Description

The weight management panel helps to evaluate for secondary causes for weight issues. Abnormal weight gain can be the result of insulin resistance which at times can be treated with other forms of therapy. Monitoring thyroid function is helpful to assure your thyroid function is normal. This too can be a secondary reason for weight gain. It is in important as you proceed on your weight loss journey to monitor lipids, electrolytes, liver functions, etc to monitor for adverse effects as your weight decreases. It is helpful to be sure you are getting the positive responses from weight loss like lipid improvement, sugar management, and other changes that would be expected with weight reduction.

This panel includes the following test:

Complete Blood Count (CBC)

Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)

Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)

Lipid Panel

Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH)

Vitamin B12 and Folate

Fasting not required.

Additional information about each test is listed below:

A complete blood count (CBC) is important for weight management because it can reveal underlying health issues that may be contributing to weight gain or hindering weight loss, allowing a healthcare provider to address these issues and develop a more effective weight management plan by identifying potential problems like anemia, thyroid dysfunction, or infections, which may not be readily apparent through diet and exercise alone.

A comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) is a blood test that measures various substances in your body to assess your metabolism, liver and kidney function, and electrolyte balance. It can help identify health conditions that may impact weight management, such as diabetes, kidney disease, and liver inflammation.

Weight management plays a significant role in controlling hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels, as losing even a moderate amount of body weight can demonstrably lower your HbA1c, particularly for individuals with diabetes, indicating better blood sugar control; generally, a 5-10% weight loss can lead to a noticeable reduction in HbA1c levels. 

A lipid panel is important for weight management because it measures the levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood, which are directly affected by your weight, and can significantly impact your risk of developing cardiovascular diseases like heart attacks and strokes, making it a crucial tool for monitoring the effectiveness of weight loss efforts and identifying potential concerns related to your heart health.

Weight loss can cause a decrease in thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels. This can happen through lifestyle changes, bariatric surgery, or caloric restriction diets.

Vitamin B12 and folate are important for weight management because they help with energy metabolism, red blood cell production, and DNA synthesis.