Lesson 1Complete blood count (CBC): components, clinical significance, and nutritional causes of abnormalitiesExplain CBC components an how dem relate to oxygen transport, immunity, an hemostasis. Connect anemia, macrocytosis, an cytopenias to iron, B12, folate, an protein status, while notin non-nutritional causes.
Red cell indices and anemia patternsWhite cell count and differential basicsPlatelets and links to nutritionIron, B12, and folate related changesNon-nutritional causes to considerLesson 2Thyroid function tests and other optional tests (TSH, free T4) relevant to weight gain and fatigueExplore thyroid physiology, key tests, an patterns linked to weight gain, fatigue, an cold intolerance. Emphasize when fi order TSH an free T4, optional markers, an how illness, drugs, an diet affect interpretation.
Thyroid physiology relevant to nutritionTSH and free T4: indications and limitsPatterns in hypothyroidism and subclinical diseaseDrug, illness, and assay interferencesWhen to refer for endocrine evaluationLesson 3Vitamin B12 and folate testing: serum B12, methylmalonic acid, homocysteine, and functional deficiency indicatorsExplore serum B12, folate, methylmalonic acid, an homocysteine as indicators of vitamin status an functional deficiency. Discuss neurologic risk, macrocytosis, an when fi suspect malabsorption or genetic variants.
B12 and folate absorption pathwaysSerum B12 and folate: pros and consMethylmalonic acid and homocysteine useMacrocytosis and neurologic symptomsTesting in vegans and bariatric patientsLesson 4Vitamin D testing: 25-hydroxyvitamin D interpretation and factors affecting levelsCover 25-hydroxyvitamin D as di preferred status marker, reference ranges, an clinical cutoffs. Review sun exposure, adiposity, malabsorption, an medications dat alter levels, plus testin frequency an safety limits.
Vitamin D metabolism and storageAssay types and common lab variabilityDeficiency, insufficiency, and toxicity rangesImpact of obesity, age, and skin pigmentationDrugs, malabsorption, and disease statesLesson 5Glucose-related tests: fasting glucose, HbA1c, oral glucose tolerance test — when to use each for insulin resistance and diabetes riskCompare fastin glucose, HbA1c, an oral glucose tolerance tests fi assessin glycemia, insulin resistance, an diabetes risk. Address preanalytical issues, diagnostic cutoffs, an how nutrition interventions alter results.
Glucose homeostasis and insulin actionFasting glucose: uses and limitationsHbA1c: advantages and confoundersOral glucose tolerance test indicationsUsing results to guide nutrition careLesson 6Micronutrient panels and targeted tests: magnesium, zinc, iron-binding capacity, RBC folate, and indications for orderingDiscuss when fi order individual micronutrient tests versus broad panels, focusin on magnesium, zinc, iron-bindin capacity, an RBC folate. Consider cost, clinical yield, an populations at higher deficiency risk.
Indications for targeted micronutrient testsSerum vs RBC magnesium and zincIron-binding capacity and transferrin useRBC folate vs serum folate selectionHigh-risk groups for deficienciesLesson 7Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP)/Basic metabolic panel: interpretation for nutrition (electrolytes, liver, kidney, albumin)Outline CMP an BMP components, emphasizin electrolytes, kidney an liver markers, an albumin. Show how hydration, protein intake, an liver or renal disease alter values an influence nutrition assessment decisions.
Electrolytes and acid–base cluesKidney markers: BUN, creatinine, eGFRLiver enzymes and cholestasis markersAlbumin and total protein limitationsHydration status and lab interpretationLesson 8Iron panel: serum iron, ferritin, transferrin/TSAT — physiology, diagnostic use, and limitations in inflammationDetail iron transport an storage, den link serum iron, ferritin, transferrin, an TSAT to deficiency an overload. Highlight inflammation, infection, an chronic disease as confounders an guide test selection in practice.
Iron absorption and transport overviewSerum iron, TIBC, and transferrin basicsFerritin and TSAT in deficiency diagnosisAnemia of chronic disease vs iron lackInterpreting iron tests during infectionLesson 9Inflammation and related markers: CRP, ESR and effects on nutrient biomarkers (eg ferritin)Describe CRP an ESR as markers of systemic inflammation an how dem influence nutrient biomarkers such as ferritin an albumin. Guide timin of testin, interpretation in chronic disease, an impact on nutrition plans.
CRP vs ESR: physiology and kineticsInflammation effects on ferritin and ironAlbumin, prealbumin, and acute phase shiftsInterpreting labs in chronic inflammationTiming tests around acute illnessLesson 10Lipid profile and advanced lipid testing: total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides, and non-HDL cholesterolReview standard lipid profile components an dem cardiovascular relevance, den introduce non-HDL cholesterol an selected advanced markers. Discuss how diet, weight, an metabolic syndrome shape lipid patterns an risk.
Total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglyceridesNon-HDL cholesterol and ApoB conceptsFasting vs nonfasting lipid measurementsDietary patterns and lipid responsesAdvanced tests: particle number and size
