Healthier World with Quest Diagnostics

Instant insights: hs-CRP in cardiovascular risk (7 min)

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, above even when LDL-C is considered normal. Hs-CRP should be thought of as a red flag for chronic conditions that increase risk for CVD, such as metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and hypertension, emphasizing the importance of addressing inflammation to prevent heart attacks and strokes.
This episode will
Differentiate hs-CRP from general CRP levels in the context of acute and chronic inflammation (1:10)
Introduce hs-CRP as a critical biomarker for assessing cardiovascular risk (1:50)
Highlight the integration of hs-CRP into cardiovascular prevention guidelines (5:00)
To learn more, please review the additional resources below for information on our cardiovascular, metabolic, endocrine, and wellness offerings as well as educational resources and insights from our team of experts. At Quest Diagnostics, we are committed to providing you with results and insights to support your clinical decisions.
Date: 1/2026
Speaker(s):  Maeson Latsko, PhD
Contributor(s): Maeson Latsko, PhD; Trisha Winchester, PhD; Millicent Kee, MSN, FNP-BC; Mouris Saghir, PhD 
 
Additional Resources:
Quest Diagnostics Clinical Education Center [Link]
Test summary: hs-CRP
Ordering information:
Hs-CRP | Test Detail | Quest Diagnostics
 
References:  
Ridker PM, Everett BM, Thuren T, et al. Antiinflammatory therapy with canakinumab for atherosclerotic disease. N Engl J Med. 2017;377 (12):1119-1131. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1707914
Singh TP, Morris DR, Smith S, et al. Systematic review and meta-analysis of the association between C-reactive protein and major cardiovascular events in patients with peripheral artery disease. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg. 2017;54 (2):220-233. doi:10.1016/j.ejvs.2017.05.009
Jellinger PS, Handelsman Y, Rosenblit PD, et al. American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and American College of Endocrinology guidelines for management of dyslipidemia and prevention of cardiovascular disease. Endocr Pract. 2017;23 (suppl 2):1-87. doi:10.4158/EP171764.APPGL
US Preventive Services Task Force. Risk assessment for cardiovascular disease with nontraditional risk factors: US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement. JAMA. 2018;320 (3):272-280. doi:10.1001/jama.2018.8359
Grundy SM, Stone NJ, Bailey AL, et al. 2018 AHA/ACC/AACVPR/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/ ADA/AGS/APhA/ASPC/NLA/PCNA guideline on the management of blood cholesterol: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines. Circulation. 2019;139 (25):e1082-e1143. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000000625
Ridker PM, Bhatt DL, Pradhan AD, et al. Inflammation and cholesterol as predictors of cardiovascular events among patients receiving statin therapy: a collaborative analysis of three randomised trials. Lancet. 2023;401(10384):1293-1301. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(23)00215-5
Alam M, Kontopantelis E, Mamas MA, et al. Meta-analysis of the effect of colchicine on C-reactive protein in patients with acute and chronic coronary syndromes. Coron Artery Dis. 2023;34(3):210-215. doi:10.1097/MCA.0000000000001220
Pearson TA, Mensah GA, Alexander RW, et al. Markers of inflammation and cardiovascular disease: application to clinical and public health practice: a statement for healthcare professionals from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2003;107 (3):499-511. doi:10.1161/01.cir.0000052939.59093.45
 

Encore episode: The insulin resistance revolution (17 min)

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 Clinical Consultant, and Maeson Latsko, PhD, Clinical and Education Specialist. 
This episode will
Identify how early identification of insulin resistance can prevent the rise in metabolic dysfunction and Type II Diabetes (3:00)
Describe the insulin resistance panel with score (8:11) 
Elucidate how identifying insulin resistance can prevent other chronic illness, such as liver related disorders and kidney disease (12:41) 
The content was current as of the time of recording. To learn more, please review the additional resources below for information on our cardiovascular, metabolic, endocrine, and wellness offerings as well as educational resources and insights from our team of experts. At Quest Diagnostics, we are committed to providing you with results and insights to support your clinical decisions.
 
Date: 09/2024
Speaker(s): Kenneth French; Maeson Latsko, PhD
Contributor(s): Maeson Latsko, PhD; Trisha Winchester, PhD; Kenneth French
 
Additional Resources:
Podcast: Action from Insight: Tackling Insulin Resistance (18 min)
Webinar: Early Identification of Type 2 Diabetes Risk for the Primary Care Setting
Ordering information:
Insulin Resistance Panel with Score | Test Detail | Quest Diagnostics
Insulin Resistance Panel with Score | Test Summary | Quest Diagnostics
 
 
 
 
References:
Ward ZJ, Bleich SN, Cradock AL, et al. Projected U.S. State-Level Prevalence of Adult Obesity and Severe Obesity. N Engl J Med. 2019;381(25):2440-2450. doi:10.1056/NEJMsa1909301
Abbasi F, Shiffman D, Tong CH, et al. Insulin resistance probability scores for apparently healthy individuals. J Endocr Soc. 2018;2(9):1050-1057. doi:10.1210/js.2018-00107
Bril F, McPhaul MJ, Kalavalapalli S, et al. Intact fasting insulin identifies nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in patients without diabetes. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2021;106(11):e4360-e4371. doi:10.1210/clinem/dgab417
Healy, M. By 2030, nearly half of all U.S. adults will be obese, experts predict. New York Times. https://www.latimes.com/science/story/2019-12-18/nearly-half-of-us-adults-will-be-obese-by-2030
Khan RMM, Chua ZJY, Tan JC, et al. From Pre-Diabetes to Diabetes: Diagnosis, Treatments and Translational Research. Medicina (Kaunas). 2019;55(9):546. doi:10.3390/medicina55090546

Actions from insight: Spotlight on healthy holidays (24 min)

 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 common challenges faced during the holiday season (2:15)
Review ways to avoid holiday weight gain (5:42)
Provide practical tips to enjoy the holiday season while supporting your physical health, mental health and well-being (15:10)
 
To learn more, please review the additional resources below for information on our cardiovascular, metabolic, endocrine, and wellness offerings as well as educational resources and insights from our team of experts. At Quest Diagnostics, we are committed to providing you with results and insights to support your clinical decisions.
Date: December 2025
Speaker(s):  Maeson Latsko, PhD; Patty Bianchi, MS, RDN
Contributor(s): Maeson Latsko, PhD; Patty Bianchi, MS, RDN; Trisha Winchester, PhD; Millicent Kee, MSN, FNP-BC
 
Additional Resources
Quest Diagnostics Clinical Education Center [Link]

Viral infections and cardiometabolic complications (12 min)

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 atherosclerosis, and increase the likelihood of cardiovascular events. A cardiometabolic risk assessment is an essential tool to reduce cardiovascular events linked to viral illnesses.
This episode will
Explain how acute and chronic viral illness increase cardiovascular risk and how vaccinations and infection prevention strategies are key for lowering viral-related cardiovascular complications (1:00)
Highlight how metabolic dysfunction such as insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, obesity, and MASLD amplifies the cardiovascular impact of viral infections (7:00)
Demonstrate how noninvasive screening tools such as the FIB-4, hs-CRP, and ApoB help identify high-risk patients (9:00)
To learn more, please review the additional resources below for information on our cardiovascular, metabolic, endocrine, and wellness offerings as well as educational resources and insights from our team of experts. At Quest Diagnostics, we are committed to providing you with results and insights to support your clinical decisions.
Date: December 2025
Speaker(s):  Maeson Latsko, PhD; Marc Penn, MD
Contributor(s): Maeson Latsko, PhD; Trisha Winchester, PhD; Millicent Kee, MSN, FNP-BC
 
Additional Resources
Quest Diagnostics Clinical Education Center [Link]
Website: Cardiometabolic disease | Quest Diagnostics
Ordering information:
Cardiometabolic Disease Assessment (CMDA) Panel
References:  
Kawai K, Muhere CF, Lemos EV, Francis JM. Viral infections and risk of cardiovascular disease: Systematic review and meta-analysis. J Am Heart Assoc. 2025;14(21):e042670. doi:10.1161/JAHA.125.042670
Kobayashi E, Linden-Santangeli NJ, Chan N, et al. Longitudinal metabolic trajectories in diabetes prevention program participants reveal subgroups with varying micro- and macrovascular complication risks. Diabetes Care. 2025;48(10):1704-1712. doi:10.2337/dc25-0866

Type 1 Diabetes: From autoimmune origin to cardiometabolic consequences (15 min)

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 the T1D screening recommendation by the American diabetes Association and how this guidance gives physicians the opportunity to provide more timely, effective interventions, increasing the possibility of preventing complications.
This episode will
Outline what T1D is and the prevalence of T1D in both children and adults (2:00)
Recognize the risk and complications associated with delayed or missed diagnosis, including diabetic ketoacidosis and long-term organ damage (6:20)
Review the latest ADA recommendations for screening and early detection of T1D (8:00)
To learn more, please review the additional resources below for information on our cardiovascular, metabolic, endocrine, and wellness offerings as well as educational resources and insights from our team of experts. At Quest Diagnostics, we are committed to providing you with results and insights to support your clinical decisions.
Date: November 2025
Speaker(s):  Maeson Latsko, PhD; Franklin Warren
Contributor(s): Maeson Latsko, PhD; Franklin Warren; Trisha Winchester, PhD; Millicent Kee, MSN, FNP-BC
 
Additional Resources
Quest Diagnostics Clinical Education Center [Link]
T1D Autoantibody Panel Overview
T1D Autoantibody Panel Test Summary
FAQ: Autoantibodies and Type 1 Diabetes (T1D)
Staging presymptomatic patients using Diabetes Type 1 Autoantibody Panel
 
Ordering information:
Diabetes Type 1 Autoantibody Panel | Test Detail | Quest Diagnostics
 
References:  
Smith R, Eisenberg S, Turner-Pfifer A, et al. We are on the verge of breakthrough cures for Type 1 Diabetes, but who are the 2 million Americans who have it? J Health Econ Outcomes Res. 2024;11(2):145-153. doi:10.36469/001c.124604
Leslie RD, Evans-Molina C, Freund-Brown J, et al. Adult-onset Type 1 Diabetes: Current understanding and challenges. Diabetes Care. 2021;44(11):2449-2456. doi:10.2337/dc21-0770
American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee. 2. Diagnosis and classification of Diabetes: Standards of care in diabetes-2025. Diabetes Care. 2025;48(1 Suppl 1):S27-S49. doi:10.2337/dc25-S002
Roche EF, Menon A, Gill D, Hoey H. Clinical presentation of Type 1 Diabetes. Pediatr Diabetes. 2005;6(2):75-78. doi:10.1111/j.1399-543X.2005.00110.x
Phillip M, Achenbach P, Addala A, et al. Consensus guidance for monitoring individuals with islet autoantibody-positive pre-stage 3 Type 1 Diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2024;47(8):1276-1298. doi:10.2337/dci24-0042
Krishnan S, Short KR. Prevalence and significance of cardiometabolic risk factors in children with Type 1 Diabetes. J Cardiometab Syndr. 2009;4(1):50-56. doi:10.1111/j.1559-4572.2008.00034.x
Type 1 Diabetes Complications - Breakthrough T1D (https://www.breakthrought1d.org/t1d-resources/complications/) Accessed 10.28.2025

Instant insights: Albuminuria (6 min)

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 albuminuria predicts vascular dysfunction, chronic kidney disease progression, and increased cardiovascular risk.
This episode will
Explain how albumin appears in the urine and what this indicates about kidney damage (1:00)
Discussed different nomenclature used for albuminuria (1:45)
Interpret the clinical significance of uACR values (2:15)
Describe why albumin levels in the upper end of the normal range may still represent vascular or renal dysfunction (3:00)
Recognize that any degree of proteinuria signals increased risk for chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular events (4:30)
 
To learn more, please review the additional resources below for information on our cardiovascular, metabolic, endocrine, and wellness offerings as well as educational resources and insights from our team of experts. At Quest Diagnostics, we are committed to providing you with results and insights to support your clinical decisions.
Date: 11/2025
Speaker(s):  Maeson Latsko, PhD
Contributor(s): Maeson Latsko, PhD; Trisha Winchester, PhD, Millicent Kee, MSN, FNP-BC, Nathan Adamo
 
 
Additional Resources
 
Quest Diagnostics Clinical Education Center [Link] 
  
Ordering information: 
Albumin, Random Urine with Creatinine
Kidney Profile
 
References:  
Verma A, Schmidt IM, Claudel S, Palsson R, Waikar SS, Srivastava A. Association of Albuminuria With Chronic Kidney Disease Progression in Persons With Chronic Kidney Disease and Normoalbuminuria : A Cohort Study. Ann Intern Med. 2024 Apr;177(4):467-475. doi: 10.7326/M23-2814. Epub 2024 Apr 2. PMID: 38560911; PMCID: PMC12124184

Noninvasive biomarkers for MASLD: FIB4 and ELF (16 min)

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 importance of identifying patients at risk for advanced fibrosis early—before irreversible liver damage occurs. A key tool in this early identification is the use of a fibrosis 4 (FIB-4) score, which is a noninvasive blood-based biomarker that uses age, AST, ALT, and platelet count to estimate fibrosis risk and guide next steps in management. We discuss follow-up testing for some at-risk patients using the Enhanced Liver Fibrosis (ELF) test and the need for continued monitoring  of comorbid cardiometabolic conditions.
This episode will
Explain the shift in terminology from NAFLD to MASLD (4:00)
Highlight the importance of early identification of fatty liver disease using the FIB-4 score (5:45)
Outline appropriate follow-up testing, including the use of the ELF test to assess liver fibrosis (9:00)
Explore the link between MASLD and other cardiometabolic conditions (12:10)
 
To learn more, please review the additional resources below for information on our cardiovascular, metabolic, endocrine, and wellness offerings as well as educational resources and insights from our team of experts. At Quest Diagnostics, we are committed to providing you with results and insights to support your clinical decisions.
Date: 10/2025
Speaker(s):  Andrew Hunt; Maeson Latsko, PhD
Contributor(s): Maeson Latsko, PhD; Andrew Hunt; Trisha Winchester, PhD, Millicent Kee, MSN, FNP-BC
 
 
Additional Resources
 
Quest Diagnostics Clinical Education Center [Link] 
ELF test detail 
FIB4 test summary 
2022 AACE algorithm for fatty liver assessment  
Ordering information: 
CMP + Fib4 
Enhanced Liver Fibrosis Score 
 
References:  
Ciardullo S, Vergani M, Perseghin G. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in patients with type 2 diabetes: Screening, diagnosis, and treatment. J Clin Med. 2023;12(17):5597. doi:10.3390/jcm12175597 
Rinella ME, Neuschwander-Tetri BA, Siddiqui MS, et al. AASLD Practice Guidance on the clinical assessment and management of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Hepatology. 2023;77(5):1797-1835. doi:10.1097/HEP.0000000000000323 
Cusi K, Isaacs S, Barb D, et al. American Association of Clinical Endocrinology Clinical Practice Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Primary Care and Endocrinology Clinical Settings: Co-Sponsored by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD). Endocr Pract. 2022;28(5):528-562. doi:10.1016/j.eprac.2022.03.010 
Stern C, Castera L. Identification of high-risk subjects in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Clin Mol Hepatol. 2023;29(Suppl):S196-S206. doi:10.3350/cmh.2022.0431 

Instant Insights: Decoding MASLD (7 min)

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 the enhanced liver fibrosis (ELF) and highlights the importance of early identification and intervention for proper management of underlying metabolic conditions.
This episode will
Review the implications of the shift in terminology from NAFLD to MASLD (1:00)
Discuss the progression of MASLD (1:25)
Walk through the testing algorithm for MASLD, starting with the first-line screening assessment using the FIB-4 and when the follow up with the ELF score is recommended (2:30)
Highlight the importance of early identification and prevention in managing MASLD and comorbid cardiometabolic conditions (5:45)
To learn more, please review the additional resources below for information on our cardiovascular, metabolic, endocrine, and wellness offerings as well as educational resources and insights from our team of experts. At Quest Diagnostics, we are committed to providing you with results and insights to support your clinical decisions.
Date: October 2025
Speaker(s):  Maeson Latsko, PhD
Contributor(s): Maeson Latsko, PhD; Trisha Winchester, PhD; Millicent Kee, MSN, FNP-BC
 
Additional Resources
Quest Diagnostics Clinical Education Center [Link]
ELF test detail
FIB4 test summary
2022 AACE algorithm for fatty liver assessment
Ordering information:
CMP + Fib4
Enhanced Liver Fibrosis Score
 
References:  
Ciardullo S, Vergani M, Perseghin G. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in patients with type 2 diabetes: Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment. J Clin Med. 2023;12(17):5597. doi:10.3390/jcm12175597
Rinella ME, Neuschwander-Tetri BA, Siddiqui MS, et al. AASLD Practice Guidance on the clinical assessment and management of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Hepatology. 2023;77(5):1797-1835. doi:10.1097/HEP.0000000000000323
Cusi K, Isaacs S, Barb D, et al. American Association of Clinical Endocrinology Clinical Practice Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Primary Care and Endocrinology Clinical Settings: Co-Sponsored by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD). Endocr Pract. 2022;28(5):528-562. doi:10.1016/j.eprac.2022.03.010
Stern C, Castera L. Identification of high-risk subjects in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Clin Mol Hepatol. 2023;29(Suppl):S196-S206. doi:10.3350/cmh.2022.0431

Utilizing biomarkers with coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring for cardiovascular risk (19 min)

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 physiological assessments like calcium scoring to help guide patient care, especially when calcium scoring doesn’t tell the full story.
This episode will
Review what calcium scoring is (1:30)
Discuss how timing of calcium scoring can influence interpretation of results (3:15)
Explain why statin-treated patients should not monitor their risk using a calcium score (7:00)
Discuss ways biomarker testing such as ApoB, MPO, Lp-pla2, and hs-CRP can reveal hidden risk outside of the window indicated for calcium scoring (11:30; 14:30)
 
To learn more, please review the additional resources below for information on our cardiovascular, metabolic, endocrine, and wellness offerings as well as educational resources and insights from our team of experts. At Quest Diagnostics, we are committed to providing you with results and insights to support your clinical decisions.
 
Date: 9/2025
Speaker(s):  Maeson Latsko, PhD; Millicent Kee, MSN, FNP-BC
Contributor(s): Maeson Latsko, PhD; Millicent Kee, MSN, FNP-BC; Trisha Winchester, PhD; Kathryn Morales, MS
 
 
Additional Resources:
Apolipoprotein B | Test Detail | Quest Diagnostics
hs-CRP | Test Detail | Quest Diagnostics
Lp-pla2 | Test Detail | Quest Diagnostics
Myeloperoxidase | Test Detail | Quest Diagnostics

Instant insights: Inside the Center of Excellence for cardiometabolic testing at Quest Diagnostics (5 min)

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, Tim Collier, PhD and Jim Davis. They discuss their mission to improve heart disease prevention and associated metabolic conditions through cutting-edge research and personalized care.
This episode will
 Discuss the need for better chronic disease prevention (1:40)
Review the cardiometabolic approach to healthcare (2:15)
Highlight the technology behind Cleveland Heartlab testing (2:45)
Introduce Cleveland Heart Lab as the center of excellence (3:30)
 
To learn more, please review the additional resources below for information on our cardiovascular, metabolic, endocrine, and wellness offerings as well as educational resources and insights from our team of experts. At Quest Diagnostics, we are committed to providing you with results and insights to support your clinical decisions.
Date: 8/2025
Speaker(s):  Maeson Latsko, PhD
Contributor(s):  Maeson Latsko, PhD; Trisha Winchester, PhD, Millicent Kee, NP