Essential 7: Home blood test kit

What does Easly’s general blood test involve?

In this comprehensive blood test, 7 biomarkers are tested. Below, we explain the importance of those biomarkers and the common disease states that fit them.

By analyzing biomarkers related to cardiovascular health, liver function, and iron levels, the Essential 7 health check package provides individuals with valuable information on their overall health status. This bloodwork can help identify potential health issues at an early stage, allowing individuals to take proactive steps to manage their health and prevent serious illnesses. This makes the Essential 7 full blood test kit an effective tool for proactive health management.

Overall, the Essential 7 package is an ideal choice for individuals who wish to do full blood count test for health check and take a preventive approach to their health. The home blood test is easy to use, reliable, and offers a comprehensive overview of an individual’s overall health status. By evaluating biomarkers related to cardiovascular health, liver function, and iron levels, the Essential 7 private blood test provides individuals with the information they need to take proactive steps to manage their health and prevent the onset of serious illnesses.

Why should I get a blood test for everything?

A comprehensive blood test provides the most complete picture of your health. Blood consists of various components: fluid or plasma (with various dissolved substances) and blood cells. Therefore, it is often less useful to measure the value of a single substance.

When something is wrong with your blood, it can lead to different symptoms depending on where the problem occurs. Below we have listed which blood cells we test and why it is important:

Hemoglobin

Hemoglobin is a protein and part of the red blood cell. Each red blood cell contains more than 200 million hemoglobin proteins. It plays a very important role in the oxygen supply to organs and tissues. A normal hemoglobin level is different for men and women, with lower levels accepted for women and especially pregnant women.

A low hemoglobin level will eventually lead to a lack of oxygen at the tissue level and can have serious consequences. Hemoglobin levels can also be too high, which can result from dehydration, lung diseases, bone marrow disorders, and high-altitude stays.

Hematocrit

Hematocrit measures the proportion of red blood cells in the blood. A high hematocrit level can have two causes: dehydration or an excess of red blood cells. A decreased hematocrit level indicates anemia. A normal hematocrit is slightly higher for men than for women.

Red blood cells

Red blood cells are also called erythrocytes. Erythrocytes are produced in the bone marrow and contain hemoglobin. They are essential for oxygen transport to organs and tissues. A shortage of red blood cells is called anemia.

White blood cells

White blood cells are also called leukocytes and are part of the immune system. The various types of leukocytes all play their own role in protection against infections. A normal value is between 4 and 10 and is not dependent on gender. An increase in leukocytes is called leukocytosis and often indicates an infection. In addition, there are other causes for a high white blood cell count, such as leukemia, severe stress, injury, or burns. A low white blood cell count is also possible, which is called leukopenia.

Platelets

Platelets are also called thrombocytes. Like erythrocytes, they are produced in the bone marrow. Platelets are an essential part of blood clotting – the process that stops a wound from bleeding. A normal value ranges from 150 to 400. A low value (thrombocytopenia) can lead to bleeding. A value lower than 30 can be a very dangerous situation and requires immediate attention from a doctor. A high value (thrombocytosis) can be caused by infections, iron deficiency, and bone marrow disorders.

What is the risk of cardiovascular disease

Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death in the Western world. Moreover, cardiovascular diseases cause a lot of disease burden as well as healthcare costs. So getting your blood tested regularly for everything and treating these kinds of diseases on time is important.

But what if we could get ahead of cardiovascular disease? In this, prevention plays a very important role! Therefore, from now on, do this blood test yourself at home. If you can assess the risk of a particular disease before it actually occurs, you can be mindful of your own health and make different, healthier choices. Think: weight reduction, quitting smoking, exercising more, eating healthier, etc. The biomarkers that can provide a good estimate of cardiovascular disease risk are:

• Cholesterol (total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides, the ratios)
• Renal function (creatinine, eGFR)
• Blood sugar (HbA1c and glucose in urine)
• Inflammation value (hs-CRP).

Do I have anemia?

In addition, the general health blood test “Essential 7” also determines the complete blood count and iron status. Thus, you will gain an insight into your overall health thanks to this blood test. Vitamins and minerals are easy to test from a blood draw. In addition, we can check for possible anemia.

Anemia is a deficiency of red blood cells containing hemoglobin. A deficiency may be the cause of a vague complaint such as fatigue. In some cases a harmless cause underlies the anemia and in some cases there is reason for further investigation.

How healthy is my liver?

As the largest and most versatile organ in the body, the liver plays a vital role in regulating a wide range of metabolic processes. Disruption of liver function can have significant downstream effects on many physiological processes, making it an essential component of any comprehensive health assessment.

The liver is responsible for the breakdown and processing of a wide range of nutrients, including carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Additionally, it serves as a critical filter for harmful substances in the blood, aiding in detoxification and preventing potential damage to other organs.

The liver also produces important substances such as fibrinogen, which is crucial in the process of blood clotting, and albumin, a transport protein necessary for maintaining proper fluid balance. Additionally, it produces CRP (C-reactive protein) and other proteins that play a role in immune defense.

Beyond its metabolic and synthetic functions, the liver also serves as a repository for a number of key substances, including glycogen, which can be converted into glucose to provide energy to cells. It also stores several important vitamins, such as vitamin B12 and vitamin D, as well as iron, an essential component of hemoglobin and many enzymes.

Given the broad scope of its functions and essential role in overall health, the assessment of liver values is a critical component of any comprehensive health evaluation.

At what symptoms is it best to test my blood levels?

Symptoms that may indicate cardiovascular disease

• Chest pain
• Jaw, neck or back pain
• Pain between the shoulder blades
• Pain in the upper abdomen
• Shortness of breath
• Extreme fatigue
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Irregular breathing

Symptoms that could possibly fit anemia

• Fatigue
• Short of breath on exertion
• Pale skin
• Tinnitus
• Feeling of fainting
• Dizziness
• Heart palpitations

Symptoms that may indicate a malfunctioning liver

• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Less appetite
• Weight loss
• Loss of muscle mass
• Yellow discoloration of the skin and/or whites of the eyes