The first part of the report is a basic lipid (cholesterol) profile. The typical conventional evaluation stops here. Although this is valuable information, it is not enough. If your cholesterol value is elevated, the next question should be "Why?". The HDL profile reports values of biochemicals that indicate if a person absorbs a lot of cholesterol from food. If they do, then plant sterols may be a valuable supplement to reduce cholesterol absorption. Measures of cholesterol production within the body are also reported. When elevated these may lead to recommendation of red yeast rice supplements, among other approaches.
Half of people who suffer a fatal heart attack have normal cholesterol levels. More important than the total or LDL cholesterol numbers is the LDL particle number. The LDL (so called "bad" cholesterol) value is a measure of the weight of cholesterol per volume of blood (milligrams per deciliter). This value is the result of the number of cholesterol particles and the weight of each particle. Two individuals could have the same exact LDL cholesterol blood value but the characteristics of the cholesterol can be quite different. For starters, the LDL value can be the result of different numbers of particles of different size and density. This is important. LDL particle number is the most important lipid risk factor. Also important are the size and density of the LDL particles. So, one person can have a normal LDL cholesterol value of 100 mg/dl, which is composed of many, small dense particles. Another person with a LDL cholesterol of 100 can have relatively few particles, which are much larger and buoyant. The former patient, despite having normal cholesterol values, is at increased risk to heart disease.
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| 100 milligrams of cholesterol and 100 milligrams of cholesterol |
Small particles more easily become lodged in the artery wall and contribute to plaque build-up. The Health Diagnostic Laboratory profile measures LDL particle number, size and much more.
Large buoyant particles "bounce", small dense particles stick to arteries.
This special profile measures some of the other most important cardiovascular risk factors.Chronic inflammation is not only a contributing factor to cardiovascular disease but impairs quality of life, negatively impacting energy, mood, appetite, and sleep. Chronic inflammation contributes to diabetes, cancer, osteoporosis, dementia...all the degenerative diseases of aging. This profile measures several important inflammatory biochemicals to determine where you stand. When abnormal, sources of inflammation need to be investigated and dealt with accordingly.
Another major factor contributing to cardiovascular and other degenerative diseases, unwellness, and biological aging is oxidative stress or free radical damage. This abstract biological concept can be appreciated by observing its effects on causing metal to rust or a cut apple to turn brown. Skin wrinkles are in part caused by oxidative stress. Urine F2-isoprostanes reported on this test are an indicator of this oxidative stress process. Inflammation and oxidative stress perpetuate each other.
Additional measures of heart health, including a biochemical associated with congestive heart failure, are part of the evaluation. Perhaps you are starting to realize that a given biochemical is often associated with more than one organ or condition. Such is true of Galectin-3, which not only relates to heart health but spread of cancer when present. For the latter condition, treatments to inhibit cancer cell spread would be recommended.
A test I occasionally include is called "Aspirin Works". If a person is considering taking aspirin, blood can be tested to see if it may or may not be helpful. If aspirin is already being used, the efficacy of current dosing can be assessed.
I have devoted four newsletters this year to the important subject of nitric oxide - a critical biochemical that declines with age and disease ("Nitric Oxide: The Miracle Molecule. Neo 40: The Miracle Supplement"). The endothelium or lining of the blood vessels can't be healthy without adequate nitric oxide. My custom test profile includes an "Endothelial Function" panel. Biochemicals that impair the production of nitric oxide are measured and, when elevated, can lead to targeted investigation and treatment.
Analysis of several important genes related to cardiovascular health is part of this profile. Some of these influence blood clotting. The Apolipoprotein gene is also associated with risk to Alzheimer's disease. The MTHFR gene influences a critical function called methylation, which not only impacts cardiovascular and Alzheimer's risk but a multitude of important functions and conditions. For more on this important subject see my newsletter: Personalized Medicine- The Antidote for Bad Genes . When an unfavorable form of a gene is found, there are natural lifestyle and supplement strategies to implement to reduce health risk.
Measures of vitamins B12 and D are part of this profile. Every nutrient is important but vitamin D (which is actually a hormone) is far-reaching in its physiological influence and more commonly deficient than not. I wrote a newsletter on vitamin D, entitled The Miracle Vitamin. Folate is measured for this test from red blood cells- a preferred tissue specimen. Fatty acids are measured from red blood cells. The amount of EPA and DHA in the red cell membranes is reported as the Omega 3 Index. An Omega 3 index greater than 8 percent is the lab value most strongly protective against sudden cardiac death. A value below 8% leads to diet and supplement treatments.
Cystatin C is a special kidney function marker that is part of this panel. This is a better test than what is measured for kidney function on a routine basis.
A section of the HDL profile I order is called a "Diabetes Prevention and Management Panel". This is much more than an extremely sensitive blood sugar test. It measures glycation and insulin resistance: two more mechanistic factors in unhealthy aging. (See my newsletter on glycation: The Most Under-Appreciated Factor in Health & Aging).
The single most sensitive marker of insulin resistance is alpha hydroxybutyrate. This biochemical elevates when the body is struggling to produce glutathione: an important detoxifier and critical antioxidant. When I find an elevated alpha-hydroxybutyrate I consider that toxicity is likely an important factor for the patient.
In addition to thyroid hormone, several hormones that are measured are intimately related to body fat and ability to lose weight. When leptin and insulin are elevated, body fat formation is stimulated, fat burning is impaired, and hunger is commonly increased. Low levels of the hormone adiponectin contribute to reduced fat burning and increased inflammation. Abnormal levels of these hormones lead to personalized lifestyle and supplement strategies to restore balance in the body, improving insulin sensitivity and improving fat loss.
I am thrilled with this profile from Health Diagnostic Laboratory. I also like the way results are reported: color coding is used to signify normal, intermediate, and high-risk values (green, yellow, and red, respectively). Another thing I like about this lab is that they accept what insurance companies pay and don't collect money from patients who supply insurance information. For people without health insurance, the tests are offered at a discount.
