Your Blood Never Lies: How to Read a Blood Test for a Longer, Healthier Life
368
Your Blood Never Lies: How to Read a Blood Test for a Longer, Healthier Life
368Paperback
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Overview
If you’re like most people, you probably rely on your doctor to interpret the results of your blood tests, which contain a wealth of information on the state of your health. A blood test can tell you how well your kidneys and liver are functioning, your potential for heart disease and diabetes, the strength of your immune system, the chemical profile of your blood, and many other important facts about the state of your health. And yet, most of cannot decipher these results ourselves, nor can we even formulate the right questions to ask about them—that is, until now.
In Your Blood Never Lies, best-selling author Dr. James LaValle clears the mystery surrounding blood test results. In simple language, he explains all the information found on a typical lab report—the medical terminology, the numbers and percentages, and the laboratory jargon—and makes it accessible. This means that you will be able to look at your own blood test results and understand the significance of each biological marker being measured. To help you take charge of your health, Dr. LaValle also recommends the most effective standard and complementary treatments for dealing with any problematic findings. Rounding out the book are explanations of lab values that do not appear on the typical blood test, but that should be requested for a more complete picture of your current physiological condition.
A blood test can reveal so much about your body, but only if you can interpret the results. Your Blood Never Lies provides the up-to-date information you need to take control of your health.
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9780757003509 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Square One Publishers |
| Publication date: | 07/02/2013 |
| Pages: | 368 |
| Sales rank: | 238,802 |
| Product dimensions: | 6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 1.00(d) |
About the Author
nutritionist, and the founder of LaValle Metabolic Institute and Integrative
Health Resources. Dr. LaValle has extensive experience in clinical practice, product design and formulation, and technology development. He is also an educator, media personality, and author who has written over eighteen books, including Cracking the Metabolic Code and Smart Medicine for Healthier Living.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments vii
Foreword ix
Preface xi
Introduction 1
How to Use This Book 7
Part 1 The Lipid Panel
1 Triglycerides 21
2 Total Cholesterol 31
3 LDL Cholesterol 40
4 HDL Cholesterol 49
Part 2 The Basic Metabolic Panel
5 Glucose 59
6 Calcium 80
7 Potassium 91
8 Sodium 101
9 Chloride 109
10 Carbon Dioxide 115
11 Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) 123
12 Creatinine 130
13 BUN/Creatinine Ratio 137
14 Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) 140
Part 3 The Hepatic Function Panel
15 Total Protein 151
16 Albumin 155
17 Globulin 161
18 Albumin/Globulin (A/G) Ratio 170
19 Bilirubin 172
20 Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) 177
21 Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) 181
22 Aspartate Ammotransferase (AST) 186
23 Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase (GGT) 191
Part 4 Complete Blood Count
24 Red Blood Cells (RBCs) 201
25 Hemoglobin 210
26 Hematocrit 215
27 Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) 219
28 Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH) 224
29 Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC) 229
30 Platelets 234
31 White Blood Cells (WBCs) 240
Part 5 Hormones
32 DHEA 252
33 Cortisol 256
34 Estrogen 262
35 Thyroid Hormones 268
36 Progesterone 276
37 Testosterone 281
38 Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) 286
Part 6 Optional Tests
39 Homocysteine 291
40 C-Reactive Protein (CRP) 299
41 Vitamin D 307
42 Magnesium 312
Conclusion 319
Testing Laboratories 321
A Guide to Reference Ranges 323
Tracking Your Blood Test Results 329
References 333
About the Author 343
Index 345
Preface
The fact is, blood testing generally has one purpose, and that is to check for disorders, dysfunction, and disease. When blood test results point to a certain condition, measures are taken to bring the appropriate number—the abnormal lab value—into the “normal” range. However, when test results are normal, only rarely is a patient told how to stay in this range or, better yet, how to achieve an optimal, or target, level. It becomes a matter of waiting for the other shoe to drop, leading up to the day when you walk into the doctor’s office or pick up the phone and are told, “You are diabetic” or “You have a thyroid disorder.” But it does not have to be this way.
A blood test is essentially a blueprint of your health and a glimpse of its future. It tells you so much about what is going on inside your body, and it can speak volumes about what may go on inside of it somewhere down the line. The information obtained from lab results can push you to take the needed steps to put (or keep) your health on the right track. A blood test can motivate you to change your dietary habits, start a fitness regimen, or alter certain aspects of your lifestyle, such as your stress level and sleep patterns. A blood test can also be precautionary, helping you to monitor conditions that may be a running concern in your family or personal medical history. If you are already being treated for a particular condition, a blood test is one of the best ways to ensure that your medication is doing its job. In sum, a blood test is a quantitative way of measuring your health so that you can manage it more effectively and easily. But before you can begin to interpret your test results, you should know a thing or two about the blood testing procedure, as well as certain factors that may influence the outcome.
THE BASICS OF BLOOD TESTINGA blood test is a common medical procedure in which a small amount of blood is drawn from the body using a needle, which is usually inserted into a vein in the arm. The blood sample is then analyzed by a lab technician to check for any sign or risk of disease, organ dysfunction, nutritional deficiency, or other problem. The technician may examine whole blood or separate the blood cells from the fluid in which they are contained, which is known as the serum or plasma. The plasma is used to measure levels of various substances in the blood and determine whether or not they fall into the normal range. This range is based on the average values reported in 95 percent of healthy people of a certain group and, therefore, may vary according to factors such as age, sex, and ethnicity. The reference ranges for normal, high, and low lab values may vary among laboratories depending on the methodology used by the blood analysts. The ranges used in this book reflect the guidelines set by LabCorp, a company that provides testing services to nearly 90 percent of doctors’ offices, hospitals, and other medical institutions. However, some labs may use slightly different ranges, so you should take this into account when reviewing your blood test results.
Standard blood tests are not always completely accurate. There are a number of factors that may artificially cause your blood levels to fall outside the normal range, resulting in an abnormal reading or false-positive result. Certain foods, physical activity, alcohol and caffeine consumption, and some medications affect metabolism and overall body function, and thus may influence blood test results. Failing to follow pre-testing instructions, such as fasting, can also produce abnormal results. By the same token, standard blood tests can indicate normal blood levels when a disease or other condition is actually present, or a false-negative result. The bottom line is that abnormal results may, but do not always, indicate a health problem. If your results show an abnormality, do not panic. Your physician will probably recommend more specific blood tests, which have a higher rate of accuracy. In general, a blood test is quick and requires little preparation. If you are unfamiliar with the procedure or if it has been a long time since your last blood test, here is a rundown of what you can expect before, during, and after the test.
Before the Blood TestOne of the most common questions people have about blood tests is whether or not they can eat beforehand. Most healthcare professionals recommend fasting for approximately eight hours prior to a blood test. To “fast” generally means to abstain from food and beverages, especially coffee, tea, and alcohol. These liquids in particular should not be in your system for ten to twelve hours before the test, as they can skew readings. However, fasting does not include water, which you should continue to drink not only to prevent dehydration, but also the lightheaded and dizzy feeling that may accompany the loss of even a small amount of blood. If your doctor or health practitioner does not mention fasting, it is best to ask, as it may be advisable to fast for more than eight hours to ensure the accuracy of certain tests.
Pre-test preparations may also be tailored to a specific health concern, such as triglycerides or blood sugar. If you are worried that your triglycerides level is high, you may want to avoid fatty foods the day before the test, as these can artificially raise the fat content of your blood and cause a high reading. Even a seemingly harmless food such as salad dressing (unless it is fat-free) can inflate your triglycerides level. If you are concerned about high blood sugar, refrain from eating foods rich in carbohydrates the day before the test, since they remain in your system longer than other foods.
Still, many of your blood levels will not change significantly in the short term, especially if your body is functioning normally. Fasting has the greatest impact on blood sugar, insulin, and triglycerides, so stay away from foods and liquids that can temporarily raise these levels. Keep in mind, though, that there are many blood tests that may require special preparation, so always inquire ahead of time about pre-testing instructions. Finally, be sure to tell your doctor or health practitioner if you are taking blood thinners, such as heparin and warfarin (Coumadin), or any other medication, whether prescribed or over-the-counter (OTC). Since medications may interfere with test results, your doctor should be aware of this information before the blood test is administered.
During the Blood Test Although self-testing kits are now available from online retailers, you should have your blood tested at a doctor’s office, lab, or hospital. Drawing blood is not a foolproof procedure and, therefore, should be done by a phlebotomist—a specialist trained in drawing blood samples for medical analysis. A skilled phlebotomist should be able to find a vein and draw the blood in a single attempt without causing a patient to feel significant pain or discomfort. Most people feel only a brief pinch when having their blood drawn. Of course, not all phlebotomists are equally skilled at finding veins or inserting needles, so if a vein cannot be found after two tries, you should ask that another technician take your blood instead.
While blood tests are generally neither complicated nor painful, there are a couple things you can do immediately before the test to ensure the procedure is as comfortable and stress-free as possible. First, increase your water intake about an hour before the test, since water helps to fill up the veins, making them “plumper” and more easily accessible. Second, place a warm towel or heating pad on your arm as you sit in the waiting room. Like water, warmth makes veins less constricted so that the technician taking your blood can easily locate a vein and insert the needle, thereby minimizing discomfort.
You will probably be sitting in a chair or on an examining table for the blood test. Once you are comfortable, the phlebotomist will apply a tourniquet and touch your arm with one or two fingers, feeling for a vein. You may be asked to make a fist to make the veins in your arm more prominent. When the vein is located, the area will be cleaned by applying rubbing alcohol with a cotton swab. Then, it is finally time to draw the blood.
To reduce your anxiety, look away from the needle and focus on another object in the room, or simply close your eyes. Try to relax your arm and make sure you keep it still. Once the needle is in, the hardest part is over—the test will be done in a matter of minutes.
After the Blood TestOnce the needle has been withdrawn from your arm, you will probably be asked to bend your arm and apply pressure to the area while the phlebotomist gets a bandage. Let her know if you are sensitive or allergic to adhesive; you can instead be given a Co-Flex, which is gauze with a rubbery coating. Bandages, which can usually be removed within twenty-four hours, help to minimize bruising, though some people will bruise regardless. This is typically not a concern, but you should speak to your doctor or health practitioner if the bruise lasts for several days. In addition, remember to eat shortly after a blood test to replenish your system and energy. Many people bring a snack, such as a piece of fruit or beverage. At the very least, you should have water or even a glass of juice immediately after your blood is drawn.
It usually does not take long to receive blood test results, especially if the test is administered at a lab. If it is performed at a doctor’s office, you may have to wait three to five days for the results, since the blood sample has to be sent out to a lab for analysis. If your doctor or health practitioner does not contact you within a week, you should call and inquire about your results. Keep in mind, though, that most doctors will call right away if a problem is detected, so “no news” is often a good sign. Even so, it is very important that you are informed of the results and that a copy is mailed to you. This is usually done at the request of the patient, so be sure to ask.
Upon receiving your blood test results, you should carefully review them. The importance of this cannot be stressed enough. Since “your blood never lies,” you should be able to understand what it is telling you. This book will be your interpreter and guide.
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