How do I know I need a weight loss test?

You may benefit from a weight loss test if you have experienced unexplained issues with your weight. Sudden weight gain or difficulty losing weight may be caused by a deeper medical issue. Additionally, you might experience rapid weight loss for seemingly no reason. Whether you’ve been experiencing these symptoms for years or they’ve only recently arisen, a blood panel can shed some light on the internal processes of your body. A weight loss test can help you make necessary lifestyle changes or receive treatment to keep your body as healthy as possible.

Which factors impact weight?

Weight is the result of many complex internal processes, but there are a few factors that play a crucial role in weight.

Diet

Diet plays a central role in weight, though diet alone isn’t completely responsible. A diet high in carbohydrates will likely lead to weight gain, and a healthy, balanced diet will likely lead to weight loss. In this way, the environment also contributes to weight. Those that live in rural areas with limited access to healthy food and lifestyle options are far more likely to have issues with weight than those with higher access. However, diet isn’t the complete picture. A weight loss test is an important step for determining how diet impacts your weight and analyzing additional factors.

Family History and Genetics

Genetics play a significant role in your body weight. A predisposition to obesity is far more likely if one or both parents have a history of obesity. Likewise, genetics influence a person’s ability to gain weight. Genetics may impact how much body fat you have and where that fat is carried.

Age

Throughout different phases of life, your body’s hormonal and metabolic processes change. A change in weight is normal as you age, particularly for women entering menopause. However, drastic changes in weight and metabolism, particularly if they don’t align with a person’s age group, can be a sign of a deeper imbalance. It’s important to check the blood for different expected biomarkers to make sure your weight is on track.

Gender

Male and female bodies store fat differently. At a healthy BMI (body mass index), women have a higher fat content than men, and men metabolize fat differently than women. These differences in male and female health make it particularly important to analyze the individual biomarkers that reveal the hormonal and chemical processes behind weight.

Hormonal Imbalances and Medical Conditions

Hormone levels play an important role in almost every aspect of your overall health, and weight is no exception. Hormones such as cortisol, progesterone, testosterone, and estradiol (a form of estrogen) can impact hunger, cravings, and fat distribution, all of which contribute to your weight.

Your thyroid, a central hormonal gland, secretes hormones that directly regulate metabolism. An overactive thyroid, a condition known as hyperthyroidism, releases too many thyroid hormones, which puts the body in a hypermetabolic state that burns more calories. People with hyperthyroidism may be underweight or lose weight quickly.

What is measured in a weight loss test?

Our weight loss panel measures a variety of biomarkers that includes:

CBC with white blood cell differentiation

CBC (Complete Blood Count) with white blood cell differentiation reports on the number and types of cells in your blood. It also measures the different types of white blood cells, which contribute to immune health, and hemoglobin, a protein that carries oxygen throughout the body.

Comprehensive Metabolic Panel

The metabolic panel specifically analyzes different biomarkers including liver, kidney and gallbladder functions.

Lipid Panel

The lipid panel measures the amount of cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood. These are important for determining your risk of heart disease. Weight directly influences the amount of cholesterol your body produces, so it’s vital to analyze this when performing weight loss tests.

Thyroid Panel (including TSH)

Our thyroid panel includes Free T3, Free T4 and TSH. These are the key markers to assess when monitoring thyroid functions.

Insulin

Insulin is a hormone that allows glucose in the blood to enter the cells, providing them with the energy they need to function. Low insulin may be a sign of a health condition, like diabetes, and insulin resistance can lead to high blood sugar.

What is the testing process?

Access Medical Labs offers blood panels for our weight loss testing. Your healthcare provider is best qualified to determine which panel will be the most effective. Keep in mind that all of our weight loss tests can be customized to fit your needs. Blood samples must be taken at a doctor’s office by a health practitioner.

Once your sample is received, our specialized team will analyze the sample and return results to your health care practitioner. Our blood panels are resulted in an industry-leading 24 hours.