Blood Testing Protocols

PSA Free-to-Total Ratio

This test is used in men to measure the percentage of free PSA relative to the amount of total PSA. This ratio helps determine the probability of prostate cancer. The lower the percentage of free PSA, the higher the possibility of prostate cancer. In the following table, the percentages given under each age group are the percentages of men with cancer whose percentage of free PSA falls within the given range.

Prothrombin Time

This test is used to evaluate the adequacy of the extrinsic system and common pathway in the clotting mechanism. Prothrombin time testing provides a control for long-term anticoagulant therapy, which usually involves the use of a coumarin derivative (e.g., Coumadin®).

Partial Thromboplastin Time

This test is used to evaluate the intrinsic coagulation system. It is also used to monitor heparin therapy to aid in detecting classical hemophilia A, Christmas disease, and congenital deficiencies of Factors II, V, VIII, IX, X, XI, and XII. Partial thromboplastin time is also used to screen for the presence of dysfibrinogenemia, disseminated intravascular coagulation, liver failure, congenital hypofibrinogenemia, vitamin K deficiency, congenital deficiency of Fitzgerald factor, congenital deficiency of prekallikrein, high molecular weight kininogen, and circulatory anticoagulant.

Reticulocyte Count

This test is used to evaluate erythropoietic activity, which increases in acute and chronic hemorrhage and in hemolytic anemias. It is also used to evaluate erythropoietic response to antianemic therapy.

Reverse T3

This test is useful in evaluating thyroid function and metabolism and is also used to evaluate euthyroid sick patients with low T3 concentrations.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Factor

This test is used in the differential diagnosis and prognosis of arthritic disorders.

Selenium

This test is used to monitor selenium deficiency and occupational exposure. Because selenium is a very important supplement for the extension of life, optimal levels are in the upper half of the normal range.

Sex Hormone Binding Globulin

This test is used to monitor sex hormone binding globulin levels that are under the positive control of estrogens and thyroid hormones and suppressed by androgens. Decreased levels are found in hirsutism, virilism, obese postmenopausal women, and women with diffuse hair loss. Increased levels are present in hyperthyroidism, testicular feminization, cirrhosis, male hypogonadism, pregnancy, prepubertal children, and women using oral contraceptives.

Sex Hormone Profile

This is a test for total estrogens, progesterone and free testosterone.

Somatomedin-C

This is a screening test to identify patients with growth hormone deficiency, pituitary insufficiency, and acromegaly.

T3 Uptake

This is a thyroid function test for the diagnosis of hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.

Testosterone Free (Direct)

This test is used to evaluate hirsutism and masculinization in women and to evaluate testicular function in clinical states in which the testosterone binding proteins may be altered (obesity, cirrhosis, thyroid disorders).

Testosterone, Free (with Total)

This test is used to evaluate hirsutism and masculinization in women and to evaluate testicular function in clinical states in which the testosterone binding proteins may be altered (obesity, cirrhosis, thyroid disorders).

Testosterone, Total

This test is used to evaluate gonadal and adrenal function. It is helpful in diagnosing hypogonadism, hypopituitarism, Klinefelter’s syndrome, and impotence in men and hirsutism, anovulation, amenorrhea, and virilism in women.

Thrombin and Antithrombin III

These two tests are used to evaluate the intrinsic coagulation system. They can determine heparin effect, warfarin anticoagulant therapy, liver failure, and DIC.

• Thrombin: This test is used to evaluate the fibrinogen-to-fibrin reaction. It is used to determine severe hypofibrinogenemia, dysfibrinogenemia, and the presence of heparin-like anticoagulants. Thrombin levels are used to confirm and monitor DIC and fibrinolysis and can be used to monitor therapy with heparin. This test can also be used to monitor fibrinolytic therapy.
• Antithrombin III: This test is used to evaluate the hypercoagulable state, fibrinogenolytic state, and response to heparin. Antithrombin deficiency is associated with severe cirrhosis, chronic liver failure, DIC, thrombolytic therapy, pulmonary embolism, nephrotic syndrome, or postsurgical state (especially liver transplant or partial hepatectomy).

Thyroid Antithyroglobulin Antibody

This test is used to detect and confirm autoimmune thyroiditis and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)

This is a function test for thyroid disease to differentiate between primary and secondary hypothyroidism. Some doctors believe that any TSH levels greater than 2.0 mIU/mL should be considered suspect for subclinical hypothyroidism if symptoms are present.

Thyroxine (T4)

This is one of the first tests done in assessing thyroid function. It is used to diagnose thyroid function and to monitor replacement and suppressive therapy.

Tyroxine (T4) Free, Direct

This test is used to evaluate thyroid function in patients who may have protein abnormalities that could affect total T4 levels. It is also used to diagnose thyroid function and monitor replacement and suppressive therapy.

Tri-Iodothyronine (T3)

This is a test for thyroid function used particularly in the diagnosis of T3 thyrotoxicosis and hyperthyroidism.

Tri-Iodothyronine (T3) Free

This test is used to evaluate thyroid function and assess abnormal binding protein disorders.

Troponin 1

This test is used to detect cardiac injury, predict mortality in unstable cases of angina, and serve as a marker for perioperative myocardial infarction.

Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)

This test is used to identify elevated levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha. TNF-alpha levels may be elevated in sepsis, cachexia, AIDS, hepatitis C, transplant rejection, various infectious, and autoimmune diseases.

Urinalysis, Routine

This test is used to detect abnormalities in urine and diagnose and manage renal disease and metabolic disease, urinary tract infection and neoplasm, systemic diseases, and inflammatory or neoplastic disease.

VAP Test

The VAP cholesterol test provides a more comprehensive lipoprotein analysis and better assesses the risk of coronary heart disease than a conventional lipid profile. It provides a direct measurement of total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C, VLDL-C, Lp(a), and triglycerides as well as the qualitative assessment of LDL particle size, HDL subfractions (HDL2-C and HDL3-C), and VLDL subfractions (VLDL 1+2-C, VLDL3-C, and IDL-C). Further, the VAP cholesterol test provides information relating to emerging risk factors for metabolic syndrome.

Vitamin B12 and Folate

This test measures the amount of vitamin B12 and folic acid in the blood. It is used to evaluate for malnutrition and macrocytic or megaloblastic anemia and to diagnose congenital absence of transcobalamin II or cobalophilin.

Vitamin D

This test is used to rule out vitamin D deficiency as a cause of bone disease. It can also be used to identify hypercalcemia.

How To Order Blood Tests

You can order blood tests by mail or by calling (800) 208-3444. All tests must be prepaid. As soon as you place your order, you will be sent a package containing information regarding the location of the nearest blood-drawing stations, a Request for Phlebotomy form, and a Test Requisition form.

At your convenience, you can then take the Request for Phlebotomy and Test Requisition forms to the designated blood-drawing station in your area. A phlebotomist will draw the appropriate specimens of your blood. You (or your physician) will be mailed your test results. These results will show whether you have any abnormalities. If the results show abnormalities, you should make sure you show these results to your personal physician, who can determine if you have any serious problems and what you can do about them.

You can also request a free consultation with one of the Foundation’s doctors to help interpret your test results to make certain that you stay within optimal ranges.

If longevity risk factors such as glucose, homocysteine, C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, or other tests are abnormal, slightly elevated, or below normal, for example, you can take nutritional steps to reverse the trend. You can repeat the test in 45–60 days and then chart your progress in improving your health and your chances of living longer in good health.

Product Availability

The blood tests discussed in this section are available through Life Extension National Diagnostics, Inc. For ordering information, call 1-800-208-3444 anytime toll-free or visit us online at www.lef.org.