Labs that benefit you when trying to lose weight

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1.  TSH, Free T3 and Free T4 AND Thyroid Antibodies: anti-TPO and TgAB. 

These four tests are required to accurately assess the function of the thyroid gland, our master gland of metabolism.  It’s almost impossible to have a low body fat with an improperly diagnosed or managed case of hypothyroidism (an under active thyroid gland).  In fact, even a modest increase of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) may be associated with weight gain according to a study reported in Archives of Internal Medicine (March 2008). Thyroid Antibodies: anti-TPO and TgAb will help discern Hashimoto’s. Hashimoto’s Disease is an autoimmune disorder that can cause hypothyroidism, or under active thyroid. With this disease, your immune system attacks your thyroid. The thyroid becomes damaged and can’t make enough thyroid hormones.  You need BOTH, not just one of them.

Vitamin D levels in the body at the start of a low-calorie diet predict weight loss success according to research released at the Endocrine Society’s 91st Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C (June 2009). For every increase of 1 ng/mL in level of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol—the precursor form of vitamin D and a commonly used indicator of vitamin D status—subjects ended up losing almost a half-pound more on their diet. Higher vitamin D levels also predicted greater loss of abdominal fat. An optimal value for vitamin D in the blood is 125 or greater.

Best tested in early am. High levels (more than 15 mcg/dl) of cortisol are detrimental for almost every tissue and organ in the body. It causes destruction of muscle, increases calcium loss from the bone, accelerates the process of aging and is linked to memory loss, anxiety, depression and low libido along with an increase in the deposition of fat around the abdomen

 Fasting glucose and insulin and these same two tests two hours after eating a high carbohydrate meal. You will go to the lab first thing in the morning after an 8 – 10 hour fast. Then leave the lab and return two hours later for a second blood draw after eating a very large breakfast (including orange juice, pancakes and syrup). Why? Although insulin plays an essential role in healthy body function, an excess of this hormone will absolutely make you fat. Not only does too much insulin encourage your body to store unused glucose as fat but it also blocks the use of stored fat as an energy source. For these reasons, an abnormally high insulin level makes losing fat, especially around the abdomen, next to impossible. The first sign of insulin resistance is elevated insulin after a meal followed by high fasting insulin. Insulin tends to be abnormal long before blood sugars start to rise typical of the diabetic state.

 Maintaining testosterone levels is crucial to build muscle and lose fat in both men and women. Many men with insulin resistance, obesity or sleep apnea have low levels of testosterone, which is known to increase the risk of heart disease. This also influences erectile function, libido, sense of well-being, mood and motivation. In women, low testosterone is damaging to bone density, a healthy libido and aspects of memory (especially task-oriented memory). If testosterone is too high (often associated with PCOS or insulin resistance), hair loss, acne, increased risk of breast cancer or infertility may occur.

Your liver is the primary organ responsible for detoxification, fat burning, fat excretion (via the digestive tract) and ridding your body of hormonal waste. The liver is a major player in achieving hormonal balance because it controls the production of certain hormones, such as T3 thyroid hormone, and the breakdown of others, like cortisol. Fat burning in the liver occurs through a complex metabolic pathway. A 2006 study published in the American Journal of Physiology – Gastroenterology and Liver Physiology reported that toxins including drugs and alcohol, can cause abnormalities in our fat-burning pathways in our liver. They causes less fat burning, and leads to increased storage of fat in the body and possibly our liver cells too. Over time, excess fat stored in our liver cells can be harmful to liver structure and impair its function

Homocysteine is a protein which if elevated in the blood (greater than 7), is a proven independent risk factor for heart disease, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s disease and stroke. Homocysteine has been found to increase with insulin resistance. Hs-CRP is a marker of inflammation and a risk factor for arterial disease. Levels tend to increase as body fat increases and with insulin resistance. An optimal value is less than 0.8. 

Growth hormone is essential for maintaining healthy bones, skin and hair as well as a strong, lean muscle mass. It tends to naturally decrease as we age; however, conditions like sleep deprivation, diabetes, hypothyroidism, some cases of osteoporosis, anorexia and insulin resistance can cause levels to decline more rapidly.  

Remember, people who are overweight or obese are at increased risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, some forms of cancer, gall bladder disease, osteoarthritis and sleep apnea. Losing even small amounts of weight (five to ten percent of body weight), may reduce these risks. The side effects and complications that some people may experience while losing weight by following a healthy eating plan and exercise program are usually minor compared to the risks of overweight and obesity. 

 If you haven't placed your insurance card on file, please go to your portal and do so front and back of the card.  PLEASE REMEMBER ONLY Labs can be drawn using your insurance. OUR WEIGHTLOSS PROGRAMS IS SELF PAY. However, if you have an HMO type insurance,  there will be a $75 fee for the draw if we are not listed as your PCP.  We will require EKGs  for Phentermine prescribing (Price is $25) if NO INSURANCE, MEDICAID OR HMO.  We are staying in compliance with the Management of Obesity Guidelines. We hope this does not inconvenience anyone.   

Thanks 

  360 Health Integrated Medical Boutique