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TABLE OF CONTENTS

FIVE HEART-ATTACK PREVENTING TESTS 6

VAP Cholesterol Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Echo Stress Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Myeloperoxidase (MPO) Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

PLA2 (PLAC Test) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Apolipoprotein B (Apo B) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

RECOMMENDED TEST PROVIDERS 12

Atherotech . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

FURTHER BLOOD BIOMARKERS 15

Chemistry panel and complete blood count . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Fibrinogen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Hemoglobin A1C . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

DHEA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) (Men Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

Homocysteine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

C-Reactive Protein . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

CoQ10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Insulin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Viscosity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

Testosterone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Estradiol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Telomere . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

Nutrition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Hematocrit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

5 Tests Your Doctor Won’t Tell You About CHAPTER ONE Five Heart-Attack Preventing Testsw w w . g r o w y o u n g e r b l o o d . c o m

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FIVE HEART-ATTACK PREVENTING TESTS

This book tells you the five tests that you probably never heard of before… these tests tell you your real risks for developing a heart condition so you can prevent it.

Within one week of reading, you can have the peace of mind knowing that everything is all right, whether it’s because your five tests came back clean, or because you are now taking the easy steps you need to attain perfect health.

Fifty percent of heart attacks occur in patients with normal cholesterol. Early detection and treatment of cardiovascular disease are essential to your health. These tests improve detection of risk factors by more accurately and thoroughly measuring key risk factors.

I am still shocked at the statistic that 30 percent of the time, the first symptom of cardiovascular disease is death. This is an astonishing fact.

So to get right to it, let me tell you what the five heart attack preventing tests are:

1. VAP Cholesterol Test

2. Echo Stress Test

3. Myeloperoxidase

4. PLA2 (PLAC Test)

5. ApoB

Let’s step through what these tests are for and explain why they are so important to ensuring your good health.

VAP Cholesterol Test

The VAP Cholesterol Test is a direct measured lipid panel. VAP refers to Vertical Auto Profile, which describes the test method. It provides you with the most accurate, comprehensive and helpful cholesterol measurements available today. The VAP test directly measures LDL (bad cholesterol) and provides measurements for 15 lipid components. This is in comparison to the regular cholesterol test, which calculates LDL and only reports four lipid components. This calculation was originated in 1972.


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However so much has changed with the population since then. With the information we have today, we can conclude that this 40-year-old algorithm used in standard cholesterol tests is now out of date.

This additional information from the VAP Cholesterol test allows you and your Doctor more accurately determine your risk of heart disease.

Let’s take a look at the components of the VAP test.

Cholesterol Measurement VAP Test Regular Cholesterol Test

LDL Directly measured Calculated

HDL

Triglyceride

Total Cholesterol

VLDL

Non-HDL apoB-100

Lp (a) IDL

LDL-R LDL-R Subclass Pattern

Remnant Lipoproteins Metabolic Syndrome

HDL2 HDL3

The big deal about the VAP test is you may test just fine for a regular cholesterol test, but flag as a significant higher risk from a VAP test.

The VAP Test is also the first cholesterol test to identify the cholesterol markers for Metabolic Syndrome, a precursor for diabetes. By detecting your risk for Metabolic Syndrome, your health practitioner can make a more informed therapeutic decision to reduce your risk.


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Echo Stress Test

The exercise echo stress test involves exercising on a treadmill or stationary bicycle while you are closely monitored. The test looks at how well your heart tolerates activity by evaluating the function of your heart and valves, determining your likelihood of having coronary artery disease.

Patients may have minimal or no symptoms during rest. However, symptoms and signs of heart disease may appear by exposing the heart to the stress of exercise.

During exercise, healthy coronary arteries dilate (develop a more open channel) than an artery with a blockage. This unequal dilation causes more blood to be delivered to heart muscle supplied by the normal artery. In contrast, narrowed arteries end up supplying reduced flow to its area of distribution.

This reduced flow causes the involved muscle to “starve” during exercise. The “starvation” may produce symptoms (like chest discomfort or inappropriate shortness of breath), EKG abnormalities and reduced movement of the heart muscle. The latter can be recognized by examining the movement of the walls of the left ventricle (the major pumping chamber of the heart) by Echocardiography.

A physician in an Echo Test lab typically supervises the test itself.

A cardiac sonographer will rub small areas on your chest and place electrodes on these areas. The electrodes are attached to an electrocardiograph (EKG) monitor that charts your heart’s electrical activity during the test.

Before you start exercising, the sonographer will perform a resting EKG, measure your resting heart rate and take your blood pressure.

The sonographer will ask you to lie on your left side on an exam table so he or she can perform a resting echocardiogram (also called an “echo”). An echocardiogram is a graphic outline of the heart’s movement created from ultrasound vibrations echoed from the heart’s structures. The sonographer will place a wand (called a transducer) on your chest to view an outline of the heart’s movement.

After the echo test, you will exercise on a treadmill or stationary cycle. The lab personnel will ask you to start exercising and will gradually increase the intensity of exercise. You will be asked to continue exercising until you are exhausted.

At regular intervals, the lab personnel will ask how you are feeling. Please tell them if you feel chest, arm or jaw pain or discomfort; shortness of breath, dizzy, lightheaded or if you have any other unusual symptoms.


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The lab personnel will watch for any changes on the EKG monitor that suggest the test should be stopped.

When you cannot exercise any longer, you will get off the treadmill, return to the exam table and lie on your left side so the sonographer can perform another echocardiogram.

If you were exercising on a bike, the sonographer may perform the echo test while you are still pedaling. You may be asked to quickly return to the exam table for another echocardiogram after exercising.

After the test, you will walk slowly for a few minutes to cool down. Your heart rate, blood pressure and EKG will continue to be monitored until the levels are returning to normal.

The exercise typically lasts 7 to 15 minutes for the test.

Consult with your doctor to organize this test.

Myeloperoxidase (MPO) Test

MPO is a white blood cell-derived inflammatory enzyme that is released into the blood at sites of vascular injury such as vulnerable plaque, erosions or fissures.

Most recent work has indicated that it is an excellent biomarker for human cardiovascular risk because individuals with elevated MPO levels are more than twice as likely to experience cardiovascular mortality. In particular, an increased risk of heart attack and/or death was reported when MPO values were in the 400-500 pmol/L range.

The MPO Test is frequently used in borderline or high-risk patients in conjunction with a standard or advanced lipid panel, but can also be ordered separately. It is not typically recommended by your Doctor for screening low-risk patients. But if you feel like you want to be certain, this is an excellent test to determine risk.

Briefly, when the artery wall is damaged, or inflamed, MPO is released by invading macrophages where it accumulates.

There is no specific preparation required for the test. The patient does not have to be fasting and can be on medications. The test results are highly specific for inflammation associated with atherosclerosis, and are not likely to be falsely elevated from infections, rheumatologic disorders or obesity.


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PLA2 (PLAC Test)

Cholesterol causes a fatty deposit called plaque that builds up inside the walls of the arteries. When artery walls become inflamed, the enzyme Lp-PLA2 is produced within the plaque. If the amount of Lp-PLA2 is high, this may indicate that the plaque is more likely to rupture through the inside lining of the artery into the bloodstream, leading to a dangerous blood clot that could result in heart attack or stroke.

The PLAC Test measures Lp-PLA2, which is a vascular-specific inflammatory marker used in the formation of rupture-prone plaque. Fifty percent of heart attacks occur in patients with normal cholesterol, and most cardiovascular events are due to plaque rupture. The higher the level of Lp-PLA2, the higher the risk of a cardiovascular event — even with normal LDL levels.

A lot of patients ask their doctor if their arteries appear blocked when, in fact, the real question to be asking is if their plaque is unstable. It is the unstable nature of plaque that is of primary concern to a patient’s health.

Take all medications as prescribed. Do not take your supplements the morning of the test.

Apolipoprotein B (Apo B)

Apolipoprotein B is a protein involved in the metabolism of lipids and is the main protein constituent of lipoproteins such as very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL, the “bad cholesterol”).

Apo B is a direct measurement of the number of lipoprotein particles, including LDL (“bad cholesterol”), IDL, and VLDL. A high Apo B number indicates increased risk for heart disease.

Apo B is a protein that is involved in the metabolism of lipids and is the main protein constituent of lipoproteins such as very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL, the “bad cholesterol”).

A health practitioner may order both an Apo A-I (associated with high-density lipoprotein (HDL), the “good” cholesterol) and an Apo B to determine an Apo A-I ratio. This ratio is sometimes used as an alternative to a total cholesterol/HDL ratio to evaluate risk for developing cardiovascular disease.

Certain medications, improved eating habits, increased physical activity, and loss of body fat are some ways to improve Apo B

This test is not used as a general population screen but may be ordered if a person has a family history


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of heart disease and/or high cholesterol and triglycerides (hyperlipidemia). It may be performed, along with other tests, to help diagnose the cause of abnormal lipid levels, especially when someone has elevated triglyceride levels.

Apo B may be measured, along with an Apo A-I or other lipid tests, when a health practitioner is trying to evaluate someone’s risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

Sometimes Apo B is ordered to monitor a person who is undergoing treatment for high cholesterol.

CHAPTER TWO Recommended Test Providers

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5 Tests Your Doctor Won’t Tell You Aboutw w w . g r o w y o u n g e r b l o o d . c o m

RECOMMENDED TEST PROVIDERS

WellnessFX is an online platform that offers a streamlined visualization of your blood tests and their comparative and trending results over the course of time.

Here’s how it works:

You get all your blood tests done. Your blood tests are then uploaded to your personal and secure online dashboard at WellnessFX. You can easily compare and monitor all the individual results from one blood test to another, allowing you a simple way to watch all trends and all improvements in your blood.

They provide an easy way to compare all the different numbers of your blood work over time, along with graphs of your progress so it’s visually simple to understand.

The online dashboard also explains to you what all the numbers in your blood work mean, so you no longer have to be in the dark about your blood analysis, and you don’t need a doctor to explain all the numbers to you. Plus, if you have any questions or would like further information on anything about your blood analyses and how it’s all trending and improving over time, you can call WellnessFX anytime to have one of their physicians on staff who are blood experts explain anything you want and need to know, so you are 100 percent empowered.

WellnessFX also offers many advanced blood tests that reveal a lot more information you want to know about your blood than standard blood tests do. And you can get a lot of blood tests cheaper from WellnessFX than you can elsewhere.

Because you can make improvements to your blood fairly quickly, you may want to do a blood test more often than once a year. By monitoring your blood more frequently, you’ll be able to have much more of a “movie” of your blood over time, monitoring its progress as you keep making positive changes with this protocol.

Likewise, by monitoring your blood more frequently, if there ever were a problem of any kind that should raise any alarms, you’d catch it before it became a big problem, allowing you to take fast action. A year between blood tests is a long time.

By the way, if you’re not a fan of the process of getting your blood taken because you don’t like or you fear needles, don’t fret; there is great news on the horizon.

WellnessFX bundles blood tests into panels such as their Performance and Premium panels that test large quantities of biomarkers across a broad spectrum. For example, their premium and most


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comprehensive package gives you access to every biomarker they have, including Performance, Advanced Heart Health, Advanced Thyroid, Omegas, systemic inflammation, and male/female complete reproductive health hormones. Of the five key tests we list in this book, WellnessFX presently tests for two of them… ApoB and PLA2.

www.WellnessFX.com

A brilliant woman named Elizabeth Holmes runs Theranos She has developed a way to get your blood work done with just a tiny drop of blood, rather than needing to draw a lot of blood through a needle.

This can completely change the future of how blood work is done worldwide, and the service is already being rolled out across the United States in partnership with Walgreens.

Interestingly, as a prick to your finger is all that’s needed, Elizabeth Holmes likes to check her blood all the time. She even experiments where she will check her blood after eating a healthy meal versus eating an unhealthy meal. Believe it or not, there are drastic differences in your blood after eating a healthy meal versus an unhealthy one. If you saw it for yourself, you would quickly think twice about ever eating unhealthy again.

Elizabeth’s technology therefore can one day change the landscape of monitoring your blood in a transformational way, by making it easy for you to check your blood all the time as you try one thing over another to watch the immediate effects for you.

That is really the greatest magic of what she developed, and one day can allow us to be even more empowered and in control of ensuring our blood is always healthy.

Theranos advertises the ApoB test for $10.65 on their website.

www.Theranos.com

Atherotech

Jere Segrest, M.D., internal medicine physician, acting professor, and director of the Atherosclerosis Research Unit at the University of Alabama, Birmingham, developed the VAP Test.

Atherotech is a privately held cardio-diagnostic company focusing on direct measurement of the comprehensive lipid profile using the company’s VAP (Vertical Auto Profile) technology.

The VAP technology is a patented density gradient ultracentrifugation that directly measures the

http://www.WellnessFX.com

http://www.Theranos.com


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cholesterol content of all lipids, components, and subclasses. The company provides its unique testing services to physicians, hospitals, clinics, and other laboratories throughout the United States. Atherotech is a CLIA approved clinical reference laboratory located in Birmingham, Alabama.

The price of the VAP Test is comparable to the traditional cholesterol test, and is reimbursed by Medicare and most insurance carriers.

Also note that the VAP test includes the ApoB-100 test. Separately, Atherotech tests for many other biomarkers including the LpPLA2 PLAC test.

www.Atherotech.com

http://www.Atherotech.com

CHAPTER THREE Further Blood Bio-Markers

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FURTHER BLOOD BIOMARKERS

• Chemistry panel and complete blood count

o The Chemistry and CBC blood test is a comprehensive metabolic evaluation including the following tests:

Fasting Glucose (blood sugar)

Uric acid

BUN (blood urea nitrogen): Measures liver and kidney function

Creatinine: A test used to measure kidney function

BUN/Creatinine Ratio: For diagnosis of impaired renal function

Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)

Sodium

Potassium

Chloride

Calcium

Phosphorus

Total Protein

Albumin

Globulin

Albumin/Globulin Ratio

Bilirubin: Evaluates kidney and liver function

Alkaline Phosphatase: Evaluation of liver and bone diseases

LDH (lactate dehydrogenase)

AST (SGOT): Evaluates liver function


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ALT (SGPT): Evaluates liver function

Iron (serum)

Lipid Profile: Evaluates the risk for developing atherosclerosis (arterial plaque) and coronary heart disease.

- Total Cholesterol

- Triglycerides

- HDL Cholesterol

- LDL Cholesterol

- Total Cholesterol/HDL Ratio

Complete Blood Count:

- Red blood cell count

- Hemoglobin

- Hematocrit

- Red blood cell indices

- MCV (mean corpuscular volume)

- MCH (mean corpuscular hemoglobin)

- MCHC (mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration)

- Red blood cell distribution

- White blood cell count

- Differential count

- Platelet count


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An 8 to 12 hour fast is required for this blood test. However, drink plenty of water and take your medications as prescribed.

• Fibrinogen

o The fibrinogen test is used to detect suspected bleeding disorders or abnormal blood clotting. Traditionally, this test is used to identify congenital (genetic) problems called afibrinogenemia, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and elevated fibrinolytic activity. Fibrinogen is also an independent risk factor for heart disease and ischemic stroke. An elevated blood level of fibrinogen increases your risk for coronary heart disease. You can check your fibrinogen blood level with or without fasting. Take all medications as prescribed. Do not take your supplements the morning of the test.

Note: Individuals using oral contraceptives are found to have increased levels.

• Hemoglobin A1C

o Hemoglobin A1C evaluates long-term blood sugar control. Serum glucose sometimes reacts with important proteins in the body rendering them nonfunctional. This process is called glycation. Hemoglobin A1C is a reflection of this detrimental reaction. Doctors often follow this blood test in diabetics to monitor disease progression and the effects of treatment. However, because glycation is one of the leading theories of aging, everyone should check their A1C level.

o This test does not require fasting. Take all prescription medications as prescribed… but do not take your supplements the morning of the test.

• DHEA

o DHEA is a precursor for the sex steroids including estrogen and testosterone. It is primarily produced in the adrenal gland with a small amount secreted by the ovaries. DHEA plays an important role in immune function and stress response. Blood measurements of DHEA-S (sulfate) are correlated with a lower risk of death or cardiovascular disease.1 Additionally, a 2007 study found that DHEA reduced oxidative stress and helped to protect diabetics against the damaging effects of high


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blood sugar.2 A 2008 study in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society measured serum DHEA in 940 men and women ranging from age 21 to 88, following them from 1978 until 2005. The researchers found that low levels of DHEA-S showed a significant association with shorter life span and that higher levels strongly predicted longevity.

o Fasting is not required for this test. Take all medications as prescribed. DHEA supplements should be taken approximately two hours before the blood draw.

• Prostate-SpecificAntigen(PSA)(MenOnly)

o Exclusively cells of the prostate gland produce prostate Specific Antigen (PSA). Used in conjunction with the digital rectal examination, PSA is a useful screening test for benign prostate enlargement and prostate cancer development. The stand-alone PSA blood test does not require fasting, but is included in other panels that do require a 12 hour fast. Panels which include the PSA blood test are:

• Male Hormone Re-test Profile

• Male Weight Loss Panel

• Male Hormone Modulated Profile

• Homocysteine

o Homocysteine is an independent risk factor for coronary heart disease. It is theorized that high blood levels of homocysteine may directly damage the delicate endothelial cells that line the inside of arteries and result in vascular inflammation, blood clot formation, and arterial plaque rupture. This test is intended for use in screening individuals who may be at risk for heart disease and stroke. Studies have shown that even moderate levels of homocysteine pose an increased risk for arterial plaque formation when compared with the lowest 20th percentile (<7.2 mcmol/L) of population controls. Fasting for 8 to 12 hours is required for this blood test. Do not eat any food or drink liquids other than water. Take your medications as prescribed. Do not take your supplements the morning of the test.


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• C-Reactive Protein

o The C-Reactive Protein (CRP) blood test measures the level of systemic inflammation. Inflammation is the common denominator of all chronic age-related diseases. Uncontrolled systemic inflammation places you at risk for many degenerative diseases like heart disease and stroke. You can check your blood level with or without fasting. The C-Reactive Protein blood test is also included in the following panels:

• Male Hormone Modulating Profile

• Healthy Aging Panel – Basic and Comprehensive

• Comprehensive Weight Loss Panel

Take all medications as prescribed. Do not take your supplements the morning of the test.

• CoQ10

o This test is used to check the blood level of CoQ10 and will enable more precise dosing for anyone seeking to achieve and maintain high levels of this critical antioxidant. Coenzyme Q10 is produced by the human body and is necessary for the basic functioning of all cells. It is known to be highly concentrated in heart muscle cells due to the high-energy requirements of this cell type. The CoQ10 blood level is reported to decrease with age and to be low in patients with such chronic diseases as a heart condition, muscular dystrophy, Parkinson’s disease, cancer, diabetes, and HIV/AIDS. Some prescription drugs may also lower CoQ10 levels, like statin medications used to lower cholesterol. You can check your CoQ10 blood level with or without fasting. Take all medications as prescribed. Do not take your supplements the morning of the test.

• Insulin

o Insulin is a hormone secreted by the pancreas in response to eating carbohydrates. Insulin facilitates the transport of the carbohydrates and sugars from the bloodstream into the cells. Once inside, the cells to make energy use the sugars. Insulin resistance, the hallmark of type II diabetes, occurs with excessive carbohydrate intake. Insulin, in this case, does not work optimally to drive glucose into the cells and tissues, which results in high blood sugar. This has numerous adverse consequences including:


20


cardiovascular disease, nerve damage and kidney problems. This blood test measures fasting insulin and is helpful in the diagnosis of insulin resistance and type II diabetes. Excess insulin is defined when levels are equal to or greater than 15 µIU/mL… however, optimal level is less than 5.

o This test is included in the following panels:

• Male and Female Weight Loss Panels

An 8 to 12 hour fast is required for this blood test. However, drink plenty of water and take your medications as prescribed.

• Viscosity

o Whole Blood Viscosity is an important hemodynamic biomarker, which has a strong predictive value for heart attack, stroke, cognitive decline, and complications of diabetes such as retinopathy, ulcerations, and the need for dialysis. It is correlated with all known risk factors for cardiovascular disease and may be more clinically useful than traditional measures in assessing the likelihood of a cardiovascular event. This profile includes both systolic and diastolic (high shear and low shear) measures of blood viscosity, as well as a Complete Blood Count with platelets and differential. Interpretative guidelines are provided, and free consults with our in-house physicians are available to assist you in making the best use of the results.

• Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)

o The thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) is produced and secreted by the pituitary gland and stimulates the thyroid to produce T3 and T4. When TSH is elevated, low thyroid function may be indicated. However, if TSH is low it is indicative of high thyroid function. TSH is used as a first line-screening tool to assess thyroid disease. Additionally, health care providers check TSH to monitor disease progression and treatment. TSH is included in many other Panels including:

• Male and Female Panels

• Male and Female Comprehensive Hormone Panels

• Male and Female Weight Loss Panels


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Fasting is not required. Take all medications as prescribed.

• Testosterone

o Testosterone is a steroid hormone from the androgen group primarily secreted in the testes of males and the ovaries of females. Small amounts of testosterone are also secreted by the adrenal glands. It is the principal anabolic steroid directing metabolism and the repair and regeneration of healthy tissues. In men, testosterone also plays a key role in the development of male reproductive tissues as well as promoting secondary sexual characteristics such as increased muscle and bone mass and hair growth. In addition, testosterone is essential for overall health and wellness. Recent research has revealed the association between low testosterone and many age-related diseases. Conditions such as heart disease, osteoporosis, diabetes and low libido are now thought to be attributed to what doctors call Low T Syndrome. On average, an adult male produces about ten times more testosterone than an adult female. However, women are far more sensitive to testosterone than men. Women with low testosterone may be more at risk for bone disease, heart disease, stroke, loss of libido, and chronic infections.

o Fasting is not required. This test is often included in many other panels.

• Estradiol

o Estradiol is the predominant sex hormone present in females and is also found at lower levels in men. It represents the major estrogen in humans. Estradiol not only impacts reproductive and sexual functioning, but also affects other systems including bone health, heart health, nerves and metabolism. Estradiol, also known as E2, is the most active of all three estrogens commonly measured in a clinical setting. For women, it is important to compare the relationship between estradiol and progesterone in evaluating menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, mood disorders, and aging skin. In men, high levels of estradiol are associated with abdominal fat, enlargement of the prostate and cardiovascular risk. In both men and women, low levels of estradiol are associated with osteoporosis.

Order this important test now at far less than most commercial laboratories charge. Since it is important to check estradiol in relationship to other hormones, we recommend the following panels:


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• Male Panel

• Female Panel

• Male Hormone Re-Test profile

• Sex Hormone Profile

• Male Hormone Modulated Profile

If you are supplementing with estradiol, it is important to take it approximately 2 hours prior to having your blood drawn. Take all medications as prescribed. Fasting is not required.

Special note: Any type of contraceptives that contain hormones will invalidate hormone results.

• Telomere

o Telomeres are sections of genetic material at the end of each chromosome whose primary function is to prevent chromosomal “fraying” when a cell replicates. As a cell ages, its telomeres become shorter. Eventually, the telomeres become too short to allow cell replication, the cell stops dividing and will ultimately die - a normal biological process. The Patient Telomere Score is calculated based on the patient’s average telomere length in peripheral whole blood cells. This average is then compared to telomere lengths from a population sample in the same age range as the patient to determine the patient’s percentile score. Cellular attrition by analyzing the rate at which changes in average Telomere length occur over time. Cells are being lost and replaced. (Cellular attrition)

o When should retesting be considered?

• Testing should be done once per year to evaluate the rate and direction of telomere changes and make adjustments in nutrition, nutritional supplements, weight management, exercise and other lifestyle modifications known to influence telomere length.


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• Nutrition

o Vitamin and nutrient imbalances could be causing or contributing to many of your overall health issues. Experts believe that hair loss, brittle nails, insomnia, rashes, fatigue and a variety of chronic health conditions are often associated with nutritional deficiencies. You don’t need to feel older than you really are so take out the guesswork and use blood based nutrient testing to find out if you are deficient! This panel measures a combination of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, offering an evaluation of nutrients that could be impacting your mental and physical well being. Components of the panel include:

• Vitamin B12

• Folate

• Vitamin D 25-hydroxy

• Vitamin A

• Vitamin C

• Selenium

• Zinc

• CoQ10

• RBC magnesium

This panel requires an 8 to 12 hour fast before having your blood drawn. However, please drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and take your medications as prescribed.

• Hematocrit

o The hematocrit may be used to screen for, diagnose, or monitor a number of conditions and diseases that affect the proportion of the blood made up of red blood cells (RBCs). It is often used with a hemoglobin level as a simple and quick evaluation of RBCs or is performed as part of a complete blood count (CBC) as an integral part of a health evaluation. The test may be used to:

• Screen for, diagnose, and evaluate the severity of anemia (low RBCs, low hemoglobin, low hematocrit) or polycythemia(high RBCs, high hemoglobin, high hematocrit)

http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/hemoglobin/

http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/cbc/

http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/conditions/anemia/

http://labtestsonline.org/glossary/polycythemia/


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• Monitor the response to treatment of anemia or polycythemia and other disorders that affect RBC production or lifespan

• Help make decisions about blood transfusions or other treatments if the anemia is severe

• Evaluate dehydration

o Some conditions affect RBC production in the bone marrow and may cause an increase or decrease in the number of mature RBCs released into the blood circulation. Other conditions may affect the lifespan of RBCs in the circulation. If there is increased destruction of RBCs (hemolysis) or loss of RBCs (bleeding) and/or the bone marrow is not able to produce new ones fast enough, then the overall number of RBCs and hematocrit will drop, resulting in anemia.

o This test can indicate if there is a problem with red blood cell production and/or lifespan, but it cannot determine the underlying cause. In addition to the full CBC, some other tests that may be performed at the same time or as follow up to establish a cause include a blood smear, reticulocyte count, iron studies, vitamin B12 and folate levels, and in more severe conditions, a bone marrow examination.

When is it ordered?

o The hematocrit is routinely ordered as a part of the complete blood count (CBC). It may also be ordered by itself or with a hemoglobin level as part of a general health examination. These tests are often ordered when a person has signs and symptoms of a condition affecting RBCs, such as anemia and polycythemia.

o Some signs and symptoms of anemia include:

• Weakness or fatigue

• Lack of energy

• Fainting

Paleness (pallor)

Shortness of breath

http://labtestsonline.org/glossary/dehydration/

http://labtestsonline.org/glossary/bone-marrow/

http://labtestsonline.org/glossary/hemolysis/

http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/blood-smear/

http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/reticulocyte/

http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/iron/

http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/vitamin-b12/

http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/vitamin-b12/

http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/bone-marrow/

http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/hemoglobin/

http://labtestsonline.org/glossary/sign/

http://labtestsonline.org/glossary/symptom/

http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/conditions/anemia

http://labtestsonline.org/glossary/polycythemia

http://labtestsonline.org/glossary/pallor/


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o Some signs and symptoms of polycythemia include:

• Disturbed vision

• Dizziness

• Headache

• Flushing

• Enlarged spleen

It may sometimes be ordered when someone has signs and symptoms of serious dehydration, such as extreme thirst, dry mouth or mucous membranes, and lack of sweating or urination. This test may be performed several times or on a regular basis when someone has been diagnosed with ongoing bleeding problems or chronic anemias or polycythemia to determine the effectiveness of treatment. It may also be ordered routinely on patients undergoing treatment for cancer that is known to affect the bone marrow.

Now you have the knowledge to avoid a heart attack, and you can have the peace of mind knowing that everything is okay, whether it’s because your five tests come back clean, or because you are now taking the easy steps you need to attain perfect health.

http://labtestsonline.org/glossary/dehydration

http://labtestsonline.org/glossary/chronic/

http://labtestsonline.org/glossary/bone-marrow/

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