Daniel
Forum Replies Created
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Hey ,
Good question! Cholesterol is a fascinating, but complex topic to discuss. Understanding the different lab markers on a traditional panel will help.
I wrote a tip about cholesterol (you can find it here). It explains the difference between Cholesterol, HDL and LDL and will discuss ranges as well.
To summarize shortly, Cholesterol is a molecule that is transported by LDL and HDL. Although LDL (and HDL) particles come in different sizes, the backbone of LDL is a molecule called ApoB.
Here the discussion becomes a bit more nuanced.
Small LDL particles can get easier stuck in damaged arteries, which can cause plaque to build up. Bigger particles fit less well in small holes and are in general less damaging.
LDL or LDL-C
When the lab value LDL (or LDL-C, with C for Cholesterol) is on your lab report, this gives back the cholesterol mass transported by the LDL taxies. It doesn’t say anything about the average size of these LDL transport molecules.LDL-P
A better marker to asses risk would be to count the LDL particles. This is done, but it isn’t the standard. You would like to see the lab value LDL-P (P stands for particles).ApoB
Measuring the amount of ApoB (since it is the backbone of LDL) will be an even better way to count the LDL particles. Depending on someone’s genetics ApoB can be more or less plaque-forming. This has to do with the next lab value:Lp(a)
Lp(a), pronounced like LP little a, is a special form of LDL that has attached a molecule called “apolipoprotein a” to Apo-B. These particles are more plaque-forming than LDL. It is estimated that 20 per cent of the population of the world has this genetic variance. Therefore measuring Lp(a) is important as well.Pattern A and Pattern B
People with smaller LDL particle sizes have a pattern B LDL profile. Having on average bigger LDL particles is, therefore, an advantage. People having this type of LDL profile are having a pattern A profile.Triglycerides
You can find these on a traditional lipid panel as well. Elevated levels
are often indicative of metabolic dysfunction, fatty liver, elevated blood sugar, hypothyroid function and/or high stress hormones. Low levels may be from low intake of dietary fats, hepatic-biliary congestion, hyperthyroidism, or an autoimmune disease dynamic.Triglycerides/HDL Ratio
The most predictive of CVD risk in the traditional lipid panel is an elevated ratio of triglycerides to HDL cholesterol (it somehow estimates LDL particle size). The Triglycerides/HDL ratio would be desired <2.0.Now to answer your question:
For all these reasons, I personally like the cardio IQ report from Quest Diagnostics. You can order it here. It will also help you interpret the reference ranges.
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Hey ,
I just wanted to let you know, after a discussion with Bernadette, I changed my mind a bit on the THAK test.
From a scientific point of view, the THAK test can’t differentiate well between the next 2 situations:
• high histamine levels with normal DAO and HMNT enzyme production and
• normal histamine levels with low DAO and HMNT enzyme production.This is why I preferred the other test. However…
In both situations, we would make the same lifestyle & supplement recommendations.
Since the THAK test is cheaper and if histamine is your main concern, the THAK test would be good.
You could use the money to invest in a new pan 🙂
Sorry if I confused you!
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Hey ,
Iron pans can be a source of iron in your diet. I think Lodge is a brand you could purchase. Staub is also a brand you could take a look at as well. Both have the option to order your cast iron pans pre-seasoned.
I once wrote a tip (which you can find here) that could help you. It discusses the pros and cons of different types of nontoxic cookware. It also explains how you could season your cast iron pan yourself if you like to do it yourself.
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Hey ,
The reference ranges for that age are a bit dependent on where you took your labs. Typically they are somewhere between 25-200 ug/dl for DHEA-Sulfate. If you would only look at the value, it would be good.
The more important question is: did you feel good with these values? And when you were drawing blood, were you on DHEA or were you already off?
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Hey ,
I’m glad you enjoy it here!
What do you hope to learn from the CGM and the labs? Perhaps we could help you on what to look for!
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Hey ,
The THAK test (or THDC in English, which stands for Total Histamine Degradation Capacity) is a measure of the total histamine degradation capacity.
What it tests is how well you are able to break down histamine. The good thing about the test is that it is done in a way that is independent of what enzyme (DAO, HMNT) histamine is degraded by.
It is a relatively new test. I think the test has potential, but the amount of research I could find on it was limited (click here if you like to learn more)
The benefits of the test from Regenerus are that
• It returns more information. For example, it reveals antibodies that elevate in your serum when LPS has entered your body.
• It measures serum zonulin.
• It measures your absolute histamine – which was high on your previous results. It would be interesting to know those values when you have low exposure to dietary histamine. High histamine values will translate into a low THAK since the amount of histamine can’t be degraded that fast compared to the number of histamine degrading enzymes produced by the body.
• Although it doesn’t measure the HMNT enzyme which helps break down histamine, it would be useful to compare your old DAO enzyme production to your current DAO enzyme production. This could help us see if your enzyme production has changed for some reason.It becomes a matter of preference. My personal choice would probably be the Regenerus test.
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Hey ,
You’re never late with your response here!
I will start with a brief explanation of the results of your latest test (which is already a bit older now).
What you see here is a measurement of what was in your blood. Usually antibodies are not well absorbed in the GI tract and influence antibodies in the blood less. This can of course change a bit when the gut is leaky, but from the test it can’t be deduced how much immunoglobulins you should take. Immunoglobulins do help with gut health and can help to reduce the exposure to LPS via that way.
The best way is just try and find out how well you respond to it.
Dosage wise the product of Moss Nutrition (I think you refer to IGG Select 75 G, right?) is a little stronger then IGG2000.
If you order it, let us know how you feel with the product!
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You can brew tea with cinnamon sticks for sure. It takes around 15 minutes on a teapot with burner. I like to combine the tea together with lemon peel or orange peel and a twig of fresh thyme. I think it tastes amazing.
You can also use the sticks in curries. The greek kitchen uses a lot of cinnamon. Perhaps you can find inspiration in those kitchens as well.
I’m not sure what the test mentions about LPS, if you could share the results again, I will look into it.
A way to determine if someone has leaky gut is to measure LPS antibodies in the blood. LPS (or Lipopolysaccharides) are found in the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria that live in the gut. If the gut is leaky these LPS can pass the gut lining and cause an immune reaction.
If the test measures these antibodies, it is a way to examine if your gut is leaky.
IGG2000 is a supplement that can help support the immune system in the gut. Immunoglobulins help to bind microbes and toxins and can help the healing process.
You could look at it as sending extra troops to the front line to support the immune system.
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If there is a disruption to the microbiome resulting in an imbalance in the microbiota, it is called dysbiosis. SIBO is a special type of dysbiosis.
The way to address this is by reducing constipation, giving your immune system support, addressing stress, minimising sugar intake (and alcohol!), improving stomach acid production, getting your bile flowing and focusing on getting foods that have antimicrobial properties (like coconut oil, olive oil, oregano, thyme, sage, ginger, garlic, sage and cinnamon for example)
I loved this research article. It contains a recent (2019) overview of foods that have anti-microbial properties. Perhaps it is of use to you!
You might think: ‘Hé, I’m doing a lot of these things..!’
This is why Bernadette said: you’re on the right track!
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I’m so happy for you! Well done!
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Hey ,
I agree with Bernadette that this could definitely be at play! Just to understand a little more about what could be at play, can you describe where you feel the bloating and pain? Are they in the same area?
And if you put your hands on the place where you feel the pain/bloating, where you would you put it? Is it at the level of your belly button? Or is it more to the rib cage? Do you feel the bloating/pain more to the left/right or is it more at the centre?
In addition, could you describe the pain as well? Is it cramp-like, achy, dull,
sharp or something else? -
Hey ,
Is this TSH measured in mIU/ml? And in what units was you T4 measurement? Perhaps you could share a copy of the lab results with us!
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Hey ,
To help you better, could you tell me if this is a blood test or a urine test? The units would be great to have as well!
Good values may also depend on what is happening downstream. DHEA is a precursor to estrogen and testosterone. If you experience symptoms that match androgen dominance (like hair loss, male pattern Bolding, acne, oily skin, and irritability) adding DHEA can increase androgens causing worsening of the symptoms.
If you are experiencing high estrogen symptoms (This handout dives deeper into symptoms caused by estrogen dominance), adding DHEA can also worsen these symptoms.
If you are experiencing symptoms caused by low estrogen (like depression, shifts in moods, headaches, painful sex due to a lack of vaginal lubrication, headaches, fatigue, etc) getting DHEA in the right range can help.
If you share the type of test, the units and possible symptoms it would help us to indicate if the numbers measured are also values that are good for you.
What also would be interesting to know is:
• Why you started to supplement DHEA in the first place
• Why you stopped 6 months ago.
• And what the reason was to measure DHEA again. -
Hey @nikolovaart ,
The 2 main forms of CoQ10 are Ubiquinol and Ubiquinone. I usually recommend the Ubiquinol form. As we age, we lose the ability to convert sufficient Ubiquinone into Ubiquinol (which is the active, reduced form).
The amount depends on what you like to use it for. Since our ability to from Ubiquinol reduces with age, I usually recommend my clients 100mg per day without any other health conditions.
Statins and Beta Blockers are known to deplete CoQ10. When clients use statins I usually recommend them to start using 2x 100 mg CoQ10 per day and increase to 2x 200 mg per day if there is evidence of statin-induced myopathy.
Some people use CoQ10 to reduce migraines. I usually recommend to start between the 100 – 150 mg 2x daily. Typical in combination with magnesium and riboflavin.
May I ask what you like to use it for?
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Hey ,
Hot flashes can happen for different reasons. They can be caused by sudden drops in estrogen, too much cortisol, not enough cortisol, low progesterone or not enough serotonin. Only addressing what is at play will help you to reduce hot flashes.
Sharing your DUTCH test can help us understand what might be at play! In addition, it would be helpful to know when in your cycle the DUTCH test was taken.
Since female hormones often play a role I recommend you to read this handout. What I would like you to do is to write down and share other possible symptoms that are mentioned there. This will help us to give you more targeted advice.
If you feel comfortable sharing, it would also be helpful to know what your period looks like. For example:
• Is your period regular?
• When do you experience your hot flashes? During the day? In the night? Or both?
• Do you experience heavy blood loss?
• Are you using contraceptives?
• Are the flushes worse in certain parts of your cycle?Less known is that vitamin D can also influence estrogen receptors and estrogen metabolism. Vitamin D supplementation for example may have a stronger effect as the body gets hit with high one-time doses of a supplement. You might not be supplementing with vitamin D, but if you are magnesium deficient, vitamin D can’t transform into its final form causing a similar effect. When you mention that hot flashes are more common in the summer, checking if you experience symptoms of magnesium deficiency can help.
Signs & Symptoms of magnesium are quite a lot (Here is a more in-depth video). If you are experiencing symptoms like acid reflux, cramps, low energy, poor sleep, headaches, heart palpitations or high blood pressure it would be good to check your RBC magnesium or just use a magnesium supplement.
Other conditions that can play into hot flashes are low blood sugar, hyper- and hypothyroidism and changes in stress. If you have for example seasonal work and experience more stress in the summer because of that, this might be worth mentioning as well.
Quite a lot of reasons, I know! If you share your DUTCH test, we could give you more personalised advise!
