Metformin Treatment Lab Panel LabCorp
This panel is to evaluate a patient’s suitability for Metformin, a medication used to help treat Type II Diabetes and control blood sugar.
What is this test?
The Metformin Treatment Panel evaluates several health markers to determine whether Metformin is a suitable treatment option. Metformin is an oral medication that can be used along with diet and exercise to control blood sugar in patients with Type II Diabetes. When used appropriately under the guidance of a physician, Metformin has been shown to help improve insulin sensitivity, endothelial dysfunction, liver function, cardiovascular protection, lipid control, weight reduction, and decrease inflammation.
Tests in this panel include:
- Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP-14) – This panel is a general health screening that gives a complete picture of metabolic health.
- Complete Blood Count (CBC) — This panel is another standard screening tool that measures certain blood factors to evaluate overall health. Aspects of the blood that are measured include white blood cell count, red blood cell count, platelets, and more.
- Hemoglobin A1C – This test is very important in the management of Diabetes because it offers insight into glucose levels. Maintaining normal glucose levels in the body can help people with diabetes avoid the most damaging symptoms and risks associated with the disease.
- Fasting Insulin Test – this test measures the amount of insulin in the blood, which is a hormone that transports glucose into the body’s cells for energy. With Type II Diabetes, the body becomes resistant to insulin’s effects, which leads to more production of insulin to remove glucose from the blood for energy. This in turn leads to many negative effects of diabetes, including hyperinsulinemia.
- Vitamin B12 Test – Vitamin B12 helps maintain a healthy metabolism and steady energy levels, along with elevating mood and helping the body regulate stress. Metformin can decrease Vitamin B12 levels, which is why it’s an important factor to monitor when on a Metformin diabetes management protocol.
Who is this test for?
If you have been diagnosed with Type II Diabetes and have considered Metformin as a form of treatment, this test can help identify your suitability for a Metformin protocol. This test can also measure the progress of your Metformin protocol if you have already begun treatment.
