What's up Unleashed Humans! This episode is going to be fantastic because everyone is always asking me which tests and labs they should get to be their healthiest self and what kind of lifestyle they should live as a preventative measure. I am also going to talk about why you should know exactly what your spine should look like and how to make sure your spine and posture is healthy into old age. People also ask me which tests they should get to assess a current condition they have and what they should to alleviate their current condition. Now, If you know me, I am extremely big on running lab tests on myself. I do this to check my blood chemistry which looks at my hormones, red blood cell metabolism, vitamin metabolism and blood sugar regulation.

 

We will also be looking at genetic testing and which ones to do for best results and understanding.

 

I am also very big on testing my gut on a regular basis to make sure I am properly digesting my foods and absorbing nutrients for the health of my brain and nervous system. I also look to see how well my gut microbiome is performing and if my beneficial bacteria are doing their job. That is why on this episode I am covering all of the lab tests that I believe any human on planet earth should get done. These are labs you will want to get done at least once a year and are some of the baseline or foundational lab tests. If you have never had any of these tests done before, then you should get on it now! It is never too early or too late to understand the health of your body and harness your knowledge of your health to live beyond what it means to be an Unleashed Human.

 

So we will cover blood tests, saliva tests, genetic tests and digestion tests which covers just about everything.

 

Now as I mentioned, I will cover all the lab tests that I recommend you start out doing. Here's the cool thing… If you have a condition that is bothering you and would like me to order tests for you and do a professional read for you, please let me know. Being a healthcare provider allows me to order you tests that have extremely high reliability and gives me the ability to make clinical decisions and treatment plans specifically for you. Even if you don't have a condition that you are concerned about and just want to be the healthiest human possible, then I can order any test you would like and do a professional read on those as well! I get lab tests all the time even though I don't have any serious illnesses… If I didn't order lab tests myself then this show wouldn't be called The Unleashed Human right? You can personally message me on my Instagram @theunleashedhuman or message me on my personal Facebook at TJ Woodham and I will love to get something started for you!

 

Before we start, I want to mention that all of the lab tests and companies I mention today will be in the show notes below so you can check them out for yourself!

 

With that out of the way let's get onto the tests…

 

 

 

 

Now First and foremost, we are going to start with the generic BLOOD tests that you should have at the very minimum of once a year:

 

First thing first.. get a yearly Complete blood count with differential aka CBC with differential:

You can usually get this done by your general practitioner or family doctor. A complete blood count (CBC) is a blood test used to evaluate your overall health and detect a wide range of disorders, including anemia, infection and leukemia. It measures Red blood cells, which carry oxygen… and White blood cells, which fight infection. It tests for Hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells. It tests for Hematocrit, the proportion of red blood cells to the fluid component, or plasma, in your blood. And it also tests for Platelets, which help with blood clotting or we would bleed to death. This is a standard test for most people but can be used to assess why you might have unusual bleeding or bruising, why you get infections often and why you feel weak and tired all the time which are usually signs of anemia. Having a healthy CBC with differential can be changed by living a healthy lifestyle and making sure you are eating a balanced diet that supports your cardiovascular system and cells. If you have a rare or congenital blood disorder then this changes things and you should always advise with your medical doctor as to which route of care you should follow based on your condition. Hopefully they are conservative and try to treat your condition with natural methods like diet and lifestyle modifications.

 

Next is getting a Vitamin D assay

You can get a Vitamin D panel from your General Practitioner

Vitamin D is extremely important to have normal levels of. By having lower levels of vitamin D you are at risk of cardiovascular disease, cognitive diseases, autoimmune diseases and some cancers. Vitamin D is created by the foods we eat and by the sunlight we receive on our skin. Those at risk for vitamin D deficiency are those who don't get adequate sunlight and who adhere to a strict vegan and even vegetation diets. High levels of vitamin D are found in fish like salmon, liver oils, egg yolks and cheeses. Vitamin D is extremely important for strong bones, the health of our cell membranes, the health of our nerves, our digestive health and the health of our brain. At the time of this recording I live in Wyoming during the winter and I am not getting too much sunlight due to subzero temperatures. So I supplement with 10,000 IU of vitamin D every other day and try to eat foods higher in vitamin D. Normal levels of vitamin D should be between 30 to 100 nanograms per milliliter. But you should shoot between 60-80 in my opinion.

 

 

 

Hemoglobin A1C

You can get a Hemoglobin A1C from your General Practitioner

The hemoglobin A1c test tells you your average level of blood sugar over the past 2 to 3 months. People who have diabetes need this test regularly to see if their levels are staying within range. It can tell if you need to adjust your diabetes medicines. The A1c test is also used to diagnose diabetes. The sugar in your blood is called glucose. When glucose builds up in your blood, it binds to the hemoglobin in your red blood cells. The A1c test measures how much glucose is bound.  The normal range for the hemoglobin A1c level is between 1% and 5.6%. Hemoglobin A1c levels between 5.7% and 6.4% mean you have a higher chance of getting diabetes. Levels of 6.5% or higher likely means you have diabetes. Limit your risk for diabetes by eliminating processed foods, sugars, and fats. Stop drinking sodas and eating candy. Don't consume so much refined grains and breads. Maintain a healthy weight and exercise regularly. If you stick to a paleo or keto type lifestyle of eating and having occasional cheat meals on the weekends you will be just fine.

 

 

Vitamin B12 and Folate

 

You can get a B12 and Folate panel from your General Practitioner

This test is helpful to diagnose someone with anemia or neuropathy aka having nerve pain, nerve weakness, and possibly numbness and tingling in the arms, hands, legs, feet. It is also used to assess nutritional deficiencies in people because vitamin B12 is extremely important in digesting and absorbing nutrients in the large intestine and colon. B12 and folate are necessary for normal red blood cell (RBC) formation, repair of tissues and cells, nerve tissue in our spinal cord and brain and synthesis of DNA, which is the genetic material in cells. Both are nutrients that cannot be produced in the body and must be supplied by the diet from food. B12 deficiency might be more common than you think. Found mostly in vegans and vegetarians who lack B12 from animal meats and products. Foods like fish, meat, eggs, and poultry. Those with poor digestive capability also can lack B12 and folate.

 

 

 

Testosterone

You can get a Testosterone and panel from your General Practitioner

I recommend getting both total testosterone and free testosterone tests. Total testosterone measures testosterone that is bound to proteins in the blood like albumin and sex-hormone binding globulin [SHBG]. 96 percent of the testosterone in our body is bound to proteins which makes the Total Testosterone test usually sufficient enough. However, on the other hand..  Free testosterone test measures testosterone that is not bound aka free testosterone and accounts for less than 4% of our body's testosterone

Testosterone is the main sex hormone in men, produced mainly by the testicles, and is responsible for male physical characteristics. Although it is considered to be a "male" sex hormone, it is present in the blood of both males and females, so it is actually very important for the functioning of women as well.

In men:

• hair loss(including on the body and face)
• reduced muscle tone
• fragile skin
• a reduced sex drive and erectile dysfunction
• disturbed mood
• memory or concentration problems
• Men feeling more sensitive or emotional than they normally do
• Testicular tumors in men

Symptoms in women can be:

• irregular or missed periods
• low sex drive
• vaginal dryness
• weak bones
• fertility problems aka can't have a baby

 

If testosterone levels show to be abnormal, other panels should be tested to follow up on contributing factors. Other hormone panels may want to be looked at. Panels such as:

 

Sex hormone binding globulin

Follicle Stimulating Hormone and Luteinizing Hormone

Estrogen Panel

DHEA Panel

Prolactin Panel

Progesterone Panel

And Andro-Steen-Dione

 

For men ages 19 and up Testosterone levels should range from 400-1000 nanograms per deciliter

For women ages 19 and up testosterone levels should be 10 to 60 nanograms per deciliter

 

As we age, testosterone naturally declines.. so your testosterone levels should be at their highest in your twenties.

 

To increase testosterone naturally you can try a few things:

Take 5mg of creatine a day

Take DHEA supplement

Take Zinc Supplement

Take Omega-3 Fish oil Daily

Take Magnesium Supplement Daily

Take Vitamin D supplement daily

Get high quality sleep

Get Sunlight Daily

Eat adequate protein, fats and carbs

Minimize stress by doing yoga and meditation

Exercise and lift weights

Stop eating all sugar.. even from fruits and stop drinking all alcohols

 

 

Genova Comprehensive Thyroid Assessment

Most thyroid panels are done separately.. but I like that Genova tests the entire functioning of your thyroid in one swoop. It includes central thyroid gland regulation and activity, thyroid production and secretion, peripheral thyroid conversion, and thyroid autoimmunity. This test analyzes serum levels of TSH, free T4, free T3, reverse T3, anti-TG antibodies, and anti-TPO antibodies to assess central and peripheral thyroid function, as well as thyroid auto-immunity.

Symptoms of thyroid hormone imbalances can include:

• Fatigue
• Depression
• Coldness
• Constipation
• Poor skin
• Headaches
• PMS
• Dysmenorrhea
• Fluid retention
• Weight gain
• Anxiety/Panic attacks
• Decreased memory and concentration
• Muscle and joint pain
• Low sex drive

• Optimal thyroid function may help safeguard against the pathogenesis of diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and depression. Thyroid hormones also play central metabolic roles in healthy sexual and reproductive function in both women and men. So if you have been having a hard time having baby… this may be a test you will want to consider.

 

 

 

Now lets move onto GENETIC testing:

 

23andMe

I mainly got 23 and me genetic testing done to see my risk for conditions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. But the cool thing is that you can also do 23 and me to see your heritage and family lineage, so I did them both together. Turns out that I am 63 percent British and Irish. 18 percent Northwestern European and 14 percent French and German. It comes to no surprise that I am mostly British because my last name is Woodham for crying out loud. But I always thought I was Scottish not Irish. 23 and me goes super deep into family lineage so if you're into this, totally get this testing done.

 

I highly recommend you invest in 23 and me genetic testing not just because it will give incredible insight to your heritage and health but, because it opens doors for you to see your genes in much greater detail by allowing you to upload your raw genetic data to DNAfit.com and go.strategene.com

 

That being said, 23 and me is AN ABSOLUTE MUST. So, if you've been on the fence, JUMP OFF the fence and just buy a damn 23 and me kit. All you have to do is order it online and they send a kit right to your door. You spit your saliva into a tube and then send it back. Simple as that! Then you can learn all about where your ancestors came from in super deep detail and simultaneously harness your genes to make you a super human. What could be better than that?

 

 

DNAfit

By taking your RAW data from 23 and Me.com you can upload your DNA to DNAfit.com and they will tell you a whole bunch of things regarding your athletic performance and ability. They will also give you a nutrition plan based off the foods you should eat or foods to stay away from based on your genes. They give you are really badass infographic giving you an overview of your athletic ability and wellness potential.

 

Like I said DNAfit will tell you what diet, workout plan and lifestyle will fit you best based off your genes. It is actually extremely impressive how detailed DNAfit is and you will get to hear all of my athletic performance and nutrition markers from DNAfit. And to be honest Its almost overwhelming how much info they give you. It is amazing.

 

Here are the things they test for athletic performance:

If you are an endurance athlete or strength athletes

They test your VO2 max aka how much oxygen you effectively use during exercise

They test your post exercise recovery performance

They test your risk for injury

 

On the diet side of things they test:

Carbohydrate metabolism

Saturated fat metabolism

Dairy and lactose metabolism

Celiac disease susceptibility

Caffeine tolerance and sensitivity

Salt and sodium sensitivity

Antioxidant and free radical performance

Omega-3 metabolism and efficiency

Immune system functioning and ability to respond to inflammation

The efficiency to metabolize vitamin B12 and need for B12

The efficiency to metabolize Vitamin D and need for Vitamin D

Last they test your ability to detoxify and fight off free radicals

 

It is, in my opinion an amazing option to use DNAfit's services to boost your athletic performance based off your genes

 

 

Last genetic testing is utilizing Strategene

If you want to nerd out and learn about your single nucleotide polymorphisms aka genetic variants associated with a certain gene, then go to go.strategene.org and enter your raw data. Dr. Ben Lynch will send you a report breaking down your genes and what they mean in a super detailed fashion.

 

 

Now let's get into the food allergy and digestion realm of lab tests. Which in my opinion are some of the most important tests you can invest in by far.

 

First test is Genova Diagnostics IgG4 Food Antibodies

Before discussing this test, it is important to note that the incidence of food sensitivities has increased dramatically over the years. It is estimated that up to 20% of the population have adverse reactions to foods

IgG4 antibody is related to delayed or non–atopic food reactions that exacerbate or contribute to many different health problems. This antibody food sensitivity test is ideal for patients who may suffer from delayed reactions/sensitivities to specific foods.

 

IgG4 food sensitivity reactions are more difficult to notice since they can occur hours or even days after consumption of an offending food. In some cases, a person's reaction to a food may occur several days after eating the offending food and the link between the food and their symptoms may not be connected. These hidden food "allergies" are actually food "sensitivities" and are caused by increasing blood levels of IgG4 antibodies in reaction to specific foods. This profile measures the IgG4 levels in serum that react to 90 different foods, including commonly eaten foods such as corn, milk, egg, and wheat. Food related symptoms may include:

 

 

• Asthma
• Arthritis
• Migraines
• Ear Infections
• Eczema
• Sinusitis
• Urticaria
• Colitis
•  

Next is the ALCAT TEST FROM CELL SCIENCE SYSTEMS:

This food sensitivity test was just published on PubMed as a very accurate test for the affect it has on the gut in those with Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity. In other words this test shows that even if you don't have Celiac's disease, gluten still shows damaging affect to a healthy gut lining.

 

The Alcat Test may help uncover which foods and other substances trigger chronic inflammation and its related health issues such as gastrointestinal, metabolic disorders and others. The Alcat Test measures cellular reactions to over 450 substances. Medical studies using the Alcat Test to guide diet have shown significant improvement of many common symptoms

Over 450 individual foods, additives, colorings, molds, functional foods, medicinal herbs and chemical substances (such as environmental, chemical, pharmaceutical substances) can be tested. The Alcat Test is designed to assess sensitivities to over 450 food, chemical and environmental substances like I mentioned. These sensitivities are shown to be associated with both acute and chronic conditions.

 

• Gastrointestinal disorders, such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), indigestion, constipation, nausea, diarrhea, bloating, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's Disease

 

• Metabolic disorders, such as obesity, Type II diabetes, inability to lose weight 

 

• Inflammatory conditions, such as eczema, psoriasis, arthritis or asthma, autoimmune disorders 

 

• Others, such as fatigue, headache, migraine, cognitive impairment 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Third on the list is Genova Diagnostics SIBO Test

 

SIBO which is short for Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth is a very common condition which most people don't even know they have. This condition occurs when our natural gut bacteria moves backwards from our large intestine into our small intestine where it should not be.

 

This test involves a person drinking a solution of lactulose sugar which bacteria will feed off of and create either hydrogen and methane gas as by-products. Over a 2-3-hour window, you will breathe into 4-5 tubes every 30 minutes or so to see how much hydrogen (H2) and methane (CH4) gases are produced by the bacteria. This will help physicians gauge how much bacterial overgrowth is occurring in the small intestine and at which of the three parts of the small intestine the overgrowth is occurring at.

 

Conditions commonly associated with SIBO include:

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Irritable Bowel Disease like Chron's and Ulcerative Colitis
• Celiac Disease
• Diabetes
• Fibromyalgia
• Rosacea, Eczema, Psoriasis
• Parkinson's Disease
• Obesity

Development of SIBO include structural/anatomic issues, motility disorders, organ system dysfunction, elderly age and various medications like too many any antibiotics and ant-acids that alter the gut microflora populations.

 

 

 

 

Fourth on this list is Genova Diagnostic GI Effects Comprehensive Profile Stool

The GI Effects Comprehensive Stool Profile can reveal important information about the root cause of many common gastrointestinal symptoms such as gas, bloating, indigestion, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and constipation. It also uses biomarkers to differentiate between Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) which are two distinct conditions. IBD is typically more severe and has more of an autoimmune disease relation with conditions like Chron's disease, Ulcerative Colitis and Celiac's Disease.

 

GI AFFECTS TESTS YOUR GUT TO SEE HOW WELL:

You are digesting of fats, proteins and carbohydrates and if you are even digesting them at all

It will test for potential lack of digestive enzymes for the breakdown of your foods

It tests to see the difference between IBD and IBS

It tests to see how your immune system is functioning in your gut aka allergic response to foods and how well your gut lining is functioning to keep intruders out of the blood stream

It tests your gut microbiome to see if you have pathogenic strains of bacteria, if you have too little good bacteria and if you have too much bacteria.

It tests to see if you have occult blood in your stool that you may not normally see

It tests for potential parasites in your gut like tapeworms, roundworms, flukes, protozoa and even giardia

It tests for the functioning of your beneficial fats responsible for keeping cell walls strong to keep the bad guys out

It will test for potential yeast infections or fungus growth

If you have had complicated gut issues recently or if you have had it for years, this test will give you a wealth of knowledge regarding the reason for your poor digestion and poor health.

 

In other words.. this test might be the grand-daddy of all stool tests at the time of this recording.

 

 

 

 

With all of the lab tests out of the way… let's talk about one of the greatest preventative measures you can take to make sure your health is where it should be. And this is done by

 

Getting your spine checked by a Chiropractor:

 

However… Before you say chiropractors are quacks or I had a bad experience… not all Chiropractors are the same, just like not all medical doctors and dentists are the same. Here is the most important thing that I can tell you… make sure your Chiropractor takes X-rays before they lay their hands on you. If they don't, I personally would opt-out of treatment and find a chiropractor who will do full-spine x-rays. This includes x-rays of your neck, midback and low back. If you are the kind of person who still thinks X-ray radiation will harm you, then I have a newsflash for you… Medical journals and published research shows that x-ray radiation is now considered negligible and actually provides more therapeutic effects than harm to the human body. So get over the idea that X-rays harm you. You get a ton more radiation from one airplane ride than nearly 100 spinal x-rays.

 

Now back to Chiropractic… If you have ever been hurt by a chiropractor in the past, he likely didn't do a thorough examination and x-rays to accurately analyze your spine. It's funny… people hate chiropractors… yet these same people love to get cut open by surgeons on a table to put long rods into their spine and are willing to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars and at the end of it all they still have pain after surgery… completely blows my mind. Yet, they demonize conservative and preventative health care. It makes zero sense to me.. but hey…. to each his own.

 

Now… I do not care how amazing a Chiropractor thinks he is at palpating the spine, they cannot feel for serious pathologies that you've had in the past or are possibly existing in your spine right now. Chiropractors who don't take x-rays cannot feel for fractures that may be present in your spine. They cannot feel for degenerated spinal segments and severe arthritis you may have. They cannot feel calcification of the vertebral or carotid arteries. They cannot feel for abdominal aortas that have become enlarged and are on the verge of rupturing due to atherosclerotic arteries from cardiovascular disease. They cannot feel for possible tumors or cancers in the lung, in the ribs or even in soft tissues of your skin. They cannot feel for infections inside your bones or the discs in your spine. They cannot feel for instabilities of your ligaments which allows bones to slip-slide across each other and put you are greater risk of becoming paralyzed in traumatic injuries. They cannot accurately measure your pelvis to see if you might have a short leg, which can completely alter the mechanics of your tailbone, which can lead to scoliosis in children if not treated quickly enough. As a side note, children and adults who have a clinically diagnosed case of scoliosis, almost always suffer from psychosocial disorders like depression and anxiety from physical pain and emotional pain due to their outward appearance leading to low levels self-confidence.

 

It is vitally important you get full-spine x-rays as a preventative measure, even if you do not suffer from musculoskeletal pain. Let me mention something extremely important just to add more emphasis to that last statement. YOU CAN HAVE A VERY UNHEALTHY SPINE WITHOUT PAIN. This means you can have scoliosis without pain. However, when your spine is not aligned properly, such as those with scoliosis, your body suffers even if you don't have pain. Listen carefully. Our Brain feeds right into our spinal cord which is surrounded by our spinal bones. Then nerves project out from our spinal cord and those nerves go to EVERY. SINGLE. ORGAN. TISSUE AND CELL IN OUR BODY. When you have a scoliosis, those nerves are getting crushed and strained. Which means your organs and entire body is suffering and is functioning at an extremely low level. THIS CAN GO YEARS WITHOUT PAIN. The problem in our world today is that we only react to things or go to the doctor when we are in pain or when we FEEL something is wrong. Once you feel pain anywhere in your body, not just your spine, this means you have a neglected taking care of yourself and you've waited too long to help your body remain healthy. It's just like if an Olympic track athlete were to run his entire life and never stretch after his races, never ice when he was inflamed, never eat the right nutrition for recovery and then one day his knees blow out, he pulls multiple muscles and he develops severe gastric pain and arthritis in the joints. And then, mind-blowingly, these people wonder why they hurt so bad when waking up in the morning or during a workout, when just the other day, they felt amazing. You see, the body accumulates toxins and trauma over-time until it cannot handle the stressful load and then your body is no longer able to help itself. I see this all the time in our office. A patient comes in and says they are healthy. By the time the consultation and exam is over, they have about 10 health conditions and a ton of spinal pain they didn't realize was there. Then we take spinal x-rays and their entire spine has significant spinal degeneration and massive shifts in their posture that leads to organ dysfunction.

 

Here's the bottom line, you may not have pain in your spine, joints or muscles… great good for you.. but that does not mean you are off the hook because you could have a list of conditions that aren't synonymous with pain. Things like poor digestion, frequent gallstones, kidney stones, irregular heartbeats, asthma, headaches, irregular and painful periods, poor sexual function, erectile dysfunction, inability to conceive a child, constipation, diarrhea, thyroid dysfunction, ringing in the ears, vertigo, heartburn, acid reflux, indigestion, poor vision, high blood pressure, clicking in the jaw, grinding your teeth, poor energy, poor sleep, depression, and so much more… which are almost all likely coming from a weakened spine. Remember all the energy your body gets comes from your spine and spinal cord first. So it is vitally important that your posture and spine are in proper alignment to be healthy and to stay healthy.

I am biased, but if you are serious about your posture, your spine, and the overall functioning of your body, you owe it to yourself to see a certified Chiropractic Biophysics Doctor. You can find the nearest Physician near you by going to idealspine.com/directory. You can enter your city, state or zip into the box, and it will pop up with the closest trained physician. Here's one thing you need to know, there may be doctors on the list that may not currently practice Chiropractic Biophysics technique, so make sure to visit their website before assuming they still practice Chiropractic Biophysics technique. Another helpful tip is that they will have CBP Basic or Advanced certified by their name.

 

 

And there you go folks… I hope you got something out of this episode and maybe I brought some new information to light for you. If you have a condition that is bothering you and would like me to order tests for you and do a professional read for you, please let me know. Even if you don't have a condition that you are concerned about and just want to be the healthiest human possible, then I can order any test you would like and do a professional read on those as well! You can personally message me on my Instagram @theunleashedhuman or message me on my personal Facebook at TJ Woodham and I will love to get something started for you! Cool, with that being said.. that is it from me. Have an amazing morning, afternoon and night. Talk soon Unleashed Humans! Cya!

 

 

 

 

 

23andMe:

https://www.23andme.com/

 

DNAfit:

https://www.dnafit.com/us/

 

Strategene:

http://go.strategene.org/genetic-analysis

 

Genova Comprehensive Thyroid Assessment

https://www.gdx.net/product/comprehensive-thyroid-hormone-test-blood

 

Genova Diagnostics IgG4 Food Antibodies

https://www.gdx.net/product/allergix-igg4-food-antibodies-90-food-sensitivity-test-serum

 

ALCAT Allergy Test By Cell Science Systems

https://cellsciencesystems.com/patients/alcat-test/

 

Genova Diagnostics SIBO Test

https://www.gdx.net/product/bacterial-overgrowth-of-the-small-intestine-sibo-test

 

Genova Diagnostic GI Effects Comprehensive Profile Stool

https://www.gdx.net/product/gi-effects-comprehensive-stool-test

 

Find A Chiropractic BioPhysics Physician Near You:

https://idealspine.com/directory/

 

 

Dr. TJ Woodham:

Grab your FREE copy of The Unleashed Human Book: www.theunleashedhuman.com/unleashed

 

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