A blood test – sometimes referred to as a blood panel – is a laboratory examination of a blood sample that is usually extracted from a vein using a syringe and is used to check for a variety of things. Many blood tests do not have any special requirements while some others require the testee to be in a fasted state (not eating any food for 8-12 hours) before the test.
Approximately 70 percent of your dietary decisions are actually based on the blood report analysis. Different parameters are assessed in order to address the root cause of your symptoms/health problems.
But what is that these tests tell us and why are they so important?
Here are top 10 reasons why analysing your blood is important:
- Deciding a dietary regime
The first and foremost importance of examining blood tests is before making any dietary changes. This will help you to decide on foods to be included and also the ones to be kept at bay. Further, it can also help you fix the deranged parameters with either food itself or with the help of supplements. It also helps you maintain a track of how these changes have in turn impacted your body.
Your body is different from everybody else, so your health program should also be fully customized based on your needs. By undergoing regular blood tests, you can get the exact numbers that will help you plan your dietary regime accordingly.
- Investigating the root cause of illness
If you are someone who’s suffering from a certain illness, then going for blood tests can be useful in finding out what exactly is causing the problem primarily. Symptom specific blood tests are advised by experts in order to find the possible reasons. For example, high levels of homocysteine are excellent predictors of a risky heart health.
Read more about Homocysteine here.
- Functioning of organs
Routine examination of vital organ parameters (liver, kidney, thyroid, etc) can give you a general overview of what is happening inside the body. Altered levels within these organ function tests might indicate an array of prevailing conditions (inflammation, alcoholism, toxins and plant antinutrient damage, infection, drug abuse or metabolic diseases). Further tests may be done to determine more precisely the extent of the damage.
- Weight issues
If your weight is stagnant despite your strenuous efforts towards reducing it, there might be a possibility of an underlying problem which can be detected upon blood examination. Excess weight can be a sign of hormonal imbalance, insulin resistance, toxin build up or heavy metals accumulation. You can clear the mystery behind your unchanged weight by taking blood tests.
- Infection
Sometimes pathogens can enter your body, evade the immune system and result in hidden infections likely to be manifested cause chronic fatigue syndrome or something as grave as stomach cancer.
Common bugs causing these hidden infections include Epstein Barr Virus (EBV), Cytomegalovirus (CMV), Human Herpes Virus (HHV-6), Parvovirus (Parvo B19), Mycoplasma sp., Borrelia Burgdorferi and chronic mold and mycotoxin exposure. H-pylori is yet another toxic microorganism which is capable of destroying your gastrointestinal health. All of them can be brought to notice by blood inspection.
- Nutritional status
Regular blood testing can ensure you check for deficiencies and you don’t miss out on the required amounts of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients in your body. Lack of essential nutrients in your body can not only lead to minor health conditions like a headache or constipation but can also indicate serious situations like neurological disorders, muscle impairment, diseases of the bone and joint, and metabolic disorders.
- Hormonal balance
Hormonal imbalance can devastate your mood as well as your health. Also, problems like erectile dysfunction, infertility, low libido can all grow out of poor hormone levels. These can only be diagnosed through blood tests.
- Food allergies
Food allergies can make your life miserable, worse if left undiagnosed. Blood tests can measure your immune system's response to particular foods by measuring the allergy-related antibody known as immunoglobulin E (IgE).
- Autoimmune diseases
The possibility of autoimmune diseases can also be ruled out by blood examination. One of the most common blood tests for detecting autoimmune disorders is ANA (antinuclear antibodies). Specific tests are available for testing probable antibodies attacking your internal organs. E.g-Thyroid antibody testing is usually recommended if there are continuously fluctuating or unchanged thyroid hormone levels in the body.
- General state of health
Regular blood examination plays an important role in maintaining your overall health and fitness, just like diet and exercise. If you are serious about living a long and healthy life, then take your blood tests seriously.
We at iThrive analyze the core systems that allow your body to function properly. This means looking closely at the foundation blocks for good health including hormones, digestive health, immune function and nutrient status. We also check for allergies, chronic infections or toxins, build up of environmental toxins or heavy metals and clogged detoxification.
So partner with us to get to the root of your health problems and to do away with them. Let’s get functional nutrition in action!
References-
- https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/blood-tests#:~:text=Blood%20tests%20help%20doctors%20check,thyroid%2C%20and%20heart%E2%80%94are%20working
- https://www.abbott.com/live-healthy/know/knowing-in-advance/importance-of-blood-tests.html
- https://www.srlworld.com/blog/10-reasons-why-you-should-regularly-go-for-blood-tests/
- https://www.blallab.com/blog/reasons-for-blood-test/
- https://www.health-tests-direct.com/reasons-for-blood-tests/
- https://hypothyroidmom.com/when-chronic-fatigue-is-caused-by-a-hidden-infection/?__cf_chl_captcha_tk__=63e59be2cd3cdc14e432bfd2edeaff30b93c7631-1601373773-0-ATOlWbPTwdg8bN3UbFOPKzgow7ybngytXJAwsjQrixf1O4fc3-_ZXnnrbaskVo_y6YCKF-eDDlAjh07xcRpJc0u-P3_dAnEYuoCR2BzvvP4KR523t4UDiHvT96KXZIZfCdHzpLdXSzE0wHPbXvdy7AZHdKMM6gnNn3D-W4jDJlS3q2pxu64xxuhugGpyAt6fHJR2imxihM-kaHjELVzOEyv8-3p3aXxKfFHNpoXgT8INABK1NAhVkdPvEzfa4zBZUtBxlMxy0I1gx2NxM2GlCKOA1Kh2eKOiy7xYsTnPjyGTzUxLVfELGiPcD6EaEf2GeHxYmrjULIZoAB-qLGseRSZA4u0HH2BBkl1uo-5Na_-Igyjp7ZdDyASiJnyb38D1-sX0zJuHJW4WEOayXdTU2F3-NVQ8zlXJlTz-1Dsx020tDFz7N40SKdfc6t0vwTNVc0Ch4FwXTIwG6Rf9Ybm5NLeaSYGKpS-GY8DQL8xhZna_H2ilo-E9mjyoDr5og0AzrFSsIoqQZu87A59A_VAGF0uXKW4-zLLKrrkNUrLy3qKNjNNemhr4srdMosdZfQQ4qg
