Science Training Check - female

The most potent and prevalent form of estrogen. In women, estradiol regulates the menstrual cycle, fertility, and bone density. In men, it's produced from testosterone and plays roles in bone health and libido. Levels vary significantly with age and menstrual cycle.

A hormone essential for menstrual cycle regulation and pregnancy maintenance. Progesterone rises after ovulation, preparing the uterus for implantation. Low levels can cause irregular periods and difficulty maintaining pregnancy.

Works with FSH to regulate reproductive function. In women, an LH surge triggers ovulation. In men, LH stimulates testosterone production. Abnormal levels can indicate pituitary or gonadal disorders.

Regulates reproductive function in both sexes. In women, FSH stimulates egg development; elevated levels indicate declining ovarian reserve or menopause. In men, FSH stimulates sperm production.

Normally 1:1; higher ratios (e.g., 2:1 or 3:1) may indicate PCOS.

A hormone primarily known for stimulating breast milk production. Elevated prolactin in non-pregnant individuals can indicate pituitary tumors, medication side effects, or hypothyroidism. High levels can suppress reproductive hormones.

The primary male sex hormone, also important in women at lower levels. Testosterone regulates muscle mass, bone density, fat distribution, libido, and mood. Levels decline naturally with age in both sexes.

A calculated ratio of total testosterone to SHBG that estimates the amount of biologically active testosterone. FAI is particularly useful in women for assessing androgen excess in conditions like PCOS.

A protein that binds and transports sex hormones (testosterone, estrogen) in the blood. High SHBG reduces the amount of free, active hormones available. SHBG increases with age, thyroid hormones, and estrogen; decreases with obesity and insulin resistance.

A hormone produced mainly by the liver in response to growth hormone. IGF-1 mediates many of growth hormone's effects on tissue growth and repair. It's more stable than GH, making it a better marker for growth hormone status.

The primary stress hormone, produced by the adrenal glands. Cortisol regulates metabolism, immune response, blood pressure, and the sleep-wake cycle. Chronically elevated cortisol from stress contributes to weight gain, immune suppression, and metabolic dysfunction.

Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands that serves as a precursor to sex hormones. Abnormal levels can indicate adrenal or endocrine disorders.

A highly sensitive test for low-grade chronic inflammation linked to cardiovascular disease risk. Lower hs-CRP values are associated with better cardiovascular outcomes.

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate — measures how quickly red blood cells settle to the bottom of a test tube. Faster settling indicates more inflammation. ESR is a non-specific marker used to monitor inflammatory conditions like arthritis and vasculitis.

An enzyme found in nearly all body tissues. Elevated LDH is a general marker of tissue damage and can indicate liver disease, heart attack, anemia, muscle injury, or certain cancers.

An enzyme found primarily in muscle tissue (skeletal and cardiac). Elevated CK indicates muscle damage from exercise, injury, or disease. Very high levels can indicate rhabdomyolysis, a potentially dangerous breakdown of muscle tissue.

A hormone produced by the pancreas that helps to control blood glucose levels and plays a role in controlling the levels of carbohydrates and fats stored in the body.

If you have diabetes your body doesn't process glucose effectively.

Calculated score assessing insulin resistance based on fasting glucose and insulin levels.

Measures the percentage of EPA and DHA (omega-3 fatty acids) in red blood cell membranes. An index above 8% is associated with the lowest cardiovascular risk, while below 4% indicates high risk. Reflects long-term omega-3 intake over 2–3 months.

Bilirubin is a substance produced during the normal breakdown of red blood cells. High levels can lead to jaundice and indicate liver or bile duct problems.

An enzyme found in the liver, bones, kidneys, and digestive system. Elevated ALP can indicate bile duct obstruction, liver disease, or bone disorders. It's normally higher in children and during pregnancy due to bone growth.

An enzyme found in the liver, heart, and muscles. While less liver-specific than ALT, elevated AST can indicate liver damage, heart attack, or muscle injury. The AST/ALT ratio helps distinguish between different liver conditions.

A liver enzyme that helps convert proteins into energy. ALT is found primarily in the liver, making it a highly specific marker for liver damage. Elevated levels may indicate hepatitis, fatty liver disease, or medication-related liver injury.

A liver enzyme sensitive to alcohol use and bile duct problems. GGT is often the first liver enzyme to rise when bile ducts are blocked. Combined with ALP, it helps determine whether elevated ALP is from liver or bone.

The most abundant protein in blood, produced by the liver. Albumin maintains blood volume and pressure, and transports hormones, vitamins, and drugs. Low levels indicate liver disease, kidney disease, malnutrition, or chronic inflammation.

Measures the combined amount of albumin and globulin proteins in your blood. These proteins are essential for fighting infections, blood clotting, and transporting substances throughout the body.

A group of proteins in blood including antibodies (immunoglobulins), transport proteins, and enzymes. Elevated globulin can indicate chronic infection, inflammation, or blood cancers. Calculated by subtracting albumin from total protein.

The primary electrolyte regulating fluid balance and blood pressure. Sodium is essential for nerve impulses and muscle contractions. Abnormal levels can cause confusion, seizures, and cardiac arrhythmias.

A critical electrolyte for heart rhythm, muscle contractions, and nerve function. Both high and low potassium can cause dangerous cardiac arrhythmias. Levels are influenced by kidney function, medications, and diet.

An electrolyte that works with sodium to maintain fluid balance, blood pressure, and acid-base balance. Chloride abnormalities often accompany sodium abnormalities and can indicate dehydration, kidney disease, or metabolic disorders.

A key component of the body's acid-base buffering system. Bicarbonate levels reflect the balance between acids and bases in the blood. Abnormal values help diagnose metabolic acidosis or alkalosis.

A waste product from protein breakdown, processed by the liver and excreted by the kidneys. Elevated urea levels can indicate kidney dysfunction, dehydration, high-protein diet, or gastrointestinal bleeding.

A waste product from normal muscle metabolism, filtered by the kidneys. Blood creatinine levels reflect kidney filtration capacity. Elevated levels may indicate impaired kidney function, dehydration, or excessive muscle breakdown.

An estimated measure of how well your kidneys filter waste from the blood. It's calculated from creatinine levels, age, sex, and race. eGFR is the primary marker used to stage chronic kidney disease.

An enzyme produced by the pancreas to digest fats. Lipase is more specific to the pancreas than amylase, making it the preferred test for pancreatitis. It remains elevated longer than amylase after pancreatic inflammation.

An enzyme that breaks down starch into sugars, produced primarily by the pancreas and salivary glands. Elevated amylase is a key marker for acute pancreatitis and can also indicate salivary gland disorders.

The combined measure of all cholesterol in your blood, including HDL, LDL, and VLDL. While useful as an overview, the breakdown between HDL and LDL is more clinically meaningful for assessing cardiovascular risk.

Often called 'bad' cholesterol, LDL deposits cholesterol in artery walls, contributing to plaque buildup and atherosclerosis. LDL is the primary target for cardiovascular risk reduction through diet, exercise, and medication.

Often called 'good' cholesterol, HDL carries cholesterol away from arteries back to the liver for removal. Higher HDL levels are protective against heart disease. Exercise, healthy fats, and moderate alcohol intake can raise HDL.

The most common type of fat in the body, stored for energy. Elevated triglycerides — often from excess sugar, alcohol, or calories — increase cardiovascular risk and can cause pancreatitis at very high levels.

Non-HDL cholesterol is the total cholesterol minus HDL cholesterol, representing all "bad" cholesterols. High levels can increase the risk of heart disease.

The primary iron storage protein. Ferritin reflects total body iron stores and is the first marker to drop in iron deficiency. However, ferritin also rises with inflammation, infection, and liver disease, which can mask true iron deficiency.

A trace mineral crucial for thyroid hormone metabolism, antioxidant defense (via selenoproteins), and immune function. Selenium deficiency can impair thyroid function and increase susceptibility to viral infections.

A trace mineral essential for iron metabolism, connective tissue formation, and antioxidant defense. The copper/zinc ratio is an emerging marker of inflammation and oxidative stress. Both deficiency and excess can cause problems.

An essential trace mineral involved in immune function, wound healing, DNA synthesis, and testosterone production. Zinc deficiency impairs immune response, delays wound healing, and can cause hair loss and taste changes.

A commonly cited range for the copper to zinc ratio is 0.7 and 1.0. Studies have noted that ratios above 1.0 may be associated with higher levels of inflammation and oxidative stress.

The most abundant mineral in the body, essential for bone health, muscle contraction, nerve function, and blood clotting. Blood calcium is tightly regulated by parathyroid hormone and vitamin D. Abnormal levels can indicate parathyroid disorders.

Calcium adjusted for albumin levels to provide a more accurate measure of physiologically active calcium. Important because total calcium can appear falsely low when albumin is low, even if actual calcium is normal.

Involved in over 300 enzymatic reactions including energy production, muscle function, and nerve signaling. Magnesium deficiency is common and associated with muscle cramps, anxiety, insomnia, and increased cardiovascular risk.

A mineral essential for bone formation, energy metabolism (ATP), and acid-base balance. Phosphate levels are inversely related to calcium and regulated by parathyroid hormone and vitamin D.

Active vitamin B12 is the biologically active form of vitamin B12 that is essential for many physiological processes in the body, including the production of red blood cells, DNA synthesis, and nerve function.

Essential for DNA synthesis, cell division, and red blood cell formation. Folate deficiency causes megaloblastic anemia and, during pregnancy, increases the risk of neural tube defects. Works closely with vitamin B12.

The best indicator of overall vitamin D status. Vitamin D is essential for calcium absorption, bone health, immune function, and mood regulation. Deficiency is extremely common, especially in northern latitudes, and linked to increased disease risk.

Measures the number of red blood cells in your blood. Red blood cells carry oxygen from your lungs to every cell in your body. Abnormal levels can indicate anemia, dehydration, or bone marrow disorders.

The iron-rich protein in red blood cells responsible for carrying oxygen throughout your body and returning carbon dioxide to the lungs. Low haemoglobin is the primary marker for anemia and can cause fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath.

The percentage of your blood volume occupied by red blood cells. It reflects the balance between red blood cell production and loss, helping diagnose anemia, dehydration, and polycythemia.

The average size of your red blood cells. Small cells (microcytic) suggest iron deficiency, while large cells (macrocytic) may indicate vitamin B12 or folate deficiency. Normal-sized cells with low count suggest chronic disease.

The average amount of hemoglobin in each red blood cell. Low MCH indicates that red blood cells carry less oxygen than normal, commonly seen in iron-deficiency anemia.

The average concentration of hemoglobin within each red blood cell. It helps differentiate types of anemia — low MCHC points to iron deficiency, while high MCHC can indicate spherocytosis.

Measures the variation in size among your red blood cells. A high RDW means your red blood cells vary significantly in size, which can help distinguish between different types of anemia.

Measures the total number of white blood cells, your body's primary defense against infection. Elevated levels may indicate infection, inflammation, or immune disorders, while low levels can signal bone marrow problems or autoimmune conditions.

The percentage of white blood cells that are eosinophils. Elevated eosinophil percentages are commonly associated with allergic reactions and parasitic infections.

The percentage of white blood cells that are monocytes. Monocytes are part of the innate immune system and develop into macrophages and dendritic cells in tissues.

The percentage of white blood cells that are lymphocytes, key players in adaptive immunity including antibody production and cell-mediated immune responses.

The percentage of white blood cells that are neutrophils. Neutrophils are the most common WBC type and respond primarily to bacterial infections.

The percentage of white blood cells that are basophils. Basophils play a role in allergic reactions by releasing histamine and other inflammatory mediators.

Measures the number of platelets, small cell fragments essential for blood clotting. Low platelets increase bleeding risk, while high platelets may increase clot risk. Important for monitoring clotting disorders and medication effects.