TC – Total Cholesterol (BM)

A waxy, fat like substance that travels throughout the body in carrier lipoproteins (HDL, LDL, and VLDL); a precursor to steroid hormones and bile salts. May be elevated due to poor thyroid function, insulin resistance, blood glucose dysregulation, magnesium deficiency, dehydration, kidney disease, familial hypercholesterolemia. May be decreased due to liver dysfunction, oxidative stress, inflammation, malabsorption, anaemia.

Uric Acid (BM)

Uric Acid is the product of DNA purine base metabolism and excretion in the kidneys; it may indicate oxidative stress and elevated levels are associated with cardiovascular disease and diabetes. May be elevated due to gout, kidney dysfunction, excess alcohol intake, starvation, extreme calorie restriction, liver dysfunction, haemolytic anaemia, excess fructose consumption, fungal infection, ketogenic diet, supplemental niacin, high protein diet, prolonged fasting, supplemental vitamin B3, excess acidity. May be decreased due to nutrient deficiencies (molybdenum, zinc, iron), oxidative stress, low purine intake (vegetarian or vegan), excess alkalinity.

C-Reactive Protein, High Sensitivity (hs-CRP)

The Cardio IQ Advanced Lipid Panel is similar to the NMR LipoProfile and both characterize lipoprotein subparticle size and number. The four most significant particle subtypes are included in this panel and include LDL particle number, Small and Medium LDL particle number, and Large HDL particle numbers. Large HDL particles are protective, so higher numbers are more desirable. For the other three, elevated levels increase your risk of developing a cardiometabolic disease.
The key difference in the Cardio IQ test versus NMR is how each test characterizes subparticle size. Cardio IQ reports two size patterns, or phenotypes (A and B). Pattern B is reported when the smaller diameter particles predominate (Small LDL, specifically) and are at increased risk. Pattern A, on the other hand, suggests a predominance of Large LDL particles.

LDL “Bad Cholesterol”

LDL is one of the components in the basic lipid panel. The basic lipid panel is a routine screening test that measures the amount of lipids (or fats) that are present in the blood. The two most important lipids are cholesterol and triglycerides. Our bodies use these as cellular building blocks as well as a source of energy. Abnormal levels may lead to a build-up of cholesterol “plaques” within blood vessel walls, which cause the vessels to harden in a process called atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis, when present, significantly increases your risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). The basic lipid panel provides valuable information and when combined with other blood tests and risk factor assessment (age, smoking status, family history, etc.) it guides healthcare providers in their treatment recommendations.
The basic lipid panel includes total cholesterol, which is an estimate of the body’s entire cholesterol content, low-density lipoproteins (LDL, or the “bad” cholesterol), high-density lipoproteins (HDL or “Good” Cholesterol), as well as triglycerides. Other subtypes of lipids are often reported as well.