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5 Beneficial Blood Tests to Optimize Wellness

by | Dec 23, 2023 | Uncategorized

Blood Testing Is an Underutilized Tool to Boost Health

Blood testing is an extremely helpful resource when it comes to improving mental and physical health. Knowing essential biomarkers (the molecular signs of health) can:

  • Help you make informed decisions on supplements and vitamins
  • Reduce the risk of chronic illnesses
  • Diagnose diseases
  • Increase longevity
  • Improve dietary decision
  • Make lifestyle and fitness adjustments
  • And much more!

Frequent blood tests provide biofeedback that can help you proactively detect and prevent disease and illness. Much like a car inspection, a blood test allows you to get under the hood to examine the condition/state of your body at a molecular level.

Blood tests are too often relied on after symptoms appear. Indeed, they can be a lifesaver and an effective detection method when scanning for diseases. But they can be even more advantageous if utilized ahead of time as a monitoring tool that provides critical information about your health.

The Advantages of Investigating Your Blood’s Biomarkers

Human blood consists of countless biomarkers that can reveal potential health problems, vitamin deficiencies, and underlying abnormalities. Checking biomarkers to identify budding issues before they become a real health crisis can save an individual money, pain, stress, and possibly even their life.

In fact, over 70% of chronic diseases are preventable when detected early. Blood tests can help measure an individual’s risk for common chronic diseases, including:

  • Cancer
  • Heart disease
  • Stroke
  • Lung disease
  • Diabetes

Catching early signs by checking the biomarkers in blood can help one preventively treat the condition before it becomes a serious threat or issue. Many medical conditions can remain unnoticed for years. Too often, the warning signs appear too late – after a chronic disease has already had time to multiply and spread. Performing regular blood tests is a great way to stay informed of your body’s overall well-being.

Here are some common blood tests we highly recommend:

Test for Iron/Ferritin

Another prevalent nutritional deficiency among Americans is a lack of iron. This deficiency affects up to 60 – 80% of the world’s population (per the WHO and CDC) and is the world’s leading cause of anemia. Inversely, excessive iron, which can result from certain chronic diseases, is extremely toxic as well. To avoid issues, consistently test your blood’s iron and ferritin (the body’s iron stores) levels.

Test for Vitamin D (25-Hydroxy Vitamin D)

Testing for vitamin D can help you spot and rectify one of the most common nutritional deficiencies. Oddly enough, vitamin D deficiency is particularly rampant among Americans.

Vitamin D can get depleted for many reasons:

  • Lack of sun exposure
  • Unhealthy lifestyle choices
  • Chronic health issues
  • A diet with poor nutrition

There are many symptoms of vitamin D deficiency:

  • Low back pain
  • Muscle aches
  • Fatigue
  • Obesity
  • Digestive problems
  • Mood swings
  • Compromised immunity

Luckily, there are many all-natural ways to boost your body’s vitamin D levels if they’re low. You can increase your sun exposure, refine your diet, or take certain supplements. Always consult a doctor before supplementing with vitamin D. Taking too much can cause vitamin D toxicity. Like anything, balance is key.

Test Uric Acid

Healthy uric acid levels require a delicate balance. Too much uric acid can cause:

  • Kidney stones
  • Gout
  • Heart disease
  • Diabetes

However, too little uric acid can indicate a dearth of natural antioxidants. In fact, uric acid holds up to 3/5ths of the blood’s antioxidant capacity. Uric acid is also helpful in protecting the brain from Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

Test for GGT

GGT is an enzyme that can provide helpful information about liver function. We recommend requesting this test annually – especially because it’s not included in comprehensive metabolic panels (CMP). Recent studies have shown substantial evidence indicating a strong correlation between higher GGT levels and inflammation/oxidative stress. Moreover, recent research has associated higher GGT levels with an increased risk of diabetes, heart disease, and kidney disease. Without a doubt, GGT tests provide useful feedback on several health factors.

Test for Thyroid Hormones (TSH)

Thyroid hormones control the body’s metabolic rate. Imbalanced thyroid levels, whether underactive (hypothyroidism) or overactive (hyperthyroidism), can indicate an increased likelihood of various underlying conditions, including:

  • Poor cholesterol levels
  • Insulin sensitivity
  • Weight loss or obesity issues
  • Fatigue
  • Erratic energy level
  • Mood swings

The most commonly tested thyroid hormones are THS biomarkers. These biomarkers can offer a clear portrait of thyroid function. A comprehensive thyroid panel includes a combination of TSH, total/free T4, total/free T3, T3 uptake, and free T4 index biomarkers. Ask your doctor to help determine what thyroid panel is best for your current lifestyle, age, and health condition.

Prevent Disease & Improve Health by Receiving Regular Blood Tests

As the proverb goes, knowledge equals power. At the same time, knowing can sometimes be nerve-wracking and unsettling. Don’t let the fear of finding out essential information about your health stop you from getting blood work. Discovering abnormal biomarkers proactively can help individuals make important lifestyle changes to avoid or deter full-blown chronic diseases. Unfortunately, our current medical system is designed to work reactively. For the most part, medical professionals only recommend or order blood tests when investigating specific symptoms, health issues, and diseases.

Take a more preventive stance with your health and life today by acquiring blood tests to beat disease before it develops in the first place. Implementing a proactive health monitoring strategy can help you plan for and defend against chronic illnesses before they emerge. Don’t be afraid to look under the hood and perform routine maintenance. Doing so can improve your body’s durability and overall health for years to come!

Want to book a blood panel? Call {F:P:Sub:Phone} to ask about our blood test options today!

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