Advanced laboratory diagnostics

What it is

A standard checkup often includes a basic cholesterol panel and blood count. Advanced laboratory diagnostics go further when the added detail could change a decision about your care. Tests are selected for you rather than taken from a fixed menu, and every result is interpreted alongside your history, examination and other findings.

What it may include

• Extended lipid markers, such as apolipoprotein B (ApoB), which reflects the number of cholesterol-carrying particles, and lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), a largely inherited risk factor that many people have never had measured.
• Inflammation, such as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP).
• Blood sugar and insulin, such as hemoglobin A1C, fasting glucose and insulin, to look for early changes in how the body handles sugar.
• Hormones, such as thyroid function and, where relevant, sex hormones.
• Organ function and other markers, including kidney and liver function, as clinically indicated.

Who it may suit

People with a family history of early heart disease, people whose standard results are borderline or hard to interpret, people with features of metabolic syndrome, and anyone who would like a more complete baseline to compare against in future years.

What to expect

Dr. Siddiqui will explain which tests he recommends and why. Some require fasting. Samples are processed by a licensed clinical laboratory, and results are reviewed with you rather than simply sent as a report.

More testing is not always better. An unexpected result can lead to further tests that turn out to be unnecessary, so each test should have a clear purpose. Where results point to a risk, the conversation turns to what can be done about it, from lifestyle changes to medication or further evaluation.

About Dr. Siddiqui. Dr. Irfan Siddiqui provides concierge care through Regenerative Health & Wellness. More about Dr. Siddiqui · Explore membership.