Blautia hydrogenotrophica is a beneficial bacterial species within the Blautia genus, commonly found in the human gut microbiome. It plays an important role in breaking down dietary carbohydrates and fermentable fibers to produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), especially acetate and precursors for butyrate, which help support intestinal health, balanced immunity, and metabolic function.

This species is known for its hydrogen-utilizing metabolism. By consuming hydrogen produced by other gut microbes, B. hydrogenotrophica helps maintain a stable microbial ecosystem and promotes efficient fermentation pathways. Balanced levels support:

• Healthy bowel motility
• Intestinal barrier protection
• Lower intestinal inflammation
• Energy production for gut cells
• Balanced gut pH
• Microbial diversity and ecosystem stability

A well-represented B. hydrogenotrophica population is often seen in individuals consuming a high-fiber, plant-rich diet, particularly those with diverse fermentable carbohydrates.

What does this marker measure?
The Blood-Brain Barrier Protein IgG + IgA marker assesses whether your immune system is producing antibodies (IgG and IgA) against specific structural proteins that make up the blood-brain barrier.

• IgG antibodies reflect systemic or long-term immune responses.

• IgA antibodies reflect mucosal or surface-level immune activity, often originating in barrier tissues such as the gut, lung, or brain lining.

Elevated levels of these antibodies suggest that the immune system has been exposed to and is reacting against blood-brain barrier proteins, which typically should be hidden from immune surveillance. This is a strong indication of BBB disruption, either past or ongoing.

What Does This Marker Measure?
The Blood-Brain Barrier Protein IgM marker detects IgM-class antibodies against structural proteins of the blood-brain barrier. This test specifically measures the immune system’s early-stage response to damage or dysfunction in the BBB.

• IgM is the first antibody type produced in an immune response.

• It typically reflects acute or recent immune activation, often in response to new or ongoing tissue damage.

• In the context of the BBB, IgM antibodies suggest that the immune system has been recently exposed to normally hidden proteins from the brain’s protective lining—indicating a possible breach or compromise in the barrier.

Blood Donation History records when you have donated blood and the type of donation performed. Keeping track of your donations helps you monitor how often you give blood and follow recommended intervals between donations.

Blood donation is a safe medical procedure that allows healthy individuals to donate blood for patients who need transfusions during surgery, trauma care, cancer treatment, or other medical conditions. A single donation can help multiple patients because donated blood is often separated into components such as red blood cells, plasma, and platelets.

Recording your blood donation history can also provide helpful context for understanding changes in certain blood biomarkers, including hemoglobin, hematocrit, red blood cells, and ferritin (iron stores). These values may temporarily decrease after donation while the body replenishes lost blood components.

Tracking your donation history alongside your lab results can help you understand how your body responds to blood donation and ensure that you maintain healthy blood levels between donations.

BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen) measures how much nitrogen from protein breakdown remains in the blood — an indirect measure of how well the kidneys are filtering waste. It is part of every Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) and Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP). The normal range is approximately 7–20 mg/dL in adults, though some labs use 6–24 mg/dL. High BUN most commonly reflects dehydration, high protein intake, or reduced kidney blood flow. Low BUN may indicate liver disease, malnutrition, or overhydration. BUN is always interpreted alongside creatinine and eGFR for a complete picture of kidney health.

The blood brain barrier (BBB) is a physical barrier formed by the arrangement of endothelial cells and tight junctions that line the capillaries which supply blood to the brain. The tissue proteins of the BBB are also present in the enteric nervous system (ENS). The complex ENS network resides in the wall of the gastrointestinal tract, the myenteric plexus and the submucosal plexus.

The ENS controls aspects of gut function, including motility, microvascular circulation, epithelial secretion of fluid, ions and bioactive peptides and intestinal barrier function.

Associated With: Individuals training for professional sports (saliva), Inflammatory bowel disease (saliva), Traumatic brain injury (serum)

The Blueberry marker measures IgG antibodies to proteins found in blueberries. Results are reported as none detected, very low, low, moderate, or high. These levels reflect immune exposure and recognition rather than a true fruit allergy. Interpreting the result alongside symptoms and dietary habits can help determine whether blueberries may be contributing to delayed digestive, skin, or inflammatory symptoms.

BMI Categories:
Underweight = <18.5
Normal weight = 18.5–24.9
Overweight = 25–29.9
Obesity = BMI of 30 or greater

Tracking body weight over time is crucial for maintaining and improving health for several reasons.

Firstly, it allows for the early detection of unhealthy trends, such as rapid weight gain or loss, which can be indicators of underlying health issues like hormonal imbalances, metabolic disorders, or nutritional deficiencies. Regular monitoring helps in maintaining a healthy weight, a key factor in preventing chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers.

Additionally, it enables individuals to assess the effectiveness of their dietary and exercise regimes, guiding necessary adjustments for achieving personal health goals. This tracking also provides motivational feedback, as visible changes in weight can reinforce healthy lifestyle choices.

Furthermore, it aids healthcare professionals in making informed decisions about a patient's health and in customizing treatment plans. In essence, regular weight tracking is a simple yet powerful tool for promoting long-term health and well-being.

The Bone Fraction on Labcorp's Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) Isoenzyme Panel represents the portion of alkaline phosphatase originating from bone tissue. Elevated levels of the bone fraction may indicate conditions such as Paget's disease, osteomalacia, or bone metastases, which involve increased bone turnover. This isoenzyme is specifically measured to differentiate the source of elevated ALP levels, allowing healthcare providers to pinpoint bone-related disorders. The ALP isoenzyme panel utilizes electrophoresis or other advanced techniques to separate and identify different ALP isoenzymes, providing valuable insights into bone health. By evaluating the bone fraction, clinicians can accurately diagnose bone diseases and guide appropriate treatment.

Bone isoenzymes, specifically bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BSAP), are important biomarkers used to assess bone metabolism and turnover. These enzymes play a crucial role in bone formation and mineralization processes.

Bone isoenzymes are a subset of alkaline phosphatases (ALP), which are hydrolytic enzymes that function in an alkaline environment. They are primarily produced by osteoblasts, the cells responsible for bone formation, and are present in the plasma membrane of these cells. The main function of bone isoenzymes is to hydrolyze phosphates, which are then used in the formation of proteins, nucleotides, and the mineralization of bone.

Bordetella pertussis causes whooping cough, a worldwide infectious disease that is transmitted from person to person by droplet infection. Especially children at the age of 0-4 years are affected, and the mortality of infected infants is high.

Bordetella pertussis is the bacterium responsible for causing whooping cough, a highly contagious respiratory illness. The Bordetella pertussis toxin (PT) IgG antibody test is an immunoassay (IA) designed to detect the presence of IgG antibodies against the pertussis toxin. These antibodies are produced by the immune system in response to an infection with Bordetella pertussis or, in some cases, following vaccination.

The presence of IgG antibodies to the pertussis toxin can indicate either a past infection with Bordetella pertussis or a response to a recent vaccination, as the pertussis vaccine (DTP or DTaP) contains inactivated components of the toxin. This marker is particularly useful for diagnosing recent or past infections, as well as for assessing immunity in individuals who may have been vaccinated or exposed to the bacteria.