I think that one of the best feelings in the world is when you go for a checkup and are given a clean bill of health.

Fair statement?

But unfortunately, a clean bill of health does not necessarily guarantee that you are healthy.

Because although you may get a thumbs up from your doc following your physical exam and bloodwork, trouble may still be brewing.

To get a more complete picture of your innards and help nip potential problems in the bud, here are…

Nine tests you should ask your doctor to run

1- High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP)

The hs-CRP is an extremely sensitive test that measures a protein produced by your liver in response to inflammation in your body. Inflammation is an underlying factor in most chronic diseases—including cardiovascular disease. 

When elevated, C-reactive protein indicates either inflammatory or free radical damage is occurring, especially in your blood vessels.

2- Homocysteine

Homocysteine is an amino acid produced as a by-product of your digestion of animal proteins.

Elevated levels of homocysteine in the bloodstream can cause inflammation in the blood vessels and increase your heart disease risk.

3- Magnesium

Your entire body needs magnesium for a plethora of distinct functions and enzyme reactions and being low in it can have devastating consequences.

Here are just a few of the conditions that are caused or worsened by magnesium deficiency:

• Osteoporosis 
• Irregular heartbeat
• Restless leg syndrome/muscle cramps
• Fibromyalgia
• Gallstones and joint problems
• Elevated C-reactive protein levels
• Autoimmune conditions and impaired immune function
• Chronic fatigue
• Low serotonin levels and depression
• Low insulin levels (a concern for Type 2 diabetes)
• PMS symptoms

4- Vitamin D

Vitamin D is a very common deficiency, especially in the northeast where your exposure to sunlight may be limited. 

Plus, fears of skin cancer have caused many people to completely shun the sun and/or only venture outside when slathered in sunscreen (which blocks your body’s ability to produce vitamin D from the sun).

Vitamin D is crucial for bone health, maintaining healthy blood glucose and insulin levels, proper immune system functioning, controlling inflammation in your blood vessels (thereby reducing heart disease risk) and cancer prevention, among other things.

5- Complete thyroid panel

When assessing thyroid function, the typical go-to is the TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) test.

But TSH is secreted by your pituitary to “nudge” your thyroid into action…so the TSH test primarily assesses the functioning of your pituitary—not necessarily your thyroid!

Plus, the TSH test measures your blood level of thyroid hormone at that one moment in time when your blood is drawn. But your thyroid hormone levels are constantly changing—so a “snapshot” blood test is not always an accurate picture of what’s really going on 24/7 with your thyroid. 

A far more accurate and sensitive test that assesses thyroid health is the "TRH stimulation test" also known as the “TRH challenge test.”

If your doctor is not familiar with the TRH test, at least request a complete thyroid panel including TSH, free T4, free T3, reverse T3, and two types of thyroid antibody levels--anti-TPO and anti-thyroglobulin.

6- Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is also an extremely common deficiency due to our heavy reliance on acid reducers (stomach acid is needed for proper B12 assimilation) and high prevalence of digestive issues which can impact absorption in the intestinal tract.

B12 is crucial for the formation of white blood cells that comprise your immune system, and red blood cells that carry oxygen throughout your body. 

It's also an important player in your metabolism that helps generate your body’s energy and is needed for your body to control homocysteine levels (and thus help prevent heart disease).

And vitamin B12 is positively vital to your nervous system and brain health. 

Symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency can include:

• Lack of energy
• Memory problems
• Confusion and disorientation
• Irritability
• Swelling of the tongue and bleeding gums
• Walking difficulties and falling
• Dizziness and lightheadedness
• Depression
• Tinnitus (ringing in ears)
• Numbness and tingling in the extremities
• Vision problems
• Weakened immunity

7- Heavy metals urine test

Heavy metals are much more prevalent in our atmosphere today than they were even a few decades ago.

The main "offenders" that we are exposed to that can cause health problems are aluminum, mercury, lead, cadmium and arsenic.

Aluminum is extremely harmful to your nervous system; it can impair your body's ability to use calcium and phosphorus; plus, it binds with brain cells and is associated with the plaques found in Alzheimer's patients.

Mercury is the most deadly, potent neurotoxin known to man, plus it weakens your immune function and can eventually lead to failures of your organ systems.

Lead can damage your brain and nervous system, cadmium is a known human carcinogen, and arsenic has been associated with various cancers and blood vessel damage.

8- Candida overgrowth test

Candida overgrowth in the body can cause an enormous variety of problems including leaky gut, rashes, food sensitivities, brain fog, fungal skin and nail infections and vaginal yeast infections in women, among other things.

The best test to detect Candida overgrowth is a comprehensive stool analysis. Note that this is different from the typical standard stool analysis that is usually performed.

A complete blood count (CBC) can also help detect Candida, since white blood cells are typically low when Candida is growing out of control.

9- NMR Lipoprofile

One of the most revealing tests you can get to determine your heart disease risk is the NMR LipoProfile, which measures your low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particle number. 

The NMR Lipoprofile test also has other markers that can help determine if you have insulin resistance.

Don’t be shy or intimidated!

Remember that your doctor is supposed to be your partner in your care—so don’t be shy or intimidated about asking him or her to run these tests.

If they ask you why, show them this email.

And if they refuse, well, I strongly suggest you seek out another doctor who will be happy to run whatever tests are important to you and work with you as a trusted partner.

I can help too!

Don’t forget your friend in the nutrition world (yours truly) is here to help you too!

I am very well-trained in the whole-body effects of nutrients and how deficiencies can spell disease.

And as such I am dedicated to helping create a healthier you by offering top-quality solutions to your body’s needs including:

VitalMega-3 fish oil formula: To help combat arterial inflammation.

Hydroxaden 2.5 Vitamin B12 formula: To counteract B12 deficiency.

Super Core multi-vitamin and mineral formula: To help ensure your core nutritional needs are met and provide additional support against deficiencies, inflammation and free radical damage.

Optimal Turmeric Blend: To help maintain proper blood sugar levels, reduce joint and back pain and support your liver’s detox efforts.

Also, if you want to have a conversation with me about your unique situation, feel free to book a coaching session! 

To your great health,

Sherry Brescia