3 Blood Tests Your Doctor Might Be Overlookingđź©ş
Blood tests are a great way for us to assess what’s happening inside the body and get a look “under the hood” to make sure our bodies are functioning properly and let us know if there are areas for improvement.
Three inexpensive tests that are easily added to your annual blood work and offer significant insights into your overall well-being include: ferritin, uric acid, and fasting insulin.
These tests give us early indications of potential issues in our bodies. They are also biomarkers that respond well to interventions, meaning you can often make improvements before there are lasting impacts to your health.
Let’s explore each test.
Ferritin: Your Iron Storage
Ferritin is a protein that stores iron in your body, and its levels can indicate whether you have too much or too little iron. Iron is crucial for oxygen transport, energy production, and immune function.
Low ferritin levels can lead to fatigue, weakness, anxiety, and even hair loss, while high levels might signal inflammation or liver disease. Ferritin levels can also indicate issues with iron-deficiency anemia well before it shows up on other blood tests.
Why It Matters:
Energy Levels: Adequate iron storage helps prevent fatigue and supports overall vitality.
Immune Function: Iron is essential for a healthy immune system, protecting you from infections.
Mental Health: Iron deficiency has been linked to mood disturbances, like anxiety and depression, and cognitive issues.
Uric Acid: A Marker for Metabolic Health
Uric acid is a waste product that results from the breakdown of purines, substances found in many foods. While it's normal to have some uric acid in your blood, high levels can lead to gout, kidney stones, and may be a sign of metabolic syndrome, which increases your risk for heart disease and diabetes.
While we used to only worry about uric acid levels in those with gout, we are seeing a strong connection between elevated uric acid levels and cardiovascular health, including a possible link to high blood pressure.
Why It Matters:
Joint Health: High uric acid levels can cause painful gout attacks, particularly in the joints.
Kidney Function: Elevated uric acid can lead to kidney stones and affect kidney health.
Heart Health: Managing uric acid levels can reduce your risk of heart disease.
Insulin: The Blood Sugar Regulator
Insulin is a hormone produced by your pancreas that helps regulate blood sugar levels. Testing your fasting insulin levels can provide insights into how well your body is managing glucose. Abnormal insulin levels can be an early indicator of insulin resistance, prediabetes, or type 2 diabetes.
Changes in fasting insulin levels can be detected up to 10 years before we begin to see elevations in blood glucose or hemoglobin A1c, the typical markers used to measure blood sugar regulation.
Why It Matters:
Blood Sugar Control: Proper insulin function is crucial for maintaining stable blood sugar levels and energy.
Weight Management: Insulin resistance can lead to weight gain and difficulty losing weight.
Hormonal Balance: Insulin interacts with other hormones, and imbalances can affect overall health, including reproductive health.
Understanding these biomarkers can help you take proactive steps toward better health.
đź’ˇAs a reminder, the result ranges typically seen on lab reports do not indicate what is optimal for your body, they rule out dysfunction.
If you are not feeling your best, but your labs are “normal” there is a good possibility that your numbers are not in the optimal or functional range (that’s where I can help!).
If you’re ready to learn more about these tests and how they can benefit your health journey, contact me today to schedule your consultation.
Together, we can uncover the insights that will help you achieve vibrant health and balance.