I recently had some routine blood tests taken including a nutritional
profile, essential fatty acids and also an andropause profile amongst
others. A month ago I also submitted a sample of DNA to deCODEme labs
in Iceland as I am interested in potential genetic health problems
and consider that early detection of risk is very important since it
encourages one to be proactive about reducing the risk of being
affected by major ailments.

Where I have a significantly higher lifetime risk than the average
i.e. prostate cancer and type 2 diabetes I intend to strengthen my
defences however I am able. Whilst I am not aware of any very close
relatives who suffered from prostate cancer I do have an older uncle
who is presently affected. As for the type 2 diabetes - my
grandmother, on my mother's side, was diagnosed with this and my
younger siblings both presently have elevated blood sugar levels and
are considered by their doctors to be pre-diabetic.

I am presently 54 years old and was fortunate in contacting Kitty and
Paul just over a year ago at which time Paul made some pertinent
comments to me which encouraged me to consider how I could improve my
overall health. During 2008 I gradually made a number of lifestyle
changes - weight reduction, dietary improvements (reduction of
complex carbs. intake), alternate days of aerobic and resistance
exercise six times a week, reduction of salt and caffeine intake.
These changes, together, no doubt, with the research chemical
alagebrium chloride (ALT-711) and also l-arginine, helped me to
reduce my formerly high blood pressure of 144/78 pulse 72 to the
present 115/75 pulse 66 or thereabouts.

I've posted my various test results, along with a summary of the
supplements which I take at present, in the Files section. I'd be very
interested to read comments regarding both the results and my regular
supplement regimen since a number of my levels were outside
the "normal" range at the time of testing.

I was particularly surprised by the level of retinol. This was
significantly higher than the range maximum and yet I eat virtually
no fish or organ meats. I do however supplement with fish oil and
wonder if some fish make it whole to the processing rather than being
gutted prior. Anchovy liver, for example, has high levels of this
vitamin. I am told that fish oil manufacturers do not routinely test
for Vitamin A since the oil is produced from the flesh rather than
fish liver.

Inorganic phosphorus was lower than the minimum of the range and,
since this is affected by the Vitamin D level which was also low,
I've started supplementing additional Vitamin D and will re-test in
three months time.

Cholesterol is another area for some concern as my LDL is generally
elevated, however my HDL is also high giving a beneficially high
ratio between the two.

My Andropause Profile shows the luteinising hormone to be slightly
low and similarly my testosterone/SHBG ratio. I was quite surprised
by my testosterone level as this result has previously always been
high-normal - approximately double the level shown here. My DHEAS
level has regularly been on the low side and I would consider
supplementing with DHEA but now I have the results from my gene test
showing a heightened risk of PC it may not be a good idea to
interfere with my hormones.

Thanks in advance for any input!


Dave Brett