Unveiling the Power of Advanced Blood Tests: Detect Risks Hidden Deep Within

Blood tests can be extremely useful for detecting various health issues before symptoms even appear. In this article, we will delve into advanced blood tests that your doctor might order to screen for illnesses, ranging from heart disease to inflammation and diabetes. It is important to note that these tests are relatively new, and you might need to ask your doctor to order them specifically.

Heart Disease Tests

1. Oxidized LDL – This test determines the amount of sticky or “oxidized” LDL cholesterol in your blood. Oxidized LDL is a much better predictor of arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). Counting all LDL components does not correlate well with heart disease risk.

2. LDL Particle Number and Size – Assessing the number and size of LDL and HDL particles provides valuable information about your heart disease risk. Having a high LDL particle (LDL-P) count is a hidden risk factor for cardiovascular disease, even if LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) levels are low. Also, a low HDL-P count may indicate insulin resistance. Smaller LDL-P sizes can enter the blood vessel wall more easily and cause heart disease. The preferred method for measuring LDL particle concentrations (LDL-P) is nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy.

3. Apolipoprotein B – This test may also help estimate the concentration of LDL particles. Low levels are associated with an increased risk of plaque buildup or arteriosclerosis. Improving your diet and leading an active lifestyle can positively impact these measurements.

4. Lipoprotein (a) – This is a genetic risk factor for heart disease that doesn’t improve significantly with cholesterol medications. The Lp(a) test is particularly valuable if you or a family member have a history of heart disease with normal LDL-C levels.

Tests for Inflammation

1. Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) – This test measures inflammation inside your artery walls, which is the primary cause of plaque buildup (arteriosclerosis). High Lp-PLA2 levels indicate a risk for rupture, which can be lowered by practicing a healthy diet, exercising, taking fish oil supplements, and controlling blood pressure.

2. Homocysteine – This amino acid becomes elevated when there is inflammation in the heart vessels. One potential cause is an abnormality in the MTHFR gene.

3. Fibrinogen – This blood clotting protein becomes elevated in response to inflammation, leading to a worsened risk of arteriosclerosis. Regular exercise can help lower this level.

4. Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) – This enzyme becomes elevated in various heart or lung stress conditions and serves as a marker for congestive heart failure.

Diabetes Risk Tests

1. Adiponectin – This hormone, produced by fat cells, controls body fat storage. Low adiponectin levels result from consuming too many sugary foods, putting you at greater risk for heart disease. Adiponectin is one of the earliest indicators of diabetes, even before other tests show abnormalities.

2. Insulin – Elevated fasting insulin levels combined with low adiponectin indicate progression towards diabetes, even if blood sugar and HbA1c levels are normal.

3. Proinsulin – This measurement shows the insulin your pancreas is producing. High proinsulin levels, along with low adiponectin, high insulin, and rising postprandial blood sugar levels, indicate insulin resistance and prediabetes, even if fasting blood sugar is normal.

4. Fructosamine – This test provides an average of blood sugar control over a two-week period, whereas the HbA1c test (from a previous article) measures blood sugar averages over three months.

5. Leptin – This hormone is responsible for appetite regulation and the sensation of fullness. Leptin functionality may decrease with insulin resistance.

6. Free Fatty Acids (FFAs) – Elevated FFAs are linked to increased fats in the diet converting to triglycerides, causing insulin resistance to develop. This test measures the link between obesity and insulin resistance.

These advanced blood tests are essential for understanding your overall health. However, they may not reveal critical information about your intestinal health, which is often overlooked in disease diagnosis. In the next article, we’ll explore the link between intestinal health and chronic disease development, and various methods for measuring intestinal and immune system health.