Reasons Why Youd Have to Take a Blood Test Again
Claret testing provides a powerful tool to better your mental and physical performance, reduce your future adventure of chronic disease, and to increment your longevity. It is well known that claret tests are used to diagnose affliction — only blood work is most powerful when used to monitor your wellness in a more proactive fashion.
Blood tests allow you lot to take an inside look at your body and how it functions. Getting regular blood work is the closest affair we have to x-ray vision to see within the trunk. Understanding your blood biomarkers — the molecular signs of health — will help yous to make more informed decisions almost your diet, lifestyle, fitness, and supplement choices.
Blood work data can be used similarly to how you lot would apply data in a business to decide if the arrangement isoperation or failing. The proof is always in the numbers. The real power of using claret tests lies in viewing your long-term health trends.
Your claret contains hundreds of biomarkers that tin can highlight the strategies that are right for your individual health, likewise as identifying whatever underlying or developing health problems — before they turn into a total-diddled crunch.
More than 70% of chronic diseases are preventable. Claret tests can help you to identify if you lot are at increased adventure for developing a chronic disease such as center disease, cancer, stroke, lung disease, or diabetes. Serious medical atmospheric condition can go undetected for years — without noticeable symptoms, but having regular blood tests can act equally an early alarm system.
Information technology's a long road from showing some abnormal markers to developing a full-blown chronic disease but most doctors are not looking at blood tests to define health — they're looking at them to diagnose and care for a specific disease.
Where functional medicine differs from conventional medicine is that we aim to catch abnormalities early on that route, then that nosotros can intervene earlier the patient's health becomes dysfunctional.
"Just my doctor said everything was normal"
About 50% of the patients I consult with say this to me when we offset become started working together.
They know something is not normal, or their wellness isn't where they want it to exist — they're experiencing symptoms they can't explain or they just want more information most how to understand the health data they're looking at.
Their physician quickly scans their claret test results during their 10-minute consult, looking for any flagged values inside a broad reference range.
If they don't see any disease patterns, they just transport the patient on their fashion.
If nothing is specifically flagged to signal a disease that has developed, at that place are no drug treatments the dr. can give you lot for your instinct that something is wrong.
This is a major frustration for the patient because they don't go whatever information from this blood work they only did — and those results are a goldmine of information.
Most doctors are just waiting until things get to the indicate where they can do something about information technology with a drug or surgical handling.
Hither is the most important thing to know when information technology comes to blood testing: normal does NOT equal healthy.
'Normal' blood work ranges for the virtually common tests are often not optimal, because what's 'normal' is generated by the full general population of people going to that specific lab.
The normal range for a blood test is by and large determined based on a bong bend of the information from those patients — many of whom are not enjoying optimal health.
A normal result from a blood examination only means that you lot are within the range of the average population, which includes people who are sick with chronic disease, eat poorly and are overweight, and those who are sedentary.
That's why yous should be aiming for optimal, not normal, in your regular blood testing.
A much improve representation of health would be to know the reference ranges of healthier populations of people with whom yous can compare your information, such as those who take healthy metabolic part and no chronic affliction, who take no medications, are non-smokers and exercise regularly.
As an example, here are the optimal vs. normal reference ranges for triglycerides:
A 'normal' reference range of fasting triglycerides is nether 150 mg/dL (one.7 mmol/L).
Notwithstanding, a triglyceride level of over 90 mg/dL (1.02 mmol/Fifty) may indicate poor blood carbohydrate control and excessive carbohydrate or starch intake in the nutrition.
A triglyceride level beneath threescore mg/dL (0.68 mmol/L) may indicate low intake of healthy dietary fat or poor digestion and absorption of fats.
So the sweet spot, or the 'optimal' range, for triglycerides is betwixt 50-90 mg/dL (0.56-i.02 mmol/Fifty), non simply annihilation under 150 mg/dL (1.vii mmol/Fifty) equally the lab reference range suggests.
Getting your biomarkers into optimal ranges instead of only the 'normal' ranges is key to slowing and preventing the evolution of disease, and improving your overall health.
Unfortunately, in that location is not an easy style to determine the optimal range for each test without compiling all the enquiry that has e'er been done on each ane.
For some tests, information technology is good to be closer to the eye of the range, while for others it is best to exist at the meridian or bottom end of the range.
All the same, you will be way ahead of virtually people if you simply get a comprehensive blood test each yr so that you can see if in that location are whatsoever major changes to your historical blood data — whether or not you lot know the optimal ranges for each one.
If you are located in the United states y'all can guild your own blood test through Direct Labs. Click hither to see my recommended almanac blood tests.
Many doctors who are trained in functional medicine accept gone through the exhaustive procedure of researching these optimal wellness blood test ranges to provide a more comprehensive blood assessment to their patients.
"So when should I get my blood tested?"
Most people wait until it is besides tardily to kickoff monitoring their health. Waiting until you are sick is similar but changing the oil in your car when the 'bank check engine' lite comes on. This lack of attention to maintaining the role of your 'car' creates expensive time to come problems, such as eventual engine failure.
Adopting a regular health monitoring strategy to stay salubrious volition always take less fourth dimension and price you less money than it would to deal with chronic disease after it has adult.
Nearly chronic diseases are preventable, and blood work allows y'all to 'wait under the hood,' so that you tin come across into the future of your health.
With this information, you lot will exist able to make the necessary changes now, in society to keep your body on a steady class aimed in the direction of health — rather than chronic disease.
This is because in that location are a lot of red flags you can see forth the manner before yous really develop a full-blown chronic disease. In many cases, these flags pop up years before the illness really develops.
For instance, developing type II diabetes is a many-year process, every bit is developing cardiovascular disease.
With both those scenarios, y'all will encounter a progressive year-after-year trend that is withal considered 'normal' past the lab but is still progressing in the wrong direction.
Nearly physicians are either not trained in identifying these patterns, or they don't have the follow-up with patients that is necessary to detect a pattern emerging over fourth dimension.
1 of the nigh effective things you can do to optimize your health, then, is to look at your blood piece of work each yr.
If you check on your biomarkers annually, you tin brand sure that they're not trending in the wrong direction, and can act quickly if yous first to meet something aberrant in your data.
While there are exceptions, your doctor is most likely non doing this for you. If you're non regularly following upward with the same doctor, if you movement around a lot or y'all don't have a general physician who has seen you for years and years, it's unlikely they have the information to even see that trend happening.
It's actually something that you lot need to manage for yourself, because no i is going to care as much almost your wellness as you do.
Your doc only has time to see if something is happening right now, but until something happens, they're just waiting. You lot can't assume that your doctor is specifically looking out for you and that if something is wrong that they're going to catch information technology early plenty to implement a preventative treatment.
There are then many ways yous tin employ claret work to make informed decisions about your daily health.
Blood tests can be used to determine…
The all-time diet and fitness routine for your torso and wellness
Do you tend to hop from one diet to the next? Do yous want to know if intermittent fasting or the Paleo nutrition is worth all the try? Blood work will be your guide.
The almost effective combination of supplements to achieve your health goals
Terminate thinking nigh supplements equally expensive urine and know for sure if they are worth the time and money spent.
Any areas of your health that require closer investigation
Blood work creates a window into the inner workings of your body. This window highlights the dysfunctional patterns in the body that pb to chronic disease.
When you can identify where the dysfunction is happening in your body information technology will become articulate which diet and lifestyle changes will have the most bear on.
Interested in getting personalized, focused health recommendations based on your claret test results? Click here to check out my Mini Health Review .
It includes a specialized cess of your claret exam and a Wellness Plan highlighting your biggest health priorities, without the toll of a consultation.
"OK… but what near genetic, micronutrient, food intolerance, organic acid, hormone, and heavy metal tests?"
I see a lot of people who are interested in all the fancy new ways of testing and tracking their information.
Genetics is a big area of interest correct now, and while those tests are great, if you don't do the basics first with your blood piece of work — which is a highly validated tool that has been researched and proven for decades all over the globe — then the data you get from the additional tests won't be very useful to you lot.
Accessing your claret work is the foundational piece of understanding your health.
In that location'due south a identify for those other tests, but getting an annual blood test is the "everyman hanging fruit" for most people to bank check off the list in managing their health.
Only well-nigh every conclusion you need to make near our health tin exist better informed by up-to-date blood piece of work.
Allow's say you lot have an undiagnosed thyroid problem or anemia.
Claret work will quickly highlight those problems, and give y'all the tools to care for them effectively. This volition take intendance of all the symptoms that might exist confused for heavy metal poisoning, for example, if you dive straight into heavy metal testing before getting a regular baseline for your claret work.
Click the video below to see the system that I use to analyze my clients' claret biomarker information.
How to utilise blood tests to determine your health
- Go a comprehensive blood work cess one-2 times each twelvemonth.
- Utilize smaller quarterly tests if yous'd like to monitor the progress made from changes to your diet, fitness routine, stress management, sleep, and supplements.
- Compare your results each year to expect for large changes in your typical claret levels.
If you are located in the US y'all can order your ain blood test through Direct Labs. Click here to see my recommended annual claret tests.
If you lot live outside of the US simply bring a list of the desired blood piece of work tests to a local lab or hospital. Click hither to see a list of labs effectually the world that my clients have used to successfully order their own claret tests.
Common Questions About Claret Testing
What information can I get from regular claret testing?
Blood tests will show you:
- If you lot take any nutrient deficiencies increasing your chronic disease gamble.
Do you lot take low vitamin D that is increasing your take chances of cancer and osteoporosis? - The dietary changes that are necessary to prevent disease and increase your mental clarity.
Do you need to eat more salubrious sources of fat or protein for optimal brain health and able-bodied recovery? - What type of fitness program is best for you.
Exercise you demand to incorporate loftier-intensity do or interval training? - What supplements volition be the well-nigh effective to help you reach your health goals.
Are your constant brain fog and depression energy a upshot of low thyroid function or a food deficiency?
Most importantly, knowing your claret work biomarkers removes the uncertainty surrounding your current state of health and volition give you the peace of mind that you are taking control of your future health.
Why should I get a blood exam if I am healthy?
The brusque answer is — to stay that way .
It is really important to get a baseline of your health when your body is operation well. The more data that you take, the quicker you will exist able to place when dysfunction begins. It is common to run into changes in blood work before the onset of symptoms.
Should I get blood testing done every year?
Yes. The real ability of using claret work for the prevention of affliction is viewing your long-term health trends.
Can I get blood testing done without a physician'due south society?
Yep. If you are located in the The states y'all tin can gild your ain claret test through Direct Labs. Click here to see my recommended annual claret tests.
If you live outside of the U.s. just bring a listing of the desired blood work tests to a local lab or hospital. Click here to run across a list of labs effectually the world that my clients have used to successfully order their own claret tests.
How do I know if my blood test is optimal?
There is not an piece of cake style to decide the optimal range for each test. For some tests, it is good to exist closer to the middle of the range while for others information technology is best to be at the acme or bottom end of the range. Equally nosotros saw earlier in the triglyceride example, normal and optimal are 2 very different things, so the best way to get the virtually out of your blood test is to work with a doctor who is trained in using the optimal ranges of claret work.
What does a comprehensive claret test cost?
There are at present many options for getting affordable blood work.
In most areas of the world (including the US) a very comprehensive blood test is around $300-500 for threescore-70 biomarkers. However, information technology is very easy to adjust testing to fit any budget.
Can I utilise insurance to get my blood tested?
It is possible to go through your local medico and use your health insurance to pay for comprehensive wellness blood testing. However, it is of import to know that your medico may not be able or willing to order some of the tests if you do non already have a symptom or disease that supports ordering that particular test.
How often should I get my blood tested?
Most people put more thought and money into their daily coffee addiction than they exercise to their health. Tracking your long-term claret work trends is one important way to make your health a priority.
I recommend that my clients get a comprehensive blood piece of work cess at least ane-2 times each twelvemonth . You tin can use smaller quarterly tests to help monitor the progress from changes to your diet, fitness routine, stress direction, sleep, and supplements.
How do I get the most accurate claret exam?
Blood testing takes a small sample of blood from i indicate in the circulatory system and represents how the rest of your body is operating. With such a small sample from one moment in fourth dimension, there are many ways to disrupt the accuracy of your results.
Interested in getting personalized, focused health recommendations based on your blood test results? Click here to check out my Mini Health Review . Information technology includes a specialized assessment of your blood test and a Health Plan highlighting your biggest wellness priorities, without the cost of a consultation.
9 Tips For Claret Examination Success
i – Stick to your normal routine the day before your examination.
2 – Do not get your test done on a 24-hour interval that you feel ill unless the exam is to determine why yous take that specific illness.
three – Eat a nutrition that is normal to yous prior to your test. Exercise non get your testing done after a big change in your diet, such as during the holidays, after a big political party, or after vacation.
four – Make sure to follow your fasting recommendations. If your test needs to exist done while fasting, schedule it for as close to 8-hours fasting equally possible. Drinking water during this fasting flow is ok and recommended.
5 – Do not offset a new exercise routine or practise a strenuous workout prior to your test.
six – Reschedule your examination if you suddenly have a poor dark'south sleep and this is not a normal upshot for you.
7 – Medication and supplement timing is important! For example, if you lot take a thyroid medication such every bit Levothyroxine (Synthroid) you should wait to take information technology until after your thyroid test. As well, the supplement Biotin tin disrupt thyroid levels on the exam and should be avoided for two days prior to your examination.
eight – Dehydration affects your testing results. Make sure to drink at least 8 glasses of water daily prior to and the solar day of your test.
nine – Avoid booze consumption prior to your testing date.
BLOOD TESTING PRO TIP: Because the equipment and testing methods alter from lab to lab, it is best to continually go your testing done from the aforementioned lab if it is possible. Comparing the results from the same lab volition create the near accurate trends.
Don't miss a health trouble that could be easily identified and prevented past annual claret tests.
Checking your claret each year is a great form of health insurance that focuses on keeping you lot healthy, then I encourage you to find a lab in your surface area and book yourself a blood test today.
Part of my work with clients is to provide a comprehensive assessment of their health and claret examination data.
This will help to create more clarity about their electric current and future wellness, as well as what all the tests mean. And this info can be used to make more than informed health decisions.
If you are interested in a comprehensive claret piece of work assessment and Wellness Program to improve your mental and concrete performance, click here to review the details, or cheque out my Mini Health Review if you'd like an assessment of your information without the cost of a consultation.
Source: https://dralexisshields.com/blood-testing-basics
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