Blood Analysis

letranger · January 2016

Hello all, I am currently fascinated with blood analysis and what it tells us about our disease and health. Can you share what blood tests have been useful for you? How often do you get you blood analysed? Do you have a good book to recommend to understand the reports we get. I usually get a, "everything is normal" and no discussion of blood results. But I feel like there has to be more to it. Do you follow, "Eat Right for your Blood Type"?

I have finally started reading, "A Commotion in the Blood". And ordered several books on reading blood tests. Today I received results from a blood test I ordered from my PCP. Yes, you guessed it. It can back "normal". But I am going to look over the values more carefully with a reference book I have. I am also made an appointment to see an Allergist/Immunologist in 2 weeks. Anyone do that? What was your outcome? Furthermore, I am looking getting a "Live Blood Analysis" on Jan 30. She says she will prick my finger and examine the blood under the microscope with me. Have you had this done?

What are your thoughts about blood analysis and your health?

Thank you, Hope to hear from you. Warm regards, letranger

Momine · January 2016

I get blood work before each doctor's visit. The first few years of cancer that meant every 3 months, now it is every 6 months. My doctors are pretty good at explaining what the blood tests measure and what to watch for. Also, you can look up most standard blood tests in Wiki, and Wiki for anything medical tends to be pretty good, surprisingly.

I can't really say what I find "most" useful. It all depends on what is going on. But perhaps the most consistently useful is a plain old fasting glucose test with an hemoglobin A1C thrown in once in a while. Between the two of them, you can monitor your blood sugar pretty well. My blood sugar is on the higher end of normal, but in the fluctuations I can tell whether I am exercising enough etc.

From the ratio of neutrophils to lymphocytes (2 different kinds of white blood cells) you can get a fairly good indication as to whether you have inflammation in your body. These numbers are part of a standard, basic blood panel.

Creatinine is measured to test kidney function (higher number than normal means your kidneys are having a problem), but a low number may indicate that you are not eating enough and especially that you are not getting enough protein. So you can definitely get a lot of useful information from standard blood tests, even if the numbers are in normal range. Both my docs are very fond of blood tests, because they give so much info for minimal investment of time, pain and hassle.

The blood type diet is hokum and a waste of time.

I have never done a live blood test, but it is probably pretty cool to see the actual cells and stuff.

Hernie · January 2016

"While it is certainly true that genetics plays a part in what humans can effectively digest and that blood type is also dependent on genetics, correlating the two is as dubious as linking metabolic rate to hair colour."

http://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Blood_type_diet

Hernie · January 2016

"Researchers from the University of Toronto (U of T) have found that the theory behind the popular blood type diet--which claims an individual's nutritional needs vary by blood type--is not valid. The findings are published this week in PLoS One."

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/01/140115172246.htm

letranger · January 2016

Thanks for responding. Yeah, my hubby introduced me to the book about 15 years. All these diets say the same things: avoid processed foods, Eat whole foods. But I am not really wondering about the diet book. I am actually getting ready to choose a naturopathic doc and one of the docs says she will do this extensive and very expensive blood analysis. I'm trying to figure out if I should do it.

I check my own glucose at home and I'm taking metformin (not for diabetes). I am usually 85-95. I think I have a pretty good diet, but something always nags at me: What's missing? Can it be interpreted from my blood? Like I said, my blood work comes back fairly normal. I take a gazillion supplements, yeah, I've turned into a supplement freak, I know I should get my nutrition from whole foods, but my last chemo caused a suppressed appetite.

I am trying to optimize my health and I can't help thinking there may be something in the blood as answers. I never had tumor markers measured because my onc is one of those who thinks it's unreliable.

Thanks, Momine about the creatine reminder. I need to look at my values more closely. I am a pseudo-vegetarian, as I call myself, and I am sure I do not get enough protein.

The live blood analysis is an inexpensive test. I'm just curious what she will say and I want to learn more.

My brother has been talking to me for years about getting a blood allergy test. I used to be a person that just did not bother with these things. I always had a clean bill of health, until Her2+ cancer. And now I am looking at making changes.

Thanks a bunch for your feedback. I'll check in later when I see the immunologist and other specialists.

letranger

letranger · January 2016

Hi again,

I am looking at choosing a naturopathic doc and both of them seem to do this optional blood test by R.C.C.G. Website here. I know virtually nothing about it except that it is a very, very expensive test. Does anyone have any experience with it?

Thanks. letranger

letranger · January 2016

oh geez. I don't even know how I deleted my post. Here it is again:

I am choosing a naturopathic doc and both offer this optional, very very expensive test by R.C.C.G. Website here. Does anyone have any info on it?

I found this:

http://www.mcrc4.com/?p=194

Thanks, letranger

Hernie · January 2016

"Live blood analysis is one of these alternative methodologies that has a hint of legitimacy that is extrapolated far out of proportion to its validity.

https://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/live-blood-analysis-the-modern-auguries/

Hernie · January 2016

I know other people with cancer who have sent their blood to Greece. I was shocked at how blatantly bogus those reports were. At least this place has a home page that more imitates that of a legitimate pharmaceutical company. Their "articles on request" page cannot be taken seriously.

Just looking at the example here, it is not even written in standard English, never mind scientific English. When have you ever seen a lab report that says, "We noticed..."? Serious labs give real data -- values, units, reference ranges. The content itself is ludicrous,just a soup of drugs and genes thrown together to overwhelm the layperson. Give this to any oncologist and they will laugh inside. Give this to a naturopath and they will take this as an excuse to sell you some potentially dangerous substance.

If you have any specific questions, I will address them but there is too much nonsense here to even start.

letranger · January 2016

I see. I am just delving into the naturopathic world and trying to get as much knowledge as possible about what they offer. Everything is out of pocket (except labs) so I just don't want to throw thousands of dollars out the window. But at the same time I think I can benefit from some of their services.

The second naturopath said the blood test is available if I wanted it but people got "mixed" results. That kind of bothered me so hence the post. She didn't push it.

Thanks for looking over that example. I have a biology background too but did not have the energy yesterday to look at it in detail. The scientific part of me says, "ask questions and where's the data".

Well, knowledge is power. Saved some money!

Hernie · January 2016

Yes, use your powers of critical thinking. Be critical of what people say (even me!) and think if it makes any sense. Think of why people tell you stuff ($$$$). I am tired, too, but you are my brain met sister so I pulled myself together (a bit). Here is an interesting perspective of the role of naturopaths in cancer.

http://scienceblogs.com/insolence/2015/11/16/a-naturopaths-got-to-know-his-limitations-but-naturopaths-never-do/

Italychick · January 2016

against my judgment, I was convinced to do the RGCC test. I have zero estrogen receptors on my tumor, and the test said tamoxifen would be effective, so the results contradicted my pathology report. It also said Taxotere and Adriamycin would be the most effective, but my doctor said that is because they are both the big chemo drugs. It also said it would identify any circulating stem cells, but my report mentioned nothing about them. I should have spent the money on IV vitamin c or something else I think

Lily55 · January 2016

I have had two detailed RGGC reports giving me info about waht was seen in my blood. However the naturopathic doctor I used is also a conventional doctor and she explained it to me. It is a good way of giving you early info on changes in your blood cells and cancer related changes.....including circulating tumour cells and if there are any markers that are more likely to lead to metastasis and if so whereabouts most likely to be found . I cannot afford it anymore..........otherwise I would carry on with it

Hernie · January 2016

Lily, what exactly did the naturopath do with this information? If you have any specific information, please share it. I'd be very interested.

ksusan · January 2016

Let's not dis naturopaths as a group. Mine is more conservative than my MO in many ways and extremely empirical research-based. My MO defers to her for issues like appropriate level of magnesium intake and supplement/drug interactions. Look for one who's got "FABNO" after their name (Fellow, American Board of Naturopathic Oncology).

Hernie · January 2016

Please explain what you understand by "empirical research". This is the very problem with naturopaths.

Please also explain what one needs to do to get those letters. I am indeed curious to know.

ksusan · January 2016

Scientific journals also utilized by my MO. Annals of Clinical This and That. Peer-reviewed, double-blind, etc.

Heidihill · January 2016

From their website, RGCC is based in Switzerland but the labs are in Greece. They are supposed to be specialists in circulating tumor cells so I'm a bit surprised my doctor did not send me to them. I had tests done twice and each time I had to send my blood to Germany. Once by a hired driver/courier and the second time I drove to the border and sent it by mail so it would get there next morning to be examined. The blood had to be relatively fresh so I'm not sure how the Greek labs can work with older blood samples. I think you'd be better off with US labs to get more reliable results. If the blood has to sit in a foreign customs office, it may not be usable.

Lily55 · January 2016

They use special insulated polystyrene boxes with a special cold gel to keep the blood fresh en route to Greece. It goes by DHL Express with a time frame to deliver within.

My naturopath looked at the results, then told me which natural things were most appropriate for dealing with those levels - AND she was very pro aromastase inhibitors, she says there is nothing natural as powerful as those. My levels changed between one lot of blood tests and another . one year in between. Her approach was three pronged, to increase number of natural killer cells, to use anti angiogénesis approach (Super Arteminisin) to cut off blood supply to any changing cells as they call for a blood supply when just 2MM (not a tipo) and to prevent inflammation (I think this was the third one). Liposomal Curcumin, Salvestrol Platinum, vitamin D3, Indole 3 Carbinol, Liposomal Vitamin C were all part of the régimen. I cannot afford liposomal versions anymore but still take those substances......

letranger · January 2016

Thanks for chiming in with the info everyone! So glad to hear from a couple of you who actually did it. I'm curious, too, what was done with the info? As I mentioned in my initial post, no one seems to pay attention to my blood tests, always saying they results are fine. I am FOR ANYTHING that will help me get rid of these brain mets and be healthy so I have an open mind.

I am still trying to choose a naturopath and will very likely add one to my med team. Vit C infusions seem really popular but I have to ask my clinical doc if I can get them while on the trial I start next week.

Thanks again! letranger

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