HDL, LDL, Total Cholesterol, Triglycerides, hsCRP, HbA1c, Blood Urea Nitrogen, Creatinine, TSH

HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein)

Known as "good" cholesterol, HDL helps remove excess cholesterol from your bloodstream. Higher levels are beneficial and help protect against heart disease.

LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein)

Often called "bad" cholesterol, LDL can build up in the walls of your arteries, leading to blockages. High levels of LDL increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Total Cholesterol

This is the sum of all cholesterol in your blood, including HDL and LDL. It gives an overall picture of your cholesterol levels, but it’s important to look at the breakdown of HDL and LDL for a clearer understanding of heart health risks.

Triglycerides

These are fats that your body uses for energy. High levels of triglycerides can increase your risk of heart disease, especially when combined with high LDL or low HDL cholesterol.

hsCRP (High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein)

This measures the level of inflammation in your body. High levels of hsCRP can be a sign of inflammation in your arteries, which is linked to a higher risk of heart disease.

HbA1c (Hemoglobin A1c)

This test shows your average blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 months. It’s used to diagnose and monitor diabetes, with higher levels indicating poor blood sugar control.

Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)

This test measures the amount of nitrogen in your blood that comes from urea, a waste product made in the liver. High BUN levels can indicate kidney problems.

Creatinine

This is a waste product from muscle activity that is filtered out of your blood by your kidneys. High levels of creatinine can indicate impaired kidney function.

TSH (Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone)

This hormone regulates your thyroid function. Abnormal TSH levels can indicate thyroid issues, such as hypothyroidism (low thyroid activity) or hyperthyroidism (high thyroid activity).

Regular monitoring of these biomarkers helps healthcare providers ensure that GLP-1 therapy is effective and safe, adjusting the treatment as needed based on the patient’s response and any side effects.

GLP-1 (Glucagon-Like Peptide-1)

GLP-1 medications are often prescribed to help manage blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes, and sometimes for weight management. Before starting GLP-1 therapy, doctors check these biomarkers to ensure the medication is safe and appropriate for the patient:

HDL, LDL, Total Cholesterol, and Triglycerides

These are checked to assess cardiovascular risk. Since GLP-1 medications can affect lipid levels, monitoring these biomarkers helps ensure they stay within a healthy range.

hsCRP

hsCRP is sometimes measured to assess inflammation levels, as GLP-1s might have anti-inflammatory effects.

HbA1c

HbA1c is crucial for monitoring how well GLP-1 therapy is controlling blood sugar over time.

BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen) and Creatinine

BUN and Creatinine are checked to ensure the kidneys are functioning well, as GLP-1 medications are excreted through the kidneys.

TSH (Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone)

TSH may be monitored if there’s a history of thyroid issues, as some GLP-1 medications can potentially affect thyroid function.