I don’t go to the Doctor. I BUY my own Blood Tests: Here's why

Summary

In his latest video, Dr. Seil discusses essential blood tests he recommends for proactive health management outside the conventional healthcare system. Highlighting the importance of self-initiated testing, he lists 11 crucial tests, including Complete Blood Count, Complete Metabolic Panel, HbA1c, and vitamin D levels. Dr. Seil emphasizes the significance of understanding insulin resistance, inflammation markers, and hormonal levels. He advocates for individuals to take charge of their health by regularly checking these vital indicators, thereby fostering informed decision-making about their well-being.

Takeaways

• 😀 Dr. Seil prefers self-ordered blood tests over traditional healthcare due to time constraints and lack of personalized attention.
• 😀 The Complete Blood Count (CBC) is essential for assessing overall blood health, including hemoglobin and white blood cells.
• 😀 A Complete Metabolic Panel (CMP) provides crucial insights into kidney and liver function, along with electrolytes.
• 😀 HbA1c is a vital test for monitoring blood sugar levels and identifying pre-diabetes and diabetes.
• 😀 Fasting insulin levels are important for evaluating insulin resistance and metabolic health.
• 😀 Regular vitamin D testing is recommended, especially for those in northern climates where deficiency is common.
• 😀 Checking iron levels can help identify iron deficiency anemia, particularly in women.
• 😀 C-Reactive Protein (CRP) is an important marker for detecting inflammation within the body.
• 😀 A lipid panel helps assess cholesterol levels, though Dr. Seil cautions against overemphasis on these numbers.
• 😀 Thyroid function tests, starting with TSH, are crucial for overall metabolic health.
• 😀 Monitoring magnesium and phosphorus levels can provide insights into potential deficiencies.
• 😀 Testosterone levels should be checked in men, especially if they experience symptoms like lethargy.

Q & A

What is the purpose of getting blood tests every 12 to 18 months?

Regular blood tests help monitor important health indicators and detect any potential health issues early.

Why does the speaker choose to order blood tests independently rather than through a primary care doctor?

The speaker prefers to be proactive about their health and feels that standard healthcare interactions often lack personalization and thoroughness.

What does a Complete Blood Count (CBC) test for?

A CBC checks levels of hemoglobin, red and white blood cells, and platelets, which are important for overall health and detecting infections or inflammation.

What is included in a Complete Metabolic Panel (CMP)?

A CMP includes liver function tests, kidney function, electrolytes, protein levels, and calcium levels, providing a comprehensive view of metabolic health.

Why is the HbA1c test significant?

The HbA1c test measures average blood sugar levels over three months, helping assess insulin resistance, pre-diabetes, and diabetes.

What role does fasting insulin play in evaluating metabolic health?

Fasting insulin levels, when combined with fasting glucose levels, can be used to calculate HOMA-IR, which helps assess insulin resistance.

Why is vitamin D testing recommended?

Vitamin D is crucial for bone health, metabolic function, and immune response, making it important to monitor, especially in certain geographic areas.

What does the C-reactive protein (CRP) test indicate?

The CRP test detects inflammation in the body, which can be a sign of various underlying health conditions.

How does the speaker view lipid panels and cholesterol treatment?

The speaker believes that the focus on treating cholesterol levels is often too aggressive and prefers to address root causes rather than just numbers.

What thyroid function tests are suggested?

The speaker recommends starting with a TSH test, and if abnormal, further tests including T3 and T4 levels to assess thyroid health.