We know that interpreting your lab results can be confusing. Remember, Google is not a substitute for a medical professional when interpreting your health. Use the internet only for clarification of parameters. And read these 6 Tips...
Blood tests are almost inevitable in health care. Whether it is preventative or for controlling illness.
The good news is that health is increasingly in the hands of consumers. This means that more technology is available to measure your own health. And measuring is knowing!
- Understand the parameters
To understand the functions of parameters, also known as biomarkers, it is advisable to enter them into a dashboard that explains how your blood values work. A good example is InsideTracker.
- Realize where you are doing well
Normally, a doctor will look at where you might be at risk. But if your result is within the reference values, the doctor doesn't always want to discuss your result in detail. "No news is good news. Still, try to determine for yourself where you score well. What food and lifestyle choices keep you out of the risk area? Do you know what influence nutrition, exercise, relaxation and less drinking have on your blood values? At the moment a lot of attention is being paid to this in the media by programmes such as Hoe wordt ik 100? (Omroep Max) and The Institute (BNN).
- View everything in context
To assess your overall health, it's important to remember that your body is like a machine, with many parts working together.
When looking at your results, it is important to know the difference between 'less sick' and 'optimal health'. If a parameter falls within the reference value, this does not necessarily mean that the parameter is also optimised.
Moreover, it is important to look deeper. Take cholesterol and triglycerides, for example. Most are familiar with these and have tested these blood values regularly. Of course, these parameters are important, but there are many others that give a clear picture of our health, such as hs-CRP or ApoB.
An abnormal result may be an indication of a disease, but further investigation of related parameters may reveal a completely different situation.
- Identify risks (if any)
Knowing what not to do is just as important as knowing what to do. Identify risks and potential risks to prepare for the next step in improving your health.
- Make an action plan and set a goal
Your blood is completely renewed every 120 days. When you have your blood tested every so often, you can clearly see the difference caused by your diet, supplements and lifestyle changes. This helps you to see the connection between the actions you take to improve your health and how they affect your body.
Try to set achievable goals. When you set clear goals, it is easier to see when you are successful. This can help you maintain your healthy lifestyle.
- Keep your results in a safe place
With a safe place for your results you can:
- Seeing your results over time.
- Keep everything in one place. This gives you more control over your own medical file.
- Once you have your results safely stored on your mobile or laptop, it is convenient to view them at any time.
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Bianca
at Dec 11, 2016