Ordering the Health Check Basic Panel
The Health Check Basic Panel is a group of blood and urine tests that measure key markers related to kidney, liver, blood, cholesterol, and thyroid function. These tests help spot changes in your body’s chemistry, such as shifts in blood sugar, minerals, or proteins, which can signal early signs of common conditions. Interestingly, this panel can also reveal hidden imbalances in minerals like magnesium or phosphorus, which are often missed in routine checkups.
Ordering this panel gives you a clear overview of your body’s main systems. When you order, you can expect these specific benefits:
- Detects changes in blood sugar, which can help identify diabetes risk early.
- Checks kidney and liver function to spot possible issues before symptoms appear.
- Measures cholesterol and triglycerides to help manage heart disease risk.
- Assesses thyroid hormones, which can affect energy and weight.
- Identifies mineral imbalances, such as low magnesium or high calcium, that may impact muscle or nerve function.
Who Might Benefit from a Basic Health Screening Panel
People who want to keep track of their body’s main functions, especially those with a family history of diabetes, heart disease, or thyroid problems, may find this panel helpful. For example, someone who feels tired more often than usual and notices changes in weight or appetite might use this panel to check for possible causes.
Ordering this group of tests may also be useful in these situations:
- Starting a new exercise or nutrition plan and wanting a baseline for key markers.
- Experiencing mild swelling in the legs or hands that could be linked to kidney or liver function.
- Having a history of high cholesterol or blood pressure and needing regular monitoring.
- Feeling more forgetful or having trouble focusing, which can sometimes be related to thyroid or mineral levels.
- Noticing muscle cramps or tingling, which can be connected to changes in calcium or magnesium levels.
Ordering this panel helps you track changes in blood sugar, cholesterol, kidney, liver, and thyroid markers, making it easier to spot trends or problems early. Delaying this group of tests could mean missing early signs of changes in blood sugar or kidney function, which are easier to manage when caught sooner.
Preparing for Your Routine Blood and Urine Panel
Fasting for 10-12 hours is needed before your blood draw, so plan to avoid food and drinks (except water) during that time. Always follow any instructions your doctor or healthcare provider gives you to make sure your results are as useful as possible.
Labs Included When Ordering Your Health Check Basic Panel
| Test Name | Reference Range | What This Test Measures | Low and High Levels of This Marker |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glucose | 70-99 | Glucose is a type of sugar in your blood. This test checks how your body manages blood sugar, which is important for energy. | High levels mean your body may not be using insulin well, which can point to diabetes or prediabetes.
Low levels mean your blood sugar is too low, which can cause shakiness, sweating, or confusion. |
| BUN | 7-20 | BUN, or blood urea nitrogen, shows how well your kidneys remove waste from your blood. It helps check kidney function. | High levels mean your kidneys may not be working well or you may be dehydrated.
Low levels mean you may have liver problems or not enough protein in your diet. |
| Creatinine | 0.6-1.3 | Creatinine is a waste product from muscles. This test checks how well your kidneys filter waste from your blood. | High levels mean your kidneys may not be filtering well.
Low levels mean you may have low muscle mass or certain muscle conditions. |
| Uric acid | 3.5-7.2 | Uric acid is made when your body breaks down purines from food. This test helps check for gout or kidney stones. | High levels mean you may be at risk for gout or kidney stones.
Low levels mean you may have kidney or liver issues, or a rare genetic condition. |
| Sodium | 135-145 | Sodium is a mineral that helps control fluid balance and nerve function. This test checks for dehydration or fluid overload. | High levels mean you may be dehydrated or have kidney problems.
Low levels mean you may have too much fluid or certain hormone issues. |
| Potassium | 3.5-5.1 | Potassium is a mineral that helps your muscles and heart work. This test checks for problems with your kidneys or adrenal glands. | High levels mean you may have kidney or adrenal issues.
Low levels mean you may have vomiting, diarrhea, or use of certain water pills. |
| Chloride | 98-107 | Chloride is an electrolyte that helps keep your body’s acid-base balance. This test checks for dehydration or other fluid problems. | High levels mean you may be dehydrated or have kidney issues.
Low levels mean you may have vomiting, heart failure, or lung disease. |
| CO2 | 22-29 | CO2, or bicarbonate, helps keep your blood’s acid-base balance. This test checks for breathing or kidney problems. | High levels mean you may have breathing problems or be losing acid from vomiting.
Low levels mean you may have kidney disease or severe diarrhea. |
| Calcium | 8.6-10.2 | Calcium is a mineral needed for bones, muscles, and nerves. This test checks for bone, kidney, or parathyroid problems. | High levels mean you may have parathyroid or bone disease.
Low levels mean you may have vitamin D deficiency or kidney issues. |
| Phosphorus | 2.5-4.5 | Phosphorus is a mineral important for bones and energy. This test checks for kidney, bone, or hormone problems. | High levels mean you may have kidney disease or too much vitamin D.
Low levels mean you may have alcohol use, malnutrition, or hormone issues. |
| Magnesium | 1.6-2.6 | Magnesium is a mineral that helps muscles, nerves, and the heart. This test checks for kidney, digestive, or muscle problems. | High levels mean you may have kidney problems or take too many supplements.
Low levels mean you may have poor nutrition or digestive issues. |
| Total Protein | 6.0-8.3 | Total protein measures all proteins in your blood, including albumin and globulin. This test checks for liver, kidney, or immune problems. | High levels mean you may have chronic inflammation or infections.
Low levels mean you may have liver or kidney disease, or poor nutrition. |
| Albumin | 3.4-5.0 | Albumin is a protein made by the liver. This test checks for liver or kidney problems and helps see if you are getting enough protein. | High levels mean you may be dehydrated.
Low levels mean you may have liver or kidney disease, or not enough protein intake. |
| Globulin | 2.0-3.5 | Globulin is a group of proteins that help fight infection. This test checks for immune, liver, or kidney problems. | High levels mean you may have chronic infections or immune disorders.
Low levels mean you may have liver or kidney disease. |
| A/G Ratio | 1.1-2.5 | A/G ratio compares albumin to globulin. This test helps spot liver, kidney, or immune system changes. | High levels mean you may have low globulin or high albumin.
Low levels mean you may have liver disease or immune disorders. |
| Bilirubin | 0.2-1.2 | Bilirubin is made when red blood cells break down. This test checks for liver or blood problems. | High levels mean you may have liver disease or blocked bile ducts.
Low levels mean are usually not a concern. |
| Alkaline Phosphatase | 44-121 | Alkaline phosphatase is an enzyme found in the liver and bones. This test checks for liver or bone problems. | High levels mean you may have liver or bone disease.
Low levels mean you may have malnutrition or certain genetic conditions. |
| GGT | 9-48 | GGT is an enzyme in the liver. This test helps spot liver or bile duct problems, especially from alcohol or medications. | High levels mean you may have liver or bile duct issues.
Low levels mean are usually not a concern. |
| LDH | 140-280 | LDH is an enzyme found in many tissues. This test checks for tissue damage, including liver, heart, or muscle injury. | High levels mean you may have tissue damage or certain cancers.
Low levels mean are usually not a concern. |
| SGOT | 8-33 | SGOT, also called AST, is an enzyme in the liver and heart. This test checks for liver or muscle injury. | High levels mean you may have liver or muscle damage.
Low levels mean are usually not a concern. |
| SGPT | 7-56 | SGPT, also called ALT, is an enzyme in the liver. This test checks for liver injury or disease. | High levels mean you may have liver damage.
Low levels mean are usually not a concern. |
| Iron | 50-170 | Iron is needed for red blood cells. This test checks for anemia or iron overload. | High levels mean you may have iron overload or certain genetic conditions.
Low levels mean you may have anemia or blood loss. |
| Triglycerides | <150 | Triglycerides are a type of fat in your blood. This test checks for risk of heart disease or problems with fat metabolism. | High levels mean you may have a higher risk for heart disease or pancreatitis.
Low levels mean you may have malnutrition or thyroid issues. |
| Cholesterol | <200 | Cholesterol is a type of fat made by the liver. This test checks for risk of heart disease and blocked arteries. | High levels mean you may have a higher risk for heart disease.
Low levels mean you may have malnutrition or certain genetic conditions. |
| HDL/LDL/VLDL | HDL: >40 LDL: <100 VLDL: 5-40 |
These are types of cholesterol. HDL is “good,” LDL is “bad,” and VLDL carries triglycerides. This test checks heart disease risk. | High LDL/VLDL means higher heart disease risk; high HDL means lower risk.
Low HDL means higher risk; low LDL/VLDL is usually good. |
| LDL/HDL Ratio | <3.5 | This ratio compares “bad” to “good” cholesterol. It helps show your risk for heart disease. | High levels mean higher risk for heart disease.
Low levels mean lower risk for heart disease. |
| Total Chol/HDL Ratio | <5.0 | This ratio compares total cholesterol to “good” cholesterol. It helps estimate your risk for heart problems. | High levels mean higher risk for heart disease.
Low levels mean lower risk for heart disease. |
| CBC/Differential | WBC: 4.5-11.0 RBC: 4.2-5.9 Hgb: 13.2-17.1 Hct: 38.5-50.0 |
CBC checks red and white blood cells and platelets. It helps find anemia, infection, or blood disorders. | High levels mean possible infection or inflammation.
Low levels mean anemia or bone marrow problems. |
| Basic Thyroid Panel | TSH: 0.4-4.5 Total T4: 4.5-12.0 T3 Uptake: 24-39 FTI: 1.0-4.0 |
This panel checks thyroid hormones, which control energy, weight, and mood. It helps find thyroid problems like underactive or overactive thyroid. | High TSH means underactive thyroid; high T4 means overactive thyroid.
Low TSH means overactive thyroid; low T4 means underactive thyroid. |
| Urinalysis | Negative for protein, glucose, blood, nitrites, leukocytes | Urinalysis checks for signs of kidney, bladder, or urinary tract problems. It looks for protein, blood, sugar, and infection markers. | High levels of protein, blood, or sugar mean possible kidney or urinary tract issues.
Low levels (normal) mean no signs of these problems. |
Reference ranges can change over time and may differ by lab. For the most current values, visit the Quest Diagnostics lab test directory.
Health Check Basic Panel FAQ
Is there Health Check Basic Panel testing near me?
You can find nearby locations for Health Check Basic Panel using the patient service center locator, which also lists mobile phlebotomy options. Since this panel requires both blood and urine samples, having a convenient site makes the process easier and helps you complete all parts of the test in one visit.
What is the cost of the test?
The price you see for the Health Check Basic Panel covers everything, including sample collection at patient service center locations. Ordering this panel is worth it if you want to track changes in blood sugar, cholesterol, or kidney function before symptoms develop.
How often should I retest?
Most people retest every 6 to 12 months, especially if they are monitoring changes in blood sugar, cholesterol, or thyroid levels. Regular retesting helps you and your doctor spot trends and make timely adjustments to your care plan.
How accurate is the test?
This panel uses automated analyzers and immunoassay methods for blood and urine samples, with a specificity of 98% and sensitivity of 97%. TrueHealthLabs.com partners with CLIA-certified laboratories to uphold rigorous testing standards for dependable results.
Important Notes
- This test cannot be collected in NY, NJ, MA, and RI. Contact us with questions.
Medical Review Board
Reviewed by Jeff Donohue M.D. from Body Logic and Brady Hurst DC, CCCN. Written by True Health Lab’s team of editorial health contributors.
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and not intended as medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider for personalized guidance.
Why Customers Trust True Health Labs - What People are saying
Also rated 4.6 out of 5 based on 3452 ShopperApproved reviews- See all TrueHealthLabs.com reviews.
