Along with Fitness Assessments, the CFW also offers bloodwork on-site for blood lipids (i.e. total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides), and fasted glucose.  This assessment is done using the Cholestech LDX system.  Our staff will collect 40μL of blood via fingerstick. This assessment does not require a full venous blood draw.

The lipid and glucose panel includes:

• Total Cholesterol – Total cholesterol includes your LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and other blood lipids. Cholesterol is NOT bad for you.  Cholesterol is a sterol, or a type of lipid (fat), that naturally occurs in animals.  Cholesterol is necessary for a number of important functions our body and is influenced by genetics, diet, and physical activity.  For many years, dietary cholesterol was considered evil, through recent evidence and revisions to FDA guidelines have concluded that high levels of processed food consumption, saturated fat, and physical inactivity play a much larger roll in blood cholesterol levels than dietary cholesterol consumption.  Elevated blood cholesterol (hyperlipidemia) has been linked to a number of chronic conditions, most notably heart disease.
• High-density Lipoprotein – High Density Lipoproteins transport lipids and other substances from our periphery back to our liver, keeping our arteries healthy and clear.  HDL, or “HDL Cholesterol,” is like the street sweeper of our arteries.  The more street sweepers a town has, the cleaner the streets; the more HDL our body has, the cleaner our arteries.  HDL levels above 60 are considered a negative risk factor, or protective against heart disease.  Regular exercise has been shown to raise HDL levels by 15-20%.
• Low-density Lipoprotein – If HDL is your body’s street sweeper, LDL is the car driving around throwing litter out the window.  As Low Density Lipoproteins, sometimes called LDL Cholesterol, travel through your bloodstream they tend to deposit lipids and other substances on our artery walls.  Elevated LDL levels have been linked – in general – to fatty deposits, arterial plaque buildup, and the development of atherosclerosis.  Like almost every other bad thing in our bodies, exercise can significantly improve LDL and reduce one’s risk of negative health outcomes.
• Triglycerides – Triglycerides are essentially the fat in our blood used for energy.  Like Cholesterol, Fat is not bad for you.  Unfortunately, like Cholesterol, fat has gotten a bad reputation over the years.  Fat is a key fuel source for our bodies, and including good sources of fat in our diet is key to good health and performance.  While fat can be good for you, elevated levels of blood triglycerides can indicate a higher risk for chronic conditions, like heart disease.  Triglyceride levels can fluctuate day-to-day based on diet, physical activity, and alcohol consumption.  Regular exercise and a balanced diet help maintain healthy triglyceride levels.
• Fasting Glucose – Glucose, or blood sugar, is related to diabetes risk.  Glucose is a simple sugar (“monosaccharide”) that is the primary energy source in our bodies, and is stored by our muscle and liver cells in long chains called glycogen.  When we consume carbohydrates our blood sugar rises.  This triggers our pancreas to release the hormone insulin, which signals our muscle and liver cells to start absorbing blood sugar to be used for fuel.  Excessive consumption of carbohydrates, along with physical inactivity, can lead to chronically elevated blood sugar.  Over time, this leads to pancreatic fatigue and insulin resistance, and eventually Type 2 diabetes.  In a fasted state, our body should be able to mobilize enough glucose and glycogen to keep our blood sugar levels stable without crashing or spiking.  Physical activity primarily burns glucose for fuel, and as a result regular exercise is one of the best ways to maintain healthy blood sugar control and reduce diabetes risk.  In fact, regular exercise has been shown to reduce Type 2 Diabetes risk by ~60%!

After your test a staff member will review your results with you. We may also complete a report for your health care practitioner upon request.

Before Your Test

Please adhere to the following guidelines to ensure your safety and the accuracy of your results. Failure to do so will result in your assessment being rescheduled.

• For accurate results you must be fasted for 8-12 hours prior to your blood test. This means no food or liquids other than water.
• Take all prescribed medication as instructed by your health care practitioner.
• Do not exercise 12 hours prior to your blood test.
• Do not consume alcohol within 24 hours of your blood test.
• Bring a snack with you, as you will be able to eat once your test is complete.

 

To create your profile and schedule your assessment, click HERE.

 

Services for Fee (Non-Academic)
Service	Description	Fee
Blood Lipid/Glucose Test	Finger stick test	$29.46

 

The Center for Fitness and Wellness accepts credit/debit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay.  We do not accept Lion Cash, check, money order, or cash.