At the lab when asked how to improve health and longevity, our basic answer is “We have no idea.”

The reason we appear ignorant is unless we see what your blood indices reveal, there is no way to identify how to protect your health and well-being.

Annual blood-testing is the most important step aging adults can take to prevent life-threatening disease.  With blood results in hand, you can identify critical changes in your body before they manifest as heart disease, cancer,  diabetes, or worse.

Having proper blood tests can empower you to enact a   science-based disease-prevention program that can add decades of healthy life.
Blood tests have benefits that go far beyond disease prevention.

For example, by monitoring levels of sex hormones, you can take decisive steps to enhance your quality of life, perhaps by correcting a depressive mental state, erectile dysfunction, abdominal obesity, or by improving your memory and energy levels.

The folowing are the 10 most important blood tests people over 40 should have every year.  Armed with these results, you can work with your physician to avert serious health problems and achieve optimal health.

CHEMISTRY PANEL AND COMPLETE BLOOD COUNT

The chemistry panel and complete blood count is the best placed to begin disease-prevention. This low-cost panel will give you and your physician a quick snapshot of your overall health.

This provides a broad range of diagnostic information to access the vascular, liver, kidney, and blood cell status.

The complete blood count measures number, variety, percentage concentration and quality platelets, red blood and white blood cells, to screen for infections, anemia and other hematological abnormalities.

The chemistry panel provides info of the status of your cardiovascular system by testing total cholesterol, HDL, LDL and Triglycerides. It also measures Blood Glucose critical to detect or monitor diabetes and related diseases.

Also included in the chemistry panel is an assessment of critical minerals calcium, potassium and iron.

FIBRINOGEN

An important contributor to blood clotting, Fibrinogen levels increase in response to tissue inflammation.  Since the development of atherosclerosis and heart disease are essentially inflammatory processes, increased fibrinogen levels can help predict the risk of heart disease and stroke.

High fibrinogen levels are not only associated with increase risk of heart attack, but also in other inflammatory disorders like rheumatoid arthritis and glomerulonephritis (inflamma-tion of the kidney).  In a recently published study for the Univeristy of Hong Kong Medical Center, researchers identified increased fibrinogen levels as an independent risk factor for mortality in patients with peripheral arterial disease.  If left untreated, may increase risk of heart attack, stroke or death.

In February 2006 issue of the Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis, researchers reported an association between increased levels of fibrinogen and risk for venous thrombosis (blood clots).  A recent study from Greece found an association between higher fibrinogen levels and the presence of multiple coronary lesions in patients who suffered acute myocardial infarction.

Having a healthy lifestyle plus supplements (fish oil, niacin, folic acid and vitamins A and C) should be discussed with your physician.

HEMOGLOBIN A1C

One of the best ways to assess your Glucose status is to test for Hemoglobin A1C (Hba1c).  This test measures a person’s blood sugar over the last 2-3 months, and is an independent predictor of heart disease in persons with or without diabetes.

According to the New England Journal of Medicine in 2005, Type 1 diabetes patients who monitored their Hba1c were able to achieve tight glucose control, thereby significantly lowering their risk of a cardiovascular disease.

The American Diabetes Association recommends testing Hba1c every 3 to 6 months, esp in insulin-treated patients.

In a recent study, 1,340 Type1Diabetes patients were followed for 17 years.  Patients in the group receiving intensive treatment, Hba1c levels were significantly lower and the risk of non-fatal myocardial infarction, stroke, or death from cardiovascular disease decreased by 57%.

Nutritional therapies may help optimize HBa1c levels. You and your physician may wish to discuss the use of chromium, cinnamon & coffee berry extracts.

DHEA

DEHYDROEPIANDROSTERONE (DHEA), a hormone produced by the adrenal gland is a precursor to the sex hormones estrogen and testosterone. Blood levels of DHEA peak in our 20’s and decline dramatically with age, decreasing by 20-30% by age 70-80.

Researchers in Turkey found that DHEA levels were significantly lower in men with aging, including erectile dysfunction.

In the January 2006 American Journal of Psychiatry suggests that DHEA may have anti-depressant effects.  Which may help improve mid-life onset depression.  In Israel, studies suggest a potential for DHEA in reducing cravings to support recovery from addiction.

In the recent Journal of Investigative Dermatology, scientists demonstrated that DHEA supplementation may be a safe, effective strategy to improve wound healing in the elderly. You may wish to discuss supplementation like pregnenolone with your doctor.  Those with breast or prostate cancer should not use DHEA.

PROSTATE-SPECIFIC ANTIGEN (PSA) & TESTOSTERONE

Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) is a protein manufactured by the prostate gland in men.  Elevated levels may suggest an enlarged prostate, inflammation or cancer.  PSA levels may also be used to monitor the efficacy of therapeutic regimens for prostate conditions.

Elevated levels of PSA may not necessarily signal prostate cancer and prostate cancer may not always be accompanied by an expression of PSA.  Levels may be elevated in the presence of a urinary tract infection or an inflamed prostate.

The American Cancer Society recommends annual PSA testing for men beginning age 50. PSA levels increase with age even in the absence of abnormalities.

TESTOSTERONE is produced by both men and women’s sex glands.  This hormone regulates fertility, libido and muscle mass.

In men, a drop in testosterone with age is responsible for diminished libido, metabolic syndrome, erectile dysfunction, loss of muscle tone, abdominal fat, low bone density, depression, Alzheimer’s disease, Type II diabetes and atherosclerosis.

Speak with your physician if  prescription testosterone will be useful for you.

HOMOCYSTEINE

The amino acid Homocysteine is formed in the body during the metabolism of methionine. High homocysteine levels have been associated with increased risk of heart attack, bone fracture and poor cognitive function.

Incremental increases in the levels of homocysteine correlate with an increased risk for coronary artery disease.  Data from the Physicians’ Health Study which tracked 14,916 healthy male physicians with no previous history of heart disease showed homocysteine that highly elevated levels were associated with a more than three-fold increase in the risk of heart attack over a five-year period.

Homocysteine has also been recognized as an independent risk factor for bone fractures as featured in a study in the Netherlands.  Elevated homocysteine levels have also been linked with age-related macular degeneration, presence of gall stones in middle-age men as reported in Japan.

Measuring TSH is the best test for assessing thyroid function, and the American Thyroid Association recommends screening beginning age 35 and every 5 years after. You may wish to discuss with your doctor the use of L-tyrosine, iodine & selenium to optimize TSH levels.

ESTROGEN/ ESTRADIOL

Like testosterone both men and women need estrogen for numerous physiological functions.  Estradiol is the primary form of estrogen, and is an indicator of hypothalamic and pituitary function.

In women, blood estradiol help evaluate menopausal status and sexual maturity.  Increased levels may indicate an increased risk for breast or endometrial cancer.  Diminished levels correlate with low levels of bone mineral density, which is a strong factor for osteoporosis.  Optimizing estradiol levels in early menopausal women has been associated with relief from hot flashes, irritability and insomnia.

According to a recent report from the University of Michigan School of Public Health, lower estradiol levels are associated with higher levels of markers for cardiovascular disease risk.

Optimal  estradiol levels may support healthy bone density, cardiovascular health and well-being.  You may wish to discuss with your doctor the use of supplements like DHEA, pregnenolone, soy, black cohosh & pomegranate.

SUMMARY

Yearly blood testing is a simple yet powerful strategy to help you proactively change your current and future health.  A well-chosen complement of blood tests can thoroughly assess your over-all state of health, as well as detect the silent warning signals that precede the development of serious diseases like diabetes and heart disease.

Many diseases and disorders are treatable when caught early, but can severely impair length and quality of life if left unattended.  Identifying these hidden risk factors will enable you to implement powerful strategies such as proper nutrition, weight loss, exercise, supplements and medications to prevent life-threatening diseases.  Armed with these information on important health biomarkers, you and your physician can plan and execute a strategy to achieve and maintain a vibrant health.