One of the main goals we have for our clients is to use innovative products and diagnostic services as your foundation for optimal health through preventative medicine. Preventative medicine is important – what good would your renewed energy and zest for life be if all of a sudden you found your kidneys were failing or you were at risk of developing heart disease. That’s where our comprehensive health analysis comes in. During your initial consultation, we collect a great deal of information that is used in evaluating your overall health with added focus on preventative medicine. Read below for a full description of the types of information we collect and the blood tests we use to to assess your overall level of health.
Vital Signs
Your vital signs are collected by your health care provider. They are helpful in assessing basic body functions and include your heart rate, weight, height, blood pressure (systolic and diastolic) and respiratory rate. The most important is your blood pressure. Levels for a healthy adult are 120 systolic and 80 diastolic (“one twenty over eighty”). We use your blood pressure in conjunction with several other factors, including your age, whether you smoke, have a family history of heart disease, and your HDL (good) and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels. Together, these factors are used in assessing your risk of developing heart disease. Your Optimal Health Profile lists your results in these categories, and with guidance from your health care provider, you can minimize your risk and maintain optimal cardiovascular health.
We collect a small sample of your blood for analysis. The analysis is part of an overall assessment that evaluates every major system in your body.
The Pituitary Gland
The pituitary gland is sometimes called the “master” gland of the endocrine system because it influences the functions of the other endocrine glands. As function of the pituitary gland declines with normal aging, we see a decline in the functioning of these important endocrine glands and a resultant decline in health and vitality.
Through a variety of sensitive feedback loops, the pituitary gland adjusts the hormonal output of the other endocrine glands. We evaluate your pituitary function by measuring your levels of two pituitary hormones-thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) which is made in the pituitary gland and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) which is produced by the liver in response to growth hormone from the pituitary gland. TSH is part of the body’s feedback system to maintain stable amounts of the thyroid hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) in the blood. Similarly, IGF-1 levels are tightly regulated through the brain and pituitary.
The Thyroid Gland
The thyroid gland controls metabolism which is the rate at which the body converts food and oxygen into energy. It does this by producing hormones called thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). Levels of these hormones influence heart rate, body temperature, alertness, mood and many other functions. We evaluate your thyroid function by measuring your level of free thyroxine (T4) and free triiodothyronine (T3). We also check TSH, which is the signal from the pituitary, but rely more on T4 and T3 as they are more direct measures of how well your thyroid is working.
Testosterone
Testosterone is a steroid hormone produced predominantly in the ovaries and adrenal glands in women. Although considered the “male hormone”, testosterone is important for women as well. Testosterone protects against cardiovascular disease, hypertension and arthritis. Testosterone is also important for a healthy mood and libido, maintaining muscle and keeping unwanted fat off, and keeping bones strong. To evaluate your testosterone we measure your levels of free and total testosterone.
Progesterone
The ovaries are the predominant source of progesterone in the nonpregnant female although the adrenal glands are also a source of this important hormone. We measure your level of progesterone to determine if your body is producing adequate levels on its own. As important as the absolute levels of estrogen and progesterone for optimal health, the balance of these hormones is equally essential to feeling yourself. Progesterone has the important role of balancing estrogen’s effects on the body-there is evidence it helps protect against cancer, decreases prementrual migraines, promotes better sleep and reduces premenstrual bloating, weight gain, irritability and breast tenderness.
Estradiol
Estradiol is a sex hormone and although it is responsible for the development of female characteristics, it is also present in males and is the major estrogen in humans. Estradiol has not only a critical impact on reproductive and sexual functioning, but also affects other organs including the brain, heart and bone structure. We measure your level of estradiol to determine if your body is producing adequate levels on its own. Most importantly, we want to make sure your body’s production of progesterone and estradiol are in balance.
Growth Hormone
Growth Hormone (GH) is a peptide hormone and is vital for normal bone and tissue growth and development. We evaluate your GH level by measuring your level of insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1). IGF-1 is released by the liver in response to stimulation by GH and is directly related to the amount of GH released by the pituitary gland.
Insulin
Insulin is a hormone that is produced and stored in the beta cells of the pancreas. Digested food breaks down into basic components such as glucose, a main source of energy for the body. Insulin is vital for the transportation and storage of glucose at the cellular level; it helps regulate blood glucose levels and has a role in lipid metabolism. Elevated levels of insulin increase your risk of developing diabetes, heart disease, becoming obese and other debilitating diseases.
Heart
When evaluating the health of your heart, we asses a number of factors including your risk of developing heart disease or having a cardiac event, and to determine if you have an existing heart condition. Measuring your cholesterol (LDH and HDL) and triglycerides levels are helpful in evaluating your risk of developing heart disease or having a cardiac event.
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