Medical Conditions

When it comes to testosterone levels, in many cases men want to increase them. This may be especially true for men who are getting older and have noticed a decrease in libido. In fact, a man's...

As a part of physical examinations, doctors often order blood tests that measure various levels of chemicals. This "blood chemistry" often includes a lipid panel that measures cholesterol levels...

Benzene is a colorless or light yellow liquid at room temperature, has a sweet odor and is highly flammable. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a person seek medical...

Insulin resistance is a characterized by your body's inability to properly use insulin, a substance created and released from your pancreas to enable your body's cells to utilize glucose. It is...

If you have high triglycerides, you have a condition known as hypertriglyceridemia. Triglycerides are a form of fat used for energy. This condition can be genetic, but in most cases it results...

Testosterone is the primary sex hormone produced by men that is responsible for regulating sex drive, muscle mass and keeping body fat low. High testosterone levels are a fairly desirable quality....

Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone, responsible for regulating sex drive, increasing muscle mass, and decreasing body fat levels. According to the American Cancer Society, one major...

Hypoglycemia is a condition caused by a lack of sugar in the blood stream. While in most cases it is minor, and can be fixed by taking in some sugar, in some cases it can cause serious harm.

Iron overload, medically known as hemochromatosis, is an inherited condition in which your body contains too much iron. According to the Mayo Clinic, your body is unable to break down the iron, so...

Testosterone is a hormone primarily found in males that is produced in the testes, although females also produce a small amount of it. Hormones are mostly made of amino acids or proteins. As men...

Hyperuricemia is characterized by high levels of uric acid in your blood. Uric acid is a waste product that is created as your body metabolizes purine, a substance that is both made within your...

A glucose serum test determines the amount of sugar in your blood. A low glucose serum level can be a sign of a condition called hypoglycemia.

Hyperuricemia, or high uric acid levels, is characterized by a high concentration of uric acid in your blood. Uric acid is a byproduct created as your body breaks down purine, which is found in...

Triglycerides are a type of fat. The body converts excess calories into triglycerides that are used for energy between meals. High blood triglyceride levels develop when people consistently...

Cyclosporine is a drug that decreases your body's natural defenses. It may be prescribed to increase the chance that your transplanted organ will not be rejected or as a treatment for autoimmune...

Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands that helps to regulate the immune system, blood sugar and energy production. If your adrenal glands produce excessive amounts of cortisol,...

With so much talk about cholesterol, it's sometimes difficult to keep your facts straight. What's the difference between "good" and "bad" cholesterol? How are cholesterol levels tested? How may I...

Sodium chloride, or salt, tablets are available over the counter and by prescription for people who are experiencing low sodium levels that result from dehydration, excess sweating and other...

Having high triglycerides alone don't make you tired, but conditions such as diabetes or thyroid disease that raise triglyceride levels, can make you feel drained and tired. Prompt treatment of...

A higher than normal level of potassium in the blood is called hyperkalemia, and it can lead to serious complications that affect nerves and muscles, especially the heart. The kidneys remove...

Bicarbonate helps regulate the acidity of blood, and potassium helps regulate muscle movement and transmission of signals in the nervous system. Abnormalities in plasma levels of either may be a...

CPK muscle enzymes are predominantly located in the your heart muscle and skeletal muscles. Otherwise known as creatine phosphokinase, the levels of CPK enzymes can reveal a variety of medical...

As people age, their appearance and health generally starts to deteriorate, especially if they do not regularly see their doctor, have poor eating habits and do not exercise. However, certain...

Triglycerides are a form of fat. If your level of triglycerides is too high, you have a condition called hypertriglyceridemia. This can lead to heart and liver problems as well as pancreatitis. It...

Uric acid is a chemical created by the breakdown of purines, organic compounds that are found in wine, beer, dried beans, anchovies, liver and mackerel. Uric acid is normally dissolved in the...

Diabetics use blood glucose tests to measure the amount of sugar in their blood. Glucose comes from carbohydrates. Insulin is produced by your pancreas and released into your blood when the amount...

Cortisol is a hormone that can become elevated due to stress. Stress can be physical (pain, infection), environmental (heat, noise) or psychological (worry, fear). As the body goes through stress,...

According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands. Cortisol regulates blood sugar levels and helps the body manage stress. Your doctor...

Homocysteine is an amino acid and is produced in the human body or metabolized from eating proteins. Amino acids are a building block to proteins which are essential for bodily functions. The...

Abnormal levels of calcium, potassium and/or sodium have a variety of symptoms, causes and treatments. Their abnormal levels are often due to organ failures or medications. Change to a regular...

In order to live, every cell in your body needs oxygen to properly function. Oxygen is a critical nutrient and the body can die within six minutes without it. Any level below 88 percent is...

Crohn's Disease is a chronic condition known as inflammatory bowel disease. It causes inflammation and swelling of the gastrointestinal tract. One of the most common complications of Crohn's is...

Your body naturally produces triglycerides, a form of fat. Any calories consumed that are not used right away are converted to triglycerides and are stored in your fat cells. Hormones later...

Having low sodium levels in the blood is called hyponatremia, and it can lead a number of serious health issues if not treated. Sodium is an electrolyte and it helps the nerves and muscles to...

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), diabetes affects nearly 16 million people in the United States. When not properly managed, diabetes can...

A low sodium level in the body, also known as hyponatremia, has many causes and the consequences range from mild to severe. Hyponatremia is marked by an imbalance in the ratio of water to sodium,...

DHEA, or dehydroepiandrosterone, is produced by the adrenal glands. As you grow older, the production of DHEA decreases, usually in your mid-20s to early-30s. Sold as a supplement, many believe...

The pH level in your body is maintained by the food you eat. Acid is important to the body, as it helps digest food; but too much acid can simultaneously be harmful, as it can corrode your organs...

Ferritin is a protein complex which stores and contains iron as a nontoxic substance within the body. Low ferritin levels generally indicate that a patient has a minor iron deficiency. In severe...

Potassium is important for heart, muscle and nerve functions. It also helps regulate fluids in the body. Most people get adequate potassium when they eat a healthy, balanced diet. For those...

If you want to reduce your chances of having heart problems, you need to not only lower your bad cholesterol but also your triglycerides. Triglycerides are fatty deposits that form in your body,...

Insulin resistance is a condition in the body in which the cells become resistant to the effects of insulin, leading to a host of problems including fatigue, "brain fog," intestinal bloating,...

Chronically elevated blood glucose (sugar) levels can cause obesity and diabetesIf you have been diagnosed with high blood sugar, fear not, for this is a condition over which you have ample...

High triglyceride levels may be a harbinger of coronary artery disease, but such a diagnosis need not have you feeling as though the sword of Damocles is hanging over your head. The good news is...

High potassium levels in the body ("hyperkalemia") are most often due to the weakening of kidney function or persistent kidney failure. It is the kidneys' job to release potassium into your urine....

If you are suffering from a potassium deficiency or an abundance of potassium in your cells, you may be at risk for heart and blood disorders, depression, muscle weakness or tremors or kidney...

Bilirubin is a by-product of the process in which hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells is broken down. The liver is responsible for removing bilirubin in the blood, therefore when levels are...

High levels of protein in the blood can be a serious health concern due to the underlying conditions that may have created this abnormality. However, it should be noted that one thing that does...

Blood tests are done to check for pregnancy, diabetes, cholesterol and vitamin and mineral problems. Most blood tests do not need any preparation. For those that do, make sure the instructions...

High potassium levels in the blood is a condition also known as hyperkalemia. It can be fatal if left untreated. Potassium is normally found inside the cells but can move into the blood and build...