· Comprehensive Metabolic Panel: This test measures your sugar, electrolyte and fluid balance, kidney function, and liver function. Glucose is a type of sugar your body uses for energy. Electrolytes keep your body's fluids in balance. They also help keep your body working normally, including your heart rhythm, muscle contraction, and brain function. The kidneys help keep the right balance of water, salts, and minerals in the blood. They also filter out waste and other unneeded substances from the blood. The liver filters blood, helps with digestion, and produces some vitamins and other substances that the body needs. It also controls the amounts of glucose, protein, and fat in the blood and releases substances that keep your immune system healthy. Your doctor may also use this test to check on a medical condition such as high blood pressure, or to help diagnose a medical condition such as diabetes.

· CBC (Complete Blood Count): This test gives important information about the kinds and numbers of cells in the blood, especially red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. A CBC helps your doctor check symptoms, such as weakness, fatigue, or bruising. White blood cells protect against infection. The number of white blood cells is sometimes used to find an infection or diagnose some blood or bone marrow cancers. Red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body, and carbon dioxide back to the lungs. Platelets are important in blood clotting. Too few can lead to uncontrolled bleeding. Too many can lead to excessive clotting.

· Lipid Panel Test: Measures lipids; the fats and fatty substances used as a source of energy by your body. Unhealthy levels can also lead to plaque development in the arteries and lead to cardiovascular disease. This is usually manifested as blockages that can lead to heart attacks or strokes. You will need to avoid eating or drinking for 8-10 hours before this blood test. Water and taking your medications is usually ok. If your doctor finds a lipid disorder, treatment may be started to lower your levels.

· HgA1c Test: Measures average blood sugar levels for the past two to three months. It can be useful in screening for diabetes. If you have diabetes, it is very useful in measuring the overall control of your diabetes.

· Cardio-CRP Test: Measures inflammation of the blood vessels that may be an indicator of future cardiovascular events. An elevated level can help you and your doctor address risk factors for cardiovascular disease to reduce your risks for a heart attack or stroke.

· Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) and Free thyroxine (T4) Tests: Used to check for problems with the thyroid and pituitary glands. The thyroid controls your body’s metabolism. Problems with thyroid function can lead to fatigue, depression, weight gain, heart rhythm abnormalities, and more.

· Urine Analysis: Examines the urine for sugar, protein, and several other chemicals. It can be used to diagnose infection, diabetes, or kidney disease.

· PSA: Measures the prostate-specific antigen in the blood. It is normally released by the prostate gland. The amount of PSA in the blood increases naturally with age, however it can also increase with inflammation of the prostate gland, infection, or prostate cancer.

· Carotid Ultrasound. A non-invasive test using sound waves to examine the arterial vessels in the the neck. This test can help assess the risk for stroke by determining if there is plaque, disease of the wall of the arteries, and if so, how much narrowing of the arteries.

· Ultrasound of the Aorta. Over time, even normal blood pressure can cause the enlargement of the aorta and thinning of its wall. This non-invasive test uses sound waves to examine the main artery in your abdomen (the aorta), and check for abnormal enlargement (aneurysm). There is a risk for rupture as the size of the aorta increases and the thickness of the artery wall decreases.

· Ultrasound of the Lower Extremity with ABI. This ultrasound is looking for Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD), and the non-invasive test uses sound waves to examine the flow of blood in your leg arteries . ABI stands for Ankle Brachial Index, and is the ratio of the blood pressure in the arm compared to the blood pressure in the ankle. A low ankle pressure can indicate blood vessel disease.

· Echocardiogram. An Echocardiogram is an ultrasound exam that provides moving images of the heart, as well as the blood flow through the heart valves. The test is useful in evaluating heart function and screening for heart valve problems as well as heart failure.

· CT Cardiac Calcium Scoring. The heart screening test is a non-invasive test that uses a special CT scanner to take pictures of the heart to determine the location and quantity of calcium plaque in the heart arteries. The calcium can be an indicator for coronary heart disease, making the test a useful diagnostic tool to assess one’s risk for a heart attack.

· DEXA Bone Density Scan. A non-invasive test uses simple x-rays to mathematically determine the density of your bones. It can determine whether you have loss of bone density, and if you do, the result will help us guide treatment options. Note: the test conducted here is the gold standard DEXA test using measurements of the lower back and hips. Some lesser value bone density tests use measurements of the ankle, finger, or wrist.

· CT Lung Scanning. The CT of the lungs is a non-invasive test that uses a special CT scanner to take picture of the lungs. It is much more accurate than conventional x-ray, so the radiologist can detect cancer at a smaller size and at an earlier stage.

· MRI of the brain without Contrast. Magnetic Resonance Imaging uses a magnetic field and radio waves, and then converts the signals into a computerized image. MRI images of the brain may be useful in identifying, quantifying, and tracking changes in the brain related to Alzheimer’s disease and other causes of dementia.

· Colonoscopy Examination. After the patient is anesthetized, a gastroenterologist uses a scope to examine the inside of the large intestines. This test is used to diagnose colon cancer, diverticulitis, internal hemorrhoids, or other intestinal disorders. **

· Cardiac Stress Test. Stressing the heart can sometimes identify blockages in the heart arteries before they become a problem. Typically the heart is stress by using injected medicines or a treadmill. The heart is then imaged using nuclear imaging or ultrasound imaging. **

**These tests, if indicated, are conducted by specialists. Dr. Andy will coordinate all scheduling, all follow up counseling, and transportation. By law, payment for these tests must be made directly to the performing physician/office; however, Dr. Andy will do everything to facilitate the process.