. Acute phase reactants are proteins that rise or fall in the presence of inflammation. The positive acute phase reactants CRP-hs, ESR, ferritin and fibrinogen increase in the presence of inflammation. The negative acute phase reactant, albumin, decreases with inflammation. Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) is another good biomarker of inflammation. Inflammation increases gut permeability, may interfere with steroidogenesis, promotes obesity, is a cause of cardiovascular disease and has been implicated in mood disorders.

The Inflammation Panel may be recommended in the presence of elevated IgG antibodies to food or Candida, elevated fecal calprotectin, a low anabolic/catabolic hormone ratio, an elevated oxidative stress marker such as 8OHdG, and any other clinical condition that may be exacerbated by inflammation.

The Inflammation Panel includes the following tests:

• Albumin
• CBC
• ESR
• Ferritin
• Fibrinogen
• hs-CRP

Facilitates therapy monitoring to Inform on whether IV iron is an appropriate treatment. The Iron Panel includes the following tests:

• Iron/TIBC (includes Transferrin)
• Ferritin
• CBC + Differential

The IV Panel provides several analytes that support IV nutrient therapy.

The IV Panel includes the following tests:

• Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD)
• Bicarbonate (CO2)
• Albumin
• Sodium
• Creatinine (including eGFR)
• Calcium
• Potassium
• CBC + Differential
• Magnesium (serum)
• Chloride
• Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT)
• C-Reactive Protein (CRP)

The Lipids Assessment reports on cholesterol, triglycerides and the lipid transport proteins LDL and HDL. Lipid levels are standard tests for assessing risk of cardiovascular disease. The Lipid Panel may be recommended in the presence of low DHEAS in men or women, when androgens are high in women, or whenever cardiovascular disease is suspected.

The Lipids Assessment includes the following tests:

• Cholesterol
• HDL
• LDL
• Triglycerides

The Liver/Digestion Plus Panel includes Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) Score. A simple, non-invasive, and convenient testing option, with promising clinical utility in defining non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients with increased risk of clinically significant fibrosis and reducing unnecessary biopsies.

The Liver Digestion Plus Panel includes the following tests:

• ALT
• AST
• ALP
• Bilirubin (Direct)
• Bilirubin (Total)
• GGT
• LDH
• CBC+ Differential
• FIB-4 Score

The Men’s Health provides insight via the biomarkers most relevant to men’s health. Men typically suffer heart attacks about seven years earlier than women, making lipid measurements an important part of the panel. In Canada, prostate cancer represents 21% of new cancers in men and hyperprolactinemia is a common finding with impotence or infertility. The Men’s Health may be recommended when androgens are low, estrogens are high or when signs and symptoms related to sexual or cardiac health are noted.

The Men’s Health includes the following tests:

• Bioavailable Testosterone
• Cholesterol
• HDL
• LDL
• Prolactin
• PSA Ratio
• Triglycerides

The Metabolic Panel informs on biomarkers commonly used to identify Metabolic Syndrome, which manifests with three or more of the following signs: abdominal obesity, elevated serum glucose, elevated triglycerides, high blood pressure and low HDL levels. The Metabolic Panel is recommended in the presence of certain hormone patterns linked to increased risk of metabolic syndrome. These include elevated cortisol, high androgen levels in women, and low androgen levels in men.

The Metabolic Panel includes the following tests:

• GGT
• Glucose
• HbA1c
• hs-CRP
• Insulin
• Triglycerides
• Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG)

The Methylation Panel provides insight into serum levels of vitamins required for methylation as well as indicators of ability to methylate. Vitamins B12 and folate are essential for methylation and homocysteine is a good indicator of ability to methylate. Methylation is essential for DNA/RNA production, neurotransmitter synthesis, estrogen metabolism, detoxification, histamine metabolism, fat metabolism, cellular energy and liver health. The Methylation Panel may be recommended in the presence of high estrogens, a low ratio of 2-methoxyestrone to 2-hydroxyestrone, or whenever signs and symptoms of impaired methylation are observed.

The Methylation Panel includes the following tests:

• Homocysteine
• Folic Acid (serum)
• Vitamin B12

The Mineral Panel provides insight into serum levels of common minerals including calcium (the active ionized form), copper, magnesium and zinc. Serum levels of minerals are generally reflective of recent intake, but a normal result does not preclude the possibility of a mild or moderate deficiency since body stores may be lower than serum levels. The Mineral Panel may be recommended when urine essential elements are abnormal, hair element analysis exhibits a noticeable ‘left shift’ or whenever deficiencies or insufficiencies of key minerals are suspected.

The Mineral Panel includes the following tests:

• Calcium (Ionized)
• Copper
• Magnesium
• Zinc

The Nutrient Panel provides insight into the serum levels of vitamins A, B6, B12, C and E. It also reports on serum levels of common minerals including calcium (the active ionized form), copper, magnesium and zinc. Serum levels of vitamins and minerals are generally reflective of recent intake, but a normal result does not preclude the possibility of a mild or moderate deficiency since body stores may be lower than serum levels. The Nutrient Panel may be recommended when nutrient deficiency is suspected, malabsorption is suspected, urine essential elements are abnormal, hair element analysis exhibits a noticeable ‘left shift’ or whenever deficiencies or insufficiencies of key minerals are suspected.

The Nutrient Panel includes all the tests within the Vitamin and Mineral Panels:

The Vitamin Panel provides insight into the serum levels of vitamins A, B6, B12, C and E. Serum levels of vitamins are generally reflective of recent intake, but a normal result does not preclude the possibility of a mild or moderate deficiency since body stores may be lower than serum levels. The Vitamin Panel may be recommended when nutrient deficiencies are suspected, or when there is evidence of malabsorption.

The Vitamin Panel includes the following tests:

• Vitamin A
• Vitamin B1
• Vitamin B12
• Vitamin B6
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin E