Show Your Heart Some Love and Live Longer

When you think of February, images of hearts probably come to mind thanks to the celebration of Valentine’s Day on the 14th. In addition to emotional attention given to your significant other, friends, and family — it is your own heart you should show some love to at this time. February is American Heart Month – a federally designated awareness month to raise consciousness about heart health.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cardiovascular disease, which includes heart disease and stroke, is the leading cause of death across the globe. Every 42 seconds, someone has a heart attack, and each minute, in the United States, someone dies from a heart disease-related event. More than 17.3 million deaths are related to heart issues each year — a number expected to rise to more than 23.6 million within the next ten years.

What Is Heart Disease?

Heart disease is a blanket term that refers to several different heart conditions. The most common type of heart disease is coronary artery disease, which could lead to heart attacks. Most of the time, and for most people, the first sign or symptom of heart disease is chest pain.

Heart attacks are often thought of as sudden, but the issue that causes them develops over time. A substance called plaque builds up inside of the arteries, and causes the arteries to narrow, which reduces blood flow to the heart, and eventually triggers a heart attack.

Risk Factors For Heart Disease

Almost half of all Americans (47 percent) have at least one risk factor for heart disease. However, some risk factors cannot be controlled, such as family history.

On the risk list are:

High Cholesterol
High Blood Pressure
Diabetes Or Pre-Diabetes
Smoking
Obesity

Steps to a Healthy Heart

While heart disease is not curable, the good news is that it can be treated and possibly prevented. Here are some preventative measures to help reduce your risk of heart disease.

• Eat a heart-healthy diet
• Stay active
• Quit smoking and stay away from secondhand smoke
• Control your cholesterol and blood pressure
• If you drink alcohol, drink only in moderation
• Manage stress

Make a Commitment to Your Heart Health

As you continue to set new goals this year, make a commitment to yourself to keep your heart healthy. The first step is to take action. The Any Lab Test Now® Heart Health Panel provides an affordable and convenient overview of your heart health status. This panel can be used to provide a baseline assessment of your cardiovascular health, to help you and your doctor evaluate and monitor possible risks. There are four components provided within the Any Lab Test Now® Heart Health Panel.

They include:

Lipoprotein Particle Protein Basic (LPP) – Overall cardiovascular risk assessment
Complete Metabolic Panel (CMP) – Evaluate the body’s electrolyte balance and the status of major body organs
C-Reactive Protein (CRP) High Sensitivity – Inflammation marker used to evaluate the risk of cardiovascular disease
Homocysteine – Evaluate the risk of coronary heart disease, atherosclerosis, and other cardiovascular diseases

New Year, Better You!

While various heart problems may be inherited, many forms of heart disease can be prevented or treated with healthy lifestyle choices. Once you get your test results, you can work with a doctor on a plan to treat and improve the health of your heart. Between work, social activities, and taking care of a family, it may be easy to forget to take care of yourself. However, it’s important to make sure your heart’s health is top-notch, especially if you’re the heart of the household.

Your cardiovascular system is important for your quality of life, so make February the month you take charge of your habits and make an improvement in your health. Any Lab Test Now® has more than 200 convenient locations across the country to help you Take Control of Your Health®. You can make an appointment online, or by phone, or just walk in.

Click here to find a location near you and start loving your heart and living your best life.

The Need to Know on DNA Testing

Thanks to a surge in the sales of pregnancy tests, couples could soon be asking an important question. Who’s the father? An estimated 300,000 paternity tests are performed in the United States every year. Thanks to improved testing and technology, men and women no longer need to leave the paternity of a child in question. DNA tests provide simplified answers to the fatherhood question.

Check out the facts:

Three percent of all fathers in the U.S. have no idea that a child they believe is their own is not their biological child.
About one in three men who take a paternity test will discover they are not the biological father.
DNA tests, like those offered at Any Lab Test Now®, are 99.999 percent accurate.

Legally Admissible DNA Paternity Test

There are two kinds of paternity tests. The first is the legal forensic test, ordered by courts for child support and custody cases. One reason a court might order a DNA test is to rule out paternity fraud. This is when a woman intentionally leads a man into thinking that he is the father of her child, when in fact, she knows that he is not. Any Lab Test Now offers a Legally Admissible DNA Paternity Test. This test is required when a person attempts to seek or deny child support, child custody, or visitation; seek medical, social security. Or even receive military benefits; add or remove a name from the child’s birth certificate and/or voluntary acknowledgment of paternity, immigration, and adoption.

Informational Paternity

The second type of paternity testing is considered informational and cannot be used for a legal purpose. The Informational Paternity Test is discretionary and used for peace of mind.

How Paternity Testing Works

The process is very simple and easy. For a Legally-Admissible Paternity Test, the father and child must come to the testing site in person. An Any Lab Test Now technician collects skin cells from the child and the alleged father from the inside of the mouth using a soft swab. The DNA of the potential father is analyzed to determine the probability that his genetic markers are found in the child. Test results are available in an average of three to five business days after specimens are collected from all tested parties.

For an Informational Paternity Test, participants have the option of in-person sampling or a home collection kit that can either be picked up at the lab location or purchased online. Once the kit arrives at your home, you can collect the samples yourself and ship them back to Any Lab Test Now for testing.

Did You Know?

If the alleged father is deceased, Any Lab Test Now may still be able to help determine paternity. It will depend on the type of sample available or members of the alleged father’s bloodline who are willing to participate. This avenue is a blood sample that may have been collected by a medical examiner if an autopsy was performed. If no such samples are available, a specimen from a family member close to the alleged father, such as a biological brother, would also work.

Any Lab Test Now even offers an option for grandparents to help determine paternity with its Grandparentage test. This test is an indirect way to determine a family relationship and is very useful when an alleged father is unavailable or unwilling to participate in a paternity test.

Check out our FAQ page for answers to many frequently asked paternity questions.

DNA Testing is Easy

Don’t let questions of genetic relationships remain unanswered. With Any Lab Test Now, you can rest easy knowing you’ve taken the proper paternity test for your needs. Your confidential results will be shared with you in a timely manner.

Any Lab Test Now provides you with a safe and clean alternative location for lab work, including paternity testing. Each of our 190+ stores is sanitized several times a day, in accordance with the CDC’s protocols. Book an appointment online, or walk into an Any Lab Test Now location near you to find the answers to your paternity questions and ensure your child has a healthy future.

Tired of Feeling Tired? The small gland that can make a big difference!

More than 20 million Americans have some form of thyroid disease. However, an estimated 60 percent of people are unaware they have a problem with their thyroid. The thyroid is a small gland, but when it comes to your health, plays a big role. The butterfly-shaped thyroid sits inside your throat, just under your voice box. Small in size, this gland plays a major part in several bodily functions, including your metabolism.

Your thyroid makes two hormones — T3 and T4. These hormones regulate the speed at which your cells work. Too much of these hormones, and you may find yourself with a pounding heart, sudden weight fluctuations, and feeling exhausted all the time.

As we observe National Thyroid Awareness Month this January,
let’s take time to understand the most common thyroid diseases and their symptoms.

Hyperthyroidism

When the thyroid gland produces too much of the hormone thyroxine (T4), this is hyperthyroidism. Hyper, of course, means overactive, which describes what is happening to your thyroid. It drives your body’s metabolism into high speed, which may lead to unexpected weight loss and rapid or irregular heart palpitations.

Other hyperthyroidism symptoms include:

Nervousness, anxiety, and irritability
Increased appetite
Changes in menstrual patterns
Increased sensitivity to heat
Thinning skin
Fine, brittle hair
Trembling
Muscle weakness
Problems sleeping
Irregular bowel movements
Goiter – swelling at the neck from an enlarged thyroid

If not treated, hyperthyroidism can lead to other health problems, including:

Graves’ Disease – This autoimmune disorder is a common cause of hyperthyroidism. A classic symptom of Graves’ disease is that the tissues and muscles behind the eyes swell, which makes the eyes bulge or protrude.

Osteoporosis – Too much thyroid hormone can block calcium absorption into your bones, making them brittle and subject to breaking.

Infertility – Women with an overactive thyroid can have difficulty getting pregnant. The condition can also be harmful to the mother and baby during pregnancy.

Hypothyroidism

The opposite of hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, occurs when the thyroid doesn’t produce enough T4 or its counterpart hormone T3 (triiodothyronine). The result is a slowing down of many bodily functions. Sometimes people write off the symptoms of hypothyroidism as a component of aging. However, left untreated, it can lead to obesity, joint pain, infertility, and heart disease.

Symptoms of hypothyroidism include:

Unexplained weight gain
Extreme fatigue
Hypersensitivity to cold
Constipation
Dry skin
Hoarseness
Puffiness in the face
Muscle aches, tenderness, stiffness, and weakness
Elevated blood cholesterol
Thinning hair and dry skin
Slower heart rate
Depression
Forgetfulness

Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis– The most common cause of hypothyroidism. It is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation of the thyroid. With Hashimoto’s, your body produces antibodies that attack and destroy the thyroid gland.

Diagnosing Thyroid Issues

If you’ve ever had a yearly physical, your doctor most likely placed their hands gently on each side of your windpipe and asked you to swallow. This is the most basic way to check for any abnormal bumps or enlargement of your thyroid gland.

Your doctor can confirm a thyroid issue with one simple lab test. The Basic Thyroid Panel offered by Any Lab Test Now combines convenience and affordability. This panel consists of three tests, which measure the balance of the three main hormones in the thyroid system.

They include:

TSH: Thyroid Stimulating Hormone is the most important of the hormones in the thyroid system. It stimulates or acts on the thyroid gland, telling it how much of the actual thyroid hormones need to be produced.
T4: This hormone is made by the thyroid, travels throughout the body, and is converted into T3.
T3: The active form of T4. This is the hormone that goes into the cells and controls their function throughout the body.

What to Expect During Your Visit

There is no need to make an appointment; walk-ins are always welcome. There is no need for a doctor’s order either, so you can skip the step (and the co-pay) of making an appointment with your doctor to get a prescription for testing.

The results of your thyroid screening will serve as a blueprint for your physician to prescribe the correct dose of medication. Then later in the year, you can continue to follow up with Any Lab Test Now for additional testing to find out if the treatment is working.

New Year, Better You…Take Care of Yourself

Whether you believe in setting a New Year’s resolution or not, the start of a new year is always an opportune time to create a new habit or three that’ll lead to a healthier, more fulfilling life.

To help you have a fresh start in 2022, utilize Any Lab Test Now for access to 8000+ lab testing options designed to help you monitor the health of your body. We want you to Take Control of Your Health® when it comes to seeking out any type of lab work, including determining the health of your thyroid.

We provide you with a safe and clean alternative location for lab work. Any Lab Test Now is a committed partner in helping you manage your family’s healthcare so you can make educated decisions that will directly affect your quality of life.

Find your closest Any Lab Test Now store at www.anylabtestnow.com.

Taking Charge of Your Health in Uncertain Times

Taking Charge of Your Health in Uncertain Times

Just one scroll through your social media feed and it does not take long to find someone with some sort of personal story about how coronavirus continues to change the world around them. You might see kids going to school via ZOOM, parents working 40 hour-a-week jobs from the dining room table or friends asking for advice about something that’s not so easy to find during a pandemic.

During this unusual time, you may have many questions about taking control of your health and maintaining your health.

When Your Health Depends on Regular Lab Testing

How often do you get blood work? Is it just for your annual checkup? If you suffer from an acute illness, like diabetes or a thyroid condition, you are probably rolling up your sleeve a lot more than once a year.

As always, you want to be sure that you have a trusted option for routine lab work, so it’s important to know that during the pandemic, Any Lab Test Now is not testing for COVID-19. If you are required to get frequent lab tests, you can rest assured that we do provide a safe and clean location.

Diabetes is not something you can take lightly. According to the CDC’s most recent report, more than 34 million Americans are living with the disease. It is essential and potentially lifesaving for diabetics to continue to monitor their condition. During the COVID-19 outbreak, many diabetics are getting a Diabetes Maintenance Panel at Any Lab Test Now instead of risking exposure at a medical provider’s office.

If you know anyone who suffers from thyroid issues, you know living with it is a constant battle to stay balanced. There are two types of thyroid disorders. Hypothyroidism is the most common thyroid disorder and it consists of dealing with weight gain, mood swings, fatigue and even hair loss. On the other end of the spectrum, hyperthyroidism causes you to lose weight unexpectedly. Finding a treatment that works for you is crucial in order to feel your best and avoid further issues. Most likely, your doctor is going to require that you consistently get blood tests like the Thyroid Panel at Any Lab Test Now to monitor your levels.

No matter if it is thyroid disease, diabetes, or another acute illness, we make it easy to get the required tests that you need to help you and your doctor determine whether your prescriptions need to be adjusted.

Limited Exposure

Mid-March 2020 is when most of the country started adjusting to coronavirus quarantine life. As you probably know very well by now, all that time sheltering in place limited your exposure to sunlight and now your vitamin D levels could be out of whack. If you are struggling to keep your eyes open or experiencing leg cramps you could have a Vitamin D deficiency.

Why is Vitamin D Important?

Builds strong bones
Helps to improves lung function
Protects against heart disease
Reduces risk of diabetes
Prevents depression

Low levels of Vitamin D can increase your risks for potentially fatal conditions like heart disease, vascular disease or stroke. The best way to know if you are getting enough Vitamin D is to get a specific blood test that we offer at Any Lab Test Now. You can get most test results back within 24-72 hours, and you can share those details with your physician.

If you are Vitamin D deficient, you should keep in mind Vitamin D is not a natural ingredient in many foods. You can talk to your doctor about either taking a supplement or adding foods rich in Vitamin D, like salmon, mushrooms, or yogurt to your diet.

During the coronavirus pandemic and beyond, Any Lab Test Now is a safe, affordable location for you to check your Vitamin D levels, as well as get access to more than 1,000 other lab tests that we offer.

We are committed to helping you manage your healthcare so that you can make educated decisions that can improve your quality of life. There has never been a more critical time for Americans to take control of their health. Any Lab Test Now is here to help you Be at Ease during this challenging time.

Top 5 Signs of Iron Deficiency

Top 5 Signs of Iron Deficiency

Are you falling asleep during your favorite TV show, or nodding off during a conference call at the office? Getting tested for iron deficiency might be the solution to your exhaustion.

The human body needs oxygen to function properly. Organs and tissues rely on red blood cells to carry oxygen, in the form of hemoglobin, from the lungs. Anemia occurs when you lack enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to your body. Iron deficiency anemia is a common form of anemia and occurs when your body doesn’t have enough iron, according to Mayo Clinic. Insufficient iron can make it hard to find the energy to do everyday activities and may be why you have trouble staying awake to read your book or lack the energy to attend yoga class.

Approximately 10 million people in the United States are iron deficient, the National Institute of Health reports. Children and older adults are at a higher risk for iron deficiency. The main culprit for low iron is a poor diet. If your diet lacks iron, protein, and vitamins — especially B12 — you have an increased risk for anemia. Low iron can also be related to blood loss or medical conditions that prevent your body from absorbing iron during digestion.

Symptoms of Iron Deficiency

While some people with mild iron deficiency may not initially have any symptoms, many people will start to experience the following five symptoms if iron intake remains low.

Fatigue and weakness. Low red blood cell counts result in a decrease in the amount of oxygen being delivered to your body’s various organs, causing fatigue.

Pale skin. Hemoglobin gives blood its red color. Lower levels of hemoglobin in the blood can cause people with iron deficiencies to be pale.

Chest pain. The heart has to work harder to deliver oxygen to the body if you suffer from anemia, which can cause chest pain or an irregular heartbeat.

Headache. Insufficient oxygen delivery to the brain can cause blood vessels to swell and make your head hurt.

Shortness of breath. Breathing rates increase when the body tries to get more oxygen. Simple tasks, like walking or climbing stairs, may wear you out and cause you to be short of breath.

Other symptoms can include restless leg syndrome and pica, a craving for nonfood items, such as ice or dirt. Some signs of iron deficiency also include brittle nails or spooning of the nails, cracks at the sides of the mouth, and swelling or soreness of the tongue, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

If left untreated, iron deficiency can cause a host of problems and can be life-threatening. Over time, iron deficiency can cause depression, heart problems, an increased risk of infection, motor or cognitive delays in children, and pregnancy complications.

Get Tested at Any Lab Test Now

Any Lab Test Now offers a comprehensive Anemia Panel to determine if you need to talk to your doctor about adding an iron supplement to your diet. You do not need to fast for this test, and you don’t need insurance to take advantage of Any Lab Test Now’s affordable lab testing. Walk in to any of the more than 170 locations nationwide and get a quick blood test to determine if your iron level is the culprit of your fatigue. Test results generally take between 24 to 72 business hours, and customers can choose to have test results mailed, faxed or pick them up at the testing location.

Changing Diet Can Boost Iron Levels

The good news is that treatment for low iron is relatively easy for most people. Many doctors recommend an iron supplement as a quick fix. But, if your anemia panel reveals low iron levels, making small changes to your diet can help increase your energy and banish fatigue.

Eat foods high in iron, like dried beans, dried fruits, eggs, lean red meat, salmon, iron-fortified breads and cereals, peas, tofu, dried fruits, and dark green leafy vegetables.
Foods rich in vitamin C, such as oranges, strawberries, and tomatoes, can help your body absorb iron.
Avoid drinking black tea, it can reduce your body’s ability to absorb iron.
Some reports suggest cooking in a cast-iron skillet will transfer some of the iron from the pan to your meal.

Any Lab Test Now offers fast and affordable lab testing. Visit your local Any Lab Test Now location to increase your productivity and boost your energy today.

Tackling Food Intolerance With a Simple Test

If you need a nap on Thanksgiving after indulging in all the delicious food, you’re not alone. But if tackling a big plate of turkey with all the fixings makes your stomach ache, overeating might not be the reason for your discomfort.

One in four people have a food intolerance, but many are unaware because they already tested negative for food allergies. A food allergy sparks an immune system reaction and can produce life-threatening symptoms. A food intolerance, on the other hand, causes a host of digestive issues, including nausea, cramps, diarrhea and gas. In many cases, a person with a food sensitivity lacks the enzymes needed to digest the protein found in certain foods. The most common culprits of food intolerance are dairy and gluten, according to Mayo Clinic.

Don’t miss any Thanksgiving football games by continuing to eat the same foods that send you to the bathroom this holiday season. A visit to your nearest Any Lab Test Now location can help alleviate some of your holiday stress by helping you learn what foods you need to avoid during the season and beyond. Any Lab Test Now provides walk-in medical testing without a trip to the doctor’s office.

A certified medical assistant at your local Any Lab Test Now location can consult with you on your symptoms to determine which simple blood test is right for you. The Gluten Allergy Tests lgE will let you know whether you have a food intolerance to gluten. If you don’t think gluten is responsible for your stomach woes, Any Lab Test Now offers a 50 food panel, which will get to the bottom of your discomfort.

Aside from lacking enzymes needed to digest certain foods, other causes of food intolerance include:

Irritable bowel syndrome
Sensitivity to food additives
Stress
Celiac disease — an autoimmune disease that flares when a person eats gluten. Approximately 3 million Americans suffer from this disease, according to WebMD

Key triggers to avoid

While gluten and dairy are the top sources of food intolerance, they are not the only two foods that give people grief. Chemicals added to food to prevent bacteria growth and add flavor, like MSG, wreak havoc on the digestive tract, revealed Cleveland Clinic. Sulfites hide out in red wine and occur naturally in some foods. Dried fruits, canned food and baked goods often contain sulfites. And the bad news is, many of these food triggers are part of your Thanksgiving spread in the form of pies, casseroles and alcoholic beverages.

Long laundry-list of symptoms

Most people with a food intolerance complain about digestive distress — nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, gas and bloating are all common. But the symptoms of food sensitivity do not end when the toilet flushes. Food intolerance can also cause heartburn, headaches, irritability and nervousness, Cleveland Clinic reported. Some patients report joint pain and overall fatigue. Patients with sulfite sensitivity can suffer from mild wheezing to a more serious breathing problem requiring medical attention, WebMD revealed.

The diagnosis of a food sensitivity does not have to ruin your holiday fun. There are three simple strategies you can take once you know your food intolerances.

Find a food substitution

Gluten-free substitutes for pasta, breads and sweets can be found at any grocery store. If you’re diagnosed with an intolerance to dairy, make your mashed potatoes with a non-dairy alternative such as oat milk or lactose-free milk. Relying on food substitutions is trickier during the holiday season because someone else is often doing the cooking, but paying attention to ingredients and making alternatives of your favorite dishes will pay off.

Cut back on portion size

Holiday tables typically welcome elastic pants and loosened belts. Eating big meals, finishing the bottle of wine and sneaking cookies all add to the magic of the season. Don’t be afraid to indulge, but cut portion sizes on your food triggers. Many people with food sensitivities can alleviate unpleasant symptoms simply by eating smaller portions of the offending food. This Thanksgiving, take half a piece of pumpkin pie if you have a sensitivity to gluten, instead of double helpings. Your stomach will thank you.

Read food labels

Gluten and dairy are easy to spot. But some of the other food triggers are difficult to identify. Reading food labels is an easy way to make sure to avoid many of the problematic flavor enhancers and food dyes causing your food intolerance. If you think a food you typically serve on Thanksgiving might contain one of these hidden ingredients, take a few minutes away from the flurry of preparations for the big meal to read the label.

Knowing your food triggers can help you manage your diet and put a halt to embarrassing and uncomfortable symptoms. Visit your local Any Lab Test Now to get your diagnosis before the holiday season arrives.

Presumptive Evidence of Immunity – Why It Is Important To You

So what is “presumptive evidence of immunity” and why should you care about it? In honor of National Immunization Awareness Month, Any Lab Test Now wants you to take a moment to think about measles, mumps, and rubella (also known as German measles). These aren’t diseases that too many of us spend time thinking about because we were most likely immunized against them when we were very little.

But how do you know that an immunization is still effective when you received it so long ago that you can’t even remember it? The CDC recommends that children get two doses of the MMR vaccine with the first dose starting at age 12 to 15 months. The second dose is usually given between the ages of 4 through 6. For most of us, that’s a pretty long time ago! If you received the shot as a child and you still have proof of it, you have “presumptive evidence of immunity.”

That’s not good enough for some people. Some people in high-risk situations may want more concrete evidence. Any Lab Test Now offers you a way to see if your vaccine is still protecting you — keeping you from worrying or from receiving an unnecessary shot. It’s called MMR Titer Testing. Simply put, it’s a blood test that checks to see if you are immune to measles, mumps, and rubella.

MMR Titer Testing

For some people, MMR Titer Testing provides peace of mind; for others, it might be required. No matter which category you fall into, Any Lab Test Now can provide you with certified lab results that will either prove you are safe — or let you know that you need to take action. Who might consider MMR Titer Testing? Turns out, a surprising number of people!

College Students – According to the CDC, students at post-high school educational institutions who do not have presumptive evidence of immunity need two doses of MMR vaccine, separated by at least 28 days.

International Travelers – Each year, unvaccinated people get infected while in other countries, bring the disease into the United States and spread it to others. Each year, an estimated 10 million people are affected by measles, and the disease kills almost 110,000 people around the world! Measles, in particular, is so contagious that if just one person has it, up to 90 percent of the people close to them who are not immune will also become infected.

Healthcare Personnel – People who work in hospitals and doctor’s offices are at high risk and have to have documented proof of protection.

Women of Childbearing Age – If you’re thinking about becoming pregnant, you might want to check for evidence of immunity before pregnancy. Another important point: women should avoid getting pregnant for at least one month after getting the MMR vaccine.

If you’ve managed to keep your childhood immunization record then you have presumptive evidence of immunity. Also, if you were born before 1957, you should be covered as well. Otherwise, your local Any Lab Test Now is available to provide you with the proof of protection you need.

What’s the One Blood Test All Student Athletes Are Required to Have?

It is no surprise that student athletes participate in high intensity workouts. Whether it’s for conditioning, during practice time or game time, an athlete is continuously placed in situations where they need to raise their heart rate and push their bodies to the limit. Because of this, it is extremely important for school athletic directors and coaches to make sure that their student athletes are healthy and that their bodies can endure the physical activity expected of them.

There is one health condition in particular that could hinder a student athlete from truly competing to their best ability. This condition is known as sickle-cell trait. Inherited from a parent, sickle-cell trait can cause red blood cells to sickle and block blood vessels, denying oxygen to muscles and organs. If a student athlete with sickle-cell trait over-exhausts their body due to physical activity, their health could be put in serious danger if their oxygen supply iscut-off.

In order to ensure that this risk never becomes a reality, colleges require their NCAA student athletes to receive a sickle-cell trait blood test. Fortunately, as long as the coaches are aware of the diagnosis and take proper precautions with their diagnosed athletes,those athletes can still enjoy a successful and healthy athletic career. And all the student athlete readers said, “Whew!”

If you are an aspiring athlete and want to check on your health before heading into your college career, especially if attending a Division I or Division II school, contact your local Any Lab Test Now® today and let us help you get the answers you need. Our Sickle Cell Anemia Screen will test you for the sickle-cell trait and give you fast, quality results that you, your doctor, and your coach can use to ensure that your athletic career has a bright and long-lasting future.

Hormones: The Boss of Your Body

If you think about your body as a factory, then your hormones are the “upper middle-management.” Researchers often refer to hormones as chemical messengers. That’s because they basically are in the business of telling other hormones or organs what to do! There are many different hormones, and some of them play a bigger role in your health than others.

When everything is in proper balance, the factory is working like a dream — meaning your body is at optimal health. But even a small imbalance can create serious and sometimes life-altering issues. Hormones control most of your major bodily functions from the simple to the complex: everything from reproduction to your emotions. So when it comes to weight gain and obesity, it makes sense to consider your hormones as a possible culprit. Any Lab Test Now can help you understand the message your hormones are sending.

HORMONES AND YOUR WEIGHT

The Weight Management Take Home Hormone Kit consists of a dried blood spot test and a saliva test. It will provide you and your doctor with a lot of information by measuring your bioavailable hormone levels. Your results might explain weight gain, obesity, abdominal fat, low metabolism, and a high BMI (Body Mass Index).

The Weight Management Take Home Hormone Kit is actually nine tests in one.

Estradiol (E2) – this is basically a form of estrogen. It is found in both women and men. This hormone helps to regulate metabolism and body weight. Low levels of it may lead to weight gain.
Progesterone (Pg) – another hormone found in both men and women.
Testosterone (T) – also found in both men and women. This hormone has a role in helping with muscle growth and remember — muscles burn more calories than fat.
DHEA–S (DS) – helps in evaluating your adrenal gland function.
Diurnal Cortisol (Cx4) – helps determine your level of cortisol, a steroid hormone released by your adrenal gland.
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) – checks your body’s production of TSH, which helps regulate how your body uses energy.
Vitamin D (D2, D3) – low levels of this vitamin may lead to weight gain according to some studies.
Insulin (In) – this test measures your insulin production. Insulin is produced by the pancreas and used by the body to transport and convert glucose into usable energy.
Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) – checks your blood glucose levels and can detect pre-diabetes.

If you’ve been watching what you eat and getting plenty of exercise, but you’ve still got stubborn weight and fat (particularly in the abdomen) then you should really consider the Weight Management Take Home Hormone Kit. With the results, you’ll be able to identify specific hormonal imbalances that contribute to excess weight gain or obesity, which lead to a whole host of concerning health issues. That includes things like insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes. With Any Lab Test Now’s Weight Management Take Home Hormone Kit, you’ll have early detection of these markers that will allow you and your doctor to address the issues early.

Make sure your hormones are sending the right messages to your body! Any Lab Test Now can provide you with this simple kit that you can take in the privacy of your own home. You’ll get the answers you need to take control of your journey towards better health.

OBESITY, DIETS, AND MALNUTRITION: HOW THE THREE ARE CONNECTED

We all have an image in our minds about malnutrition and what that looks like. But, malnourishment isn’t just an issue for the very poor in third world countries. It can affect all people, both rich and poor, both hungry and satisfied, in cities around the world. What connects malnutrition to all of these different groups? More and more often, we’re finding that obesity and diets share a connection. That’s why Any Lab Test Now believes it’s now more important than ever for you to be certain you are getting enough nutrition, because you certainly cannot judge by looks alone.

What is Malnutrition?

Let’s start by making sure we understand exactly what malnutrition is. According to the World Health Organization (WHO): “Malnutrition refers to deficiencies, excesses, or imbalances in a person’s intake of energy and/or nutrients.” It covers two broad areas. The first is “undernutrition.” Undernutrition includes underweight and micronutrient deficiencies or insufficiencies. The other is overweight and obesity. In plain speak, you can be malnourished even if you’re overweight, underweight, or even perfect weight, if you aren’t eating enough of a wide variety of nutritious foods. This can happen particularly if you are overweight or if you are on a diet or choosing a lifestyle that restricts or even abolishes certain foods.

Obesity and Malnourishment

Many people could look at themselves and think: “I can’t possibly be malnourished. I am getting more than enough to eat!” It has been said that Americans are overfed and undernourished. Diets of fast food and convenient processed products make life easier but aren’t able to provide a steady source of the nutrition our bodies need. But more and more, people are eating calorie dense/nutrient-poor diets. Evidence is mounting that despite excessive dietary consumption, obese individuals have high rates of micronutrient deficiencies which also appears to play an important role in the development of diabetes. Poverty also can play a role. Many of the cheapest foods available are often the highest in calories and the lowest in nutrition.

Diet and Malnourishment

On the flip side is our obsession with dieting and so-called “lifestyle diets.” Whatever you call it, many of these diets/lifestyles depend on the elimination of certain foods or even whole food groups! If you choose to follow one (or find that it’s medically necessary to follow one) it’s very important that you make sure you find acceptable sources to provide you with all the nutrition you need. Let’s take vegan/vegetarian as an example. Eating a plant-based diet offers health benefits, but if you do not make an effort to replace crucial nutrients found in meat, you can find yourself facing nutritional deficiencies.

Where do YOU Stand?

Take a critical look at your diet; if it includes a lot of fast foods, processed foods or if you are following a diet that includes food restriction you might want to consider a Basic Nutritional Panel from Any Lab Test Now. The Basic Nutritional Panel includes a variety of tests that can help you determine if you are getting enough nutrition, including:

Complete Blood Count (CBC)
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
Iron and Total Binding Capacity (TIBC)
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)
Folate
Vitamin D
Vitamin C
Zinc
Ferritin
Homocysteine

Remember — malnutrition may not “look” the way you expect. Some common signs are fatigue, dry hair, thin or spoon-shaped nails, dental problems, constipation, confusion or depression, and a weak immune system. The Basic Nutritional Panel offered by Any Lab Test Now can provide you with a broad picture of your health and should be considered if you are working toward a healthier diet — and a healthier self!

Also at Risk: The Elderly

It’s worth noting that our senior citizens are also prone to malnutrition for a variety of reasons. It could be because they have trouble getting to a store or a lack of money. Some seniors may feel lonely and isolated and have no desire to cook a proper meal for just themselves. Loss of appetite can also be a side effect of medications or a symptom of an illness. Any Lab Test Now encourages everyone to keep an eye on family, friends, and neighbors who may be at risk.

Remember, getting a test at Any Lab Test Now is easy. You don’t have to make an appointment and you don’t need a doctor’s orders. We are private, affordable, and convenient and there’s no better way to take control of your health.