Let’s talk about bloodwork

tl;dr If you’re only here for the bloodwork (no problem!), scroll down

I’m not a doctor. I’m simply sharing my story. Please consult with your doctor on any and all health issues.

I share a lot about what I do to lower my disease-risk,
improve my energy, mood, and brain health,
and match my behaviors and habits to what’s most important to me, which is health and healthspan.

My loved-ones, being part of a community, learning new skills are also important to me. I can’t be there or do those things if my mental or physical health is suffering.

Healthspan: the length of time a person is healthy, not just alive.

I visit my doctor annually for a check-up and bloodwork. Data can be a useful motivational tool.

My personal approach to my health is in partnership with my doctor. Decisions are my own.

I also want to know what the whole food plant-based doctors recommend. Previously, I talked about some of the doctors I follow online.

It’s useful to have some understanding of where the reference intervals come from and why some measurements, e.g. insulin and omega-3 fatty acids, are not included. We won’t go into that now.

How do you feel about getting bloodwork?

Am I concerned about my white blood cell count being below range?

No.

Initially, my doctor wanted to test trends in my WBC. My trend is below range WBC. She’s comfortable with that.

“White blood cells are immune system cells. They are like warriors waiting in your blood stream to attack invaders such as bacteria and viruses. When fighting an infection, your body produces more white blood cells.”

[source]

Based on what I’ve learned from plant-based doctors I follow online, low WBC is common for people who have low-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory diets.

Related research:

“…obesity was associated with higher WBC count and inflammatory parameters. There was also a positive relationship between WBC count and several inflammatory and metabolic risk factors in healthy women.”

[source]

Hold up. Wait a minute.

Is protein not part of the standard panel?!

I’m noticing this for the first time as I write this post. Is this new information to you too?

So, I googled it. BMP is a basic metabolic panel (no protein test). CMP is a comprehensive metabolic panel (includes protein test). [reference]

So why the protein-focus in our culture? I’m missing the supporting facts on that.

If doctors were concerned about protein, wouldn’t it be part of the basic panel (BMP)?

I won’t go down the protein rabbit-hole today, but it’s a (the most?!) common question asked of people who are plant-based, so I will talk about it in the future. I’m a woman over 50 on a vegan (plant-based) diet for the long haul and my doctor is not worried about my protein. Interesting.

I’ll ask my doctor about it next time. I’m guessing she didn’t opt for the CMP because she is using all of my other test results and what she knows about my lifestyle to make that call.

She has my Dexa Scan results for bone density. She also has a recent Whoop monthly performance assessment. I don’t know that the Whoop assessment matters to her, but it may help her better understand my overall health picture.

My last CMP was May 2023. My protein was 6.7 with a reference range of 6.0-8.5.

One caveat. I do not have a low calorie diet. If I did, I’d be concerned about a bunch of vitamins and minerals, not limited to protein.

Am I concerned about my sodium level?

It’s something to monitor.

I’ve upped my water intake significantly in the last 6-9 months. The body excretes sodium with high water intake. We also lose sodium through sweat.

I eat out occasionally, not often. My diet is low in processed foods. I don’t salt my food often. Not because I’m intentionally going for a no salt diet, but because I’m happy with the taste of vegetables as is.

What do restaurants and processed foods have in common? High sodium, typically.

This is the first time my sodium level has been below range. My doctor wants to monitor it.

I’ve been adding iodized salt to my water.

Is A1c below 5.6 better?

It’s not clear to me.

I requested an APO-A test from my doctor.

It’s not part of the basic or comprehensive panel. I recently learned of an instance of high APO-A in my family history and APO-A can have a genetic component.

“…high levels of lipoprotein (a) can put you at a higher risk of heart and blood vessel disease.”

[source]

I italicized ‘can’ because high APO-A does not mean there’s no lifestyle correlation.

What’s the APO-B test?

“Some healthcare providers believe an Apo B test is more accurate than a lipid panel (which measures all those cholesterol types) to estimate cardiovascular disease risk.”

[source]

What else was in my May 2023 panel, but not in this year’s?

Vitamin D
Vitamin B12

Both levels were within range.

Research indicates both are important for our health.

By important, I mean not to be neglected. They deserve their own blog posts.

What else was measured?

“High blood pressure can make your heart work too hard and lose strength. The high force of blood flow can damage your blood vessels, making them weak, stiff, or narrower. Over time, hypertension can harm several important organs, including your heart, kidneys, brain, and eyes.”

[source]

“Resting” heart rate reading May 2024. Resting is in quotes because sitting upright at the doctor’s office is not exactly resting

“…a lower heart rate at rest implies more efficient heart function and better cardiovascular fitness.”

[source]

Most fitness trackers, worn overnight, also provide resting heart rate (RHR) data.

There’s a fine line between seeking more data than we need vs. too little data vs. just the right amount of data. I’m trying to strike that balance for myself.

For anyone considering a plant-predominant diet, I hope it was helpful to see this example of 9 years plant-based; lots of whole foods, some minimally processed foods, occasional restaurants.

Thanks for reading!

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Eat more plants. 🥦 Hydrate.🚰 Move.🤸 Prioritize sleep. 🛌

Additional reading:

What Does a Low White Blood Cell Count Mean? NutritionFacts.org

Cover photo by @lanirudhreddy on Unsplash

Disclaimer

You should not rely on this information as a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about your health, you should always consult with a physician or other healthcare professional.

Healthspan: the length of time a person is healthy, not just alive.

My personal approach to my health is in partnership with my doctor. Decisions are my own.

Am I concerned about my white blood cell count being below range?

Related research:

Is protein not part of the standard panel?!

So why the protein-focus in our culture? I’m missing the supporting facts on that.

Am I concerned about my sodium level?

Is A1c below 5.6 better?

I requested an APO-A test from my doctor.

What’s the APO-B test?

What else was in my May 2023 panel, but not in this year’s?

What else was measured?

Eat more plants. 🥦 Hydrate.🚰 Move.🤸 Prioritize sleep. 🛌

Disclaimer

Let’s talk about bloodwork part II: kidneys

Easy ways to add more spices to your diet