Glossary Category: Testing & Diagnostics
Decode the labs and diagnostic panels SPOKEmed uses to look beyond “normal” ranges – including metabolic panels, hormone testing, and biomarkers that reveal the full picture of your health.
A genetic testing company that examines variants with published research linking them to metabolism, hormone pathways, nutrient processing, histamine metabolism, and cellular processes such as methylation, inflammation, detoxification, and oxidative stress.
A blood test that reflects average blood sugar over the past 2 to 3 months, used to help diagnose and monitor prediabetes and diabetes. Insulin resistance can develop while A1C and fasting glucose remain normal, so these results are interpreted alongside other metabolic markers, including fasting insulin when appropriate. Healthy blood sugar regulation supports long term health, longevity, and healthspan.
A protein that forms the outer shell of all atherogenic (artery-clogging) lipoprotein particles including LDL, VLDL, and Lp(a). ApoB is a more accurate predictor of cardiovascular disease risk than LDL-cholesterol alone.
A measurable biological indicator in blood, urine, stool, or tissue that provides objective, quantifiable information about a patient’s health status, disease risk, or treatment response. The difference between normal-range biomarkers and optimal-range biomarkers is central to SPOKEmed’s clinical model.
A standard blood test measuring 14 markers including blood glucose, kidney function, liver enzymes, and electrolytes. A foundational but limited metabolic assessment that SPOKEmed expands with additional targeted markers.
A comprehensive urine-based hormone test that measures sex hormones, adrenal hormones, and their metabolites — providing a far more detailed picture of hormonal health than a standard blood draw.
A blood or urine test measuring circulating hormone levels — typically including sex hormones, thyroid hormones, adrenal hormones, and/or pituitary markers — used to evaluate hormonal balance and identify deficiencies or excesses.
A blood test measuring cholesterol and triglycerides — including total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C, and triglycerides — used to evaluate cardiovascular risk. A standard lipid panel is enhanced with ApoB for more accurate particle-based risk assessment.
A set of measurable blood-based indicators — including glucose, insulin, lipids, inflammatory proteins, and related compounds — that collectively characterize the state of a patient’s metabolic health and risk for metabolic disease.