In addition to the usual lab tests of Comprehensive Metabolic Profile (CMP) and Complete Blood Cell Count (CBC), I encourage you to ask your doctor for the following tests:
C-Reactive Protein (CRP) and hsCRP assay- this is a big one in that C-Reactive protein is an inflammatory marker and so many of our health problems are inflammatory processes. C-Reactive protein is produced in the liver and rises when there is inflammation in the body. hsCRP is particularly sensitive to inflammation affecting the heart and the circulatory system.
Vitamin D- we are very Vitamin D deficient in this country. Best sources Sunlight (about 20 mins/day) and cod liver oil. If you live in a climate where it is warm 5-6 months/year and you are outdoor a lot, supplement with fish oil during the cool months.
Hemoglobin A1c-indicates glucose level over 3 month time period.
Insulin Level-elevated level indicative of insulin resistance. Glucose may be normal but elevated insulin level is precursor to Type II diabetes.
C-Peptide- an indicator for endogenous insulin production
Thyroid Profile to include: TSH, FREE T3 and T4, Thyroid antibodies (antiTPO and TgAB (you need both ), Ferritin (stress Ferritin and not just RBC), Cortisol levels (strongly recommend the saliva test), B12, progesterone, estrogen, testosterone, DHEA and Reverse T3
RE: vitamin D
During the last ten years, researchers have made a number of exciting discoveries about vitamin D. They have ascertained, for example, that vitamin D is an antioxidant that is a more effective antioxidant than vitamin E in reducing lipid peroxidation and increasing enzymes that protect against oxidation.19;20
Vitamin D deficiency decreases biosynthesis and release of insulin.21 Glucose intolerance has been inversely associated with the concentration of vitamin D in the blood. Thus, vitamin D may protect against both Type I and Type II diabetes.22
The risk of senile cataract is reduced in persons with optimal levels of D and carotenoids.23
PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) has been corrected by supplementation of D and calcium.24
Vitamin D plays a role in regulation of both the "infectious" immune system and the "inflammatory" immune system.25
Low vitamin D is associated with several autoimmune diseases including multiple sclerosis, Sjogren's Syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroiditis and Crohn's disease.26;27
Osteoporosis is strongly associated with low vitamin D. Postmenopausal women with osteoporosis respond favorably (and rapidly) to higher levels of D plus calcium and magnesium.28
D deficiency has been mistaken for fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue or peripheral neuropathy.1;28-30
Infertility is associated with low vitamin D.31 Vitamin D supports production of estrogen in men and women.32 PMS has been completely reversed by addition of calcium, magnesium and vitamin D.33 Menstrual migraine is associated with low levels of vitamin D and calcium.81
Breast, prostate, skin and colon cancer have a strong association with low levels of D and lack of sunlight.34-38
Activated vitamin D in the adrenal gland regulates tyrosine hydroxylase, the rate limiting enzyme necessary for the production of dopamine, epinephrine and norepinephrine. Low D may contribute to chronic fatigue and depression.39
Seasonal Affective Disorder has been treated successfully with vitamin D. In a recent study covering 30 days of treatment comparing vitamin D supplementation with two-hour daily use of light boxes, depression completely resolved in the D group but not in the light box group.40
High stress may increase the need for vitamin D or UV-B sunlight and calcium.41
People with Parkinsons and Alzheimers have been found to have lower levels of vitamin D.42;43
Low levels of D, and perhaps calcium, in a pregnant mother and later in the child may be the contributing cause of "crooked teeth" and myopia. When these conditions are found in succeeding generations it means the genetics require higher levels of one or both nutrients to optimize health.44-47
Behavior and learning disorders respond well to D and/or calcium combined with an adequate diet and trace minerals.48;49
Vitamin D and Heart Disease
Research suggests that low levels of vitamin D may contribute to or be a cause of syndrome X with associated hypertension, obesity, diabetes and heart disease.50 Vitamin D regulates vitamin-D-binding proteins and some calcium-binding proteins, which are responsible for carrying calcium to the "right location" and protecting cells from damage by free calcium.51 Thus, high dietary levels of calcium, when D is insufficient, may contribute to calcification of the arteries, joints, kidney and perhaps even the brain.52-54
Many researchers have postulated that vitamin D deficiency leads to the deposition of calcium in the arteries and hence atherosclerosis, noting that northern countries have higher levels of cardiovascular disease and that more heart attacks occur in winter months.55-56
Scottish researchers found that calcium levels in the hair inversely correlated with arterial calcium—the more calcium or plaque in the arteries, the less calcium in the hair. Ninety percent of men experiencing myocardial infarction had low hair calcium. When vitamin D was administered, the amount of calcium in the beard went up and this rise continued as long as vitamin D was consumed. Almost immediately after stopping supplementation, however, beard calcium fell to pre-supplement levels.27
Administration of dietary vitamin D or UV-B treatment has been shown to lower blood pressure, restore insulin sensitivity and lower cholesterol.58-60
Cortisol:
In the presence of stressors, the body almost immediately attempts to increase cortisol levels. This increase is associated with both endocrine and autonomic responses in preparing the body to defend itself normally. However, elevated cortisol levels for extended periods negatively affect virtually every aspect of physiology.
For example, it becomes more difficult to:
Here's to a healthier you. I hope you will set out to become healthier and take ownership for your body. Quit using it as a toxic waste dump and learn how to be healthy with proper nourishment. Our primary pharmacology should come from the foods we eat. Medication should be a bridge to health. It should not be a permanent addition to your lifestyle. If you are taking statin drugs (cholesterol lowering agents, I hope you will begin some immediate research into Cholesterol. There is a lot of publication out there to state it is a manufactured disease. Statin drugs are DANGEROUS.
C-Reactive Protein (CRP) and hsCRP assay- this is a big one in that C-Reactive protein is an inflammatory marker and so many of our health problems are inflammatory processes. C-Reactive protein is produced in the liver and rises when there is inflammation in the body. hsCRP is particularly sensitive to inflammation affecting the heart and the circulatory system.
Vitamin D- we are very Vitamin D deficient in this country. Best sources Sunlight (about 20 mins/day) and cod liver oil. If you live in a climate where it is warm 5-6 months/year and you are outdoor a lot, supplement with fish oil during the cool months.
Hemoglobin A1c-indicates glucose level over 3 month time period.
Insulin Level-elevated level indicative of insulin resistance. Glucose may be normal but elevated insulin level is precursor to Type II diabetes.
C-Peptide- an indicator for endogenous insulin production
Thyroid Profile to include: TSH, FREE T3 and T4, Thyroid antibodies (antiTPO and TgAB (you need both ), Ferritin (stress Ferritin and not just RBC), Cortisol levels (strongly recommend the saliva test), B12, progesterone, estrogen, testosterone, DHEA and Reverse T3
RE: vitamin D
During the last ten years, researchers have made a number of exciting discoveries about vitamin D. They have ascertained, for example, that vitamin D is an antioxidant that is a more effective antioxidant than vitamin E in reducing lipid peroxidation and increasing enzymes that protect against oxidation.19;20
Vitamin D deficiency decreases biosynthesis and release of insulin.21 Glucose intolerance has been inversely associated with the concentration of vitamin D in the blood. Thus, vitamin D may protect against both Type I and Type II diabetes.22
The risk of senile cataract is reduced in persons with optimal levels of D and carotenoids.23
PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) has been corrected by supplementation of D and calcium.24
Vitamin D plays a role in regulation of both the "infectious" immune system and the "inflammatory" immune system.25
Low vitamin D is associated with several autoimmune diseases including multiple sclerosis, Sjogren's Syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroiditis and Crohn's disease.26;27
Osteoporosis is strongly associated with low vitamin D. Postmenopausal women with osteoporosis respond favorably (and rapidly) to higher levels of D plus calcium and magnesium.28
D deficiency has been mistaken for fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue or peripheral neuropathy.1;28-30
Infertility is associated with low vitamin D.31 Vitamin D supports production of estrogen in men and women.32 PMS has been completely reversed by addition of calcium, magnesium and vitamin D.33 Menstrual migraine is associated with low levels of vitamin D and calcium.81
Breast, prostate, skin and colon cancer have a strong association with low levels of D and lack of sunlight.34-38
Activated vitamin D in the adrenal gland regulates tyrosine hydroxylase, the rate limiting enzyme necessary for the production of dopamine, epinephrine and norepinephrine. Low D may contribute to chronic fatigue and depression.39
Seasonal Affective Disorder has been treated successfully with vitamin D. In a recent study covering 30 days of treatment comparing vitamin D supplementation with two-hour daily use of light boxes, depression completely resolved in the D group but not in the light box group.40
High stress may increase the need for vitamin D or UV-B sunlight and calcium.41
People with Parkinsons and Alzheimers have been found to have lower levels of vitamin D.42;43
Low levels of D, and perhaps calcium, in a pregnant mother and later in the child may be the contributing cause of "crooked teeth" and myopia. When these conditions are found in succeeding generations it means the genetics require higher levels of one or both nutrients to optimize health.44-47
Behavior and learning disorders respond well to D and/or calcium combined with an adequate diet and trace minerals.48;49
Vitamin D and Heart Disease
Research suggests that low levels of vitamin D may contribute to or be a cause of syndrome X with associated hypertension, obesity, diabetes and heart disease.50 Vitamin D regulates vitamin-D-binding proteins and some calcium-binding proteins, which are responsible for carrying calcium to the "right location" and protecting cells from damage by free calcium.51 Thus, high dietary levels of calcium, when D is insufficient, may contribute to calcification of the arteries, joints, kidney and perhaps even the brain.52-54
Many researchers have postulated that vitamin D deficiency leads to the deposition of calcium in the arteries and hence atherosclerosis, noting that northern countries have higher levels of cardiovascular disease and that more heart attacks occur in winter months.55-56
Scottish researchers found that calcium levels in the hair inversely correlated with arterial calcium—the more calcium or plaque in the arteries, the less calcium in the hair. Ninety percent of men experiencing myocardial infarction had low hair calcium. When vitamin D was administered, the amount of calcium in the beard went up and this rise continued as long as vitamin D was consumed. Almost immediately after stopping supplementation, however, beard calcium fell to pre-supplement levels.27
Administration of dietary vitamin D or UV-B treatment has been shown to lower blood pressure, restore insulin sensitivity and lower cholesterol.58-60
Cortisol:
- Mobilizes protein stores in all tissues except the liver
- Mobilizes fatty acids from adipose
- Is the precursor of cortisone and acts as an anti-inflammatory
- Is the primary hormone directing immune function
In the presence of stressors, the body almost immediately attempts to increase cortisol levels. This increase is associated with both endocrine and autonomic responses in preparing the body to defend itself normally. However, elevated cortisol levels for extended periods negatively affect virtually every aspect of physiology.
For example, it becomes more difficult to:
- Maintain proper blood sugar levels
- Slow down for rest, recovery, and repair
- Get good quality sleep
- Balance other hormones
- Maintain mucosal immune integrity
- Maintain bone mass
- Produce effective general immune function
- Effectively regulate inflammatory processes
- Detoxify the body
Here's to a healthier you. I hope you will set out to become healthier and take ownership for your body. Quit using it as a toxic waste dump and learn how to be healthy with proper nourishment. Our primary pharmacology should come from the foods we eat. Medication should be a bridge to health. It should not be a permanent addition to your lifestyle. If you are taking statin drugs (cholesterol lowering agents, I hope you will begin some immediate research into Cholesterol. There is a lot of publication out there to state it is a manufactured disease. Statin drugs are DANGEROUS.
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