Description

In the process of a headache evaluation it is important to look for metabolic reason for headache. Causes like increase red blood cells, temporal arteritis and other issues can help in the diagnostic process. Lab testing is not all-inclusive for causes of headache. This should be evaluated in conjunction with your headache provider.

This panel includes the following test:

Complete Blood Count (CBC)

Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)

Sedimentation Rate (ESR)

T4, or Thyroxine

Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH)

Fasting not required.

Additional information about each test is listed below:

A complete blood count (CBC) is used when investigating headaches to check for underlying conditions like anemia (low red blood cells), infections, or inflammation, which can all contribute to headache symptoms and are detectable through the different blood cell components measured in a CBC; essentially, it helps rule out systemic causes for a headache rather than directly diagnosing the headache itself. 

A Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) might be ordered for someone experiencing headaches to check for underlying metabolic imbalances that could be contributing to the pain, particularly by assessing electrolyte levels, blood sugar (glucose), and kidney function, as abnormal levels in these areas can sometimes manifest as headaches; however, a CMP alone is usually not enough to diagnose the cause of a headache and further testing may be needed depending on the patient's symptoms and medical history.

A sedimentation rate (ESR) test may be used to investigate the cause of a headache, particularly when there is suspicion of an inflammatory condition like giant cell arteritis, where a new onset headache, especially around the temples, accompanied by an elevated ESR could indicate the need for further investigation; essentially, a high sedimentation rate can suggest underlying inflammation that might be contributing to the headache. 

T4, or Thyroxine, is a hormone produced by the thyroid gland that helps regulate metabolism and growth. A T4 test measures the amount of T4 in your blood and can indicate if your thyroid levels are too high or too low, which could be a sign of thyroid disease.

A thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) test can help determine if a headache is caused by thyroid dysfunction, such as hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism.