Senior Man Profile 60+ & Medical Consultation

A key component of the body's acid-base buffering system. Bicarbonate levels reflect the balance between acids and bases in the blood. Abnormal values help diagnose metabolic acidosis or alkalosis.

The most abundant mineral in the body, essential for bone health, muscle contraction, nerve function, and blood clotting. Blood calcium is tightly regulated by parathyroid hormone and vitamin D. Abnormal levels can indicate parathyroid disorders.

An electrolyte that works with sodium to maintain fluid balance, blood pressure, and acid-base balance. Chloride abnormalities often accompany sodium abnormalities and can indicate dehydration, kidney disease, or metabolic disorders.

A protein produced by the liver in response to inflammation. CRP rises rapidly during infection, injury, or inflammatory conditions. It's a general marker — elevated CRP signals inflammation but doesn't pinpoint the source.

A waste product from normal muscle metabolism, filtered by the kidneys. Blood creatinine levels reflect kidney filtration capacity. Elevated levels may indicate impaired kidney function, dehydration, or excessive muscle breakdown.

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate — measures how quickly red blood cells settle to the bottom of a test tube. Faster settling indicates more inflammation. ESR is a non-specific marker used to monitor inflammatory conditions like arthritis and vasculitis.

An estimated measure of how well your kidneys filter waste from the blood. It's calculated from creatinine levels, age, sex, and race. eGFR is the primary marker used to stage chronic kidney disease.

The primary iron storage protein. Ferritin reflects total body iron stores and is the first marker to drop in iron deficiency. However, ferritin also rises with inflammation, infection, and liver disease, which can mask true iron deficiency.

Measures only the unbound PSA in the blood.

Free thyroxine; high levels indicate hyperthyroidism, low levels hypothyroidism.

Blood sugar — the body's primary energy source. Fasting glucose screens for diabetes and prediabetes. Chronically elevated glucose damages blood vessels and organs. Levels fluctuate with meals, stress, and physical activity.

A mineral essential for oxygen transport (in hemoglobin), energy production, and immune function. Serum iron measures the amount circulating in blood, but ferritin and TIBC provide a more complete picture of iron status.

Involved in over 300 enzymatic reactions including energy production, muscle function, and nerve signaling. Magnesium deficiency is common and associated with muscle cramps, anxiety, insomnia, and increased cardiovascular risk.

A mineral essential for bone formation, energy metabolism (ATP), and acid-base balance. Phosphate levels are inversely related to calcium and regulated by parathyroid hormone and vitamin D.

A critical electrolyte for heart rhythm, muscle contractions, and nerve function. Both high and low potassium can cause dangerous cardiac arrhythmias. Levels are influenced by kidney function, medications, and diet.

A protein produced by prostate cells. Elevated PSA can indicate prostate cancer, but also benign prostate enlargement, prostatitis, or recent ejaculation. PSA velocity (rate of change) and PSA density add diagnostic value.

The primary electrolyte regulating fluid balance and blood pressure. Sodium is essential for nerve impulses and muscle contractions. Abnormal levels can cause confusion, seizures, and cardiac arrhythmias.

The primary screening test for thyroid function. TSH is produced by the pituitary gland to regulate thyroid hormone production. High TSH indicates an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), while low TSH suggests an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism).

A waste product from protein breakdown, processed by the liver and excreted by the kidneys. Elevated urea levels can indicate kidney dysfunction, dehydration, high-protein diet, or gastrointestinal bleeding.

A waste product from the breakdown of purines (found in certain foods and body cells). High levels can form crystals in joints (gout) or kidneys (kidney stones). Also associated with cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome.

The best indicator of overall vitamin D status. Vitamin D is essential for calcium absorption, bone health, immune function, and mood regulation. Deficiency is extremely common, especially in northern latitudes, and linked to increased disease risk.