Most of us believe the values we get for any single laboratory test sample represent our health status. On one hand it is truthful, especially when it comes to the most important minerals in our body; sodium for example, which fluctuates in relatively narrow ranges. We would be ill, or dead, if our sodium level falls outside those ranges.
A major shortcoming of laboratory testing is that it only delivers a snapshot of how things were at that precise moment the sample was taken. For elements that vary little, such as sodium, this is fine. However, a myriad of vital substances in the human body change daily, or even minute by minute. Accepting the results of a single moment in time and ordering treatment (drugs) only can be legitimate if the snapshots represented a true picture of our overall health. They don’t.
Around the time cholesterol-testing was gaining popularity I had my level tested at a seminar three times in two days. The results were different and not associated with what I had been doing or eating. One was normal and two were borderline high. The doctor at the booth couldn’t explain which of the three values were valid, but he suggested seeing my doctor about getting a prescription, just in case. The point here is to demonstrate that cholesterol levels from a single blood test should not be trusted. Two values suggested possible treatment (statin drugs), while the third demonstrated that all was fine.
Cholesterol levels vary because our bodies need varying amounts to meet specific hormone needs throughout the day. A snapshot test might reflect a medium, but it might report a level when values are on the rise, or declining. A better indicator would be a series of tests over time. Cholesterol is the basic starter material for hormones, which are defined as substances that change to meet specific needs at varying times. There isn’t a single stable value and normal values fall within ranges.
The same interpretation applies to all hormones: Estrogens, testosterone, cortisol, and so on.
It is common to hear, “my testosterone is low normal” and the person wants to know what kind of hormone replacement (treatment) would be best. Few, if any, have an idea what their levels were when they were young and vigorous. What they have is the results from the most recent snapshot. The next best thing to a comparison from the past would be a series of current results going back a few months to a year, which usually isn’t available, either.
Many of the millions of lab values in the data banks are obtained from hospitals and clinics, places where sick individuals are tested. Over time, large numbers of tests generate the base of values that approaches a normal distribution for most individual. Sometimes the labs break out data by gender, and age. However, every test value is merely a value for that particular moment in time and not reflective of the true overall health situation.
What to do when being tested during routine doctor visit? Begin by understanding that results could be accurate or not, especially if testing substances that are fat soluble (cholesterol, hormones). Next, don’t attribute too much weight to single results, especially when the snapshot values suggest low normal or high normal. Normal is still normal and being in the range is usually okay.
Consider doing your own testing and documenting. Lab tests traditionally have been ordered by a doctor, but it isn’t absolutely necessary these days. There are lab services with drawing sites near most cities that will collect your sample and send it for testing, with results being returned to the customer. Costs are nominal, often less than when ordered by a doctor and paid for by insurance, and customers can look at their own results over time and evaluate them according to how they are feeling.
A quick online search usually will yield several choices. One good company is ULTA which has several drawing facilities in the Fox Valley area. If you can’t find one, send an E-mail and I can offer some guidance: Larry@thecompounder.com.
Larry Frieders is a pharmacist in Aurora who had a book published, The Undruggist: Book One, A Tale of Modern Apothecary and Wellness. He can be reached at thecompounder.com/ask-larry or www.facebook.com/thecompounder.