Test Descriptions

SMAC 23

The SMAC 23 is wide-ranging diagnostic blood profile used to assess general health. It provides information about the liver, kidneys, heart, lungs, bones, and metabolism. The following values are assessed as part of the SMAC 23 blood profile:

* Glucose: Glucose is the body's main source of energy. Elevated
levels of blood glucose may indicate a diabetic or pre-diabetic condition. Low levels may require additional tests to determine if there is a metabolic abnormality.

* BUN/Creatine: These two substances are measured to assess kidney
function. Elevated levels may indicate kidney disease, while decreased levels may indicate inadequate dietary protein intake.

* Na, K, Ch, Ca: Sodium, potassium, chloride, and calcium are all electrolytes and are responsible for regulating the body's water balance,
Maintaining normal heart rhythm, contracting muscles, transmitting nerve impulses, and forming bones.

* Albumin, Globulin, Albumin/Globulin Ration, and Total Protein:

Albumin is the most abundant protein in the body and is directly related to healthy liver function. Globulin is a group of proteins of which one type, gamma globulins, are important in the body's ability to fight disease. The Albumin/Globulin Ration is used to help evaluate the functional ability of the liver. Total Protein values within a normal range indicate an adequate diet and that food is being converted to body tissue and energy at an acceptable rate.

* Total Bilirubin: Bilirubin is produced from the breakdown of hemoglobin,
the oxygen carrying substance in the blood. Normal bilirubin levels indicate the body is destroying old red blood cells at an acceptable rate. Elevated levels may indicate abnormal red cell destruction or diseases of the liver or gall bladder.

* Alkaline Phosphatase, SGOT, SGPT, and LDH:

These are four enzymes found in body tissue. Excessive levels may indicate abnormal tissue destruction. Most often, elevated levels of these enzymes indicate damage to the heart and liver.

* Calcium and Phosphorus:

Excessive levels of calcium in the blood may indicate ingestion of large doses of Vitamin D or the presence of a bone disease. Low Calcium levels may indicate a disease process, dietary deficiency, or improper kidney function. Phosphorus is essential in the conversion of ingested carbohydrates to blood glucose. Weakness and loss of weight are two symptoms of a Phosphorus deficiency. There is a normal inverse relationship between Calcium and Phosphorus, so both are checked as part of the SMAC 23.

* Uric Acid: Elevated levels of Uric Acid are frequently associated with
Gout. However, starvation diets, high-protein diets, and some blood pressure medicines are more often responsible. A low Uric Acid level sometimes indicates a protein-free diet.

* Triglycerids: Triglycerides are an important fat found in the blood.
Elevated levels may be the result of a high dietary intake of fat or of an inability to properly metabolize fat. It is well documented that elevated fat levels in the blood can lead to coronary heart disease.