|
Lab Category |
What We Test |
Abnormal Results = Symptoms |
Mental Health Connection |
|
Iron Panel |
Iron, Ferritin, TIBC, Iron Saturation |
Too Low: Fatigue, anxiety, restless legs, brain fog, difficulty concentrating Too High: Rare, but can cause liver problems |
Iron deficiency anemia increases psychiatric disorder risk by 52%; iron supplementation reduces this risk⁶ |
|
B Vitamins |
B12, Folate |
Too Low: Depression, anxiety, memory problems, fatigue, irritability Too High: Generally well-tolerated |
B12 deficiency can mimic depression and dementia¹³ |
|
Thyroid |
TSH, T3, T4, Reverse T3, Antibodies |
Too Low (Hypo): Depression, brain fog, fatigue, anxiety, weight gain Too High (Hyper): Anxiety, panic, insomnia, racing thoughts, irritability |
Subclinical hypothyroidism occurs in 4-40% of patients with depression⁹ |
|
Vitamin D |
25-OH Vitamin D |
Too Low: Depression, anxiety, seasonal mood changes, fatigue Too High: Rare with normal intake |
Vitamin D supplementation shows modest benefit for depression, especially with adequate baseline levels³ |
|
Blood Sugar |
Glucose, HbA1c, Insulin |
Too Low: Brain fog, anxiety between meals, fatigue Too High: Mood swings, anxiety, panic attacks, brain fog |
Blood sugar dysregulation affects neurotransmitter function and mood stability¹⁶ |
|
Stress Hormones |
Cortisol, DHEA |
Too Low: Depression, fatigue, brain fog, low motivation Too High: Anxiety, insomnia, racing thoughts, panic |
Chronic stress hormones impair cognitive function and mood regulation¹¹ |
|
Sex Hormones |
Estrogen, Progesterone, Testosterone |
Abnormalities: Depression, anxiety, brain fog, mood swings, low motivation, irritability, insomnia, other |
Sex hormones influence neurotransmitter systems and stress responses¹ |
|
Inflammation |
CRP, ESR |
Elevated levels: Depression, brain fog, fatigue, mood instability, other |
Elevated CRP found in depression patients independent of other health factors¹⁷ |
|
Magnesium |
Serum/RBC Magnesium |
Too Low: Anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia, muscle tension, irritability Too High: Rare with normal intake |
Magnesium supplementation shows promise for reducing anxiety and stress symptoms⁵ |
|
Lipids |
Cholesterol, HDL, LDL, Triglycerides |
Abnormal levels: Can affect mood stability and cognitive function |
Cholesterol abnormalities associated with mood disorders¹⁵ |
|
Homocysteine |
Homocysteine |
Elevated levels: Depression, anxiety, cognitive decline, brain fog |
Elevated homocysteine linked to reduced neurotransmitter production⁸ |
|
Liver |
ALT, AST, GGT, Albumin |
Abnormal liver function: Can affect mood, cognition, and energy levels |
Liver function abnormalities more frequent in depression patients¹⁹ |
|
Kidneys |
Creatinine, BUN, eGFR, Cystatin C |
Impaired kidney function: Can cause fatigue, confusion, and mood changes |
Renal dysfunction more common in psychiatric populations¹⁹ |
|
Electrolytes |
Sodium, Potassium, Chloride |
Imbalanced levels: Confusion, fatigue, muscle weakness, mood changes |
Electrolyte imbalances directly affect nerve and brain function |
|
Blood Counts |
CBC with Differential |
Abnormal counts: Fatigue, weakness, poor concentration, increased infection risk |
Anemia and hematologic abnormalities more frequent in depression¹⁹ |