Blood Work to Determine Cardiovascular Health

Details: Written by Trevor Kouritzin RHN, B.Eng

n BLOOD TEST 628x314 Cardiovascular diseases are the number one cause of death and prescription drug use in North America. Using steroids, even just a testosterone replacement therapy dosage, puts you at scientifically elevated risk for developing cardiovascular disease.

Any steroid user should get the following blood biomarkers checked at least once every 6 months.

Cholesterol and Serum Lipid Profiles

Abnormal levels of total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein (HDL), and low density lipoprotein (LDL) are the most commonly used lipid risk predictors for developing cardiovascular disease.
Total triglycerides (TG) are also used as high levels speed up atherosclerosis.
The lipoproteins HDL, LDL, and VLDL are not cholesterol molecules but rather, carriers of cholesterol in the blood stream. (HDL) “good cholesterol” carries cholesterol to the liver for metabolism, LDL “bad cholesterol” carries cholesterol to the arterial walls.
- Generally speaking, you want as much lipoprotein as possible carrying cholesterol away from the arterial wall, and as little as possible carrying cholesterol to the arterial wall (i.e. high HDL, low LDL and VLDL).

	Optimal Levels	At Risk For Developing Cardiovascular Diseases
Total Cholesterol	5.1 mmol/l	Above 6.2 mmol/l
LDL Cholesterol	2.6 mmol/l or less	Above 4.1 mmol/l
HDL Cholesterol	1.6 mmol/l and above	Below 1.0 mmol/l (men) Below 1.3 mmol/l (women)
Triglycerides	1.7 mmol/l or less.	Above 2.2mmol/l
HDL / total cholesterol ratio	1– 3.5	Below 1

Inflammatory and endothelial function biomarkers

Inflammation and endothelial function play a significant role in developing atherosclerosis.
C-reactive protein (CRP), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Soluble cell adhesion molecules (sCAMs) and soluble intercellular adhesion molecules (sICAM) are blood tests that determine the amount of inflmatioon in your body and artery health.

Inflammatory and endothelial function Tests	Normal Values	At Risk For Developing Cardiovascular Diseases
CRP	< 2 mg/L	Above 2mg/L
IL-6	< 3.5 pg/mL	Above 3.5pg/mL
sVCAM-1	338.0 - 1148.0 ng/ml	Below 338 or above 1148 ng/ml
sICAM-1	60.2 - 218.4 ng/ml	Below 60.2 or above 218.4 ng/ml

(Wenneras et al., 2014), (Andrys et al., 2000)

Kidney and liver function analyses (ALT, AST, LDH, BUN, creatinine)

Your liver detoxifies your body, creates bile salts, regulates blood clotting, and regulates blood sugar levels. ALT and AST bloodtests measure enzymes that your liver releases in response to damage or disease.
Your kidneys remove waste products from the body, regulate electrolyte and fluid levels, and regulate blood pressure. LDH, creatinine, and BUN blood tests measure waste products in your blood.


Liver Tests	Normal Values
ALT	7-56 U/L
AST	10-40 U/L
Kidney Tests	Normal Values
LDH	105-333 U/L
Creatinine, serum	Less than 1.2 mg/dL (women) Less than 1.4 mg/dL (men)
BUN, serum	7-20 mg/dL

Kidney and liver function analyses (ALT, AST, LDH, BUN, creatinine)
• Your liver detoxifies your body, creates bile salts, regulates blood clotting, and regulates blood sugar levels. ALT and AST blood tests measure enzymes that your liver releases in response to damage or disease.
• Your kidneys remove waste products from the body, regulate electrolyte and fluid levels, and regulate blood pressure. LDH, creatinine, and BUN blood tests measure waste products in your blood.

Liver Tests Normal Values
ALT 7-56 U/L
AST 10-40 U/L
Kidney Tests Normal Values
LDH 105-333 U/L
Creatinine, serum Less than 1.2 mg/dL (women)
Less than 1.4 mg/dL (men)
BUN, serum 7-20 mg/dL

Written By Trevor Kouritzin RHN, B.Eng

Human Nutritional Sciences master’s student
Pro bodybuilder, international model
Evolutionary Radio Podcast Host
Instagram.com/TrevorKouritzin
Facebook.com/Tkouritzin
Tkouritz@ualberta.ca

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