After extensive research, I have now launched some new body Inflammation Tests. These are primarily for the true gluten sensitives amongst you, but since experts believe that inflammation is at the core of pretty much every condition – including diabetes, obesity, heart disease etc, I am including the info on this blog too as it may help many of you too to know about it.
These are uniquely designed to my specifications via the ever-helpful TDL (The Doctors Laboratory) in London and are far superior to many available to you elsewhere. They are not cheap, of course, but if you need to know what type and level of body inflammation is going on, this is how you find out.
The main way that inflammation is looked for is via the ESR (Erythrocyte sedimentation rate), but this is only one non-specific clue to general inflammation. It is useful, of course, but what if you want to know more?
So, here is the info for you. One point: these cannot be done postally and the samples have to be taken at TDL in London. Sadly, postal samples are just not viable because of the processes they have to go through for effective testing.
This Basic test looks for blood levels of the most common inflammation markers and a general overview marker. There is an Advanced test too which combines this test with other inflammatory indicators for a more comprehensive view, but this one is a good starter.
PLEASE NOTE THAT SAMPLES CANNOT BE DONE POSTALLY AND YOU MUST VISIT THE LONDON LAB FOR THE BLOOD DRAW. This is because the samples have to be centrifuged, split and frozen. Postal samples are just not viable enough.
Analytes:
- CRP – high sensitivity
- Interleukin 6
- Interleukin 8
- Interleukin 1 (b)
- TNF – a
The balance of Essential Fatty Acids including Omega 3 and 6 also has a direct bearing on inflammation so it is worth testing too.
Once we have a view on which markers are high, we can then take steps to reduce specific and general body inflammation. Cost £360.
This is the more advanced inflammation test (see the Basic one too). This incudes all the markers from the basic test plus others including fibrinogen, homocysteine and ESR. Gives a great insight into the amount and type of inflammation in the body so we can take steps to deal with it.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS TEST CANNOT BE DONE POSTALLY AND YOU WILL NEED TO VISIT THE LONDON LAB FOR THE BLOOD SAMPLE TO BE TAKEN. This is because the samples need to be centrifuged, split and frozen and the postal samples just would not be viable.
Analytes:
- CRP -high sensitivity
- Interleukins 6, 8, 1(b)
- TNF-a
- ESR
- Fibrinogen
- Homocysteine
The balance of omega 6 (pro-inflammatory) to omega 3 (anti-inflammatory) essential fatty acids also has a direct bearing on the level of inflammation in the body so is also worth looking at.
Once we have an idea of exactly what processes are going on, we can take steps to reduce specific and general inflammation. Cost £425.
So, there you have it: Inflammation tests as promised. So far, new tests recently launched have included: