{"id":798606,"date":"2023-12-15T15:56:36","date_gmt":"2023-12-15T15:56:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-how-to-measure-metabolism-with-rmr-testing-copy\/"},"modified":"2024-03-26T21:17:54","modified_gmt":"2024-03-26T21:17:54","slug":"blog-essential-blood-tests-for-health-and-fitness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-essential-blood-tests-for-health-and-fitness\/","title":{"rendered":"Essential Blood Tests for Health and Fitness"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"bsf_rt_marker\"><\/div><p>[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; admin_label=&#8221;Section&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.5&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; collapsed=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row admin_label=&#8221;Row&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.5&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text ul_item_indent=&#8221;50px&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;Text&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.23.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; text_font=&#8221;Open Sans||||||||&#8221; link_font=&#8221;|600|||||||&#8221; ul_text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Blood tests for health and fitness are a powerful tool for improving your understanding of your current physical health and highlighting areas for improvement. Not only can <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/services\/blood-testing\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">blood tests<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> help monitor measures of health such as cholesterol and blood sugar levels, but they can empower you to take steps to reduce your risk of chronic health problems, prioritise longevity, and aid your body composition and fitness goals.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">In his best-selling book \u201cOutlive: The Science and Art of Longevity\u201d, Dr Peter Attia highlights the importance of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/our-review-of-outlive-by-peter-attia\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">taking a proactive approach to health and longevity<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> and recommends 4 blood tests in particular.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">In this article, we\u2019ll take a look at these 4 \u201cOutlive\u201d blood tests, as well as other important blood test measures of overall health and fitness.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_are_the_benefits_of_blood_tests_for_health_and_fitness\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 500;\">What are the benefits of blood tests for health and fitness?<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_81 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title ez-toc-toggle\" style=\"cursor:pointer\">Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-essential-blood-tests-for-health-and-fitness\/#What_are_the_benefits_of_blood_tests_for_health_and_fitness\" >What are the benefits of blood tests for health and fitness?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-essential-blood-tests-for-health-and-fitness\/#Gain_baseline_measures\" >Gain baseline measures<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-essential-blood-tests-for-health-and-fitness\/#Reduce_the_risk_of_chronic_disease\" >Reduce the risk of chronic disease<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-essential-blood-tests-for-health-and-fitness\/#Make_data-informed_health_decisions\" >Make data-informed health decisions\u00a0<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-essential-blood-tests-for-health-and-fitness\/#Best_blood_tests_for_general_health\" >Best blood tests for general health<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-essential-blood-tests-for-health-and-fitness\/#HbA1c_test\" >HbA1c test<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-essential-blood-tests-for-health-and-fitness\/#Lipid_panel\" >Lipid panel<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-essential-blood-tests-for-health-and-fitness\/#Thyroid_function_panel\" >Thyroid function panel<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-essential-blood-tests-for-health-and-fitness\/#Full_blood_count\" >Full blood count<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-essential-blood-tests-for-health-and-fitness\/#Nutritional_deficiencies\" >Nutritional deficiencies<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-essential-blood-tests-for-health-and-fitness\/#Peter_Attias_recommended_blood_tests\" >Peter Attia\u2019s recommended blood tests<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-essential-blood-tests-for-health-and-fitness\/#Lpa-P_test\" >Lp(a)-P test<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-essential-blood-tests-for-health-and-fitness\/#LDL-P_or_ApoB_test\" >LDL-P (or ApoB) test<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-essential-blood-tests-for-health-and-fitness\/#OGTT_with_insulin_measurements\" >OGTT with insulin measurements<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-essential-blood-tests-for-health-and-fitness\/#ALT\" >ALT<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-essential-blood-tests-for-health-and-fitness\/#Get_on-the-spot_blood_testing_at_My_Vital_Metrics\" >Get on-the-spot blood testing at My Vital Metrics\u00a0<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Regular blood testing has various benefits \u2013 let\u2019s take a look at a few.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Gain_baseline_measures\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 500;\">Gain baseline measures<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">One of the main benefits of blood tests is to establish baseline measurements of your overall health. This can help you understand where you\u2019re currently, assess any lifestyle changes you\u2019d like to make, and compare future results to these baseline measures.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">It\u2019s important to recognise that \u201cnormal\u201d test results exist on a spectrum; for any given blood test, a range of results are categorised as \u201cnormal\u201d or \u201cwithin range\u201d. Even within this \u201cnormal\u201d range, there may still be room for improvement to achieve an optimal level for your body specifically. Additionally, for some people, an improvement from an \u201cout of ranger\u201d result to a \u201cnormal\u201d result might signal a substantial positive change. For this reason, it\u2019s important to understand where your results typically fall so you can understand your blood test results in relation to your personal medical history.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Reduce_the_risk_of_chronic_disease\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 500;\">Reduce the risk of chronic disease<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Blood testing is a fantastic way to quickly highlight risk factors for the development of chronic disease, including heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, low bone density, thyroid disorders, and hormonal irregularities.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">This is a type of preventative health measure; it helps you to proactively take care of your health <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">before <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">becoming unwell or being diagnosed with a health condition. Some health conditions \u2013 such as <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.niddk.nih.gov\/health-information\/diabetes\/overview\/what-is-diabetes\/type-2-diabetes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Type 2 Diabetes<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> \u2013 can develop slowly over several years, while initially not causing any noticeable symptoms. Having regular blood tests can help you to identify risk factors (in the case of Type 2 Diabetes, this would be indicated by a high HbA1c result) and take action sooner rather than later.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Make_data-informed_health_decisions\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 500;\">Make data-informed health decisions\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">The final benefit of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/services\/blood-testing\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">blood testing<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> is that it equips you to make data-informed decisions about your health. With the information provided by testing, you can make informed decisions about lifestyle changes, supplementation, or seeking the advice of a medical professional.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Even if your results come back as within a normal range, having information about your overall health can help empower you to make choices that support your goals: whether that\u2019s prioritising longevity, working towards an <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-benefits-of-fitness-testing-for-athletes\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">athletic personal best<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">, or improving your overall fitness.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Best_blood_tests_for_general_health\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 500;\">Best blood tests for general health<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">The following blood tests can serve as a starting point for understanding your overall health:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"HbA1c_test\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 500;\">HbA1c test<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">HbA1c, also known as glycated haemoglobin, is a measure of your blood sugar levels over the last 30 days. You might be familiar with this test as the \u201cblood test for diabetes\u201d, as this test is commonly used as a diagnostic and monitoring test for diabetes and prediabetes. However, the HbA1c test can also be used to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/our-new-hba1c-blood-test\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">determine your risk of developing diabetes<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">, as well as to offer insights into the optimal macronutrient ratio for your body.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/services\/blood-testing\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">HbA1c blood test<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> works works by looking at the markings which blood sugar leaves on your blood cells. When we have any blood sugar response, a trace of what that response was is left on the blood cell, like a high-water-mark, and this test looks at all these marks. Because our blood cells recycle and renew every 90 days, any HbA1c reading will contain high-water-marks for some blood cells which are just new, and a few which are 80-90 days old. On average this gives us a good picture of what the changes have been in your blood sugar for approximately 30 days.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">However, this test can\u2019t tell you the exact levels of glucose, insulin, or other hormones \u2013 these can be tested using a fasting plasma glucose (FPG) test, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/medlineplus.gov\/lab-tests\/insulin-in-blood\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">C-peptide test<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">. These are more advanced tests, often requested by a medical professional in the management of existing diabetes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Lipid_panel\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 500;\">Lipid panel<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">A <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/services\/blood-testing\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">lipid panel test<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> refers to a collection of blood tests related to your <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/conditions\/high-cholesterol\/getting-tested\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">cholesterol levels<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">, including total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Getting a blood test for cholesterol done is important as it helps to predict your risk of health events such as heart disease, heart attack, and stroke, as well as serving as an indicator of overall health.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Based on the results of a lipid panel, you might choose to make choices to limit your consumption of saturated fats, include additional sources of unsaturated fat in your diet, increase your activity level, or seek the advice of a GP about other ways to manage high cholesterol.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Thyroid_function_panel\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 500;\">Thyroid function panel<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">A thyroid function test is a panel of blood tests that evaluate the function of your thyroid gland, which is responsible for regulating metabolic function.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">The panel typically tests the levels of TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone), T3 (free T3 or tri-iodothyronine), and T4 (free T4 or thyroxine) in your blood. A thyroid panel may also include a test for TPOAb (thyroid peroxidase antibodies) or Tg ab (thyroglobulin antibodies) in your blood, particularly if you have a history of an autoimmune thyroid disorder such as Hashimoto\u2019s thyroiditis.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/conditions\/underactive-thyroid-hypothyroidism\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Hypothyroidism<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> (an under-active thyroid) and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/conditions\/overactive-thyroid-hyperthyroidism\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">hyperthyroidism<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> (an over-active thyroid) are common thyroid health conditions that can often be treated with medications. Even at subclinical levels, an <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/my.clevelandclinic.org\/health\/diseases\/23544-subclinical-hypothyroidism\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">under-active thyroid can cause symptoms<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> such as weight gain, fatigue, and depression, so it\u2019s worth picking up on early.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Full_blood_count\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 500;\">Full blood count<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">A <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/labtestsonline.org.uk\/tests\/full-blood-count-fbc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">full blood count (FBC) <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">\u2013 also known as a complete blood count (CBC) \u2013 measures the number of your red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and the haemoglobin present in your blood. This basic test can be used to quickly screen for anaemia, infection, and other medical problems, and is commonly requested by general practitioners, often alongside other blood tests.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Nutritional_deficiencies\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 500;\">Nutritional deficiencies<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Nutritional deficiencies can contribute to the development of new health problems, worsen existing health problems, and impact your energy, mood, and sleep.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Some of the most common nutritional deficiencies in the UK include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 600;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 600;\">Iron: <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Essential for the creation of red blood cells; reduces fatigue\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 600;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 600;\">Calcium: <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Essential for healthy bones and teeth\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 600;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 600;\">Vitamin D: <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Essential for healthy bones and muscles and beneficial for a positive mood<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 600;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 600;\">Omega-3: <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Essential for brain, heart, and eye health, as well as cognition<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 600;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 600;\">Magnesium: <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Essential for healthy bones, metabolic function, and nerve and muscle function<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Blood tests for nutritional deficiencies are a quick and easy way to identify any nutrients you aren\u2019t getting enough of and give you the information you need to make healthy choices regarding nutrition and supplementation (where necessary).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Peter_Attias_recommended_blood_tests\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 500;\">Peter Attia\u2019s recommended blood tests<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">In addition to the tests outlined above, there are several more specific blood tests that are recommended by Dr Peter Attia in his book, Outlive. These tests might be best suited to someone who already has a baseline understanding of their overall health and fitness, and who is looking for that extra bit of insight into their health.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Lpa-P_test\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 500;\">Lp(a)-P test<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/medlineplus.gov\/lab-tests\/lipoprotein-a-blood-test\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">lipoprotein A (Lp(a)-P) test<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> is a blood test that measures the level of lipoprotein A \u2013 a type of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) \u2013 in your blood.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">This test can offer more specificity than a blood test that measures your overall LDL levels. Lipoprotein A is \u201cstickier&#8221; than other lipoproteins, and high levels of this specific lipoprotein have been linked to a higher risk of coronary artery disease and cardiac events.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">This might be a good test to get if you\u2019re aware of a family history of early-onset heart or blood vessel disease, or to get further insight into high cholesterol levels as shown on a lipid panel test.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"LDL-P_or_ApoB_test\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 500;\">LDL-P (or ApoB) test<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">The LDL-P (low-density lipoprotein particle) test is a blood test that measures the concentration of LDL-P in the blood. This is slightly different to the standard LDL-C test, which measures overall LDL levels in the blood.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Low-density lipoprotein particles are byproducts created in the transport of fats in the body that can contribute to the formation of fatty plaque in the arteries, and lead to the development of coronary artery disease.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">The LDL-P test is a good test to have regardless of whether or not you have had high cholesterol results in the past, as LDL-P is a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/healthmatters.io\/understand-blood-test-results\/ldl-p\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">good predictor of cardiovascular disease<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">, and doesn\u2019t always correlate with an overall high LDL cholesterol level.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Similarly, the ApoB (Apolipoprotein B-100) test is a blood test that helps evaluate your overall risk of cardiovascular disease by measuring the amount of Apo B in your blood. Apo B is a protein that works to carry certain types of fat \u2013 specifically LDLs \u2013 around the body, and is a good predictor of cardiovascular disease. The Apo B test may also be <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/my.clevelandclinic.org\/health\/diagnostics\/24992-apolipoprotein-b-test\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">a better predictor of cardiovascular disease<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> in individuals with existing diabetes or a metabolic disorder.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"OGTT_with_insulin_measurements\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 500;\">OGTT with insulin measurements<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">The OGTT (oral glucose tolerance test) is a two-part fasting blood test that measures how well your body can process large quantities of sugar.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">This test can be used to screen for Type 2 diabetes as well as to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/tests-procedures\/glucose-tolerance-test\/about\/pac-20394296\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">diagnose gestational diabetes<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> (diabetes during pregnancy).\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">When combined with insulin measurements, the OGTT can be used to determine insulin sensitivity even in individuals without an existing diabetic illness.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"ALT\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 500;\">ALT<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Finally, an <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/medlineplus.gov\/lab-tests\/alt-blood-test\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">ALT test<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> is a blood test used to assess liver function. The ALT test measures the amount of the enzyme alanine transaminase (ALT) in your blood.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">High levels of ALT in the blood can be indicative of liver damage, and the test is commonly used to screen for liver disease. This test might be a good idea if you have a family history of liver disease, are diabetic, or have a personal history of heavy alcohol use.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Get_on-the-spot_blood_testing_at_My_Vital_Metrics\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 500;\">Get on-the-spot blood testing at My Vital Metrics\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Curious about how your overall health stacks up? Blood testing at My Vital Metrics offers a quick and easy MOT on key measures of health, including HbA1c blood glucose testing and cholesterol screening.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Whether you\u2019re interested in <a href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/services\/blood-testing\/\">booking a one-off blood test<\/a>\u00a0or receiving a more comprehensive fitness screening, <a href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/\">reach out to My Vital Metrics today<\/a> to find out how we can help you achieve your health and fitness goals. <\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Blood tests for health and fitness are a powerful tool for improving your understanding of your current physical health and highlighting areas for improvement. Not only can blood tests help monitor measures of health such as cholesterol and blood sugar levels, but they can empower you to take steps to reduce your risk of chronic [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":801679,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[56,59,55],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-798606","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blood-testing","category-health-and-fitness-testing","category-health-and-longevity"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/798606","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=798606"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/798606\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/801679"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=798606"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=798606"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=798606"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}