Description

Mental health is a complex issue. It is helpful to be sure there is not a no other reason for mental health symptoms like fatigue, anxiety or depression. Lab testing can help differentiate those nonpsychological medical issues that can present as mental health complaints.

This panel includes the following test:

Complete Blood Count (CBC)

Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)

Hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c)

Lipid Profile Panel

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)

Fasting recommended.

Additional information about each test is listed below:

A complete blood count (CBC) is important in mental health assessments because it can help identify underlying physical conditions that may be contributing to or exacerbating mental health symptoms, such as anemia, infections, inflammation, or bleeding disorders, allowing for a more comprehensive treatment plan by addressing potential physiological causes alongside psychological interventions; essentially, it acts as a general health check to rule out physical issues that might be mimicking mental health symptoms.

A Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) is important for mental health because it can reveal underlying physical conditions, like thyroid issues or electrolyte imbalances, that might be contributing to or mimicking mental health symptoms, allowing for a more comprehensive treatment plan by identifying potential medical causes for a patient's psychological presentation; essentially, it helps rule out physical factors that could be impacting mental health. 

A hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) test can be important for mental health because it can help assess a patient's overall health and identify diabetes. Diabetes and depression are linked, and HbA1c levels can be a proxy for glucose control.

Lipids are important for mental health because they play a crucial role in the structure and function of the brain, particularly in cell membranes, neurotransmission, and inflammation regulation, with research suggesting that imbalances in certain lipid types may be linked to the development of mental disorders like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia; therefore, monitoring and managing lipid levels could potentially contribute to mental health treatment and prevention strategies. 

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels are important to mental health because thyroid abnormalities can cause mood disorders like depression and anxiety.