Healthier World with Quest Diagnostics

Whole exome sequencing (WES) is transforming the way genetic testing has moved from a research tool to an increasingly important first-line diagnostic test for many patients. In this episode, Rebecca Johnson Wheeler, MS, CGC and Steve Keiles, MS, CGC discuss how advances in WES, growing insurance coverage, and expanding clinical applications are helping patients get answers faster while improving...

In this special episode of Healthier World designed to give you Instant Insights, we take a look at primary aldosteronism (PA)- an often underdiagnosed, yet prevalent cause of hypertension. In this episode, we challenge traditional screening methods and introduce a streamlined diagnostic approach. By recognizing the signs of Primary Aldosteronism earlier, providers can improve patient outcomes and...

Millions of people with systemic autoimmune diseases face a long and frustrating journey to diagnosis, often lasting years. In this episode, Dr Maeson Latsko explores how to expand on the standard antinuclear antibody (ANA) test for autoimmune disease. While the ANA test is a critical starting point, a negative result doesn't rule out disease, and a positive result is not a definitive diagnosis. T...

The diagnostic landscape for rare disease is being reshaped by whole exome sequencing, which is increasingly used as a first-line test for cases involving unexplained developmental delay, epilepsy, or multisystem disease. In this episode, Rebecca Johnson Wheeler, MS, CGC, explores how whole exome sequencing and Quest Diagnostics genetic experts are transforming rare disease diagnosis by enabling e...

More than 80% of patients with celiac disease remain undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. In this episode, Maeson Latsko, PhD, explores the reasons for the diagnostic odyssey in celiac disease, from the disease’s wide range of symptoms to common pitfalls in testing. Celiac disease triggers a specific autoimmune response where the body attacks its own small intestines after gluten exposure, leading to mala...

More than 36 million Americans are living with type 2 diabetes, and an estimated 30%-50% of patients remain uncontrolled. In this episode, Maeson Latsko, PhD, explores an under-recognized contributor to difficult-to-control diabetes: hypercortisolism. Hypercortisolism disrupts glucose metabolism and insulin function, leading to elevated HbA1c that isn’t as responsive to traditional treatment. Prov...

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women globally, and Human papilloma virus (HPV) causes nearly all cases. Laboratory screening can detect infection or abnormal cells early, so clinicians can intervene before cancer develops. Screening options include Pap testing, HPV testing, and co-testing, and guidelines recommendation different combinations of these tests based on age and cli...

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major healthcare crisis, impacting about 35 million people in the US. In this episode, Maeson Latsko, PhD and Ines Dahne discuss end-stage kidney disease management in a nephrology setting, and how Quest Diagnostics is providing continuity of care for patients across primary care, nephrology, dialysis, hospitals, and transplant settings. This episode will Explain...

Approximately 55 million people have dementia. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia, impacting nearly 7 million Americans. Blood-based biomarkers such as the beta amyloid 42/40 ratio and phosphorylated tau (p-tau217) are now providing earlier and more accessible insights into Alzheimer's pathology. These markers help differentiate Alzheimer's from other dementias, support e...

Pharmacogenetics (PGx) testing is a field that can transform how clinicians select and dose medications by accounting for individual genetic variability in drug metabolism, transport, and response. In this episode, Maeson Latsko, PhD, and Kathleen O’Brien, CGC, DABMG, discuss the clinical utility of PGx testing and how providers can integrate it into routine care. This episode will Describe pharma...

In this special episode of Healthier World designed to give you Instant Insights, Dr Maeson Latsko discusses the critical role of inflammation in cardiovascular events, focusing on the importance of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels. Cardiovascular events often stem from the rupture of soft plaque, which is fueled by inflammation. Hs-CRP can be used to gauge cardiovascular risk, a...

Metabolic dysfunction is a common root cause of many cardiometabolic conditions that burden the healthcare system. This episode will address insulin resistance, a syndrome that underlies metabolic dysfunction, and how tools can catch risk early, allowing actions that may prevent and reverse the onset of chronic illness. Today’s episode is with Quest Diagnostics experts Kenneth French, Senior Clini...

 The holidays are a time of celebration, but they can also be a challenging time to maintain heart-healthy habits. In today’s episode, Maeson Latsko, PhD and Patty Bianchi, MS, RDN discuss how disrupted routines, rich foods, and elevated stress can impact well-being. We discuss realistic, evidence-based ways to enjoy the holidays while supporting cardiometabolic health. This episode will Discuss c...

Most people recognize that acute inflammation occurs when a person experiences a viral illness. However, many people are unaware that this inflammatory response can increase risk for cardiometabolic events. In this episode, Dr Marc Penn and Maeson Latsko, PhD, discuss how viral infections such as influenza and SARS-CoV-2 trigger inflammation, which can destabilize plaque, accelerate atherosclerosi...

Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease that remains underrecognized, especially in adults. Once thought of as a childhood condition, nearly half of new cases are now diagnosed in adulthood. T1D can lead to serious complications, including diabetic ketoacidosis, severe hypoglycemia, and eventually cardiometabolic disease. In today’s episode, Maeson Latsko, PhD and Franklin Warren discuss th...

In this special episode designed to give you Instant Insights, we explore how protein in the urine is a powerful marker for both kidney and cardiovascular health. We break down how albumin leaks into the urine when the kidney’s filtration barrier is damaged, review traditional cut points for albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR), and discuss emerging evidence showing that even “normal” or low-level a...

One in three adults worldwide are affected by fatty liver disease, and most are unaware that they have it. Today’s conversation between Andrew Hunt and Maeson Latsko, PhD will dive into Metabolic Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD), a new terminology that replaces NAFLD, emphasizing the close relationship with metabolic risk factors like obesity, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. We focus on the...

This special episode of Healthier World designed to give you Instant Insights discusses the importance of screening and managing fatty liver disease, a condition affecting 1 in 3 Americans and over 70% of patients with type 2 diabetes. The episode covers the transition from the term NAFLD to MASLD, discusses the AACE-recommended testing algorithm for MASLD using the fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) score and th...

Coronary calcium scores are highly utilized to spot hidden cardiovascular risk, and  new research suggests that timing is important. Today’s conversation between Maeson Latsko, PhD and Millicent Kee, MSN, FNP-BC will break down how timing plays a role in proper assessment of calcium scoring, and how biomarker testing such as Apolipoprotein B, Myeloperoxidase, Lp-PLA2, and hs-CRP can be paired with...

In this episode of Healthier World designed to give you instant insights, we introduce the Cleveland HeartLab and its role as a Center of Excellence for cardiometabolic, endocrine, and wellness testing at Quest Diagnostics. In this episode, Dr. Maeson Latsko hosts a segment featuring various leaders from Cleveland HeartLab and Quest Diagnostics, including Marc Penn, MD, PhD, Mouris Saghir, PhD, Ti...

Obesity affects over 40% of adults in the United States. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, a class of medications initially developed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, have shown significant efficacy in promoting weight loss and are increasingly prescribed for obesity management. In today’s episode, Millicent Kee, MSN, FNP-BC, Clinical and Education Specialist, and Patty Bianc...

In this special episode of Healthier World designed to give you Instant Insights, we review a panel that takes a deeper look at cardiovascular, renal, hepatic, endocrine, and metabolic health—a network of systems that work together to determine a person’s long-term health. Today we will break down what this panel includes and how it can help prevent the onset of chronic disease years before sympto...

In this special episode of Healthier World designed to give you Instant Insights, we explore a vascular-specific inflammatory marker that can indicate risk for cardiometabolic disease and all-cause mortality—myeloperoxidase. In this episode, we break down the biology and function of MPO, its contribution to vascular inflammation, and its potential as a biomarker of vulnerable soft plaque in the ar...

Inflammation plays a critical role in cardiometabolic diseases, but traditional risk markers like LDL-C and hs-CRP don’t tell the whole story. Myeloperoxidase (MPO), an enzyme linked to oxidative stress and immune activation, may offer a deeper look into hidden cardiovascular and metabolic risk. In this episode, Dr Marc Penn unpacks the new research examining the association between MPO and the ri...

In this special episode of Healthier World designed to give you Instant Insights, we dive into advanced lipid testing—going beyond a standard lipid panel. Today, we will explore two powerful tools used to look at lipoprotein fractionation: ion mobility and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). We will look at how these tests work and how they can uncover hidden risk for cardiovascular disease. This ep...