There are certain blood values that you do not necessarily need to know, as they are subject to natural fluctuations. Others, on the other hand, are actually important and can indicate health problems. FITBOOK knows from experts what these are and how often you should have them determined.
There are certain values in the blood that you hardly need to pay attention to if you happen to stumble across them during a medical examination. This is what the Hamburg internist and nutritionist Dr. medical Matthew Riedl. “Electrolytes are always gladly determined, as are other minerals. However, these are not very meaningful.” An example: The calcium status can be completely different depending on the time the blood was taken. If you have just had a cheese breakfast, the value is probably relatively high. However, it says nothing about the body’s supply of calcium, as Dr. Riedl explained to us. And: «What it lacks, the body draws from the bone calcium.»
Basically, however, the expert considers the examination of the relevant blood values »in view of the increasing civilization diseases» to be important. His appeal is aimed in particular at people with previous health problems in the family and those who are overweight. Regular check-ups are recommended from the age of 18.
Important
On the printout with your laboratory results you will always find a general reference value and a classification as to whether your result corresponds to this or is higher or lower. But be careful: Your blood values should always be interpreted by a specialist, since the individual values often have to be viewed in relation to one another.
Which blood values are really important?
According to the diabetologist, at least all four fat levels should be determined. These include:
– LDL (Low-density lipoprotein, commonly considered the “bad” cholesterol)
– HDL (High-density lipoprotein – the «good» cholesterol that is not associated with e.g. hardening of the arteries)
– total cholesterol (consists of the various individual values)
– triglycerides (provide indications of any existing metabolic disorders and state whether a therapy with fat-lowering drugs is working)
Furthermore, Dr. Riedl, the uric acidvalue, which is influenced by diet on the one hand (e.g. frequent consumption of red meat and sausage products can increase the uric acid value) and on the other hand can indicate existing diseases (e.g. of the kidneys or thyroid gland). At the same time, people with high levels of uric acid have an increased risk of gout.
And also that blood sugar should be checked. As its name suggests, the value shows how much sugar is in the blood. It logically varies depending on whether/what you have eaten beforehand. Doctors have it determined in (fasting) patients in order to examine them for possible blood sugar disease, but also to check insulin therapy in the case of existing diabetes.
«If these values are normal, you can wait and see before having further tests done,» says the expert. An exception are people who have diabetics in the family. You should write down your fasting blood glucose level. «If it increases slowly over the years, that is an alarm sign for diabetes risk,» he warns, «even if the upper limit is still undershot.»
Also his Vitamin D-Supply should also be checked, since a large part of the population suffers from a deficiency.
Related: Why you should take a vitamin D test
What does «regularly» mean?
Getting your blood checked once a year is more than enough. according to dr Riedl it is also sufficient if you only go to the family doctor every two to three years (an exception is vitamin D, this value should be checked annually). Examining the core values that Dr. Riedl mentioned to us, the health insurance company usually takes over. And from the age of 35, insured persons are also entitled to major health examinations every three years. «If you suspect illness, the examination is free of charge,» explains the doctor.
This post is aimed at generally healthy people. Patients with preexisting conditions, such as those suffering from autoimmune, thyroid or other (severe) diseases, should have certain blood parameters checked at shorter intervals by a specialist in the relevant field.
Recommendation for vegans
according to dr Riedl should include other points in the blood test for vegetarians and vegans. Anyone who largely or completely avoids animal products must, as is well known, pay particular attention to a balanced diet in order to avoid deficiency symptoms. Critical nutrients include:
– iron (a deficiency is particularly common in women who also live vegan)
– Vitamin B12 (almost exclusively found in meat and dairy products)
In addition, it makes sense to determine the zinc and vitamin B2 concentration.
Also interesting: Is it dangerous to only eat vegan?
What does the expert say about self-tests?
Some manufacturers now offer home blood tests. Of this, Dr. But advise against Riedl. «Please no self-tests. Some are good, some bad. In addition, as I said, you have to discuss the results with a doctor.”