Tests

Your Blood Will Tell Your Future

If your doctor can order these tests that is ideal as your insurance may pay and your doctor can explain the tests. You can order them yourself for cash. These tests will give a good idea of the risks you have for developing heart disease, stroke, cancer, Alzheimer's, diabetes etc. If they are not in the ideal zones then you can work on your lifestyle changes and repeat them at intervals with the goal of getting all of them at the ideal levels.

1. C reactive protein test measures inflammation and is routine and available from many labs. The ideal level is 1 mg/L or less and once you get over 3 your risk of risk of heart disease goes up significantly even if your "bad" LDL cholesterol is not elevated.

2. Advanced Lipid Testing goes beyond the standard lipid profile which tests total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL (low density lipoprotein or "bad" cholesterol) and HDL (high density lipoprotein or "good" cholesterol) by measuring LDL pattern density and specifically the small, dense LDL ("Pattern B") particles which can triple the likelihood of developing atherosclerotic plaques and heart attacks. It also identifies other subclasses and Lp(a). The latter is inherited and rare but if present can greatly increase risk of heart attack. Diagnosis is important because Lp(a) does not respond well to diet, exercise or standard LDL lowering drugs, rather niacin is needed to bring it down.
If the advanced testing is not available, you can use the standard lipid testing to calculate the Triglyceride/High Density Lipoprotein ratio. You may have to divide the numbers yourself as this ratio is not always reported. The triglyceride is a surrogate marker for the smallest low density lipoprotein particles which are the most dangerous, and the higher this ratio the more of the more dangerous particles you have. The ideal level is 1 or less with the average American having a 3.3 level. If you are over 4 then you are at risk of type 2 diabetes. Patients with high TG/HDL ratios can be up to 16 times more likely to have heart attacks. This test is routine and available from many labs.

3. Homocysteine is a significant risk factor for multiple diseases. A 2001 study showed that each 5 umol/L increase in homocysteine was associated with a 26% increase in cancer deaths and a 50% increase in cardiovascular deaths. Elevated homocysteine accelerates the development of atherosclerosis and is associated with osteoporotic fractures, depression, Alzheimer's, birth defects, macular degeneration and abdominal aneurysm. The ideal level is below 7 but can go up to over 20; the average American is about 12. Homocysteine can be lowered by taking folic acid and vitamins B6 and B12 .

4. Fasting insulin tells the level of insulin resistance which is the underlying cause of obesity and type 2 diabetes. The ideal level is 5 uIU/ml or less, and under 10 is good. If your fasting insulin is greater than 10, then your risk of developing heart disease increases five fold and you are on your way to becoming a type 2 diabetic. High insulin levels are associated with insulin resistance which in turn causes the metabolic syndrome consisting of abdominal obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension and heart disease. This test is routine and available from many labs.

5. Ferritin measures total body iron stores, and if excessively low a nemia may occur. However in elderly persons who are not anemic an elevated ferritin indicating elevated total body iron stores is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer. Such persons should be careful about eating prepared foods and supplements with iron and eating large quantities of red meat. Iron stores can be reduced by blood donation which helps others; donate blood every 6 to 12 months until your ferritin is in the low normal range.

All diet changes, exercise and drugs and supplements have risks so please consult your health care provider before following any ideas from this website; no specific medical advice is given to any individual.