Topic
Labs
Labs is a recurring research topic on Health Canon. This hub collects related explainers and protocols, newest first, each with evidence grades and practical decision frameworks.
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Environmental Health
Parasite Test Types, Explained (2026)
Stool O&P, antigen/PCR panels, blood tests by parasite—clinician-ordered, exposure-matched; no cleanse kits.
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Metabolic Health
Screening for Iron Overload: Step by Step (2026)
Ferritin+TSAT sequence, inflammation context, HFE when indicated—screen without portal panic.
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Hormones & Genes
When MTHFR-Related Testing Means Phenotype or Rare Disease
Common SNPs are not IEM workups. Measure homocysteine and standard labs for phenotype; reserve rare severe MTHFR deficiency testing for true inborn-error presentations—not wellness panels.
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Metabolic Health
TSAT and Iron Panel Algorithm for Hemochromatosis Screening
AASLD uses TSAT ≥45% as the sensitive phenotypic trigger (detects ~98–100% of C282Y homozygotes). Pair with ferritin, then HFE genotyping—do not use TSAT alone as phlebotomy endpoint.
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Metabolic Health
Ferritin Interpretation with Inflammation: Iron Overload Context
Ferritin rises as an acute-phase reactant. Pair with TSAT, sex-specific cutoffs, and the 1000 µg/L fibrosis node in HFE disease—never read ferritin alone during illness.
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Metabolic Health
The Health-Optimization Lab Panel Worth Requesting (2026)
A1C/glucose, lipids/ApoB, iron studies, TSH context, kidney/liver basics, and inflammation—ordered with interpretation plans.
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Metabolic Health
Insulin and Glucose Lab Targets, Explained (2026)
What fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, A1C, and glucose actually mean—and which targets are guidelines vs internet folklore.
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Metabolic Health
Hemochromatosis: The Action Steps (2026)
Confirm iron panels, pursue specialist pathways when indicated, and skip unguided phlebotomy or detox kits.
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Nutrition
Animal-Based Micronutrients: Adequacy Wins, Toxicity Ceilings, and Electrolytes
Meat covers B12/zinc/heme iron well; strict carnivore risks C/Mg/K/iodine gaps. Organs fix gaps and create retinol/iron/copper excess risk. Fruit upgrades C.
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Metabolic Health
Reading an Iron Panel: Step by Step (2026)
Read ferritin with TSAT, separate inflammation from overload, know when HFE genetics help, and avoid ferritin-only panic.
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Environmental Health
Parasite Diagnosis: O&P, Antigen, PCR, and Serology
Method must match the organism. One routine O&P does not rule out Crypto or pinworm.
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Metabolic Health
High Ferritin Without Iron Overload: Inflammation, NAFLD, and Other Mimics
Ferritin is an acute-phase reactant. High values ≠ automatic hemochromatosis.
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Metabolic Health
hs-CRP and IL-6: Inflammation Markers Without Allergy Confusion
hs-CRP stratifies residual CV inflammatory risk. It does not diagnose food allergy or MCAS.
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Hormones & Genes
Homocysteine, MTHFR, and When the Lab Phenotype Matters
Homocysteine is the actionable phenotype more often than a C677T sticker.
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Metabolic Health
Hemochromatosis Phlebotomy Protocol: Induction and Maintenance Targets
Weekly units until ferritin 50–100 µg/L, then personalized maintenance—first-line for HFE overload.
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Metabolic Health
Diabetes Diagnostic Criteria: FPG, OGTT, and HbA1c Explained
ADA cut points define dysglycemia categories—not HOMA-IR and not one restaurant spike.
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Metabolic Health
The Metabolic Labs Worth Requesting (2026)
Decision-grade lab roundup: glycemic criteria, HOMA-IR context, ApoB, iron studies, hs-CRP, and foundational CMP/TSH—without wellness panel maximalism.
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Metabolic Health
HOMA-IR Explained: Formula, Cutoffs, and What It Is Not
(Fasting insulin × fasting glucose) / 405 in mg/dL units. Useful IR surrogate—not an ADA diabetes diagnostic criterion.
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Metabolic Health
Hemochromatosis Labs: Ferritin, TSAT, and the Testing Algorithm
AASLD-style path: TSAT ≥45% and/or high ferritin → HFE genotyping. Ferritin >1000 µg/L flags fibrosis risk; phlebotomy targets 50–100.
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