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Advanced Lab Tests

If you prefer to do advanced bloodwork without going through a doctor, and without using your insurance company, you can do so here. After ordering online simply go to selected QUEST locations to have blood drawn. Your test results will be emailed to you a week later.

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BELOW ARE TESTS TO CONSIDER.

Cardio IQ® Advanced Lipid Panel and Inflammation Panel - $199

  • HDL Cholesterol (The highly protective "good" cholesterol)

  • Triglycerides (Inflammatory "sugar fats" in the blood)

  • Lipoprotein Fractionation, Mobility (Particle size and concentration from HDL3 to large VLDL)

  • Apo B (The "keys" that allow cholesterol particles to get through the artery wall.)

  • Lipoprotein (a) (Genetic marker that increases risk of heart attack. Explanation here.)

  • hs-CRP (Systemic inflammation measurement.)

  • Lp-PLA2 Activity (The FDA registered test for risk of sudden stroke. We call it the "Volcano" test. This test is sold separately for $99 toward the bottom of the page.)

Cardio IQ® Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acids - $138

This test is used to determine fatty acid-associated risk for cardiovascular events. It screens for two primary things;  omega-3 fatty acid deficiencies, and excessive omega-6 fatty acid intake.  

(Omega-6 in excess causes inflammation. Omega-3's are the great anti-inflammatory omegas!)

PANEL INCLUDES:

  • Omega-3 (EPA+ DHA) Index;

  • Omega-6/Omega-3 Ratio (It is vitally important to know if you're eating more 6's than 3's.)

  • Arachidonic Acid (Polyunsaturated omega-6 fatty acid)

  • EPA omega-3 levels (One of the exceptionally good anti-inflammatory Omega 3's.)

  • DHA omega-3 levels (Another exceptionally good Omega 3.)

  • Arachidonic Acid/EPA Ratio  (A poor "good" to "bad" ratio increases risk of cardiac event.)

 

Coenzyme Q10 - $114

There are 3 factors that lower your CoQ10 level. 

  1. Are you over age 45?

  2. Do you dislike eating liver and other organ meats such as heart and brain? (In the old days we ate every part of the animal, including the organ meats. Those are our main dietary source of CoQ10.) 

  3. Do you exercise a lot? (Exercise requires lots of CoQ10.)

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If you answered "yes" to any of the above then you are likely deficient in Coenzyme Q10. 

CoQ10 is essential for production of cell energy. CoQ10 deficiency has been associated with conditions such as Cancer, Diabetes, Heart conditions, Mitochondrial disease, Muscular dystrophies, and Parkinson’s disease. It is also involved with optimum muscle and nerve function.

Research suggests that it may have uses in helping a variety of chronic conditions including migraines, Parkinson's, and high blood pressure. Studies demonstrate the effectiveness of supplemental coenzyme Q10 in cardiomyopathy, myocardial dysfunction, and congestive heart failure.

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CoQ10 is also a powerful antioxidant and thus serves the role of neutralizing excess free radicals. It is now well established that the control of excessive free radical activity is key in preventing/delaying the progression of degenerative diseases.  

Comprehensive Metabolic Panel - $34

PANEL INCLUDES:

GLUCOSE: Blood sugar level, the most direct single test to uncover diabetes and prediabetes.

KIDNEYS:
Bun—By-product of protein metabolism eliminated through the kidneys. 
Creatinine, Serum—An indicator of kidney function
Bun/Creatinine Ratio—Calculated by dividing the BUN by the Creatinine
Glomerular Filtration (eGFR)—Provides an assessment of the filtering capacity of the kidney.

ELECTROLYTES:
Sodium—One of the major salts in the body fluid, sodium is critically important in the body's water balance and the electrical activity of nerves and muscles. Can get too low on a low-carb diet.
Potassium—Helps to control the nerves and muscles. Can get too low on a low-carb diet.
Chloride—Helps to maintain the body's electrolyte balance. Can get too low on a low-carb diet.
Carbon Dioxide—Used to help detect, evaluate, and monitor electrolyte imbalances.
Calcium: A mineral essential for development and maintenance of healthy bones and teeth. It is important also for the normal function of muscles, nerves and blood clotting. Can get too low on a low-carb diet.

LIVER FUNCTION and FATTY LIVER:
Protein, Total—Together with albumin, it is a measure of the state of nutrition in the body.
Albumin—Serum one of the major proteins in the blood and a reflection of the general state of nutrition
Globulin, Total—A major group of proteins in the blood comprising the infection fighting antibodies
Albumin/Globulin Ratio—Calculated by dividing the albumin by the globulin
Bilirubin, Total—A chemical involved with liver functions. High concentrations may result in jaundice.
Alkaline Phosphatase—A body protein important in diagnosing proper bone and liver functions
Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST or SGOT)—an enzyme found in skeletal and heart muscle, liver and other organs. Abnormalities may represent liver disease.
Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT or SGPT)—an enzyme found primarily in the liver. Abnormalities may represent liver disease.

for all 14 tests listed here

hs CRP - $45

A critical component of the immune system and can be predictive of future risk of heart attack, stroke, sudden cardiac death, and the development of peripheral arterial disease. Individuals with elevated levels of CRP have a risk about 2 to 3 times higher than the risk of those with low levels.

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Note that this test is included in the Cardiac IQ Advanced Lipid and inflammation panel at the top of the page. If you ordered that $199 panel above, do not order this test again here as it would be a duplicate.

Ferritin - $39

Ferritin is a protein that stores iron in the cells and reflects the amount of iron in the body. Levels decrease when a person is not getting sufficient iron and increase when they take in an excess of iron.  Ferritin beyond a very tight optimal range can accelerate aging and increase the oxidation of the cells.

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Fibrinogen - $49

We call this the "Sticky Blood" test.  It is vital that your blood be in the healthy zone for "stickiness".   Fibrinogen is a sticky protein that thickens the blood and promotes clotting - it's part of the body’s natural repair system.  If your blood is too THIN you may develop a bleeding disorder.  If it's too THICK you're at risk for blood clots, which cause stroke or heart attack.  If your levels are not in the optimal "sweet spot" (not too thin and not too thick) get this test 2-3 times a year while you work on lifestyle changes to improve your Fibrinogen number.

Unsafe high levels can be caused by

  • smoking,

  • inflammation in the arteries,

  • a sedentary lifestyle

  • metabolic syndrome,        

  • prediabetes and diabetes

  • and in some women, the taking of oral contraceptives

GGT - $29

Elevated GGT levels may be caused by liver disease, congestive heart failure, alcohol consumption and excessive sugar and processed food consumption.  We encourage annual testing for everyone whose waist line is more than half their height, as shown HERE.

HbA1c - $39

A1C tells you the average amount of glucose in your blood over the last 3 months. In order to effectively lose weight and prevent degenerative disease it is important to keep this number as low as possible.

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Homocysteine - $69

Homocysteine is an amino acid that plays a role in destroying the lining of your artery walls, promoting the formation of blood clots, bores holes in your heart and accelerates the buildup of scar tissue. High levels may increase the chance of heart disease and stroke, especially if you have other risk factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, smoking, or family history.

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Insulin - $26  (NOTE: This is NOT a "glucose" test - this test measures the hormone insulin.)

THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT TEST.  We suggest taking it 3-4 times a year until your levels are in the optimal range as discussed in this paper.  Most adults have far too much insulin in their blood stream. Elevated insulin is the primary cause of central obesity and the inability to lose weight.  More about Insulin and fat loss in these VIDEOS.  If you're not losing weight as fast as you think  you should, it could be because you have too much insulin.

Basic Lipid Profile - $39

LDL cholesterol: Some say that too much increases your risk of heart disease.

HDL cholesterol: This is the “good” cholesterol as it helps remove LDL cholesterol from your blood.
Triglycerides: When you eat carbs, your body converts the calories it doesn’t need into triglycerides, which are stored in your fat cells.
Note that this test is included in the Cardiac IQ Advanced Lipid and inflammation panel at the top of the page. If you ordered that $199 panel above, do not order this test again here as it would be a duplicate.

Lp-PLA2 - $99

We call this the "Volcano" test, as it is the FDA recognized test for risk of sudden stroke. 

WE SUGGEST EVERYONE TAKE THIS TEST AT LEAST ONCE.  

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Note that this test is included in the Cardiac IQ Advanced Lipid and inflammation panel at the top of the page. If you ordered that $199 panel above, do not order this test again here as it would be a duplicate.

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Even those who are active and not overweight can have elevated levels.  Levels over 383 indicate there is a plaque somewhere in the arteries that may be ready to crack and cause a heart attack or stroke - even if you have no symptoms!

Vitamin D - $59

70% of Americans are extremely low in vitamin D.  Over 90% of overweight individuals are dangerously low.  We suggest that everyone get their levels tested every 4-6 months in order to keep serum vitamin D levels above 70 ng/ml.

Vitamin D is needed for strong bones and teeth because Vitamin D helps your body absorb the amount of calcium it needs.  But beyond that it is critical to other roles in the body, including modulation of cell growth, neuromuscular and immune function, and reduction of inflammation. There are associations between low Vitamin D levels and peripheral vascular disease, certain cancers, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile diabetes, Parkinson's, and Alzheimer's disease.

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