Description

Swelling is the enlargement of body parts due to fluid buildup in the tissues. It can occur anywhere in the body, but it's often localized to the feet, ankles, hands, or face. 

The following test are included:

BNP (B-type Natriuretic Peptide)

C-reactive Protein (CRP)

Complete Blood Count (CBC)

Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)

Kidney Function- Creatinine Cystatin C

Plasma Viscosity

TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone)

Urine Protein Random

Fasting not required.

Additional information about each test is listed below:

Swelling and a high BNP level are important because a raised BNP (B-type natriuretic peptide) level in your blood often indicates the presence of heart failure, which can manifest as swelling in the legs, abdomen, or other areas due to fluid retention; essentially, a high BNP acts as a marker that your heart is struggling to pump effectively, leading to fluid buildup in the body, causing swelling. 

C-reactive protein (CRP) is important because it acts as a marker for inflammation in the body, meaning when your CRP levels rise in a blood test, it indicates that there is likely an inflammatory process occurring somewhere in your body, even before you might experience noticeable symptoms like pain or fever; this allows doctors to monitor and potentially diagnose conditions like infections, autoimmune diseases, or cardiovascular issues based on its levels. 

A complete blood count (CBC) is important when experiencing swelling because it can help identify the underlying cause of the swelling by assessing your blood cell levels, which could indicate an infection, inflammation, allergic reaction, or a blood disorder, potentially explaining the swelling present in the body; a doctor may order a CBC to investigate symptoms like swelling, especially if accompanied by other symptoms like bruising, fatigue, or fever. 

A comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) is important when investigating swelling because it can provide valuable information about your body's fluid balance, electrolyte levels (like sodium and potassium), and organ function, particularly the kidneys, which play a crucial role in regulating fluid levels; abnormal results on a CMP can indicate potential causes of swelling, like kidney disease, liver issues, or electrolyte imbalances, allowing your doctor to diagnose and treat the underlying problem effectively. 

A high level of cystatin C in the blood, indicating "swelling" cystatin C, is important because it can be a strong indicator of early kidney dysfunction, even before significant changes in creatinine levels are detected, making it a valuable marker for monitoring potential kidney damage and detecting early stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD). 

Plasma viscosity is important because it acts as an indicator of inflammation in the body, with elevated levels signifying increased inflammation due to conditions like infections, autoimmune diseases, or cancers, essentially showing how "thick" the blood plasma is, which can affect blood flow and potentially contribute to complications like thrombosis if significantly elevated; therefore, monitoring plasma viscosity can be crucial in diagnosing and managing inflammatory conditions. 

Swelling in relation to TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) is important because it can often be a sign of an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), where the body isn't producing enough thyroid hormone, leading to the pituitary gland releasing more TSH to stimulate the thyroid, which can manifest as noticeable swelling in the neck area (goiter) due to the enlarged thyroid gland trying to compensate; this is why monitoring TSH levels is crucial for diagnosing and managing thyroid conditions. 

Swelling accompanied by protein in the urine is important because it can be a significant indicator of kidney damage, often signifying a condition called nephrotic syndrome where the kidneys are not properly filtering waste, allowing protein to leak into the urine and causing fluid retention leading to swelling in the body, particularly in the hands, feet, and face; early detection and management of this issue is crucial to prevent further kidney complications.