Blood glucose concentration; may be elevated due to diabetes type 1 and 2, insulin resistance, increased stress hormones, or an inability to inhibit the liver’s production of glucose, or (if not fasting) ingestion of a high carbohydrate meal.
Creatinine ay be increased due to kidney dysfunction, dehydration, excessive muscle breakdown or increased muscle mass, hyperthyroidism, high meat intake, and ketones. May be decreased due to low muscle mass, poor protein intake, or absorption.
The most abundant plasma protein in serum, synthesized in the liver, binds to other compounds in the blood and contributes to the plasma osmotic gradient. May be elevated due to dehydration. May be decreased due to infection, inflammation, liver disease, or kidney disease. Plasma is the largest single component of blood. It is a clear, straw-coloured liquid which carries platelets, and red and white blood cells.
Alkaline Phosphatase may be increased due to liver obstruction, cirrhosis, gastrointestinal issues, hyperphosphatemia, and hyperparathyroidism. May be decreased due to nutrient deficiencies (zinc, magnesium, and/or Vit C).
MCV – Mean Corpuscular (cell) Volume. An estimate of the average red blood cell size. It may be elevated (“macrocytic”) due to nutrient deficiencies (Vit B12, folate, Vit C), alcohol consumption, and thiamine deficiency. It may be decreased (“microcytic”) due to iron deficiency, and nutrient deficiencies (Vit B6, copper, zinc, Vit A, Vit C).
A measurement of the variation in red blood cell size. Typically increased due to nutrient deficiency-related anaemias (iron, Vit A, copper, zinc, Vit B6).
