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The best labs to get and how to interpret them

PS

Paul Saladino1h 10m · 2023-04-18

Support Rate

75%

120 of 161 claims supported

Support rate

120 of 161 claims supported

120 supported41 partial / not

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145

Well SupportedAtherosclerosis is caused by the inflammatory response to oxidized cholesterol accumulation in macrophages within the artery wall.Well SupportedPlasma or red blood cell magnesium tests are useful for ruling out severe deficiency but should not be used to determine optimal or sufficient magnesium levels.Well SupportedAn animal-based diet consisting of meat, organs, fruit, honey, and raw dairy may help with gut issues or autoimmune conditions.Well SupportedAn animal-based diet of well-raised meat, organs, and low-toxicity plant foods is believed to be powerfully beneficial.Well SupportedFasting insulin is the best test to assess insulin sensitivity, which is the most important metric for human health.

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A. Volkovreader

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Bookmarking — the dossier-vs-overview split is the right call. Most of the time I want overview; sometimes I want receipts.

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N. Park

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Would love a "what would change this verdict" RSS feed. Sign me up if it exists.

Well SupportedA basic lipid panel with apolipoprotein B (apoB) is sufficient for assessment when interpreted in the context of insulin sensitivity and fasting insulin levels.

Well SupportedA cortisol to DHEA ratio below 1.5 was not observed in cancer patients, suggesting a correlation between high cortisol and cancer.

Well SupportedAnimal foods rich in saturated fats offer benefits including increasing HDL, hormones, and testosterone, and serving as precursors for hormones.

Well SupportedMeasuring morning fasted cortisol and DHEA levels can help assess the cortisol to DHEA ratio.

Well SupportedAdequate magnesium can be obtained from food sources such as orange juice, milk, meat, coconuts, and bananas.

Well SupportedImpaired wound healing at the endothelial level in individuals with insulin resistance prevents proper repair, leading to the initiation of atherosclerosis.

Partially SupportedPaul Saladino's current diet macros are approximately 20% carbohydrates (150g), 50% fat (150g+), and 30% protein (200g), totaling around 2750-3000 calories daily.

Well SupportedSubsidizing fasting insulin tests could allow identification of metabolic dysfunction due to high reference ranges.

Well SupportedAn iron comprehensive panel should include serum iron, TIBC, ferritin, and percentage of transferrin saturation.

Well SupportedDecreasing linoleic acid in cooking oils significantly reduces fasting insulin levels, indicating improved insulin sensitivity.

Well SupportedTo accurately measure hs-CRP, it should be done first thing in the morning, in a fasting state, without strenuous exercise the night before or the morning of.

Well SupportedSex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) binds androgens and estrogens, influencing free androgen availability.

Well SupportedBone matrix supplements, eggshells, or calcium can be used as dairy alternatives for calcium intake.

Well SupportedManaging iron levels through phlebotomy can decrease sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels.

Well SupportedBoron supplementation may decrease SHBG, which can increase libido, especially when SHBG is elevated due to a ketogenic diet.

Well SupportedFruit and honey are considered the least toxic sources of carbohydrates due to lower levels of plant defense chemicals.

Well SupportedPerform phlebotomy every three to four weeks, drawing approximately 200 cc of blood, or aim for 50-60 cc weekly.

Well SupportedAdding organ meats like heart and liver to the diet, either fresh or desiccated, is recommended for individuals with MTHFR polymorphisms and elevated homocysteine.

Not SupportedThe scientific literature treats the association between TMAO and cardiovascular/kidney disease as fact, despite not substantiating a causal link.

Well SupportedCarbohydrates signal abundance to the body, which is evolutionarily important for fertility and postpartum recovery.

Well SupportedElevated GGT can indicate environmental toxins or oxidative stress and should be added to a comprehensive metabolic panel.

Well SupportedElevated triglycerides, fasting insulin, and overall insulin resistance are better indicators of cardiovascular risk than NMR profile metrics.

Well SupportedElevated LDL cholesterol with large, buoyant lipid particles is not indicative of a problem in the context of high insulin sensitivity.

Well SupportedBlood work provides insight into the internal workings of the body's system, acting as a 'check-up' of internal mechanisms.

Well SupportedIf dairy is not tolerated, alternatives like raw dairy, goat's milk, or fermented dairy should be tried before oat or almond milk.

Well SupportedFree T3, free T4, and TSH levels can change, often negatively, with ketogenic or low-carb diets.

Well SupportedA fasting insulin level above 4 or 5 micro IU/mL warrants consideration of insulin resistance.

Well SupportedAdequate calcium status can be assessed by monitoring parathyroid hormone levels in the lower half of the reference range and serum calcium.

Well SupportedAn animal-based diet, potentially including organs, meat, and raw dairy, may be helpful for autoimmune conditions like hair loss and acne.

Well SupportedDesiccated organ supplements from grass-fed sources can support organs and benefit individuals with GI issues.

Well SupportedHealth influencers, nutritionists, and physicians should present clinical outcomes and personal blood work to support their dietary recommendations.

Partially SupportedPaul Saladino uses organs, grass-fed meat, free-range poultry, wild-caught fish, and fruits for his animal-based diet when in Costa Rica.

Well SupportedKetogenic diets can raise cortisol by shifting precursor enzymatic systems toward increased cortisol production.

Well SupportedRecommended prolactin levels are less than 15, and ideally less than 10.

Well SupportedCystatin C is a more reliable marker for renal function than creatinine, especially in individuals with high muscle mass, as it is not influenced by muscle mass.

Not SupportedPolyunsaturated fatty acids, such as omega-6 linoleic acid found in seed oils, can lower testosterone.

Partially SupportedPaul Saladino's recent testosterone level was 814 ng/dl, with LH 7.33 mIU/mL, FSH 4.27 mIU/ml, and undetectable hCG, without using androgen enhancement.

Partially SupportedOptimal prolactin levels should be below the 50th percentile of the reference range, aiming for historic healthy male levels.

Not SupportedWithout insulin resistance or a sticky subendothelial space, there is no compelling evidence to worry about higher LDL levels.

Partially SupportedChecking urinary pH can indicate the need for more alkaline minerals in the diet.

Partially SupportedWeekly phlebotomy of 50-60 cc of blood decreased sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) from 69.5 to 50.2 and ferritin from 252 to 87.

Partially SupportedIndividuals following ketogenic or low-carb diets may have a higher prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease due to elevated cortisol.

Partially SupportedIncluding carbohydrates in the diet improves recovery after intense exercise, leading to better muscle and strength gains and overall well-being.

Partially SupportedThe ratio of morning cortisol to DHEA-S is an indicator of stress levels and longevity trajectory.

Well SupportedDihydrotestosterone (DHT) is the most potent androgen and is crucial for sexual function.

Well SupportedElevated ALT may suggest non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Well SupportedBlood levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and l-arginine, and their ratios, can indicate endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) function.

Well SupportedFructose is likely a major driver of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) on a molecule-for-molecule basis.

Partially SupportedAn increase in LDL may occur when consuming more saturated fat and less polyunsaturated fat, but this can be associated with improved insulin sensitivity.

Partially SupportedManaging baseline cortisol levels may help address elevated fasting insulin.

Partially SupportedIncluding carbohydrates, specifically honey, increased total testosterone from 562 to 742 and free testosterone from 4.64 to 6.4.

Partially SupportedA ketogenic or low-carb diet can raise cortisol levels.

Well SupportedVisceral fat and primary hepatic dysfunction can lead to increased hepatic glucose output due to liver insulin resistance.

Partially SupportedFasting insulin and prolactin are important blood tests that are rarely performed by mainstream physicians.

Not SupportedFinasteride may have terrifying symptoms associated with post-finasteride syndrome.

Partially SupportedManaging cortisol levels through stress reduction and improving sleep quality is crucial for overall health and can help unravel the causes of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and insulin resistance.

Partially SupportedPaul Saladino's hemoglobin A1c is 5.3, indicating an average blood glucose of approximately 106.

Partially SupportedElevated cortisol, potentially caused by gut inflammation and endotoxin entry, drives insulin resistance.

Partially SupportedSugar in the form of honey and fruit does not cause diabetes, insulin resistance, or obesity.

Partially SupportedDesiccated organ supplements can help reduce homocysteine levels.

Partially SupportedDesiccated organs like heart and spleen are a helpful alternative if fresh liver is unavailable.

Partially SupportedHoney does not induce insulin resistance or lead to elevated uric acid.

Not SupportedTestosterone does not necessarily decline with age in men, as evidenced by individuals in their 70s maintaining levels similar to a 45-year-old without supplementation.

Partially SupportedSubclinical iron overload may lead to elevated levels of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG).

Partially SupportedIron saturation levels should be kept below 40%.

Partially SupportedTo maintain a low cortisol to DHEA-S ratio, consume carbohydrates, prioritize nutrient-dense foods from meat and organs, ensure adequate sleep, get sun exposure, and live a less stressed life.

Partially SupportedA comprehensive metabolic panel should include electrolytes.

Partially SupportedRemoving sugar from the diet in the form of fruit and honey is not a problem for humans and does not address elevated fasting insulin.

Well SupportedInsulin resistance causes excess gluconeogenesis, which leads to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Partially SupportedStandard blood work should include CBC, comprehensive metabolic panel, fasting insulin, PTH, full thyroid panel, testosterone, prolactin, DHT, estrogens, progesterone, pregnenolone, cortisol, DHEAS, hs-CRP, liver enzymes, and lipid panel.

Not SupportedElevated cortisol is generally detrimental due to cumulative stress.

Well SupportedIGF-1 levels of 177 are beneficial for retaining muscle mass, which is important for preventing frailty and death.

Partially SupportedProlactin levels around 10.5 to 11.8 micro IU/mL can be elevated for the speaker.

Partially SupportedLDL and apob are not directly atherogenic, though LDL may be involved in arterial healing and its movement into the sub-endothelial space might be an active process.

Partially SupportedAn animal-based diet can raise LDL but improves insulin sensitivity, leading to low hs-CRP, high testosterone, and great vitality.

Partially SupportedPaul Saladino's lipid profile includes HDL between 80-110 mg/dL, triglycerides usually below 70 mg/dL, and LDL much higher than 200 mg/dL.

Not SupportedAtherosclerosis does not occur in veins, questioning the theory that LDL directly causes atherosclerosis.

Well SupportedHigh triglycerides in patients consuming fructose indicate increased fat production rather than impaired export.

Partially SupportedDietary fat, particularly saturated and polyunsaturated seed oils, stimulates the development of NAFLD in rats more potently than dietary fructose.

Partially SupportedElevated prolactin can indicate a pituitary adenoma and interfere with sex drive, libido, and weight loss.

Partially SupportedCortisol, not fructose, causes fatty liver disease, and stress leads to NAFLD through excess gluconeogenesis.

Partially SupportedElevated prolactin levels require further investigation.

Partially SupportedIndividuals on ketogenic diets may experience a decrease in carbon dioxide levels due to mild metabolic acidosis.

Partially SupportedIn young rats, high sucrose intake ameliorates hepatic triacylglycerol accumulation promoted by restraint stress.

Well SupportedTesticular size is a better indicator of fertility status than hormonal status.

Partially SupportedTestosterone levels can vary significantly day-to-day without major changes in diet or lifestyle.

Partially SupportedPaul Saladino's diet, including 200-350g of carbohydrates daily from milk, honey, and fruit, does not result in NAFLD or elevated liver enzymes.

Partially SupportedLiver ultrasounds should be performed on individuals in the health and longevity space to assess liver fat.

Partially SupportedElevated B12 levels in individuals consuming red meat and organ meats are normal and safe, even if outside the reference range.

Not SupportedNMR lipoprotein profiles can be overly sensitive and lack specificity, potentially indicating cardiovascular risk where none truly exists.

Not SupportedStandard physician screening tests like CBC and chem 7 are not granular enough to identify real health issues.

Not SupportedDietary fructose, sucrose, and lactose did not cause non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in rats.

Not SupportedExcess dietary fructose does not alter gut microbiota or permeability in humans.

Partially SupportedHigher fructose intake is inversely associated with the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in older Finnish adults.

Partially SupportedA hematocrit of 51.4% with phlebotomy suggests potential dehydration or an iron issue, with other cell fractions in normal ranges.

Partially SupportedCoronary artery calcium scans or CT coronary angiograms should be considered for individuals concerned about atherosclerosis.

Partially SupportedHigh saturated fat intake is associated with increased LDL cholesterol.

Partially SupportedTravel, disrupted sleep, and time zone changes can influence blood work results, potentially causing temporary elevations in markers like fasting insulin.

Partially SupportedAn animal-based diet focused on meat and organs with limited carbohydrates from fruit and honey may improve psoriasis, eczema, acne, libido, sleep, depression, anxiety, IBD, and IBS.

Partially SupportedBlood tests such as the cortisol/DHEA ratio can reveal significant health information often overlooked by mainstream physicians.

Partially SupportedEating significant amounts of red meat supports robust testosterone, good sex drive, and overall health and longevity.

Partially SupportedConsuming 375 grams of sugar per day on top of a healthy diet improved sperm quality and motility, and triglycerides in men.

Partially SupportedIntake of omega-6 and trans fatty acids is inversely related to testicular volume in healthy young men, and testicular volume can indicate hormonal function.

Partially SupportedPeppermint tea consumption in rats led to increased FSH and LH levels and decreased total testosterone.

Partially SupportedSpearmint can induce hypothalamic oxidative stress and testicular anti-androgenicity in male rats, potentially lowering the conversion of precursor hormones to active androgens.

Partially SupportedParathyroid hormone (PTH) should be in the lowest quartile for optimal health, and adequate dietary calcium is necessary to balance phosphorus.

Partially SupportedAdequate carbohydrate intake supports fertility, libido, and vitality, while cortisol is associated with scarcity and stress.

Partially SupportedPolyunsaturated fat consumption was inversely correlated with serum total testosterone in Japanese males aged 43-88.

Partially SupportedSignificant amounts of simple sugars can increase testosterone, sperm motility, and testicular volume in human males.

Partially SupportedFeeling better and potentially having improved sex drive may be associated with lower ferritin levels.

Partially SupportedFibrinogen activity is a measure of clotting and inflammation.

Partially SupportedIn metabolically healthy males, prolactin returns to baseline quickly after orgasm.

Partially SupportedTMAO levels can be a signature of gut flora and choline/carnitine intake from meat, and fish contains more pre-formed TMAO than meat.

Partially SupportedElevated uric acid is a sign of insulin resistance.

Partially SupportedHigh cortisol levels in the presence of low sex hormones indicate a state of stress rather than fertility or vitality.

Partially SupportedPaul Saladino's fasting insulin level was 3.2 micro IU/mL in March 2023, with a previous outlier reading of 5.8 micro IU/mL on March 6th.

Partially SupportedPaul Saladino's prolactin level was 10.5 in mid-March 2023, potentially due to poor sleep.

Not SupportedKetogenic diets are generally not beneficial for humans, though they may have short-term uses in specific situations like removing endotoxin-increasing foods.

Partially SupportedA parathyroid hormone level of 25 suggests adequate calcium intake from the diet.

Partially SupportedElevated reverse T3 may be an indicator of poor sleep.

Partially SupportedElevated bilirubin may indicate gallbladder issues or red blood cell hemolysis.

Partially SupportedConsuming alkaline mineral foods like fruits and vegetables can help buffer the body and do not cause cancer.

Partially SupportedLDL cholesterol levels can vary significantly day-to-day, with readings ranging from 130 to 207.

Not SupportedSupplementation with soy protein for 14 days may partially blunt serum testosterone levels in men.

Not SupportedConsuming soy, flaxseed, nuts, spearmint, and mint may lower testosterone levels.

Partially SupportedKetogenic and low-carb diets may negatively impact sex hormones by increasing sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG).

Partially SupportedHigh saturated fat intake and LDL levels above the reference range do not necessarily indicate poor metabolic health.

Partially SupportedPaul Saladino's GGT (gamma-glutamyl transferase) is 20, indicating good liver health.

Partially SupportedLP(a) levels can vary significantly and may increase with polyunsaturated fatty acid intake.

Partially SupportedFlaxseed supplementation in men with prostate cancer was associated with reduced androgens.

Partially SupportedMen may benefit from getting a PSA test to assess prostate health.

Partially SupportedUnderstanding the reasoning behind health decisions is crucial for navigating one's own health optimally.

Not SupportedBleaching and deodorizing seed oils can create trans fats that may not be reflected in '0 grams per serving' labels.

Partially SupportedPaul Saladino, age 45, consumes desiccated organs and takes no drugs, hormones, or supplements.

Partially SupportedVitamin D levels of 59 are likely due to sun exposure, and travel may reduce sun exposure.

Partially SupportedGrass-fed red meat is considered an evolutionarily consistent food source.

Partially SupportedConsuming 0.5 to 1 ounce of liver daily can lower TPO antibodies.

Partially SupportedCortisol, not fructose, causes severe metabolic disorders like fatty liver disease.

Not SupportedTrans fatty acids are inversely related to total sperm count in healthy young men.

Partially SupportedUnderstanding one's own body and health metrics empowers individuals to make informed health decisions and navigate their health optimally.