What is ApoA1?. ApoA1 (apolipoprotein A) is a key protein in HDL-C (high-density lipoprotein), known as "good" cholesterol, which helps prevent artery plaque buildup. It's a critical biomarker for assessing cardiovascular disease risk, with ApoA1 be
What is ApoB?. ApoB (apolipoprotein B) is a key protein found in "bad" cholesterol particles like VLDL, IDL, LDL, and Lp(a). Each of these particles contains one ApoB molecule, making ApoB a strong indicator of cardiovascular risk, often more reliabl
The ApoB:ApoA1 ratio is highly valuable for detecting atherogenic (plaque-filled artery) risk, as it is better than other ratios in predicting risk. The lower the ApoB/ApoA1 ratio, the lower the risk. Learn more about ApoB and ApoA1. How can I better
Estradiol (E2) is a type of estrogen hormone found in both males and females. In females, it regulates the menstrual cycle, fertility, and ovulation, and can indicate conditions like PCOS. In males, it influences libido, erectile function, and sperm
Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands located on top of the kidneys. It plays a key role in managing stress, metabolism, and immune response. Cortisol follows a daily cycle, rising in the early morning, peaking about 30 minutes after w
DHEA-S (dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate) is a hormone produced primarily by the adrenal glands, with smaller contributions from the ovaries and testes. It acts as a precursor to testosterone and estrogen, the main sex hormones in males and females. DH
Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps regulate blood sugar levels. After eating, insulin is released to promote the usage and storage of glucose in the body. Fasting insulin levels can help detect early signs of diabetes and metabo
Ferritin is a protein that stores iron in your body, and measuring ferritin levels provides an indirect estimate of your iron stores. Low ferritin levels may indicate iron deficiency or anemia, the most common nutritional deficiency worldwide. Iron i
FSH is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland that plays a crucial role in sexual development and reproduction for both males and females. In females, it stimulates estradiol production and regulates the menstrual cycle, while in males, it support
HDL-C, or High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol, is known as "good" cholesterol because it helps remove LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol from the bloodstream, which can clog arteries. HDL-C transports cholesterol back to the liver for removal
Hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) is a marker that reflects your average blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 months. It measures the percentage of hemoglobin in your blood that is coated with sugar, providing a long-term view of blood glucose levels. HbA1c is
What is hs-CRP?. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is an inflammatory protein produced by the liver in response to infection or inflammation. It helps measure general inflammation and assess heart disease and stroke risk. Lower hs-CRP is b
What is homocysteine?. Homocysteine is a sulfur-containing amino acid needed for the synthesis of other essential amino acids like methionine and cysteine. High levels are linked to cardiovascular risks (e.g., heart disease, strokes) and neurological
Why Measure Inflammation (hs-CRP)? Inflammation can be acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term, low-level). While acute inflammation is a normal immune response to injury or infection, chronic inflammation is harmful and often linked to diseases lik
What is LDL-C?. LDL-C (Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol) is often referred to as "bad" cholesterol because high levels can lead to cholesterol buildup in the arteries, increasing the risk of atherosclerosis (plaque buildup), heart disease, and str
What is Testosterone?. Testosterone is the primary male hormone responsible for sexual development and overall health. It plays a key role in regulating libido, muscle mass, bone density, and red blood cell production in males. While primarily associ
The testosterone:cortisol ratio shows an important relationship between two critical hormonal biomarkers. Testosteron is widely regarded as a major anabolic hormone. Anabolic reactions create or build a product, and one function of testosterone is mu
What is Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)?. TSH is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland, stimulated by thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) from the hypothalamus. TSH signals the thyroid to produce T4 (inactive) and T3 (active), which regulate me
What is Total Cholesterol?. Total cholesterol is a type of fat (lipid) essential for cell membranes, hormone production, digestion, and metabolism. Although cholesterol is vital, excessive or insufficient levels can indicate health issues. Most chole
Total Cholesterol:Cortisol (TC:HDL) is an important metric of cardiovascular health that compares bad and good cholesterol. It is calculated by dividing your total cholesterol level by your HDL-C level. The higher the TC:HDL ratio, the greater the ri
What are Triglycerides?. Triglycerides, or triacylglycerols, are the primary form of stored energy in animals. After food is consumed, digested fats (fatty acids) are either used for energy or stored in fat cells and the liver as triglycerides. Durin
The triglyceride:HDL-C (TG:HDL-C) ratio is an important metric of both cardiovascular and metabolic health, and has even been shown to have neurologic implications. It is calculated by dividing your triglycerides level by your HDL-C level. In recent
What is Vitamin D? Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin produced by the body when exposed to UV light or obtained from food and supplements. It plays a crucial role in immune function, calcium absorption, bone health, and reducing inflammation, with ad
What is ALT?Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) is an enzyme mainly found in the liver, used to assess liver health. When liver cells are damaged, ALT is released into the bloodstream, making it a key marker for liver function. Why is ALT important?ALT le
What is creatinine?Creatinine is a waste product produced from muscle activity and protein digestion. It’s filtered out of the blood by the kidneys and excreted in urine. Measuring creatinine levels in the blood helps assess kidney function, as eleva
What is eGFR?The estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) measures how well your kidneys filter blood. It estimates how much blood is filtered by the glomeruli (filtering structures in the kidneys) every minute, helping assess kidney function. Why
What is fasting glucose?Fasting glucose (or fasting blood sugar) measures the concentration of glucose in your blood after an overnight fast. It helps assess how well your body regulates blood sugar levels. Why is fasting glucose important?Fasting gl
What is HOMA-IR?HOMA-IR (Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance) estimates insulin resistance, where cells become less responsive to insulin. It's calculated using fasting glucose and insulin levels:. HOMA-IR = (Fasting Insulin × Fasting
What is Lp(a)?Lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)) is a type of cholesterol transporter in the bloodstream, similar to LDL. High levels can lead to atherosclerosis (plaque buildup in arteries), increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes. About 1 in 5 people
What is thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)?TSH is produced by the pituitary gland and stimulates the thyroid to release hormones T4 (inactive) and T3 (active). T3 regulates metabolism and provides negative feedback to control TSH levels. Abnormal TSH
What is albumin?Albumin is a protein made in the liver, crucial for transporting hormones, vitamins, and enzymes. Its levels can indicate liver and kidney health. Why is albumin important?Albumin is key in testosterone transport. About 50-68% of test
What is the anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH)?AMH is a key marker for reproductive health, produced by the ovaries in females and testes in males. In females, it measures egg supply (ovarian reserve), with higher levels indicating a greater egg supply. Wh
What is folate?Folate is the natural form of vitamin B9, while folic acid is its synthetic form found in supplements and fortified foods. Both are essential for cell growth, breaking down homocysteine, and fetal development. Why is folate important?F
What is luteinizing hormone (LH)?LH is a key hormone for reproductive health. It triggers ovulation in females and testosterone production in males. In women, LH helps regulate the menstrual cycle and fertility, while in men, it stimulates sperm prod
What is prolactin (PRL)?Prolactin is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland. It regulates milk production in women and testosterone in men. PRL also responds to stress, sleep, and interacts with other hormones like cortisol and thyroid hormones. W
What is prostate-specific antigen (PSA)?PSA is a protein made by the prostate, helping keep semen liquid for sperm movement. It is an important marker for prostate health. Why is PSA important?PSA is part of SiPhox Health's male Hormone+ panel as a k
What is Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin (SHBG)?SHBG is a protein made by the liver that binds to sex hormones like testosterone and estrogen, controlling their activity. Only unbound (free) hormones are active and usable by tissues. Why is SHBG importan
What is vitamin B12?Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is an essential nutrient for red blood cell production, DNA synthesis, and brain and spinal cord function. It must be obtained through animal products, nutritional yeast, or fortified foods. Why is vitamin
What is free T3?Free T3 (triiodothyronine) is the active form of thyroid hormone, crucial for regulating metabolism, heart function, digestion, muscle control, brain development, and bone maintenance. Unlike bound T3, free T3 can readily act on tissu
What is free T4?Free T4 (thyroxine) is an inactive thyroid hormone that converts to the active form, T3, in organs like the liver. Unlike bound T4, free T4 enters tissues easily, affecting metabolism, heart, digestion, muscle control, brain developme
What is the thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb)?TPOAb are antibodies produced when the immune system mistakenly targets thyroid peroxidase (TPO), an enzyme crucial for thyroid hormone production. Their presence may indicate thyroid dysfunction. Why i
What is AST?Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) is an enzyme involved in amino acid metabolism, found in the liver, heart, kidneys, brain, and muscles. It helps assess tissue damage, particularly in the liver and heart. Why is AST important?AST signals
What is BUN?Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) measures the amount of nitrogen in your blood, a waste product from protein breakdown. It helps assess kidney function since kidneys filter urea from the blood. Elevated BUN levels can indicate kidney issues, whi
What is bilirubin?Bilirubin is a yellowish substance produced when red blood cells break down. It helps in waste removal and is an indicator of liver function. Unconjugated bilirubin is processed in the liver into conjugated bilirubin, which is excre
What is progesterone?Progesterone is a hormone mainly produced by the ovaries in females, with smaller amounts from the adrenal glands. It regulates the menstrual cycle, fertility, and pregnancy maintenance. Beyond reproduction, progesterone also inf
What is DNA methylation?DNA methylation is a process where a methyl group is added to DNA, influencing gene expression without altering the DNA sequence. It acts like a note in a recipe, controlling when and how often a gene is used. Methylation is i
What is cadmium?Cadmium is a toxic heavy metal, often produced through industrial activities like mining, smelting, and manufacturing batteries. It is harmful to human health and can accumulate in the body through inhalation (e.g., cigarette smoke) a
What is copper?Copper is an essential mineral involved in many vital processes, including iron metabolism, red blood cell formation, and maintaining healthy bones, nerves, and immune function. It is found in foods like beef liver, shellfish, nuts, se
What is magnesium?Magnesium is an essential mineral involved in over 300 enzymatic reactions, critical for energy production, muscle and nerve function, bone health, blood pressure regulation, and blood glucose control. It is found in leafy greens, n
What is mercury?Mercury is a toxic heavy metal found in elemental, inorganic, and organic forms. It poses significant health risks, especially to the nervous system, kidneys, and immune system. Mercury exposure occurs through contaminated fish, occup
What is selenium?Selenium is an essential trace mineral involved in many processes, including antioxidant protection, thyroid hormone metabolism, and immune function. It is found in foods like Brazil nuts, seafood, meat, eggs, and grains. Why is sele
What is zinc?Zinc is an essential trace element involved in over 300 enzymatic reactions, crucial for immune function, growth, taste, and smell. It supports cellular metabolism, DNA synthesis, and wound healing. Zinc is found in foods like meat, shel