All about our blood & saliva tests
Health is personal, and everyone has different goals to achieve and maintain good health. But did you know that nowadays, by measuring biomarkers in your blood and saliva, you can extensively analyse your health? This allows you to discover your current health status and identify areas for improvement. You can also detect health risks at an early stage. Curious about what we can now reveal with simple blood and saliva tests? We explain it to you.
Vitamins and Minerals
Vitamins and minerals are crucial for anyone who wants to proactively manage their health. They support your immune system, ensure strong bones, and contribute to your energy levels. However, without supplements, it can be challenging to always get the optimal amount: the sun isn't always strong enough to produce sufficient vitamin D. Vegetables and fruits contain fewer vitamins and minerals than in your grandparents' time due to intensive farming, and we often harvest our fruit before it's ripe. As a result, more and more people are experiencing vitamin or mineral deficiencies. A blood test can detect deficiencies in vitamins and minerals at an early stage. With a small finger prick (which you can do at home), you can test the following:
- Vitamin D: important for strong bones and teeth. We don't always produce enough, especially in the autumn and winter months or if you frequently use sun protection.
- Vitamin B12: supports the formation of red blood cells and a good immune response. Vegetarians and vegans are at greater risk of deficiencies as it is mainly found in animal products.
- Folic acid: contributes to the growth of your baby during pregnancy (often measured when planning a pregnancy). A deficiency can generally lead to reduced absorption of certain nutrients and thus, for example, fatigue.
- Iron: essential for normal oxygen transport throughout the body. A deficiency can cause fatigue, among other things.
- Ferritin: allows iron to be stored in the body. This marker can show, in addition to measuring iron itself, whether the iron levels in the body are adequate.
- Magnesium: involved in numerous processes in the body: good for muscles, helps reduce fatigue, and is necessary for electrolyte balance. This mineral also plays a role in transmitting signals in the central nervous system. A decreased level can lead to fatigue or difficulty relaxing muscles.
Curious about your values? It is now possible to purchase various blood and saliva tests from us, both in-store and online. You can then conduct these tests yourself. You will receive results complemented with extensive personal lifestyle advice, as you have come to expect from us! Click here for more information
Heart and Blood Vessels
For those wanting to go a step further, it is also possible to gain insight into biomarkers that indicate the health of your heart and blood vessels. By measuring your cholesterol levels, you can bring certain health risks, including cardiovascular diseases, to light at an earlier stage. Conducting preventive research gives you the chance to adjust your lifestyle to prevent future discomforts. These markers are also measured with a finger prick.
- HDL cholesterol: This is the good cholesterol that ensures the "bad" cholesterol (LDL) is transported to the liver.
- LDL cholesterol: This is the "bad" type of cholesterol that, in excessive amounts, can accumulate in your blood vessels. This can increase blood pressure and the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
- Ratio (total cholesterol): The ratio between LDL and HDL: provides an overview of the amount of good and "bad" cholesterol in your blood and thus the health of your blood vessels.
- Triglycerides: A type of fat in which our body stores energy. It's beneficial to keep this as low as possible; a high level increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
- Hs-CRP: This value indicates the amount of low-grade inflammation in the body, which can persist for a long time and cause damage to the blood vessels.
Thyroid and TSH
Your thyroid is the organ that ensures the food you ingest is converted into energy. It produces thyroid hormone, which is crucial for metabolism. If there is an issue in the production or release of this hormone, it may cause the metabolism to not function optimally and slow down. This can have unpleasant consequences, such as weight gain despite a healthy diet and sufficient exercise. The TSH level in your blood is crucial for proper thyroid function and can also be measured at home with a finger prick. The TSH value is measured in the total test.
In the case of an underactive thyroid, the pituitary gland produces more TSH. With an overactive thyroid, less TSH is produced. The TSH value thus provides an indication of your thyroid's functioning. Good to know, as an underactive thyroid can lead to fatigue, weight gain, or dry skin. Conversely, an overactive thyroid can lead to rapid weight loss, sweating, and a feeling of restlessness.
Cortisol Measurement
Everyone experiences stress from time to time. However, if you experience stress too much and too often, your stress-response hormone, cortisol, may be present in excessive amounts in the body. Cortisol ensures you are alert and more on edge. This is helpful during short moments of stress, but can lead to unpleasant symptoms during longer periods of stress, such as irritability, difficulty falling asleep, or exhaustion. You can check your cortisol levels through a saliva test.
The cortisol test provides insight into your cortisol levels and thus your relationship with stress. It consists of two measurements at different times:
• In the morning to see if the release is starting. If not, it may indicate chronic fatigue.
• In the afternoon to see if the release decreases. If it decreases too little, it may indicate chronic stress.
