With so many numbers, terms and constantly-evolving discoveries, it can be difficult to understand and properly manage your health. Between changing doctors and switching insurance plans, it’s important to understand what a blood test can reveal so that you can stay on top of what it means to be healthy.
According to a recent CBS report, the growing field of biomarker testing reached 4.8 billion dollars in 2015. One of the most powerful diagnostic tools available to physicians today, biomarker testing analyzes blood and other human samples to measure and quantify certain substances which provide solid data on the presence or severity of an illness or risk for developing a serious ailment. Many people are familiar with the concept of measuring body temperature to determine the presence of a fever, a classic example of a biomarker test.
Diabetes is approaching epidemic levels in the United States and much of the developed world. The Centers for Disease Control reports that more than 22 million people in the United States alone were diagnosed with diabetes last year and that this number is steadily rising. Just 5-10% of people with diabetes have Type I, believed to be caused by an inherited defect in the pancreas which causes the organ to produce insufficient quantities of insulin. The vast majority of people with diabetes have Type 2, classified as a preventable illness due to its strong ties to lifestyle, diet, and exercise.
Many health-conscious people today are electing to undergo a comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP). This unique battery of tests analyzes the blood to identify precursors and indications of a wide variety of diseases, evaluate organ function, and to monitor the effects of certain medications.
Increasingly, doctors are learning that they can provide better patient care for individuals who undergo comprehensive lab tests. Instead of attempting to apply a “one size fits all” approach to medicine, detailed lab tests can help doctors get specific information about organ function, metabolic function, and the overall state of a person’s health. This information can then be used to provide more targeted solutions to improve health and address illnesses and chronic conditions.
Every woman is born with all of the eggs that she will ever have in her lifetime. When a woman goes through puberty, her ovary becomes active, functioning as a virtual “egg bank” that delivers eggs once a month until the woman reaches the age of menopause. Ovarian reserve testing is a special test that can give women vital information about the number of eggs remaining and their fertility.
A number of breakthroughs in research about fertility in women have drastically increased the chances of a woman being able to successfully conceive and bring a baby to term. New tests, new discoveries from research, and technological advances now mean that more women than ever can have babies.
Lately, scientific breakthroughs in understanding the unique differences in a person’s genetic makeup and metabolism have made visiting diet labs increasingly popular. In a recent paper published by researchers at the University of Tennessee in the journal Obesity, a number of genetic markers that influence weight loss were identified. It is believed that, in the near future, DNA samples and sensors similar to today’s FitBit and other lifestyle tracking devices will allow doctors to customize a special diet plan unique for the individual.
Can Genetic Testing Reveal the Perfect Diet for Your Genes?
