3 Lab Tests You Should Know That Aren't on a Standard Panel

Disclaimer: Not Medical Advice. Opinions are my own.

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Today's newsletter at a glance:

• Labs: Personalizing Your Health

• Apolipoprotein B (ApoB)

• Lipoprotein(a)

• High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein

There is an endless amount of health content online.

The challenge is knowing what applies to you.

Getting your blood drawn and checking your labs helps to remove the guesswork.

You come across a video that says, "Magnesium is the most commonly deficient mineral". While this claim may be accurate, it is generally speaking and may not be personalized to you.

Labs give you a clearer picture of your health data.

Annual check-ups and routine labs with your primary care physician are foundational to understanding your health - don't skip them.

In today's newsletter, we will discuss three labs in addition to your standard panel that you should be familiar with.

Apolipoprotein B (ApoB)

You may be familiar with LDL-C, or "bad cholesterol," when determining your cardiovascular risk, as it provides insight into cholesterol levels.

Atherosclerosis (plaque formation) depends primarily on how many particles crash into the arterial wall, not how much cholesterol each one carries.

ApoB is present on every atherogenic particle: LDL, VLDL, IDL, and Lp(a).

One ApoB = one particle = one potential plaque seed.

ApoB levels over 80 mg/dL are where lipoproteins can begin to infiltrate the endothelium, and the risk of plaque progression starts.

While your LDL-C could be in range, ApoB might expose elevated VLDL with insulin resistance, elevated triglycerides, and Lp(a), all of which contribute to CVD.

ApoB is a superior lab test when determining your risk of heart disease.

Lipoprotein(a)

Lipoprotein(a) is an LDL particle with an apolipoprotein(a) tail connected.

This particle promotes clotting and inflammation.

The reality is that your genetics predominantly determine your Lp(a) levels, and approximately 20% of the population is affected.

In terms of testing frequency, checking your Lp(a) once will reveal whether you are genetically prone to elevated Lp(a).

High levels of Lp(a) can be a primary driver of premature heart disease and stroke — even when LDL and ApoB are normal.

• Lp(a) levels < 30 mg/dL (or < 75 nmol/L) put you at low risk and are the typical range for the majority of the population.

• Lp(a) levels 30-50 mg/dL (75-125 nmol/L) put you at mildly elevated risk and may increase CVD risk modestly.

• Lp(a) levels 50-125 mg/dL (125-250 nmol/L) put you at moderately elevated risk and 2-3x higher risk for CVD.

• Lp(a) levels >125 mg/dL (or >250 nmol/L) put you at high risk and 3-4x increased risk for heart attack and stroke.

No diet or lifestyle modification has shown significant progress in lowering Lp(a) levels. Understanding your levels will help you with risk assessment.

If your levels are high, then focus on what you can control to lower your risk of CVD. Lp(a) lowering medications are currently in late-stage trials.

High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) is a biomarker that gives insight into general inflammation.

CRP is produced in your liver in response to inflammation; therefore, high inflammation = high CRP levels.

High inflammation has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

The primary drivers for elevated CRP are acute and chronic inflammation, obesity, metabolic syndrome, poor sleep, and smoking.

• CRP Levels < 1.0 put you at low risk with baseline inflammation.

• CRP Levels 1-3 put you at moderate risk with mild inflammation.

• CRP Levels >3 put you at high risk with significantly elevated inflammation.

Interventions and supplementation that have been shown to lower CRP levels and overall inflammation are: improved sleep hygiene, regular exercise, weight loss, glucose management, Omega-3s, and a clean diet.

If You Don't Test, You Don't Know

True health ownership starts with knowledge.

Understanding which biomarkers are in range or, more importantly, out of range will help you personalize and create your own instruction manual.

​Function Health​ is an all-in-one health platform that starts with 100+ lab tests, including your heart, hormones, liver, kidneys, thyroid, autoimmunity, cancer signals, toxins, and overall nutrients.

Function provides five times more bloodwork testing than standard primary care labs, which would cost you thousands of dollars out of pocket.

Function makes scheduling at 2,000 locations across the USA convenient and straightforward, with lab visits averaging only 15 minutes.

Once your results are in, you will receive a comprehensive summary written by Function's Clinical Team. Clinicians call you promptly if any urgent results arise.

After seeing your biomarkers and Function's insightful recommendations, you will have the confidence to take action and retest in the future to track your progress.

Join hundreds of thousands, including me, who use Function to take control of their health. ​Click here to get a $100 credit when you sign up for Function.

Knowing your data is powerful.

Being an informed patient helps you make informed decisions.

Your labs help establish your baseline and can be instrumental in guiding you on your health journey.

Don't skip your labs and PCP visit.

Take control of your health.

Only the best,

Jeremy London, MD

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