Three Tests That Can Save Your Life!

Cars keep getting more complicated. Increasingly, even mundane functions are overseen by computers. When their owner visits a repair shop, often the first thing that’s done is a thorough diagnostic test. This provides invaluable insights not only into current issues that may affect a vehicle’s performance but also any issues that are developing. These could lead to problems down the road. 

With all the effort we put into making sure our cars run smoothly, many of us ignore the needs of a far more complex and elegant machine – our own bodies. Although the body is capable of greatness, numerous hazards lurk within us. These conditions can become life-altering. Left untreated, they can sideline even the healthiest person. Which is why the most important tests a person will ever take don’t require a moment of study. 

With just a drop of blood, you can learn about your cholesterol and blood sugar levels, how well your liver and kidney are functioning, even your heart attack risk. These tests shouldn’t be put off. Read on to learn about why you should get a lipid panel, comprehensive metabolic panel, and a high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) test. 

How’s Your Heart Health? Find Out With A Lipid Panel

Heart disease is called “the silent killer” for a reason. It’s often symptom-free and heralded with a heart attack. By then it’s too late. In the United States 700,000 people die from heart disease every year. It kills more Americans than anything else – including cancer and COVID. Yet a simple lipid panel can reveal an individual’s risk for heart disease, strokes, and numerous other cardiovascular conditions.

It only takes a drop to discover how many fat molecules are in your blood. Also known as lipids, these artery-clogging plaques can lead to coronary heart disease. The lipid panel test predicts your risk of having a heart attack or a stroke. Although this is an ideal test for any adult, those who are overweight, obese, hypertensive and/or have prediabetes or diabetes should definitely get a lipid panel test. Those who are physically inactive, experiencing consistent stress, smoke, and/or regularly eat highly processed foods should also get one.

Unlike many medical tests, the lipid panel test is not just easy to take. You don’t even have to leave home. Instead, go to Kyla Labs. There you’ll be able to take a two-minute health test. This will help you determine the best test for you. For example, the female and male primary care panels include a lipid panel. While similar tests from others can cost hundreds of dollars, Kyla’s is just $99 and may even be covered by insurance. 

A few days after ordering from Kyla, you’ll receive your test along with easy-to-follow collection instructions. Take a small sample, then return it to our labs postage-free. You’ll quickly learn the results not only of your lipid panel test but also information on your thyroid, cortisol, and Vitamin D levels. Ideally, your HDL (or “good” cholesterol) will be above 60 while LDL levels (the “bad” cholesterol) will be below 100. Your total cholesterol levels should be below 200. 

Whether or not your lipid panel test delivers the numbers you hope for, you’ll have the opportunity to discuss the results with a healthcare professional. Besides collaborating on the best strategy for your health and setting the goals to achieve them, you and the doctor can also implement a diet and exercise plan designed to get a better result on your next lipid panel test.

Do You Have “Healthy Blood?” The Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) Lets You Know

It may be hard to believe, but the comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) is not just one or two tests but over a dozen. This metabolic panel really is comprehensive. A single drop of blood delivers invaluable insights because the CMP looks at everything from creatine levels to electrolytes. This allows it to test your kidney and liver function and determine if these important organs are operating at peak efficiency. It also looks at blood sugar levels while providing real-time information about the effectiveness of any current treatments. 

The 14 substances examined by the comprehensive metabolic panel include ones for liver function like bilirubin, a waste product created when red blood cells break down, a protein made by your liver called albumin and the liver enzymes ALP, ALT and AST. Other substances tested like blood urea nitrogen and creatinine are waste products that your kidneys should be removing from your blood. So excessive amounts of either could indicate failing kidneys.

The metabolic panel will also examine your blood’s electrolytes which are responsible for muscle and nerve function along with maintaining the optimal levels of fluids and pH balance. Some of the substances tested for this include chloride, potassium, sodium, and bicarbonate. There are also tests for glucose and blood calcium – which helps keep your heart, muscles, and nerves working efficiently. 

The comprehensive metabolic panel is an effective tool for diagnostics, screening, and monitoring. This means it can be deployed at every stage of your health journey – as you prepare to make changes in your lifestyle and to determine if those changes are paying dividends. 

If you have an electrolyte imbalance or are experiencing organ failure, it could be life threatening. Which is why getting a CMP blood test is so important. Best of all, the Primary Care Panel for men and women includes not only the cmp blood test but numerous other tests like the lipid panel as well. If you are having issues around food or metabolism, these tests can deliver invaluable insights. Best of all, when you receive the results you’ll be able to speak with a Kyla doctor who can help you develop the best action plan to optimize your health. 

The First Step Toward Fighting Inflammation: The High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hsCRP) Test

Inflammation may be one of the greatest health risks in modern life. Although inflammation in the body can be both healthy and necessary, chronic inflammation can lead to numerous conditions down the road. Usually, inflammation occurs when someone is sick or injured. Large groups of white blood cells surround the problem – which accelerates healing and battles infection. If you’ve ever looked at a cut, you can see the swelling – or inflammation – that results from this white blood cell response. 

Unfortunately, a diet high in processed sugar and salt, or chronic stress, can also trigger inflammation. If it’s left untreated, chronic inflammation can cause arthritis, cancer, cardiovascular conditions and even depression or Alzheimer’s disease. If you’re currently experiencing fatigue, fever, weight gain, or soreness in your joints, you should know that these are common warning signs for inflammation in the body. 

Unfortunately, across the globe the rapid adoption of Western eating habits has led to a concurrent rise in chronic inflammation. Diseases linked to inflammation are responsible for half the deaths worldwide. The good news is the High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein test is a test for just this type of inflammation. Also called the crp high sensitivity or hsCRP test, this test looks at the amount of C-reactive protein (CRP) in the blood. 

Higher than normal levels not only indicate inflammation in the body but an elevated risk for heart attack or stroke. Keep in mind that the hs-CRP test is different from the standard CRP test. That’s because it’s focused on finding low levels of the protein in the blood. These indicate heightened risk for heart disease or stroke. Included with both the male and female primary care panels, the hs-CRP test is an important part of learning how well your body is functioning and what future problems may develop.  

Few conditions are as life-shortening as heart disease, organ failure, or inflammation. Kyla Clinics offers AI-driven health solutions that treat the root cause, not just the symptoms. Working with your Kyla doctor, you will be able to greatly extend your healthspan – the years of healthily life you can enjoy free from disease or medical conditions. 

Lengthening life is extremely possible  – once you’ve reduced your risk of having a heart attack or a stroke, you could be looking at years, even decades of health and happiness. So don’t delay, download the Kyla app, order your tests today here!

Sources:

1. “What is a Car Diagnostics Test and How Much Does it Cost?”Pantach Autos. May 1, 2024.https://www.pantechautos.co.uk/blog/car-diagnostics-test
2. “Lipid Panel,” John Hopkins Medicine. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/lipid-panel
3. Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention,” New York State Department of Health. https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/cardiovascular/heart_disease
4. “Diagnosing Coronary Artery Disease,” NYU Langone Health. https://nyulangone.org/conditions/coronary-artery-disease/diagnosis
5. “Cholesterol Numbers and What They Mean,” Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/11920-cholesterol-numbers-what-do-they-mean
6. “What is a comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) blood test?” Cleveland Clinic. July 3, 2024. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/22058-comprehensive-metabolic-panel-cmp
7. “High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP) Test,” Healthlink BC. September 8, 2022. https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/tests-treatments-medications/medical-tests/high-sensitivity-c-reactive-protein