Serum Testing

Question 1

C-Reactive Protein (CRP)

Answer 1

C-Reactive Protein (CRP): Can help to identify levels of low grade to extreme inflammation in the body.

• Normal CRP range: <5 mg / L.
• High sensitivity CRP (hsCRP) used by some specialist labs, hsCRP is a better measurement when looking for low grade inflammation (when looking for numbers between 2–5). Low grade inflammation is associated with cardiovascular disease, for example.
• Normal hsCRP range: 0.2 to 3 mg / L.

Question 2

Red blood cell nutrients

Answer 2

• Looks at the amount of minerals that have been taken up inside the RBC, which is more indicative of ‘tissue levels’ of minerals.
• Helpful for the more nuanced minerals and toxic minerals, and for essential fatty acid testing.
• Examples are nutrient and toxic elements profiles (Genova, Biolab, Invivo via ZRT).
• These are easier to read than OATs profiles, and more direct.
• Often used as a part of a bigger profile with mixed methodology testing.

Question 3

Mixed methodology nutrition tests

Answer 3

• Many functional labs will offer mixed methodology tests, where they use different markers i.e., serum, organic acids from urine or red blood cell levels to give a more complete profile.
• These are often more expensive.
• The bonus of these tests is that they often come with lots of interpretation.

Question 4

Hair mineral and toxic element analysis

Answer 4

• Provides an indication of mineral status and toxic metal accumulation provides a reading of mineral deposition in hair over a 2–3-month period.
• Now, with increased technology for measuring RBC levels of minerals, this is often the preferred option.
• Toxic metals can also be measured by urine clearance