Blood Chemistry | A Metabolic Plan

Jul

23

Confused About What Your Blood Chemistry is Telling You – part 4

Filed under: Blood Chemistry; Tagged as: Adrenal Glands, American Thyroid Association, Blood Chemistry, Cold Intolerance, Congestive Heart Failure, Free Testosterone, Heart Palpitations, Heat Intolerance, High Blood Cholesterol, L Tyrosine, Mild Hypothyroidism, Prostate-Specific Antigen, Serum Cholesterol, Testosterone, Thyroid Health, Thyroid Stimulating Hormone

8. Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)

Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) controls thyroid hormone secretion in the thyroid. When blood levels are low, this indicates hyperthyroidism (increased thyroid activity), and when values are high, this suggests hypothyroidism (low thyroid activity). Measuring TSH is the best test for assessing thyroid function. Currently, the American Thyroid Association recommends screening for TSH levels every five years beginning at age 35.

Mild hypothyroidism may be associated with reversible high blood cholesterol and cognitive dysfunction, as well as fatigue, depression, cold intolerance, dry skin, constipation and weight gain. Mild hyperthyroidism is often associated with atrial fibrillation, reduced bone mineral density and fatigue, weight loss, heat intolerance, nervousness, insomnia, muscle weakness, shortness of breath and heart palpitations.

Natural therapies may help to support thyroid health and optimize TSH levels. Discuss with your doctor the use of L-tyrosine, iodine and selenium.

9. Testosterone (Free)

Testosterone is produced in the testes in men, in the ovaries in women and in the adrenal glands of both men and women. Both men and women can be dramatically affected by the decline in testosterone levels that occurs with aging.

In men, free testosterone levels may indicate whether sufficient bioactive testosterone is available to protect against abdominal obesity, depression, osteoporosis, heart disease, metabolic syndrome, erectile dysfunction, loss of muscle tone, type II diabetes and atherosclerosis. There are also ongoing studies which link low testosterone levels with a risk factor for ischemic heart disease and atherosclerosis in men.

Following menopause, levels of testosterone in women decrease, along with a decline in libido and mood. Although women produce only small quantities of testosterone, evidence indicates that this hormone helps women maintain sexual function, as well as muscle strength and lower body fat. High levels of free testosterone may cause excessive hair growth on the face and may also indicate low estrogen levels.

Discuss with your doctor the use of supplements such as DHEA and pregnenolone.

10. Prostate-Specific Antigen (Male Panel Only)

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a protein manufactured by the cells of the prostate gland in men. Elevated PSA levels can suggest benign prostatic enlargement, prostate inflammation or prostate cancer. Measurement of PSA levels is a screening tool and is also used to monitor progression of prostate disease and response to treatment.

Since the early 1990′s, the PSA test has been widely used and the prostate cancer death rate has dropped. The American Cancer Society recommends annual PSA testing beginning at age 50. Men who are at high risk should begin PSA testing at age 40-45. PSA levels go up with age, even in the absence of prostate abnormalities.

Summary

Yearly blood testing is a simple yet powerful strategy to help you proactively take charge of your current and future health. A series of blood tests can thoroughly assess your overall state of health, as well as detect the silent warning signals that precede the development of serious diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. Being aware of these changes will enable you to implement proper nutrition, weight loss, exercise, supplements and medications in order to prevent progression to full-blown, life-threatening diseases.

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Jul

5

5. Homocysteine

High levels of homocysteine, an amino acid, have been associated with increased risk of heart attack, bone fracture and poor cognitive function. In fact, in the case of heart attack risk, research has shown that the risk is more than three times as great over a period of five years. It is also a risk factor for coronary artery disease and stroke.

High levels of homocysteine in conjunction with low vitamin B12 has also become recognized as an increased risk factor for bone fractures. Homocysteine levels is a significant risk factor for hip fractures in older people. While folic acid supplements can effectively reduce homocysteine levels, it is not known if that therapy will reduce the risk of fracture.

Elevated homocysteine levels have recently been linked to other disorders such as age-related macular degeneration and depression. Deficiency of folic acid, a B vitamin, plays and important role in mood and homocysteine breakdown and therefore may be the link between depression and elevated homocysteine. Finally, cognitive decline in normal individuals between the ages of 30 and 80 has been associated with elevated homocysteine concentrations.

Homocysteine levels play a significant role in overall health and the addition of folic acid can help to control those levels.

6. C-Reactive Protein

Increasingly, medical science is discovering that inflammation within the body can lead to many life-threatening, degenerative diseases such as coronary heart disease, other diseases of the cardiovascular system, diabetes, macular degeneration, cognitive decline, arthritis, cancer and autoimmune conditions. C-reactive protein (CRP) is a sensitive marker of systemic inflammation. However, the cardiac CRP test detects even smaller levels of inflammation than the basic CRP test, so it is therefore able to identify at-risk patients earlier, even among apparently healthy people.

The high-sensitivity cardiac CRP may predict risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, peripheral arterial disease and sudden cardiac death among healthy individuals with no history of cardiovascular disease, as well as predict recurrent events and death in patients with acute or stable coronary diseases.

Increased levels of C-reactive protein have previously been strongly linked with a greater risk of developing type II diabetes. These results were confirmed in a recent study from the Harvard School of Public Health in which healthy women with high CRP levels were found to be at greater risk, thus establishing the link between type II diabetes and inflammation.

C-reactive protein is also associated with disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and major depression in men.

Natural therapies, such as fish oil, L-carnitine and soluble fiber before meals may help to optimize CRP levels, along with exercise and proper diet.

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Jun

27

This is the second in a series of posts about what blood tests you need on a yearly basis and what they tell you.

2. Fibrinogen

Fibrinogen levels increase with tissue inflammation. Increased fibrinogen levels can help predict the risk of heart disease and stroke as well as other inflammatory diseases. Obviously with knowledge of increased fibrinogen levels, lifestyle changes become important—such as quitting smoking, losing weight, and becoming more physically active—as well as adding nutritionals such as fish oil, niacin, folic acid and vitamins A and C, which may lower fibrinogen levels.

3. DHEA

DHEA is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands and is a precursor to estrogen and testosterone. In your twenties, levels of DHEA peak and then decline with age, decreasing to 20-30% of peak levels between the ages of 70 and 80. DHEA is frequently referred to as an “anti-aging” hormone. However DHEA is extremely important as we age as healthy levels may support immune function, bone mineral density, mood, libido, reduces abdominal fat, protects the brain following nerve injury, and helps prevent diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. Research also suggests that DHEA may help with depression and clinical trials are evaluating DHEA’s role in memory and Alzheimer’s.

4.Estradiol

In non-pregnant women, estradiol is the most commonly measured type of estrogen. Estradiol levels fluctuate throughout the menstrual cycle and drop after menopause to a consistent but lower level . Women with increased levels of estradiol may be at a higher risk for breast or endometrial cancer. Very low levels may indicate a higher risk for bone fractures. In fact, in men with osteoporosis, research has shown a correlation with a low estradiol levels. Men do produce smaller amounts of estradiol than women but it is not only an indicator of increased incidence of osteoporosis but is tied to pituitary functions. Also men with low estradiol levels and low levels of testosterone may experience low sex drive and difficulty with urination.

Significant positive correlations were found between estradiol levels and levels of total cholesterol.

Supplements such as DHEA, pregnenolone, soy, black cohosh, and pomegranate as well as bioidentical estrogens may be helpful in maintaining healthy estradiol levels.

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Jun

23

Many people spend time researching all the supplements and buying more and more of them as they read the latest information about what studies have been done and what new supplement will prevent them from dying of cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer or diabetes – to name a few. But have you checked to see what you are doing to your blood chemistry?

When was the last time you had a comprehensive blood test? Annual blood testing is the most important step adults can take to prevent life-threatening disease. Critical changes in your body can alert you before serious conditions such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, or worse occur. Having the proper blood tests can empower you to put together a science-based disease-prevention program that could add decades to your life.

Chemistry Panel and Complete Blood Count

This is the basic testing and the best place to begin. This will give you information on your overall health. It provides a broad range of information on your vascular, liver, kidney and blood cell status. The Complete Blood Count (CBC) measures the number, health, variety, percentage, concentration and quality of the red and white blood cells for infections and anemia.

Red blood cells transport oxygen from the lungs to body tissues and transfer carbon dioxide from the tissues back to the lungs. Other important components of red blood cells measured are hemoglobin and hematocrit. Low levels of these may indicate deficiencies of iron, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, or folic acid.

White blood cells are an important component of the immune system. Increased levels in the blood are usually associated with bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections. There are 4 types of white blood cells which are measured and each one is significant in the type of potential disease it can detect.

The Chemistry Profile provides up-to-date information on the status of your cardiovascular system. These tests include total cholesterol, HDL (high-density lipoprotein) and LDL (low-density lipoprotein), triglycerides, and total cholesterol/HDL ratio, which is more valuable as a predictor of heart disease than total cholesterol or HDL levels alone.

The endocrine system is responsible for producing hormones throughout the body, one of which is insulin, a regulator of glucose. The Chemistry Panel tests for your resting blood glucose, which helps in detecting early-stage metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and coronary artery disease. Also included in the Chemistry Panel is an assessment of critical minerals such as calcium, potassium, and iron.

While the CBC is a basic test, it provides invaluable information but is only a stepping off point in keeping apprised of your physical health. Over the next few days we will be discussing additional tests that will provide you with critical data in maintaining a healthy blood chemistry.

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Confused About What Your Blood Chemistry is Telling You – part 4

Confused About What Your Blood Chemistry is Telling You? part 3

5. Homocysteine

6. C-Reactive Protein

Confused About What Your Blood Chemistry is Telling You? part 2

4.Estradiol

Confused About What Your Blood Chemistry is Telling You?

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