5 Important Blood Tests Not Routinely Performed By Your Doctor - #1
Thank you again for subscribing to my report covering 5 important blood tests that are showing promise in the prevention of disease. These tests, I believe, should be done at your yearly physical or when you get blood tests done because of their importance. Over the next few days, I will be sharing with you information that will be both educational and valuable. With this information, I encourage you to speak with your health care provider to discuss if ordering these tests would be appropriate for you.
Today’s test that we are going to cover is homocysteine. Homocysteine is a byproduct in the body produced by an incomplete metabolism of the amino acid methinione. This metabolism is reliant on vitamins B6, B12, and folic acid. When this metabolism backs up, we can detect it by testing the levels of homocysteine and, when elevated, is evident of severe B vitamin deficiency.
Levels of homocysteine in the blood for men and women should optimally be below 7.2 umol/L (The medical range is between 4.3-15.3 for men, and 3.3-11.6 for women, but I use an optimal range because of the correlations in the medical literature).
The implications of having a high homocysteine are numerous and is linked to cardiovascular health. For instance coronary artery disease, heart attack, atherosclerosis, and ischemic heart disease all have been linked to elevated levels of homocysteine.
Other diseases linked to having a high level of homocysteine are: birth defects, colorectal cancer, cervical cancer, depression, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, inflammatory bowel disease, aneurysm, osteoporosis, bipolar, macular degeneration, and schizophrenia.
To put these numbers in perspective, the results of a study looking at homocysteine levels and stroke risk are quite astonishing. With a level between 7 and 9, there was a 26% increased risk of stroke compared to the comparison group (who's levels were less than 7). Those patients whose levels were between 9 and 11 showed a 31% increased risk, and those above 11 had a 74% increased risk of stroke.
There were also studies looking at mortality (risk of dying) with coronary artery disease and homocysteine. With a level less than 9, there was a 3.8% chance of dying within 3.9-5.3 years. Those between 9 and 15, the risk of dying in 3.9-5.3 years was 8.6%. Finally, those whose levels of homocysteine was greater than 15 had a 24.6% chance of dying in 3.9-5.3 years of coronary artery disease!
One final consideration deals with women on birth control medication. Birth control, or oral contraceptives, greatly deplete stores of vitamins B2, B3, B6, B12, C, folic acid, magnesium, selenium, and zinc making many processes in the body functioning below normal. Most women who are on oral contraceptives are in need of these specific vitamins as all of these are important for many cellular functions (not to mention for the developing fetus when becoming pregnant).
As you can see, measuring homocysteine levels at least yearly can greatly give us a good measure of prevention for many of the conditions listed above. Ask your healthcare provider if testing homocysteine is right for you.
Be looking for the next article as we’ll be talking about another blood test that your doctor should be doing in their office for disease prevention.
Here’s a hint: Did you know that even if you have a perfect cholesterol level, an elevated level of this next test can be a better predictor of cardiovascular disease and stroke?
Today’s test that we are going to cover is homocysteine. Homocysteine is a byproduct in the body produced by an incomplete metabolism of the amino acid methinione. This metabolism is reliant on vitamins B6, B12, and folic acid. When this metabolism backs up, we can detect it by testing the levels of homocysteine and, when elevated, is evident of severe B vitamin deficiency.
Levels of homocysteine in the blood for men and women should optimally be below 7.2 umol/L (The medical range is between 4.3-15.3 for men, and 3.3-11.6 for women, but I use an optimal range because of the correlations in the medical literature).
The implications of having a high homocysteine are numerous and is linked to cardiovascular health. For instance coronary artery disease, heart attack, atherosclerosis, and ischemic heart disease all have been linked to elevated levels of homocysteine.
Other diseases linked to having a high level of homocysteine are: birth defects, colorectal cancer, cervical cancer, depression, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, inflammatory bowel disease, aneurysm, osteoporosis, bipolar, macular degeneration, and schizophrenia.
To put these numbers in perspective, the results of a study looking at homocysteine levels and stroke risk are quite astonishing. With a level between 7 and 9, there was a 26% increased risk of stroke compared to the comparison group (who's levels were less than 7). Those patients whose levels were between 9 and 11 showed a 31% increased risk, and those above 11 had a 74% increased risk of stroke.
There were also studies looking at mortality (risk of dying) with coronary artery disease and homocysteine. With a level less than 9, there was a 3.8% chance of dying within 3.9-5.3 years. Those between 9 and 15, the risk of dying in 3.9-5.3 years was 8.6%. Finally, those whose levels of homocysteine was greater than 15 had a 24.6% chance of dying in 3.9-5.3 years of coronary artery disease!
One final consideration deals with women on birth control medication. Birth control, or oral contraceptives, greatly deplete stores of vitamins B2, B3, B6, B12, C, folic acid, magnesium, selenium, and zinc making many processes in the body functioning below normal. Most women who are on oral contraceptives are in need of these specific vitamins as all of these are important for many cellular functions (not to mention for the developing fetus when becoming pregnant).
As you can see, measuring homocysteine levels at least yearly can greatly give us a good measure of prevention for many of the conditions listed above. Ask your healthcare provider if testing homocysteine is right for you.
Be looking for the next article as we’ll be talking about another blood test that your doctor should be doing in their office for disease prevention.
Here’s a hint: Did you know that even if you have a perfect cholesterol level, an elevated level of this next test can be a better predictor of cardiovascular disease and stroke?
This report is not intended for use as a source of any legal or medical advice. The author wants to stress that the information contained herein may be subject to varying international, federal, state and/or local laws or regulations. The reader of this report assumes responsibility for the use of this material and information.
All information is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. You should seek prompt medical care for any specific health issues and consult your physician before starting a new regimen.
All information is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. You should seek prompt medical care for any specific health issues and consult your physician before starting a new regimen.
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