Hi, this is Teri. I am a 3rd generation Alzheimer’s Survivor and a co-caregiver of a parent who is surviving and thriving despite having Alzheimer’s Disease.
Over the last 2 weeks, we addressed the lifecycle of the nutritional supplements we put in our body. I pointed out the many weaknesses in that lifecycle and questioned if those supplements are really providing value to your nutritional goals. This week we will discuss the tools you can use to determine what you need to feed your body with the nutrition you need.
Anytime we want to make positive changes to any situation we need to slow down to identify the problem, clearly define the problem, and gather data to determine how the issue affects you. Evaluate the data, eliminate all that does not apply to you, and create a plan to resolve the problem. None of these steps can take place in the busy aisle at Costco.
Before you jump in and spend a single penny on your nutrition, I encourage you to schedule some time to carefully consider what you want to achieve. The following tools will help you analyze your current health status, nutritional deficiencies and genetic weaknesses.
TOOLS
Blood Tests
We are going to start with a visit to your primary care provider. Where they are going to rule out the big scary issues above by evaluating your vitals like blood pressure, oxygen saturation, & heartbeat. They will continue by evaluating your mental health, medications you take, hormone health, potential chronic health issues, and previously diagnosed medical conditions.
A basic blood panel, often called a Complete Blood Count (CBC) and Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP), provides a wealth of information about your overall health, including how well various organs and systems are functioning. Here's what each component typically includes:
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
A CBC measures different components of your blood, offering insights into your immune system, oxygen transport, and overall health.
Red Blood Cells (RBCs): Measures the number of red blood cells, which transport oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body.
- Low RBCs may indicate anemia, blood loss, or nutritional deficiencies.
- High RBCs may suggest dehydration, heart disease, or lung disease.
Hemoglobin (Hb or Hgb): The protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen.
- Low hemoglobin levels may indicate anemia or blood loss.
- High hemoglobin can point to dehydration or lung disease.
Hematocrit (Hct): The percentage of your blood volume made up of red blood cells.
- Low hematocrit can indicate anemia, nutrient deficiencies, or bone marrow issues.
- High hematocrit may be due to dehydration or polycythemia.
White Blood Cells (WBCs): Measures the number of white blood cells, which help fight infection.
- High WBCs suggest infection, inflammation, or immune system disorders.
- Low WBCs may indicate immune suppression or bone marrow problems.
Platelets: Involved in blood clotting.
- Low platelets (thrombocytopenia) can lead to increased bleeding and may indicate bone marrow disorders or autoimmune diseases.
- High platelets may signal chronic inflammation, infection, or certain blood disorders.
Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV): The average size of your red blood cells.
- Low MCV suggests iron deficiency anemia.
- High MCV may indicate vitamin B12 or folate deficiency.
Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH) & Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC): These measure the amount and concentration of hemoglobin in red blood cells. Abnormal levels can further classify types of anemia or blood disorders.
Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP)
A BMP checks for various chemicals in the blood, which helps assess organ function, electrolyte balance, and more.
Glucose: Blood sugar levels.
- High glucose may indicate diabetes or pre-diabetes.
- Low glucose (hypoglycemia) can cause dizziness, confusion, or fainting.
Calcium: Important for bone health, muscle function, and nerve signaling.
- High calcium can suggest hyperparathyroidism, kidney disease, or cancer.
- Low calcium may indicate parathyroid dysfunction, vitamin D deficiency, or kidney issues.
Sodium: Regulates fluid balance and nerve/muscle function.
- High sodium (hypernatremia) is usually caused by dehydration.
- Low sodium (hyponatremia) can be due to kidney problems, heart failure, or excessive water intake.
Potassium: Crucial for heart and muscle function.
- High potassium (hyperkalemia) may indicate kidney dysfunction or certain medications.
- Low potassium (hypokalemia) can lead to muscle weakness or heart issues.
Chloride: Works with sodium to maintain fluid balance.
- Abnormal chloride levels can point to issues with the kidneys, lungs, or pH balance.
Bicarbonate (CO2): Helps maintain acid-base balance in your body.
- High bicarbonate can be a sign of lung disease or metabolic alkalosis.
- Low bicarbonate may indicate metabolic acidosis or kidney disease.
Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN): A measure of kidney function and protein metabolism
- High BUN suggests kidney dysfunction or dehydration.
- Low BUN may indicate liver disease or malnutrition.
Creatinine: Another marker of kidney function.
- High creatinine indicates reduced kidney function.
- Low creatinine may be seen in muscle-wasting conditions.
Other Common Panels (Optional in Basic Blood Panels)
Lipid Panel: Measures cholesterol levels, including:
- Total Cholesterol, LDL ("bad" cholesterol), HDL ("good" cholesterol), and Triglycerides to assess cardiovascular health.
- Liver Function Tests (LFTs): Can assess the health of your liver through enzymes like:
- ALT, AST, ALP, and Bilirubin levels.
Thyroid Function (if included)
- TSH: Thyroid-stimulating hormone, which indicates whether your thyroid is functioning properly.
- High TSH may indicate hypothyroidism.
- Low TSH may indicate hyperthyroidism.
While a basic blood panel provides a broad overview of key bodily functions, allowing healthcare providers to detect potential health issues early. Not everyone is lucky enough to have access to a healthcare provider. Not everyone has insurance that will pay for expensive blood tests.
Urine Tests
A more affordable solution is a urine test. Over the counter (OTC) urine tests are widely available and can provide insights into various aspects of your health. These tests are typically used for home monitoring and early detection of health issues. Here's what you can learn from common types of OTC urine tests:
pH Level
- Measures: The acidity or alkalinity of your urine.
- Normal Range: 4.5 to 8.0.
- High pH (Alkaline): This can indicate a urinary tract infection (UTI), kidney stones, or a diet high in vegetables.
- Low pH (Acidic): This may suggest dehydration, diarrhea, or a high-protein diet.
Glucose
- Measures: The presence of sugar in the urine.
- Normal Result: Negative.
- Positive Result: Indicates high blood sugar levels, which can be a sign of uncontrolled diabetes or a kidney issue.
Ketones
- Measures: The presence of ketones in the urine.
- Normal Result: Negative.
- Positive Result: This can occur with diabetes (especially Type 1), during starvation, or on a ketogenic diet. It can also indicate diabetic ketoacidosis, a medical emergency.
Protein (Proteinuria)
- Measures: Protein levels in the urine.
- Normal Result: Negative or trace amounts.
- Positive Result: Can indicate kidney damage, infection, or conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes.
Leukocytes (White Blood Cells)
- Measures: White blood cells in the urine.
- Normal Result: Negative.
- Positive Result: Suggests a urinary tract infection (UTI) or inflammation in the urinary system.
Nitrites
- Measures: The presence of nitrites, which are produced by bacteria.
- Normal Result: Negative.
- Positive Result: Strongly suggests a bacterial infection in the urinary tract.
Blood (Hematuria)
- Measures: The presence of blood in the urine.
- Normal Result: Negative.
- Positive Result: This can be a sign of a urinary tract infection, kidney stones, bladder infection, or more serious conditions like kidney disease or bladder cancer.
Specific Gravity
- Measures: The concentration of your urine, which indicates hydration status.
- Normal Range: 1.005 to 1.030.
- High Specific Gravity: This may indicate dehydration.
- Low Specific Gravity: This can suggest overhydration or potential kidney issues.
Bilirubin
- Measures: The presence of bilirubin, a byproduct of the breakdown of red blood cells.
- Normal Result: Negative.
- Positive Result: Can indicate liver dysfunction, such as hepatitis or bile duct obstruction.
Urobilinogen
- Measures: A breakdown product of bilirubin.
- Normal Result: Low levels.
- High Levels: Can indicate liver disease or hemolysis (destruction of red blood cells).
- Low or Absent Levels: This may suggest a bile duct obstruction.
Creatinine (Some Advanced Home Tests)
- Measures: The amount of creatinine, a waste product, in the urine.
- High or Low Creatinine Levels: Can be used to assess kidney function, though it’s more commonly checked via blood tests.
Microalbumin
- Measures: The presence of small amounts of albumin (a type of protein) in the urine.
- Normal Result: Negative or very low levels.
- Positive Result: This can indicate early-stage kidney disease, especially in people with diabetes or high blood pressure.
This is all great information, but I find that a Dry Urine test is much more beneficial. Over the counter (OTC) dry urine tests, also known as dried urine tests or Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones (DUTCH), are used to measure hormone levels and provide insights into various aspects of health. These tests are different from standard liquid urine tests in that they analyze hormone metabolites in dried urine samples. Here’s what a dry urine test typically measures:
Sex Hormones
- Estrogen (Estradiol, Estrone, Estriol)
- Low Estrogen Levels: Can indicate issues such as menopause, perimenopause, or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
- High Estrogen Levels: Can be associated with estrogen dominance, which may lead to symptoms like weight gain, fatigue, mood swings, or increased risk of estrogen-related cancers.
- Progesterone (Pregnanediol Metabolites)
- Low Progesterone Levels: May indicate luteal phase defects, difficulty conceiving, or early menopause.
- High Progesterone Levels: Can occur during pregnancy or with progesterone supplementation.
- Testosterone
- Low Testosterone Levels: May cause fatigue, decreased libido, and muscle loss in both men and women.
- High Testosterone Levels: Can suggest PCOS in women or hormone therapy in men.
Cortisol (Stress Hormone)
- Cortisol Levels (Free and Metabolized)
- Low Cortisol: Associated with adrenal fatigue, chronic stress, or Addison’s disease.
- High Cortisol: This may indicate chronic stress, Cushing’s syndrome, or other adrenal gland disorders.
- The test usually measures cortisol at multiple points throughout the day to assess daily patterns (morning, afternoon, evening, and night).
Cortisone
- Measures: Inactive form of cortisol.
- Low Cortisone: Suggests poor adrenal function or an inability to convert cortisol to cortisone.
- High Cortisone: This may indicate elevated cortisol production or certain adrenal gland issues.
DHEA-S (Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate)
- Low DHEA-S Levels: Can be a sign of aging, adrenal insufficiency, or chronic illness.
- High DHEA-S Levels: May be linked to PCOS, stress, or adrenal hyperactivity.
Melatonin
- Measures: The sleep hormone that regulates your sleep-wake cycle.
- Low Melatonin Levels: Can cause sleep disturbances, insomnia, or fatigue.
- High Melatonin Levels: This may suggest an imbalance, such as excessive supplementation or disruptions in the sleep cycle.
Androgens
- Androgen Metabolites (Androsterone, Etiocholanolone)
- Low Androgen Levels: This may indicate low energy, reduced libido, and muscle weakness.
- High Androgen Levels: Can signal conditions like PCOS in women or excessive testosterone production in men.
Cortisol to Cortisone Ratio
- Measures: The balance between active cortisol and inactive cortisone.
- High Ratio: Indicates high cortisol activation, which may suggest stress-related disorders or inflammation.
- Low Ratio: This may reflect issues with cortisol metabolism or conversion issues in the adrenal glands.
Organic Acids (Some Tests Include)
- Measures: Byproducts of cellular metabolism, which can give insights into nutrient deficiencies or mitochondrial function.
- Examples:
- B-Vitamin Metabolites: May indicate B-vitamin deficiencies (e.g., B12, B6, folate).
- Neurotransmitter Metabolites: These can reflect imbalances in serotonin, dopamine, or adrenaline, which may affect mood and cognitive function.
Methylation Pathways
- Measures: The efficiency of methylation, a process important for DNA repair and detoxification.
- Low Methylation Efficiency: This may be linked to conditions like fatigue, depression, or hormone imbalances.
Estrogen Metabolism
- Measures: How well your body metabolizes estrogen.
- Estrogen Metabolites (2-OH, 4-OH, 16-OH Estrone): These metabolites help assess your risk for estrogen-related conditions like breast cancer.
- 2-OH Estrone: Considered a "protective" estrogen metabolite.
- 4-OH Estrone and 16-OH Estrone: Can increase the risk of estrogen-related cancers if elevated.
Neurotransmitter Metabolites (Optional in Some Tests)
- Measures: Byproducts of neurotransmitter breakdown, giving insight into brain chemistry.
- Dopamine Metabolites: Can reflect issues related to focus, motivation, and mood.
- Serotonin Metabolites: Associated with mood, anxiety, and sleep regulation.
Thyroid Hormone Metabolites (Optional in Some Tests)
- T3 and T4 Metabolites: These hormones help assess thyroid function.
- Low Levels: May indicate hypothyroidism.
- High Levels: Can suggest hyperthyroidism or thyroid hormone imbalance.
Free vs. Metabolized Hormones
- Free Hormones: Measure the amount of active hormones circulating in your system.
- Metabolized Hormones: Show how your body processes and eliminates hormones, providing a more
You can purchase a DUTCH Complete test from Amazon: https://amzn.to/4dcOEkF
Genetic Tests
The results you will receive from all of the testing tools we have reviewed today will fluctuate throughout your lifetime. However, your genetic code will remain the same from your conception to your death.
I believe genetic testing should be the foundation of knowledge that we use to make all healthcare decisions
For example:
If you have the MTHFR gene mutation you MUST learn that folate is poison to your body. However, folate is added to all wheat products manufactured in the US. At least 45% of the US population have the MTHFR gene mutation. 90% of the people with this gene mutation don’t know that. As they live their lives they struggle with mental health issues, diabetes, PCOS, infertility, and weight gain until they eventually begin their cognitive decline into Alzheimer’s Disease. All of this could be avoided by not eating wheat-containing products and taking methylated B vitamins from an early age. There are hundreds of examples just like this.
Genetic testing is expensive. However, they run specials and provide very steep discounts multiple times throughout the year. I had my genetic testing done earlier this year with a company called Sequencing. They were offering a very steep discount and I decided to make the investment. My insurance would not even consider paying for it. However, those who have an FSA or HSA account can utilize that to cover the expense.
I received the testing kit within 48 hours, followed the easy instructions to swab the inside of my mouth, and shipped it back immediately. It takes a long time for them to run a full genetic profile. I waited about 8 weeks before receiving my data. It took me 3 days to find the strength to open the report to see if I have any of the Alzheimer’s genes (I do). Now I can utilize this information to know what my genetic weaknesses are. I have accepted them, made lifestyle changes, and supplemented my nutrition to overcome those weaknesses.
Over-the-counter (OTC) genetic tests, often referred to as direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic tests, analyze your DNA to provide insights into various aspects of your health and personal traits. These tests involve submitting a saliva sample, which is then analyzed for specific genetic markers. Here are some common categories of results provided by these tests:
Ancestry and Ethnicity(23 and Me & Ancestry)
- Ethnic Breakdown: Provides a detailed analysis of your genetic ancestry by comparing your DNA to different populations around the world.
- Geographical Regions: Breaks down your ancestry into various global regions (e.g., East Asian, European, African, Native American).
- Ancient Ancestry: Some tests offer insights into your ancient origins, such as Neanderthal ancestry or migration patterns of early humans.
Health Risks and Genetic Predispositions (Sequencing)
Many OTC genetic tests provide insights into your potential genetic risk for various health conditions. However, these are risk estimates and not diagnoses.
- Common Diseases and Conditions:
- Heart Disease: Some tests assess your genetic risk for cardiovascular conditions.
- Diabetes: Genetic markers that may indicate an increased risk of developing diabetes.
- Cancer Risks: Certain tests assess genetic predisposition to cancers, such as breast cancer (BRCA1/BRCA2 mutations), colon cancer, or prostate cancer.
- Alzheimer’s Disease: Some tests provide information on genes like APOE-e4, which are associated with a higher risk for Alzheimer’s.
- Carrier Status:
- Genetic Carriers for Recessive Diseases: Identifies if you carry genes for hereditary diseases, even if you don’t show symptoms. Examples include cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia, and Tay-Sachs disease.
- Family Planning: Helps individuals understand the likelihood of passing genetic conditions on to their children.
- Pharmacogenomics (Drug Response):
- Provides information about how your genetics may affect your response to certain medications, including how you metabolize drugs like blood thinners, antidepressants, and pain relievers.
Wellness and Lifestyle Traits (Sequencing)
These tests provide insights into genetic factors that may influence certain lifestyle traits, such as:
Nutritional Insights:
- Lactose Intolerance: Genetic markers that indicate whether you're likely to be lactose intolerant.
- Caffeine Sensitivity: Indicates how your body metabolizes caffeine and your potential sensitivity to it.
- Gluten Sensitivity: Some tests provide genetic information related to celiac disease risk.
- Vitamin D or Vitamin B Metabolism: Provides insight into how efficiently your body absorbs certain vitamins.
Fitness and Exercise:
- Muscle Composition: Genetic markers that indicate whether you are predisposed to having fast-twitch or slow-twitch muscle fibers, which could influence athletic performance.
- Exercise Recovery: Information on how quickly you may recover from physical activity based on your genes.
- Endurance vs. Power: Some tests indicate whether you're more genetically predisposed to endurance sports (like running) or power activities (like weightlifting).
Sleep and Stress:
- Sleep Patterns: Genes that influence whether you’re a morning or night person, your natural circadian rhythm, or your likelihood of sleep disorders like insomnia.
- Stress Response: Insights into how your body may handle stress based on cortisol and other stress-related hormones.
Personality and Behavioral Traits
These tests offer fun insights into genetic predispositions related to your personality and behavior, though they are not definitive and can be influenced by environmental factors.
- Personality Traits:
- Information on whether you are genetically predisposed to be more extroverted, agreeable, or neurotic based on genetic markers.
- Traits like risk-taking behavior, anxiety sensitivity, or empathy levels.
- Sensory Preferences
- Taste Preferences: Some tests can tell you if you’re genetically predisposed to prefer sweet or salty foods, or if you’re a "supertaster" (more sensitive to certain tastes, like bitterness).
- Alcohol Flush Reaction: Identifies if you carry the gene variant that makes you flush after drinking alcohol, common in East Asian populations.
- Physical Traits:
- Eye and Hair Color: Predictions of your eye and hair color based on genetic markers.
- Hair Loss/Baldness: Some tests provide insights into your genetic likelihood of experiencing hair thinning or baldness.
- Based on your genetic results, some tests provide personalized lifestyle recommendations for:
- Diet and Nutrition: Tailored advice on your ideal diet (e.g., high-protein, low-carb) based on how your body processes different nutrients.
- Exercise Plans: Customized fitness plans based on your genetic predisposition to endurance or strength activities.
- Preventive Health: Suggestions on how to reduce the risk of diseases you may be genetically predisposed to, such as heart disease or diabetes.
You can purchase a Sequencing genetic test directly from Sequencing: https://sequencing.com/
We will talk about the tools mentioned above in this together in this week’s Zoom Call. I welcome you to join! You are welcome to ask questions, share your experience, or dispute the information I have presented. I hope to see you on Thursday.
Teri