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Subject: AA:EPA Test

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Lisa User is Offline
Posts:83
Aspiring
Aspiring

06/29/2008 12:17 PM
Hi Everyone,

Tomorrow I am going to make a Dr's appointment and inquire about getting this test done. Should I ask the doctor for an AA:EPA test or do I need to be more specific? Also, if my insurance will not cover the cost, does anyone know roughly the amount I would have to spend to get this done? Are there any other tests I should consider getting while I'm at it? Thanks!

Lisa
Sue K User is Offline
Posts:8674
Zone Expert
Zone Expert

06/29/2008 1:25 PM
You'd be better off contacting Zone Labs to find out the most current details on getting it done. My SIP test a year ago cost about $160, or maybe it was $180, forget which. Ask your doc to order a fasting insulin, too. Then there's no gussing about whether you're really in the Zone. You might want to also know your lipids (TRIG, HDL, LDL, Total Cholesterol).


sue

Lost 100 lbs 14 yrs ago, off BP meds, thanks to the Zone diet and Zone fish oil!


To view my before/after pics and meal photos scroll over this picture and click when the link appears.

Zone Dinner Party (link)
E.Wally User is Offline
Posts:271
Zoner
Zoner

07/11/2008 4:20 PM
Lisa,

Getting some testing is a great idea. It takes all the mystery and guessing as to "where you are" hormonally and at this point epecially where you are just starting The Zone eating plan.

You will have a "baseline" to judge/measure your progress and effectiveness of your dietary adjustments.

You might start with some tests that are covered by your health insurance and which can give you excellent insights into your "Zonal Health".

A standard "lipid profile" test [ cholesterol level screening test] is almost always coverd by health insurance and you should be able to get a "fasting insulin" measurement as part of it.

I say "should" because interestingly Dr.Sears mentions that it may be difficult to get your doctor to do it and that is exacly what the case was with mine - I basically had to insist !

YOur "lipid" levels [ cholesterol ] tell much about our Zonal health - in particular the Triglyceride and HDL levels and in particular the RATIO OF Triglycerides to HDL [ high density lipoprotein ].




FROM PGS 208 - 209 THE SOY ZONE :

... for optimal health ... these are the two blood tests that you want to pass every time you take them :
1.Fasting Insulin
2.Fasting Triglyceride-to-HDL cholesterol ratio

... the Triglyceride-to-HDL ratio is an indirect marker for insulin...

The passing grades for these tests are ...

INSULIN ...IDEAL 5
GOOD ..... less than 10

TG/HDL ... IDEAL .. less than 1
-------------GOOD .. less than 2


{end of quote ]


All you do is divide your triglyceride level by your HDL level.


I've had my blood tested every 6 months for about 10 years.

AFter being on the Zone for about 2 years my TG/HDL RATIO settled in very close to "1" and has been there ever since. It runs a little above or below "1".

On two occaissions I literally insisted on a "fasting insulin" test as part of my cholesterol test. {Why they resist doing it I don't know but Dr.Sears himself warned in one of his books this would be the case - and it was !]

With my TG/HDL ratio measured @ 1.5 fasting insulin was @5.4

With my TG/HDL ratio measured @ 1.07 fasting insulin was @4.4


As you can see the TG/HDL RATIO is indeed, as Dr.Sears indicates an excellent marker for "fasting insulin"


Prior to my most recent cholesterol test by my cardiologist I hadn't had a fasting insulin as part of it in some time so I asked him if he would schedule it. [ I usually ask my GP ]

Interestingly he looked through my previous tests and said it would be a waste of time and money because of how my triglycerides and HDL levels ran and in particular because my Triglycerides and HDL have been consistently almost equal !

[Just what our good Dr.Sears had been saying ! ]

So I prodded him a bit and he went on to say that unless I had some totally bizarre rare disease that had no apparent symptoms he had never seen anyone with an abnormal insulin condition with triglyderide and HDL levels and ratios like mine.

How interesting to hear this from "outside the Zone community".

I might add that ALL of his medical training was through Harvard and his undergraduate degree was Summa Cum Laude.


Best of luck

E.Wally

ewally@verizon.net
Lisa User is Offline
Posts:83
Aspiring
Aspiring

07/11/2008 7:12 PM
Hi EWally,

Thanks for the input. I did have my bloodwork done on Monday so I will go back to the doctors for the results on the 14th. He did order a lipid test as well as fasting insulin so I cannot WAIT to see what it has to say. I had a blood test done in January with very good results so I am hoping this time its even better.

By the way, I did see your response when I posted to Matt about his Turkey burgers and even the receipe you sent. I appreciate it :)

Lisa
E.Wally User is Offline
Posts:271
Zoner
Zoner

07/12/2008 2:52 PM
Lisa,

Do us a favor and list the results of your last lipids test :

total C
LDL
HDL
Triglycerides

and in addition to the mentioned TG/HDL ratio which is very important [ and you can calculate in a minute yourself ] there are a couple of other ratios I have found that are also more indicative of our overall health and cardiac health in particular that I'll calculate for you.

It will be very interesting to see the comparison of that with the results of the new one.

Although my blood is tested every 6 months because of the cardiac incident I would now have it done anyway because of the benefit of measuring exactly where we are through bloodwork.

It is a great insurance policy/general "screening device".

I had never had one until after a heart attack because I guess I had always been healthy and right up until the attack appeared so !

I wasn't recovering in Intesnsive Care 5 minutes when because I was surprised I had had no warning signs they told me quite matter of factly "Oh most people don't have any" !@

For the life of me I can't figure out why a standard lipid test isn't administered when someone hits 20 so as to have a "baseline" for comparison when however many years later "symptoms" develope !

E.Wally

ewally@verizon.net
Lisa User is Offline
Posts:83
Aspiring
Aspiring

07/12/2008 9:40 PM
Results of my blood test taken 1/25/08 are (drum roll)...

Total Cholesterol: 194 mg/dL
Triglycerides: 71 mg/dL
HDL Cholesterol: 70 H mg/dL

VLDL Cholesterol Cal 14 mg/dL
LDL Cholesterol Calc 110 H mg/dL
LDL/HDL Ratio: 1.6
TSH: .69u uIU/ml

Then there is a a bunch of stuff under glucose serum, CBC, Platlets, etc.

Lisa
E.Wally User is Offline
Posts:271
Zoner
Zoner

07/13/2008 4:24 AM
Lisa,

I would say you have little to worry about - your test results are excellent in every way !

I have some information I've accumulated about "cholesterol", the various components, what they are and do, what the levels should be and the realtionship between certain components [ratios] that I'll send to you via email as an attachment as it is quite long and I don't think I should "paste it in" in the forums.

It will be a way for you to interpret all the parameters of your blood tests.

*** Although the "desired" levels of the various components are GENERALLY agreed on there has been and continues to be some disagreement as to the exact levels of some components and the "ideal" ratios between them.'

In any event here's a brief analysis with brief expalnations :

Total Cholesterol: less than 200 optimal - you are at 194


LDL: optimal less than 100, near optima 101 - 129 ---------------------- you 110


HDL: Optimal 60 mg/dL and above -------------you *70
*[ this is high for HDL and desirable ]

Triglycerides Less than 150 mg/dL Normal ------you *71
* this is very low and desirable



***TG to HDL Ratio <1 ideal <2 Good, --Fail >4
----------- YOU 1

*** This is the ratio that is considered a "marker" for "fasting insulin" level - a ratio of "1" means it should be exactly where you want it - about 5,",,,in a 'zone of wellness' -not too high and not too low" - according to Dr.Sears.

[Mine was measured @ 5.4 and 4.4 with a TG/HDL ratio of 1.5 and 1.07 so you can see that indeed it is an excellent "indirect marker"]



HDL to LDL ratio: desired .3>, ideal .4> --------- you .64


Total Cholesterol to HDL ratio
desirable >5.0, -- Average 4.5, -- Ideal 2.5 ----------------------------------------------------------------- you 2.77


LDL to HDL ratio: desired <3.5, Ideal <2.5 --- you 1.57


Kid - these results are about as good as they get.

Your Zone Hormonal Balance should be without question about as centered as can be. an AA:EPA test [ at that time ] would have been interesting because with these "lipid profiles" it should have come out right on the money.

Sure hope the most recent test comes out close to this one !!!

Has your diet, up until you started following the Zone, been about the same SINCE the previous test as it was LEADING UP to that test ?



Now - please relax a bit and start enjoying your "Zone meals" a little more and worry a bit less that you're getting the balance just right as you are most definatly "WITHIN THE ZONE" with those test results.

Remember the goal is getting within a "RANGE" - not trying to "shoot the middle out of a quarter" at 100 yards !

E.Wally

ewally@verizon.net


E.Wally User is Offline
Posts:271
Zoner
Zoner

07/13/2008 1:35 PM
Lisa,

Before I get going - how is your blood pressure ?

very high, high normal, middle normal, low normal, very low ?




As I mentioned I have a "compilation" of a lot of data on "cholesterol" in general, the significance of levels and ratios of relationships of levels, etc that I'll send you - just email me and I'll attach it and send it back.

ewally@verizon.net

In the meantime I wanted to pass on to you an example of "current thinking" regarding Lipid Profile Tests and their interpretation.

The "standard" cholesterol test has been around for somet time but HOW the data is interpreted has been constantly evolving.

In a nutshell - lately much thinking regarding this has come into agreement with what our wonderful leader has been saying for some time.

Here's an example that should make you feel even better about your Total Cholesterol to HDL Ratio's implications :


Regarding the lipid ratio, it is apparent from Framingham Study data that coronary heart disease (CHD) risk is strongly linked to the total/HDL cholesterol ratio—whether or not either the total or the LDL cholesterol level is high.1 A total/HDL cholesterol ratio of 2.5 is, taken alone, highly favorable.

William B. Kannel, MD, MPH
Professor of Medicine and Public Health
Boston University School of Medicine
Boston


*********************

Lisa, are you feeling better by the minute ?


Most of what the above statement from Kannel is about is the awareness for some time that there was/is a group of people who would have/do have VERY HIGH levels of cholesterol and/or Ldl cholesterol [ the BAD cholesterol ] who had wonderful cardiac health.

Further research is revealing that when the RATIO OF TOTAL CHOLESTEROL TO HDL CHOLESTEROL is tracked it has turned out to be a far more accurate predictor of future heart disease.

There are those in the field of cardiology who say this ratio is the single most importnat factor in a lipid profile and predictor of future cardiac health.

Something Dr.Sears believed for many years.

Sleep well !

E.Wally

ewally@verizon.net
Sue K User is Offline
Posts:8674
Zone Expert
Zone Expert

07/13/2008 3:44 PM
E. Wally,

Can you point me to a place to read about Barry Sears' opinions regarding the significance of theTotal Cholesterol to HDL ratio?

Thanks!

sue

Lost 100 lbs 14 yrs ago, off BP meds, thanks to the Zone diet and Zone fish oil!


To view my before/after pics and meal photos scroll over this picture and click when the link appears.

Zone Dinner Party (link)
Sue K User is Offline
Posts:8674
Zone Expert
Zone Expert

07/13/2008 3:44 PM
E. Wally,

Can you point me to a place to read about Barry Sears' opinions regarding the significance of theTotal Cholesterol to HDL ratio?

Thanks!

sue

Lost 100 lbs 14 yrs ago, off BP meds, thanks to the Zone diet and Zone fish oil!


To view my before/after pics and meal photos scroll over this picture and click when the link appears.

Zone Dinner Party (link)
Lisa User is Offline
Posts:83
Aspiring
Aspiring

07/13/2008 3:50 PM
Well,

My blood pressure is normally (for me) 90/60 and with the results from January he stated that I should never have a problem with heart disease given the numbers. I dont know whether its true or not, but I am anxious about my results from last weeks test, which I will get tomorrow.

Lisa
E.Wally User is Offline
Posts:271
Zoner
Zoner

07/13/2008 5:28 PM
Lisa,

I am "on the run" at the moment but when I have a chance I'm going to post my readings from last lipid test.

It is very interesting because our ratios and levels are extremely similar except my levels are across the board a little lower - which - makes sense because I am taking statins and that is exaclty what they are supposed to do.

for example your HDL and Triglycerides are 1 point from being identical and so are mine - except they are both lower.

This is exactly what Kannel was getting at - which - if you notice I have posted in it's entirety this time -

WHY "in it's entirety" this time ?

Because note what the SECOND paragraph says !


I asked you what your BP was first because in case it was HIGH I didn't want to upset you !

YOur BP and mine are also, interestingly, very similar "low normal".

Is it true that this suggests you [ and I ] have greatly reduced chances for heart disease becuase of the low BP ?

ABSOLUTLY !

Since my heart incident my BP has consistently run "low normal" and I have been concerned about it.

One day my cardiologist [ who is simply wonderful ] told me exactly what you had been told.

His words were something like "You see all the attention that is paid to someone when they have HIGH BP don't you ? It's for one simple reason: as BP goes up so does the incidence of heart disease - lay the two charts over one another and they are indistinguisable. In other words when you go the other way your chances are of course reduced. Your BP is exaclty where you want it - "low normal" "




Regarding the lipid ratio, it is apparent from Framingham Study data that coronary heart disease (CHD) risk is strongly linked to the total/HDL cholesterol ratio—whether or not either the total or the LDL cholesterol level is high.1 A total/HDL cholesterol ratio of 2.5 is, taken alone, highly favorable.


On the other hand, blood lipids, although fundamental to atherogenesis, are best viewed as one factor in a cardiovascular risk profile.

Their impact is profoundly influenced by the associated blood pressure.

Atherosclerosis does not develop in the low-pressure venous circulation, despite exposure to lipid-laden blood. Only when used as a conduit for cardiac revascularization do veins become vulnerable.

Each 20/10 mm Hg increment in blood pressure doubles the cardiovascular mortality rate. Diabetes also doubles the risk associated with any given lipid value.



William B. Kannel, MD, MPH
Professor of Medicine and Public Health
Boston University School of Medicine
Boston

************** end of quote

Well, have I brought you enough encouraging news for one day or what ?

Sleep well in the comfort of The Zone tonight.

E.Wally

ewally@verizon.net
E.Wally User is Offline
Posts:271
Zoner
Zoner

07/15/2008 4:03 PM
Lisa,

Came across this today at:

http://www.all-about-lowering-cholesterol.com/cholesterol-level-scale.html

• Cholesterol level scale – Cholesterol ratios.

Blood Cholesterol Ratios
_
------ -----
Total Cholesterol / HDL Protective:Less than 4.2; Warning:4.3 and higher


LDL / HDL :Protective: Less than 2.5; Warning:2.6 and higher


In Protein Power, by
Michael and Mary Eades,

they write that this ratio of HDL to LDL and total cholesterol, is actually more important then total cholesterol in predicting heart attack, heart disease, stroke, arteriosclerosis, coronary heart disease, coronary artery disease and other cardiovascular diseases.

These numbers help tell us whether more cholesterol is being stored in our cells or else is being broken down and removed from our body. That's why you can see heart attacks in people that have low total cholesterol levels. Their ratio HDL is low as well, and as a result their ratio is high.

To determine these ratios for yourself, simply divide your total cholesterol and LDL numbers by your HDL number.


The ratios of TOTAL CHOLESTEROL TO HDL should be below 4 as a general rule for both men and women.

HOWEVER: A VERY GOOD RATIO IS 3.5,

EXCELLENT IS 3.0

AND FANTASTIC IS 2.6.

If you can get your TOTAL CHOLESTEROL TO HDL ratio down between 2.4 and 2.8, you can actually experience a REVERSAL of heart disease.


[END OF QUOTE ]

[ Mine is 2.66 - and I thank the Zone Eating Plan for that and often remember Barry Sears in my prayers ]

Per YOUR last lipid test this ratio was ...

"envelope please"

2.77 ! ! !


Lisa - it doesn't get any better than that.

By following the Zone you will be assured of staying right in the Health "Zone" that you are in.

E.Wally

ewally@verizon.net
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Dr. Barry Sears, PhD.Dr. Barry Sears is a leading authority on the dietary control of hormonal response. A former research scientist at the Boston University School of Medicine and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dr. Sears has dedicated his research efforts over the past 30 years to the study of lipids. He holds 13 U.S. Patents in the areas of intravenous drug delivery systems and hormonal regulation for the treatment of cardiovascular disease.

A turning point in his research occurred in 1982. That year, the Nobel Prize in Medicine was awarded for discoveries of the role that specialized hormones, known as eicosanoids, play in the development of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, auto-immune diseases, and cancer. Since eicosanoids are only generated from dietary fat, Dr. Sears reasoned that one could apply intravenous drug delivery principles to nutrition in order to control these exceptionally powerful hormonal responses with laser-like precision. In essence, his approach treats food as if it were a drug.

This area of his research led to various patents in the area of hormonal control by essentially using food as an oral drug delivery system to modulate eicosanoids especially for cardiovascular, diabetic, and neurological patients.

The impact of Dr. Sears’ revolutionary work in the dietary control of hormonal response began with the publication of his landmark book, The Zone. Since its publication in June 1995, The Zone has sold more than 2,000,000 hardcover copies, and became a #1 best seller on the New York Times book list. In addition, The Zone has been translated into 22 languages indicating a worldwide response to Dr. Sears’ research. His second book, Mastering the Zone, published in 1997, also became a New York Times bestseller with hardcover sales in excess of 500,000 copies to date. His third book, Zone Perfect Meals in Minutes, published in 1997, quickly became one of the best-selling cookbooks of 1997 and an another New York Times bestseller. The Anti-Aging Zone was published in 1999 and provides the molecular insights into how the Zone Diet can reverse the aging process. The Omega Rx Zone, published in 2002, explores the molecular foundation of chronic disease and how high-dose fish oil can dramatically reverse it. His latest book The Anti-Inflammation Zone discusses how to combat silent inflammation in order to reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, dementia, and many other inflammatory conditions—and how to reverse these conditions if they are already present. To date more than 5 million hardcover copies of his Zone books have been sold in the United States.

His research has elevated food from more than simply a source of calories to being recognized as an exceptionally powerful drug. Because of his revolutionary research, Dr. Sears has been a frequent guest on many national programs such as 20/20, Today, Good Morning America, CBS Morning News, CNN, and MSNBC.

Dr. Sears continues his ongoing research as President of Zone Labs, a biotechnology company in Danvers, MA as well as the President of the non-profit Inflammation Research Foundation in Marblehead, MA. In addition to continuing research on the hormonal effects of food, Dr. Sears has expanded his research in developing innovative dietary approaches to treating cancer and neurological conditions, as well as his on-going work in treating cardiovascular diease and type 2 diabetes.

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