Have you ever wondered if you’re missing something when it comes to your health? Perhaps you can’t seem to overcome a certain health issue despite trying everything. Or maybe you feel healthy enough, but want to make sure you’re preventing disease and giving your body the best chance to function optimally.
Either way, understanding your body better is the first step to a truly healthy life. But how do we know what’s really going on inside?
We ask your blood.
Believe it or not, your blood contains incredibly useful information as to how well your body is functioning and where you can improve. Blood tests give a clear and specific picture of your health so you can take steps in the right direction.
A single drop of blood contains a vast amount of information. Let’s use that information to our advantage! Here we’ll learn more about how blood work can help you give your body what it really needs and some of the most useful tests to consider.
Blood is one of our most vital resources. It hydrates, lubricates, and nourishes every cell in the body. It also provides priceless information for how we can target specific imbalances or diseases.
Blood tests are typically ordered by a doctor or healthcare provider to check or rule out certain diseases based on your symptoms. Specific blood tests allow your doctor to assess the functioning of your organ systems, such as your kidneys, heart, liver, or reproductive system.
While they are typically ordered when something feels “off,” blood tests can also be used preventatively. Your healthcare provider may offer a test to catch minor issues or ensure your body is getting all the support it needs to stay healthy. They may also be used to monitor progress during a treatment program, special diet, or even general lifestyle changes.
When you have a clear picture of what’s going on inside your body, you can make better choices and address issues before they become serious.
Interested in hearing what your blood has to say? Thankfully, learning from your blood work is a simple and easy process.
Most blood tests need to be ordered by your doctor or functional medicine practitioner. They’ll usually recommend these based on your symptoms or complaints, but you can always ask for a specific blood test if you have a particular concern.
Once you’re ready for your blood test, your healthcare provider will draw a small amount of blood from a vein in your arm (or prick your finger). From there, the blood sample is sent to a lab for testing. You can usually expect to receive results within a few days or weeks.
It’s important to remember that while blood tests are an extremely helpful tool, they are not used alone to diagnose a disease or offer recommendations. You and your doctor will consider your symptoms, lifestyle, and other diagnostic factors to decide upon the best health program for you.
There is a wide range of blood tests to consider, each with its own focus and purposes. Here are the most common tests your healthcare might choose or recommend:
The most common and basic blood tests involve a range of factors that show the health of your blood and cardiovascular system. This is often part of a routine check-up or may be used if there are potential heart or kidney concerns.
Bottom line: A general blood panel can offer basic information about the health of your blood and cardiovascular system. This can be a good place to start if you are looking to add strategic supplements to improve your overall well-being.
A metabolic profile contains a range of tests that checks the functioning of your kidneys and liver, while also monitoring your blood pressure and the risk for diabetes. Here are the common tests included in a comprehensive metabolic profile:
Bottom line: If you’d like a comprehensive picture of your health, consider a Chem-14 blood panel. This is particularly important to check the functioning of your main organ systems and rule out any serious health concerns.
A thyroid panel is a commonly ordered blood test due to the wide range of influence the thyroid has on our overall health. In many instances, health issues can be directly linked back to thyroid imbalances.
Bottom line: Use a thyroid hormone panel if you’re struggling with sleep, metabolism, energy, fertility, or simply feel “off.”
A sex-specific hormone panelcan be used to determine your reproductive health, fertility, or the presence of other health issues.
Bottom line: Use a sex hormone panel to see where your hormone levels are off. Then, make adjustments based on your results to keep your hormones in check.
Your doctor or healthcare provider may order other blood tests depending on your symptoms or health condition. Here are a few other blood tests you may encounter:
Bottom line: Each person is different and will need different blood tests to uncover their body’s biggest needs. Reach out to your primary care doctor to find out more about what blood tests might tell you about your unique health condition.
Custom blood work gives you a peek into the hidden world of your internal health and guides you through understanding your body on a deeper level.
Once you have your blood work results, you can make informed decisions about what diet, exercise, medications, supplements, and other lifestyle factors will work for your body rather than against it.
Until then, Aceva Everyday Basics has your back. We’ve combined our Daily Balancemultivitamin and our Absolute Greens to offer a comprehensive duo that contains all the essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients your body needs on a daily basis.
With Everyday Basics, you can rest assured that you are giving your body the right building blocks to thrive each and every day. Get your Everyday Basics today!
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