SARAH THOMPSON | FUNCTIONAL MATERNITY - Pregnancy Lab Values

Antinuclear Antibodies (ANA)

12/2/2024

Antinuclear antibody (ANA) testing is used for evaluating autoimmune activity during pregnancy, as elevated ANA levels may increase the risk of complications. This article covers the role of ANA testing in pregnancy, reference ranges, and common causes of positive results to help guide clinical care and improve outcomes for both mother and baby.

C-Reactive Protein (CRP)

12/2/2024

C-reactive protein (CRP) testing is a marker for inflammation. Elevated CRP levels can indicate underlying conditions such as infection, chronic inflammation, or complications like preeclampsia. This article covers the significance of CRP testing in pregnancy, reference ranges, and the potential causes of elevated levels to aid in monitoring and optimizing maternal and fetal outcomes.

Homocysteine

12/2/2024

Homocysteine testing is an important marker for assessing methylation and cardiovascular health, particularly during pregnancy when elevated levels can signal nutrient deficiencies or increased risk of complications. This article examines the role of homocysteine testing in pregnancy, reference ranges, and the most common causes of elevated levels to guide better maternal and fetal health management.

Methylmalonic Acid (MMA)

12/2/2024

Methylmalonic acid (MMA) testing is a unique tool for assessing vitamin B12 status, particularly in pregnancy when deficiencies can have significant health implications. Elevated MMA levels often indicate functional B12 deficiency, even when serum B12 levels appear normal. This article discusses the role of MMA testing in pregnancy, its reference ranges, and common causes of elevated levels to support better maternal and fetal outcomes.

Cobalamin (Vitamin B12)

12/2/2024

Vitamin B12 testing currently not a part of routine prenatal care, but may be included. This nutrient is essential for red blood cell production, DNA synthesis, and fetal neurological development. Deficiency during pregnancy can lead to serious complications, including anemia and neural tube defects. This article covers the importance of B12 testing in pregnancy, reference ranges, and the most common causes of deficiency to help identify at-risk individuals.

Vitamin D, 25-Hydroxy

12/2/2024

Vitamin D testing is an important aspect of prenatal care, as adequate levels of this nutrient are essential for maternal bone health, immune function, and fetal development. However, controversy surrounds vitamin D testing in pregnancy due to inconsistent guidelines for optimal levels, variations in testing methods, and differing opinions on the necessity of supplementation. This article covers recommended testing practices and common causes of both high and low levels.

Progesterone

12/2/2024

The controversy surrounding progesterone testing in pregnancy stems from debates over its reliability, variability in reference ranges, and the clinical significance of low levels in predicting pregnancy outcomes. This article explores the importance of progesterone testing, optimal reference ranges, and why levels may be abnormal.

Urinary Iodine Clearance (UIC)

11/30/2024

The Urinary Iodine Clearance (UIC) test is the most commonly used lab analysis to assess iodine status. During pregnancy, this lab changes based on increased iodine clearance and may not be as accurate in determining iodine function. In this article, I'll cover the UIC test, how pregnancy physiology changes this test, and common reasons for discrepancies.

Serum Iodine

11/29/2024

Serum iodine testing evaluates iodine status during pregnancy. Iodine deficiency can lead to complications such as hypothyroidism and impaired neurodevelopment. This article explores the importance of serum iodine testing, recommended reference ranges, and common causes of deficiencies.

Thyroid Receptor Antibodies (TRAb)

11/29/2024

Thyroid receptor antibody (TRAb) testing is a tool for monitoring thyroid function in pregnancy, especially in cases of autoimmune thyroid disorders like Graves’ disease. Elevated TRAb levels can affect maternal and fetal health, making early detection and management crucial. This article will discuss TRAb reference ranges, the implications of elevated levels, and how these antibodies influence pregnancy outcomes.