4) The NMR LipoProfile Cholesterol Test
This one provides a much more comprehensive evaluation of heart attack and stroke risk than the regular Lipid/Cholesterol Profile–this test actually measures the LDL particle size and number.
Even with normal levels of cholesterol, small LDL particles easily infiltrate the artery wall, promoting plaque buildup.
Having a higher LDL particle number also greatly increases health risk even with normal total or LDL levels. This test helps us develop a natural program to prevent or reverse erectile dysfunction, heart attacks, strokes, clotting risk, and therefore improve circulation of oxygen and nutrition to every organ. It is a key to any wellness tune‐up.
5) Cardiac CRP
This is a blood test that measures the level of inflammation throughout your body. Inflammation literally turns on genes that promote diabetes, cancer, heart disease and autoimmune conditions. Once discovered, inflammation can be properly addressed with natural strategies that help turn off disease-promoting genes.
6) Vitamin D Testing
Vitamin D testing is a critical part of your health tune-up and deficiency is very easy to fix. Studies estimate that 35% of all cancers could be eliminated if we optimized our blood level of Vitamin D.
Low levels greatly increase our risk of infections, pneumonia, autoimmune disease, neurologic and mental health problems. Don’t think that being in the sun regularly eliminates your need to test Vitamin D.
Even as a beach and sun lover my Vitamin D level has been as low as 25. Get tested and then take enough Vitamin D to achieve a 50 to 100 on your blood test.
There are specific supplements, diet protocols and other natural strategies available at lifestyle medicine clinics to help control and even reverse risk factors associated with your “tune up.”
Once baseline tests are done it is important that proper strategies be put in place to address the various causes of the health problems identified.
Whether my patients are involved in the Optimal Brain Wellness series, the Diabetes Management Clinic, Detox Program, or the Total Wellness series, I generally recommend that the abnormal baseline labs be repeated at 5 and then 10 weeks in order to ensure success and make adjustments as needed.
The good news is that the above lab tests and tune-up can give us the direction we need to make the next three months a time of health transformation and healing.
Tips on getting specialized blood tests
Health insurance is changing. Many of us have lost health insurance or decided that it is just too expensive. Most with insurance have a huge deductible, or are no longer willing to let an insurance plan dictate what tests we can have done.
A great option is to work with a clinic that has discount contracts with local and national labs. For instance, at our clinic, patients get a 80% discount on all labs. Likewise, I use the same discount service for all labs done for my family.
That way I get exactly what I need and at a discount that is better than what my insurance would charge me. Take charge of your health and get the tune-up lab tests that can help you transform your health naturally.