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Methylation is one of the most essential processes in our bodies, influencing everything from energy production to detoxification, mental wellbeing, and longevity. Despite its importance, most of us know very little about how well we methylate — or how methylation impacts our health.

### What is Methylation?

Methylation is a biochemical process where a ‘methyl group’ is added to molecules in your body, enabling key functions like DNA repair, neurotransmitter production, detoxification, and immune regulation. Methylation acts like a switch turning processes on or off to keep your body in balance.

The methylation process itself is part of a network of interconnected processes, forming primary and universal methyl donors. The universal methyl donor, SAM (S-adenosylmethionine), isn't just used for direct methylation but also acts as a cofactor. A cofactor is a substance that assists enzymes in their activity, helping to catalyze biochemical reactions. Some of the intermediates in these pathways also function as cofactors, aiding various cellular processes and recycling pathways.

When your body isn’t methylating properly, the effects can be far reaching impacting a number of systems in your body. These include:
- __Nervous system__ – causing mood imbalances, anxiety, or brain fog
- __Cardiovascular function__ – causing elevated homocysteine levels and increased heart disease risk
- __Detoxification pathways__ - causing toxin build-up and chemical sensitivities)
- __Immune system__ - causing chronic inflammation and increased vulnerability to illness

### What is a Methylation Profile?

Each of us fits into a unique methylation profile, shaped by specific genetic variations in our DNA. Genetic methylation testing identifies these variations in key methylation-related genes—MTHFR, MTR, MTRR, MTHFD1, PEMT, CBS, and COMT—which play crucial roles in supporting the methylation process.

Whether you’re struggling with fatigue, mood swings, digestive issues, or inflammation, knowing your methylation profile can help you to modify your diet, change your lifestyle, and more effectively supplement to better support your body’s methylation processes. 

So, what type of methylator are you? Let’s explore five common profiles.

__1.	The Undermethylator__

Undermethylators often have reduced methylation activity, resulting in a lack of methyl donors and key co factors for critical processes such as DNA/RNA synthesis, neurotransmitter synthesis and balance, detoxification, immune regulation and inflammation control.
This reduced activity affects the production of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, potentially resulting in mood instability, low motivation, and heightened sensitivity to stress. Inefficient methylation also hampers detoxification pathways, triggers oxidative stress leading to cell and tissue damage and metabolic issues, inflammatory regulation, contributing to symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, weakened immune function, and histamine-related issues such as allergies or skin reactions.

One of the most clinically significant traits of undermethylators is an increased risk of cardiovascular problems due to elevated levels of homocysteine, a key marker of inflammation.

__2.	The Overmethylator__

Overmethylators tend to have overactive methylation processes, leading to an excess of methyl donors. This imbalance disrupts related pathways. SAM (S-adenosylmethionine) aids in creating precursors for neurotransmitter and hormone synthesis. However, too many methyl donors can overwhelm these pathways, preventing new neurotransmitters and hormones from being properly broken down and balanced. This imbalance can temporarily boost energy levels  but the excess buildup of certain neurotransmitters and hormones can overstimulate the nervous system, leading to symptoms such as anxiety, irritability, insomnia, headaches, and restlessness.

Excessive methylation often results in elevated levels of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. While these chemicals are essential for mood and energy regulation, their overproduction or slow breakdown can overwhelm the nervous system, causing increased emotional and physical tension.

__3.	The Toxin Sensitive Methylator__

Toxin sensitive methylators exhibit traits similar to undermethylators but face additional challenges with toxin clearance. These individuals often experience chemical sensitivities, chronic inflammation, and hormone imbalances due to inefficient detoxification processes.

Methylation inefficiencies hinder the body’s ability to eliminate metabolic byproducts, toxins, and heavy metals, leading to their accumulation. This build-up can contribute to chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and systemic issues like fatigue, brain fog, and skin sensitivities, placing further strain on the liver and immune system.

__4.	The Gut-Impaired Methylator__

Gut-Impaired methylators often face digestive issues, nutrient deficiencies, and gut microbiome imbalances. These challenges are linked to inefficient methylation, which affects gut lining repair, nutrient absorption, and microbial balance.

When methylation is compromised, gut lining repair may be impaired, leading to intestinal permeability (leaky gut) and digestive discomfort. This disruption can hinder the proper digestion and absorption of fats, proteins, carbohydrates, and vital nutrients like vitamin B12, creating conditions that can imbalance the gut microbiome

__5.	Immune Challenged Methylator __

Immune compromised undermethylators often struggle to maintain a resilient immune system. This profile is characterised by difficulties in DNA methylation, DNA repair, immune cell production, and managing oxidative stress, which can increase susceptibility to infections, chronic inflammation, and autoimmune disorders.

Methylation plays a critical role in immune regulation by stabilising DNA, supporting blood cell production, and neutralising free radicals. When methylation is inefficient, the body faces challenges with DNA methylation, which may activate harmful oncogenes, as well as with DNA repair. Additionally, reduced antioxidant defenses and impaired production of red and white blood cells compromise oxygen transport and immune response, leaving the system more vulnerable.

### Knowing Your Methylation Profile is a Game-Changer

You can find out your methylation profile with a i-screen’s [Genetic Methylation Check](https://www.i-screen.co.nz/tests/genetic-methylation-check). This simple cheek swab test covers a staggering 92 genes and 113 SNPs across a broad range of health categories. This includes the methylation genes MTHFR, MTR, MTRR, MTHFD1, PEMT, CBS and COMT which are essential to the methylation process. 

You’ll receive a comprehensive report which tell you:
- Your __Genetic Methylation Profile__
- Which __mutations__ you have in your methylation genes
- Key __health risks__ associated with your methylation profile
- Recommended __dietary__ and __lifestyle__ changes to support your methylation processes
- A __supplement prescription__ to help you optimise your body’s methylation processes
- Advice regarding __further testing__ to understand how your body’s methylation processes are currently performing in spite of mutations in your methylation genes. These insights are valuable in tailoring any lifestyle or supplement interventions.

Unlike other DNA tests on the market, i-screen’s [Genetic Methylation Check](https://www.i-screen.co.nz/tests/genetic-methylation-check) is performed by a NATA accredited laboratory in Australia so you can be confident of reliable results. Your data is managed in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles (APP) using the latest encryption meaning you can be sure of complete discretion and confidentiality.

### Ready to take control of your health?

Imagine knowing exactly what your body needs to feel its best. Whether it’s a specific nutrient, a dietary change, or avoiding environmental triggers - understanding your methylation profile puts you in the driver’s seat. Follow-up testing can also fine-tune these strategies, helping you achieve noticeable health benefits.

Take the first step with i-screen’s simple [Genetic Methylation Check](https://www.i-screen.co.nz/tests/genetic-methylation-check) cheek swab test – because you and your family deserve to feel your best.


young-woman-in-scarf-in-sunlight-i-screen1 (1)

Methylation is one of the most essential processes in your body. Despite its importance, most of us know very little about how well we methylate — or how methylation impacts our health.

What type of methylator are you? Why your Methylation Profile matters.

athlete-in-heat

So, you've taken the [Genetic Methylation Check](https://www.i-screen.co.nz/tests/genetic-methylation-check) and discovered key insights into how your DNA influences methylation. You may have learned about variations in genes like MTHFR, MTRR, and COMT, which can affect how efficiently your body processes essential nutrients, detoxifies, and regulates neurotransmitters.

But genetic results show __potential__, not the full picture. Just because you have a genetic variant doesn’t mean it's actively causing issues right now. That’s where the [Methylation Pathways Check](https://www.i-screen.co.nz/tests/methylation-pathways) comes in - it helps determine whether these genetic tendencies are actually affecting your health __in real-time.__

You are not alone if you have been dealing with exhaustion, mental fog, mood swings, or inexplicable health problems. After undergoing numerous standard tests, many people are told that everything appears to be "normal." However, what if those tests don't probe deeply enough?

Methylation Pathways testing can help with that. These tests can reveal abnormalities in detoxification, metabolism, nutrient processing, and even neurotransmitter function. It assists in uncovering the underlying causes of dysfunction, enabling focused and effective interventions.

### What Is Methylation Pathways Testing and How Can It Help?

Organic acids are the biochemical footprints of your body's metabolism, revealing how efficiently it converts food into energy. As your body processes nutrients and eliminates toxins, these metabolic byproducts offer insights into cellular function and overall health. By analysing these compounds in a Methylation Pathways test, we get a __functional snapshot of how well your cells are working__, something that standard blood tests can’t always reveal.

This matters because:
- You may have an MTHFR mutation, but is it actually resulting in folate deficiency?
- Your genes may suggest a predisposition to B12 deficiency, but what are your actual levels sitting at?
- Your DNA may indicate a predisposition to oxidative stress, but is your system struggling with it?
- 
A [Methylation Pathways](https://www.i-screen.co.nz/tests/methylation-pathways) test helps answer these questions and more by identifying current imbalances that may be driving symptoms. Testing your organic acids is particularly valuable because it connects the dots between symptoms and underlying metabolic imbalances. It can reveal:

- __Nutritional Deficiencies__: Imbalances in specific organic acids can indicate deficiencies in B-complex vitamins, magnesium, and other essential nutrients which are critical for energy metabolism, brain function, and detoxification.
- __Mitochondrial Function__: Markers like fumarate and malate provide insights into mitochondrial efficiency, the powerhouses of our cells responsible for energy production. Abnormalities in these markers have been associated with mitochondrial disorders. 
- __Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Needs__: Organic acids can reflect whether your body is struggling with __free radical damage__, which is associated with aging, inflammation, and chronic disease.
- __Detoxification Capacity__: By measuring metabolites related to Phase I and Phase II liver detoxification, the test shows how well your body is clearing out toxins from food, medication, and the environment.
- __Neurotransmitter Metabolism__: Metabolites associated with dopamine, serotonin, and other neurotransmitters can reveal imbalances that may contribute to mood disorders, anxiety, and sleep disturbances.
- __Gut Microbiome Health__: Organic acid testing can detect markers indicative of bacterial overgrowth, yeast infections, and other dysbiosis, providing insights into gastrointestinal health that might be missed by conventional tests. 

As the test only requires a simple urine sample, it’s a non-invasive yet highly comprehensive tool for identifying the root causes of chronic symptoms and tailoring personalised treatment plans. 

### The Link Between Methylation Pathways Testing and Your DNA

Methylation is one of the most fundamental biochemical processes in the body, affecting everything from gene expression to detoxification and brain function. It involves the transfer of a methyl group (one carbon and three hydrogen atoms) to various molecules, helping regulate critical functions such as:

- __Gene Expression Regulation__: DNA methylation plays a critical role in turning genes on or off, influencing cellular function and identity. 
- __Detoxification__: Methylation aids in converting homocysteine to methionine, a process essential for supporting cardiovascular health.
- __Neurotransmitter Synthesis__: Efficient methylation is necessary for the production and breakdown of neurotransmitters, impacting mood, cognition, and behaviour.
- __Immune Function__: Proper methylation supports immune responses and helps regulate inflammation.

Genetic variants can affect enzymes involved in the methylation cycle. For example, mutations in the MTHFR gene are known to affect folate metabolism - often resulting in increased homocysteine and cardiovascular risk. Identifying these variants through genetic testing can help your healthcare providers make recommendations for nutritional and lifestyle changes to optimise methylation.

While Genetic Methylation testing reveals your DNA’s __potential__, Methylation Pathways testing provides a __real-time snapshot__ of how well your methylation pathways and related metabolic systems are actually functioning. By combining both, you can identify not only the genes that may influence your methylation efficiency, but also how these processes are currently playing out in your body. 

This approach allows for:
- __Personalised Nutrition__: Tailoring diet and supplementation to your individual genetics and metabolic status.
- Targeted Supplementation: For example, people with MTHFR mutations may benefit from methylated folate instead of synthetic folic acid.
- __Lifestyle Modifications__: Insights from these tests can guide stress management techniques, exercise regimens, and dietary changes to support overall health and wellbeing. 
- __Preventative Strategies__: Addressing methylation imbalances early to reduce the risk of chronic disease.

In summary, Methylation Pathways and Genetic Methylation Tests encompass a __precision approach__ which allows for __targeted interventions__ rather than simply guessing which supplements or treatments might work for you based on your symptoms.

### What Does the Research Say?

Clinical research highlights the valuable role of Methylation Pathways analysis in personalised health assessments. For example, urinary organic acids have been shown to be a reliable reflection of an individual’s nutritional status and can identify nutrient deficiencies such as B12, folate, and other essential vitamins that affect detoxification and energy production.

Additionally, research on DNA methylation has demonstrated the crucial role it plays in gene regulation, with altered methylation patterns linked to increased risks for conditions such as cardiovascular disease, neurological disorders, and certain cancers. Organic acids testing has also been recognised as a powerful tool for uncovering mitochondrial dysfunction and biochemical imbalances in individuals with chronic fatigue and mood disorders.

### Take Control of Your Health

If you are struggling with unexplained fatigue, mood problems, digestive issues, or you have a family history of chronic disease, these tests can be incredibly helpful. If you’re tired of feeling “off” and want real answers, Methylation Pathways testing can start to put the puzzle pieces together. Instead of chasing symptoms, you can finally __uncover the root causes__ of your health concerns and take a __science-backed, precision-based approach__ toward better energy, mental clarity, and overall well-being.

__Next Steps:__
- Already done your [Genetic Methylation Check](https://www.i-screen.co.nz/tests/genetic-methylation-check)? Now take the [Methylation Pathways Check](https://www.i-screen.co.nz/tests/methylation-pathways) to assess your real-time methylation function.
- Need both? Combining DNA and metabolic insights provides the most comprehensive approach.

Explore our [Methylation Pathways Check](https://www.i-screen.co.nz/tests/methylation-pathways) & [Genetic Methylation Check](https://www.i-screen.co.nz/tests/genetic-methylation-check) today to take the next step in your health journey.


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The Methylation Pathways Check reveals if your genetic variants are actively disrupting detox, metabolism, or mood—turning genetic insight into real-time answers.

You’ve Completed Your Genetic Methylation DNA Test—Now What?

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You eat well. You exercise. Your blood work comes back “normal.” And yet… you still feel off. Maybe it's persistent fatigue, anxiety that comes on for no discernible reason, bloating, insomnia, or just the general sense that your body is just not functioning on all cylinders.

That’s where the [https://www.i-screen.co.nz/tests/organic-acids-test) comes in.

This comprehensive urine test doesn’t just measure static nutrient levels, it explains how your body is truly performing at the cellular and metabolic level. From energy production and neurotransmitter balance to detoxification and gastrointestinal health, it presents information that standard blood tests commonly miss.

### What Is the Organic Acids Test?

The [Organic Acids Test](https://www.i-screen.co.nz/tests/organic-acids-test) is a functional health assessment that evaluates more than 60 organic acid markers from a single urine specimen. These markers are by-products of critical metabolic pathways, and they reflect real-time information about how your body is working behind the scenes.

As opposed to regular blood tests, which look at fixed levels of nutrients or hormone status, the [Organic Acids Test](https://www.i-screen.co.nz/tests/organic-acids-test) looks at dynamic processes like how your cells are using nutrients, what they lack, and whether key systems like detox or energy production are in stress.

It’s particularly useful for people experiencing persistent symptoms that don’t show up clearly in standard lab work. Think of it as a behind-the-scenes look at how your body’s systems are *actually functioning*.

__Which Symptoms Might Indicate You’d Benefit From This Test?__

You might benefit from the Organic Acids Check if you’re experiencing:
- Persistent fatigue, even with adequate rest
- Brain fog, memory issues, or difficulty concentrating
- Low mood, anxiety, or irritability
- Difficulty falling and/or staying asleep
- Frequent digestive issues like bloating, constipation, or food intolerance
- Trouble recovering from exercise or feeling physically drained
- Skin issues like acne or rashes
- Hormonal imbalances or irregular cycles
- Chemical sensitivities or trouble tolerating supplements

Many people with these symptoms have normal blood tests, which can be frustrating. The [Organic Acids Check](https://www.i-screen.co.nz/tests/organic-acids-test) helps uncover the “why” behind how you're feeling, by examining what’s happening on a deeper biochemical level.

### Key Areas of Insight from the Organic Acids Test

__1. Nutritional Biomarkers: Are Your Cells Getting What They Need?__

You might be eating a healthy diet or taking supplements, but is your body actively utilising those nutrients? The Organic Acids Test assesses your functional need for vital nutrients by examining how your cells are metabolising them. It evaluates important markers such as
- __Pyridoxic Acid (Vitamin B6)__ – low levels can influence mood, sleep, hormone balance, and immune function. B6 plays a critical role in neurotransmitter synthesis, particularly serotonin and GABA.
- __Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5)__ – vital for energy production and adrenal function; insufficiency may result in fatigue and lack of tolerance to stress.
- __Glutaric Acid (Vitamin B2)__ – supports mitochondrial energy production and antioxidant defence; imbalances can result in low endurance or brain fog.
- __Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)__ – plays a role in immune support, collagen synthesis, and detoxification.
- __CoQ10 and N-Acetylcysteine (NAC)__ – CoQ10 is essential for cellular energy and cardiovascular function, and NAC helps in the creation of glutathione - your body's master antioxidant.
- __Biotin (Vitamin H)__ – supports hair, skin, and nail health, as well as metabolism of fats and carbohydrates.
- __Creatinine (urine)__ – provides context for the rest of the results to be interpreted accurately.

These markers don’t just identify deficiencies, they help uncover the underlying reasons you may feel fatigued, inflamed, or slow to recover, even if you're already taking supplements.

__2. Methylation Cofactors: Key Regulators of Cellular Function__

Methylation is a key biochemical process that impacts everything from hormone metabolism to DNA repair to mental wellbeing. When methylation is impaired, you might experience anxiety, hormonal imbalances, brain fog, or poor detoxification. This test evaluates:

- __Methylmalonic Acid (MMA)__ – a sensitive marker for vitamin B12 deficiency - even if your blood B12 levels are normal, high MMA may be a marker for a functional deficiency.
- __Formiminoglutamic Acid (FIGLU)__ – a marker for folate status - elevated FIGLU may mean your body isn’t converting folate properly, which can reduce neurotransmitter synthesis and DNA function.

Together, these markers provide an idea of how well your methylation pathways are working and whether you might benefit from targeted nutrients like B12, folate, or TMG to support them.

__3. Neurotransmitter Metabolism: Mood, Focus & Mental Clarity__

Neurotransmitter imbalances are often at the root of mental issues like anxiety, low mood, brain fog, and focus. The Organic Acids Test measures downstream compounds of serotonin, dopamine, and adrenaline, providing indirect information about how well your brain chemistry is functioning.

- __5HIAA__ – reflects serotonin metabolism and low levels indicate reduced production of serotonin, which is linked with anxiety, poor mood, and insomnia.
- __HVA and VMA__ – dopamine and adrenaline metabolites - imbalances may point to overstimulation (anxiety, panic, insomnia) or burnout and fatigue.
- __Kynurenic and Quinolinic Acid__ – metabolites in the tryptophan pathway that can signal underlying inflammation or issues related to mood regulation.
- __Picolinic Acid __– supports immune health and zinc metabolism, where an imbalance may reflect inflammation or nutrient deficiencies.
- __Cortisol__ – urine cortisol gives a window into HPA axis activity - low levels can reflect burnout, while high levels can point to chronic stress.

These insights are especially helpful for those with stress intolerance, mood swings, sleep issues, or cognitive difficulties.

__4. Toxin Exposure and Detoxification: How Efficient Is Your Detox System?__

If you’re sensitive to scents, alcohol, medications or just always feel sluggish, your detox pathways might be overwhelmed.

- __2-Methylhippuric Acid__ – elevated levels are often associated with exposure to industrial solvents or chemicals, indicating environmental toxin accumulation in the system.
- __Glucaric Acid__ – an important marker for liver Phase I detoxification activity, providing insights into how efficiently the liver is processing and neutralising toxins from the bloodstream.
- __Orotic Acid__ – typically elevated when ammonia accumulates, which can indicate liver stress or impaired protein metabolism.
- __a-OH-Butyric Acid and Pyroglutamic Acid__ – markers of oxidative stress and glutathione depletion, your body’s primary defence against toxins.

Higher readings here suggest that your body possibly requires support from antioxidants, amino acids, or detox nutrient support like NAC, glycine, or glutathione precursors.

__5. Gut Bacterial and Yeast Imbalance: A Hidden Source of Inflammation__

Even if you don’t experience bloat or gas, gut imbalances can indirectly lead to fatigue, inflammation, low mood, and nutrient loss. This test detects metabolites that can indicate bacterial or fungal overgrowth:

- __Bacterial markers__ – Benzoate, Hippurate, Phenylacetate, Phenylpropionate, Para-Hydroxybenzoate, Indoleacetic Acid
- __Fungal/yeast markers__ – Tartaric Acid, Arabinitol, Citramalic Acid, Tricarballylate, 4-Cresol, 3-OH-Proprionic Acid, Dihydroxyphenylpropionic Acid

These metabolites are waste products of dysbiotic microbes, and their presence can indicate a need for antimicrobial supplementation, probiotics, or dietary changes. Addressing these markers can be key to resolving issues such as brain fog, mood fluctuations, and persistent skin problems that may stem from the gut.

__6. Oxalate Metabolites: Sign of Inflammation, Discomfort, and Gut Stress__

Oxalates are naturally occurring substances in foods like spinach and almonds, however, when your gut flora is out of balance, excess oxalates are absorbed, which can cause joint pain, urinary discomfort, skin rashes, fatigue, or brain fog.

This test looks at __Oxalic Acid__, __Glyceric Acid__, and __Glycolic Acid__, which may point to a need for probiotics (like Oxalobacter formigenes), a low-oxalate diet, or targeted detox support.

__7. B-Complex & Amino Acid Markers: Essential Drivers of Biochemical Functions__

Your B-vitamins contribute to almost every metabolic process. These markers help detect where additional B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, or biotin may be needed to aid with symptoms like fatigue or hormonal imbalance.

- __a-Ketoisovaleric, a-Ketoisocaproic, a-Keto-b-Methylvaleric Acid__ – require B1, B2, B3, and B5 for proper metabolism.
- __Xanthurenic Acid__ – increases when B6 is deficient.
- __beta-Hydroxyisovaleric Acid__ – suggests a functional need for biotin.

These insights guide more effective and personalised supplementation strategies, especially if you’re not seeing the results you want with standard multivitamins.

__8. Citric Acid Cycle Metabolites: Your Energy Production Powerhouse__

The citric acid (Krebs) cycle is the method by which your body turns food into cellular energy (ATP). Issues here typically cause low energy, brain fog, and intolerance to exercise.

Markers like Citric Acid, Succinic Acid, Malic Acid, a-Ketoglutaric Acid, and others show whether your mitochondria are functioning well. Abnormal levels may suggest mitochondrial dysfunction or the need for nutrients like magnesium, B vitamins, or lipoic acid.

__9. Carbohydrate Metabolism & Glycolysis: Key Processes for Energy Conversion__

If your body has trouble turning carbohydrates into energy, you may feel fatigued, have cravings, or experience blood sugar swings.

This test measures markers like Pyruvic Acid, Lactic Acid, and Glucose that reflect how well your glycolysis pathways are functioning. Imbalances in this category can lead to increased insulin resistance, nutrient deficiencies, or abnormal mitochondrial uptake of glucose.
10. Ketone and Fatty Acid Metabolites: Fuelling Your Body's Energy Needs
When your body uses fat as fuel, it produces certain metabolites. High levels of Adipic Acid, Suberic Acid, or Ethylmalonic Acid may point to issues with fat metabolism, which is often due to carnitine or riboflavin (B2) deficiencies. This can leave you feeling tired, slow to recover from exercise, or unable to lose weight.

### Take the Guesswork Out of Your Health

The [Organic Acids Test](https://www.i-screen.co.nz/tests/organic-acids-test) bridges the gap between how you feel and what your standard lab tests show. It’s a sensitive tool that highlights functional imbalances, often long before disease is diagnosed. Through analysing metabolic patterns, it helps uncover the underlying causes of symptoms and guides precise, targeted treatment.

If you’ve tried different diets, supplements, or medications without lasting results, this test can help identify what your body truly needs.

With the Organic Acids Test, you get more than just a lab result. It instead offers a detailed roadmap to a healthier you. A way to understand your body’s signals, reconnect with your health, and start making informed decisions about nutrition, lifestyle, and the next steps.
Ready to get started? Order your [Organic Acids Check](https://www.i-screen.co.nz/tests/organic-acids-test) today.


woman-lying-field-test-split

Feeling tired, foggy or off despite “normal” blood work? The Organic Acids Test uncovers hidden nutrient, gut, and metabolic imbalances that could explain your symptoms.

The Organic Acids Test: A Deeper Look at Fatigue, Brain Fog & Gut Health

myDNA profiles

Your DNA is the blueprint of your body, influencing everything from metabolism to mental well-being. Our myDNA Comprehensive Check goes beyond standard genetic testing, offering an in-depth analysis of 111 genes and 129 SNPs across key health categories:

- Cardiovascular Health
- Metabolic Health & Weight Management
- Emotional & Psychological Wellbeing
- Nutrition & Gut Health
- Cognitive Function
- Stability & Strength
- Immune Health & Inflammation
- Hormone & Reproductive health

By taking a simple cheek swab, you’ll receive a personalised genetic profile with science-backed insights into how your unique DNA affects your health, along with actionable recommendations to help you optimise your well-being.
Unlike generic tests, our myDNA Comprehensive Check is conducted by an Australian NATA-accredited laboratory. Our team of molecular biologists, data scientists, and clinicians ensures your results are accurate, reliable, and tailored to your specific genetic makeup.

### Understanding Your Genetic Profile
Once you receive your results from the myDNA Comprehensive Check, you will be categorised into one of three distinct genetic profiles. Each profile reflects your genetic strengths, predispositions, and potential risks, along with targeted and actionable insights into how to mitigate any negative health outcomes.

It is important to remember that genes are not your destiny. While your genetic makeup may indicate certain predispositions, lifestyle choices such as diet, exercise, stress management, pre-existing conditions, and sleep quality play a crucial role in how these genes are expressed. This means that even if you have a higher genetic risk for a condition, making the right choices can significantly reduce or even eliminate that risk. You can read more about this [here](https://www.i-screen.com.au/blog/understanding-genetic-variants).

The purpose of this test is not just to inform you of potential vulnerabilities but to empower you with the knowledge to take proactive steps that support your health and well-being. 

Let’s take a closer look at each profile:

### Perfect Imperfections: You’re a Genetic Marvel!
This profile indicates that your genetic blueprint is largely favourable, with no high-impact mutations that increase the risk of severe health conditions such as Alzheimer’s, haemochromatosis, type 2 diabetes, or chronic kidney disease. However, you may still carry genetic variations that can influence specific aspects of your well-being, such as metabolic function, nutrient absorption, or cardiovascular health. 

Individuals with this genetic profile may carry mutations that contribute to conditions such as:

- __Lactose intolerance__ – studies suggest that up to 65% of the world’s population experiences some form of lactose malabsorption after childhood - if you have LCT mutations, opt for lactose-free dairy products or plant-based alternatives and consider lactase enzyme supplements if consuming dairy.
- __Vitamin deficiencies (B6, B12, D)__ – if you have NBPF3, CBS, MTRR, MTR, or CYP2R1 mutations, support optimal levels with nutrient-dense foods (e.g., leafy greens for B6, animal-based proteins for B12, and sunlight exposure for vitamin D) or targeted supplementation if needed.
- __Elevated blood pressure__ – if you have ACE1, AGTR1, NOS1, or PPARGC1A mutations, maintain healthy blood pressure through a balanced diet rich in potassium and magnesium, stress management techniques, and limiting sodium intake

If you're feeling great, it's a sign that your lifestyle choices are complementing your genetic strengths. Your balanced approach to nature and nurture is helping you maintain optimal health. Staying informed about your genetics ensures that you can continue making proactive choices that support long-term well-being.


Your DNA is the blueprint of your body, influencing everything from metabolism to mental well-being. Understanding your genetic variants can transform your health.

Transform Your Health with Insights from Your DNA

happy-family-walking-in-a-field-i-screen

When it comes to optimising your health, understanding the intricate biochemical processes in your body can be transformative. One critical yet often overlooked process is methylation — a biochemical mechanism essential for your body to function optimally. But what is methylation, and how can genetic methylation testing help you take control of your health?

### Understanding Methylation

Methylation is a biochemical process where a methyl group is added to molecules in your body. This process acts like a switch, regulating gene activity, enzyme functions, and other vital biological mechanisms. Think of methylation as a finely tuned system that impacts numerous functions, including:

- __Mood and Cognitive Health:__ Methylation directly impacts the balance of neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and noradrenaline, which regulate mood, stress, focus, and memory. For instance, serotonin influences feelings of happiness and calmness, while dopamine governs motivation and reward processing. An inefficient methylation cycle can result in neurotransmitter imbalances, potentially leading to anxiety, depression, brain fog, or memory lapses.
- __Immune Function:__ Methylation supports the production of immune cells and the regulation of inflammatory responses. Proper methylation ensures that immune cells function optimally, helping the body combat infections and prevent autoimmune conditions. Disruption of this process has been linked to an increased susceptibility to chronic inflammation and diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
- __Energy and Vitality:__ Methylation plays a key role in converting food into usable energy. It assists in the production of ATP, the primary energy currency of the body, by facilitating nutrient metabolism. Defects in methylation genes can disrupt this cycle, leading to chronic fatigue, low energy levels, and poor endurance.
- __Detoxification:__ Methylation is integral to the body’s detoxification pathways, particularly in the liver. It aids in neutralising and eliminating harmful substances, including environmental toxins, heavy metals, and metabolic by-products. Impaired methylation can lead to a build-up of these toxins, contributing to issues like fatigue, hormonal imbalances, and increased oxidative stress.
- __DNA Repair and Cellular Function:__ Methylation regulates gene expression by adding methyl groups to DNA, effectively turning specific genes on or off as needed. This ensures cells function properly and repair damage caused by factors such as oxidative stress and UV radiation. Efficient DNA repair mechanisms are essential for reducing the risk of diseases like cancer and for supporting overall cellular health and longevity.

### Your Body’s Critical Production Line

Think of your body as a factory operating with countless production lines (processes) working together to maintain overall function and health. 

1. Production Line (Methylation): Methylation is one of these essential production lines, making critical components like screws or bolts that other lines depend on.
2. Operational Manual or Computer Program (Genes): Genes serve as the instructions for the factory's production lines, determining their efficiency and output.
3. Programming Errors (Genetic Mutations): Mutations are like errors in programming, potentially causing bottlenecks or harmful waste to accumulate.
4. Tools (Vitamins and Minerals): These play a pivotal role as "tools" to support the production line’s operation without being consumed. If the right tools are not available (due to deficiency), then the efficiency and output of the production line is reduced. This creates a knock-on effect for other production lines that rely on the outputs of this line to operate
5. Contaminants (Heavy Metals): Heavy metals are like contaminants that disrupt machinery across different production lines, which can halt production (causing numerous health issues).
6. Impact of Contamination: When contamination occurs, production suffers, affecting overall health.

By understanding methylation through this analogy, you can learn how to fine-tune your body's internal factory.

### How Genetic Methylation Testing Can Help

Genetic methylation testing identifies variations in your DNA which influence the efficiency of your body’s methylation processes. These variations affect key genes involved in functions such as detoxification, energy production, and neurotransmitter regulation. By analysing these genetic variations, testing provides valuable insights into how your body manages these critical processes and identifies potential vulnerabilities.

Key genes analysed in methylation testing include:
- __MTHFR:__ This gene converts dietary folate into methylfolate for methylation. Variants can reduce efficiency, causing low energy, elevated homocysteine, or mood disturbances. Additionally, MTHFR mutations can impact immune health by altering BH4 production, leading to oxidative stress, tissue damage, or cancer-causing gene activation due to impaired DNA methylation.
- __COMT:__ This gene regulates the breakdown of stress hormones and neurotransmitters such as dopamine and noradrenaline. Variants in COMT may lead to challenges in managing stress or maintaining mental clarity.
- __MTR and MTRR:__ These genes impact vitamin B12 metabolism, which is critical for efficient methylation. Variations can disrupt B12 usage, affecting energy production and detoxification.
- __CBS:__ This gene influences sulphur metabolism and detoxification. Variants in CBS may alter how your body processes sulphur-containing compounds.
- __PEMT:__ Defects in the PEMT gene can impair the formation of phosphatidylcholine, a key substance essential for liver, brain, and gut health. This deficiency can lead to liver fat accumulation, strain the body's methylation system, and increase the need for dietary choline. Consequently, it can contribute to liver disease, metabolic issues, cardiovascular risks, impaired gut repair, and neurological problems
- __MTHFD1:__ Defects in this gene can significantly impact folate metabolism which is critical for DNA synthesis, repair, and methylation. This can result in elevated homocysteine levels (increasing cardiovascular risk), higher cancer risk, and neurological problems such as cognitive decline.

Genetic methylation testing examines multiple genes as a system, rather than focusing only on a single gene (such as MTHFR). This approach reveals how your genes work together, helping to identify specific needs and opportunities for intervention. 

### Maximising the Benefits of Genetic Methylation Testing

Genetic methylation testing provides a comprehensive understanding of how your unique genetic makeup interacts with your lifestyle, allowing you to implement tailored strategies to optimise your health and wellness. By identifying specific genetic variations, you can take actionable steps across various areas of your health:

- __Personalised Nutrition:__ Tailor your diet to focus on nutrients your body processes efficiently. For instance, individuals with certain genetic variants may benefit from active forms of folate or B12. i-screen offers consultations with a genetics-trained dietician to developer tailor made meal plans specific to your genotype.
- __Targeted Supplementation:__ Use supplements designed to address inefficiencies in your methylation pathways. For example, certain genetic variations may require specific forms or dosages of vitamins to ensure optimal health. i-screen offers personalised supplement prescriptions with a DNA Nutrition Assessment.
- __Mental Clarity:__ Understand how your genes influence neurotransmitter balance and focus on strategies to enhance mood, memory, and cognitive function. Testing provides actionable insights to improve brain health and reduce brain fog.
- __Detoxification:__ Optimise your body’s ability to eliminate toxins by identifying genetic factors that impact detox pathways. This could involve dietary adjustments, lifestyle changes, or targeted supplements to support liver function and overall detox efficiency.
- __Lifestyle Adjustments:__ Gain insights into how factors such as stress, sleep, and toxin exposure affect your methylation cycle. Adjusting these lifestyle elements can improve your overall wellness.
- __Longevity and Disease Prevention:__ Proactively address genetic predispositions to chronic conditions, such as cardiovascular disease or cancer, by implementing measures to support heart health, immune function, and healthy aging.
- __Ongoing Monitoring:__ Health evolves over time, and regular follow-up testing is vital to track and fine-tune your interventions. Whilst genetic methylation testing provides valuable insights into your body’s potential, your genes are only part of the picture — they reveal your blueprint, but not necessarily how your body is functioning in real time. After completing genetic methylation test, consider the [Methylation Pathways Check](https://www.i-screen.com.au/tests/methylation-pathways-test) which measures compounds in your urine which reflect the effectiveness of critical processes in your body.

### Who Should Consider Methylation Testing?

- Individuals looking to enhance their quality of life and overall wellness.
- Those aiming to improve longevity through targeted health interventions.
- People experiencing unexplained symptoms such as fatigue, brain fog, or mood disturbances.
- Anyone with a family history of chronic conditions like cardiovascular disease, cancer, or autoimmune disorders.
- Individuals striving to optimise their health and be the best version of themselves every day.

As the [Genetic Methylation Check](https://www.i-screen.com.au/tests/genetic-methylation-check) is a non-invasive cheek swab test, it is suitable for people of all ages.

### The Bottom Line

Methylation is a cornerstone of health, bridging the gap between genetic potential and day-to-day wellness. By understanding your methylation profile, you can implement targeted interventions to unlock your body's full potential. Ready to take the first step? Discover i-screen’s genetic methylation testing and transform your health today.


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When it comes to optimising your health, understanding the biochemical processes that power your body can be a game-changer. One such process is methylation—a critical function that occurs in every cell of your body. 

How Genetic Methylation Testing Can Enhance your Wellness Journey 

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Our DNA is a fascinating blueprint, holding the instructions that shape everything from the colour of our eyes to how we process nutrients. But how much do you know about the role your genes play in your overall health? Here we’ll explore the basics of genetics, how your DNA influences your well-being, and how understanding your unique genetic code can empower you to make informed lifestyle choices towards a healthier you.

### What are Genes?
Genes are segments of DNA that carry instructions for making proteins, the building blocks of your body. Think of them as the instruction manual for your body’s functions, influencing traits like metabolism, hormone production, and stress response. Everyone inherits two copies of each gene - one from each parent - making your genetic makeup uniquely yours.
Your genes are passed down from your parents, which means you inherit traits (and potential health risks) from your family. For example, you might inherit a predisposition for high cholesterol or an ability to efficiently metabolise certain vitamins. These inherited traits come from combinations of genetic variants, some of which may have protective effects, while others could increase susceptibility to certain conditions. 

![DNA-blog-image](//images.ctfassets.net/vd2mbykddgpu/6Vn9mGcVz5A85UN3KI3xXm/d12216efd829fe3a273693a14c3b7bac/DNA.jpg)

### Your Genes Aren’t Your Destiny
While your genetic code is fixed, its influence isn’t set in stone. Environmental factors like diet, exercise, stress, and sleep can significantly impact how your genes express themselves - a concept known as epigenetics. This means you have the power to make choices that support your genetic strengths and counteract potential weaknesses. Additionally, not all genetic predispositions are "bad" - many inherited traits offer advantages. For instance, certain genetic variants may enhance athletic performance, improve your ability to adapt to stress, or make you more resilient to environmental toxins. 

For instance, studies suggest that living a __healthy lifestyle can greatly lower the risk of heart disease, even for people with a high genetic risk__. For example, those with the highest genetic risk who followed at least three healthy lifestyle habits reduced their risk of heart disease by about 46% compared to those with unhealthy habits1. However, this doesn’t mean all genetic risks can be reduced equally, as the effects depend on the specific genes and lifestyle factors involved.

### Understanding Genetic Variants
Genetic labels like A, G, C, and T represent the four building blocks of DNA: adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), and thymine (T). These molecules are called nucleotides, and they pair up in specific ways to form the rungs of the DNA "ladder", where A pairs with T, and C pairs with G.

The sequence of these nucleotides in your DNA determines the instructions your body follows to build proteins that perform countless biological processes. When you receive genetic test results, you might see combinations like AA, AG, or GG. These refer to the two copies of a gene you inherit - one from each parent. These two-letter labels indicate which versions of a gene you have at a specific location in your DNA, known as a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP). These small variations are incredibly common - about 10 million SNPs are estimated to exist in the human genome. 

The vast majority of SNPs occur in non-coding regions of DNA - areas that do not directly influence the production of proteins. These are often considered "neutral" variations, with no measurable impact on health or function. However, when SNPs occur in coding regions (genes) or regulatory areas, they can influence how genes are expressed or how proteins function.

When interpreting genetic results, you may come across terms like wild-type, heterozygous, and homozygous:
- __Wild-Type (i.e. AA):__ This is the "normal" or most common version of a gene in a population. It often indicates typical function with no known alterations in the gene sequence that affect health or biological processes.
- __Heterozygous (i.e. AG):__ You have one normal copy and one mutated (variant) copy of a gene. Depending on the gene, this might result in partial changes to its function. For example, you may still produce a functional protein, but at a reduced level or with altered activity.
- __Homozygous (i.e. GG):__ You have two mutated copies of the gene, which can amplify the effect of the variant. This may significantly impact how the gene - and the protein it produces - functions. In many cases, homozygosity can result in more pronounced traits or risks compared to heterozygosity.

As an example, for genetic mutations linked to lactose tolerance, being heterozygous might mean you can digest small amounts of lactose, while being homozygous might result in complete intolerance due to reduced function of the enzyme produced. 

### Why Your DNA Matters
Understanding your genetic predispositions gives you a powerful tool for tailoring your diet and lifestyle, as well preventative care strategies. Armed with this information, you can make choices that align with your genetic strengths, mitigate potential weaknesses, and pave the way for a healthier, more vibrant life. For example, studies have shown that individuals who tailor their diets based on genetic testing lose __33% more weight on average__ than those following a standard diet plan.

Your genes are the starting point for your health journey - not the destination. Understanding the genetic "hand" you've been dealt empowers you to make informed decisions about your health and turn potential risks into opportunities for proactive management. Explore how understanding your DNA can empower you to make smarter, more personalised choices for a healthier, happier life with our [myDNA Comprehensive Health Report](https://www.i-screen.com.au/tests/mydna-comprehensive-health-report).

couple hiking with their dog i-screen

Find out how to unlock the secrets of your DNA. Discover how genes shape your health and make informed choices for a healthier you.

Unlocking the Power of Your DNA: Understanding Genetic Variants

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### The Mysterious World of the Vaginal Microbiome

The human body is a complex ecosystem of microorganisms that interact with each other to maintain our health. The vaginal microbiome is one such ecosystem that plays a crucial role in maintaining women's reproductive health. The vaginal microbiome consists of a diverse range of bacteria, fungi, and viruses that interact with each other to maintain a delicate balance, protecting against infections and promoting fertility.

An imbalance in the vaginal microbiome can lead to various health issues, including bacterial vaginosis (BV), urinary tract infections (UTIs), and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). These conditions can have a significant impact on a woman's quality of life and overall health. Fortunately, advances in medical technology have led to the development of new diagnostic tools that can help identify and manage these conditions more effectively.

One such diagnostic tool is vaginal microbiome testing. This technology uses next-generation sequencing techniques to identify and quantify the various microorganisms present in the vaginal microbiome. This provides health professionals with a more comprehensive understanding of the vaginal ecosystem and can help diagnose and manage various women's health conditions.

Here are some ways in which vaginal microbiome testing can be clinically useful:

### Diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis (BV)
BV is a common vaginal infection characterised by an overgrowth of anaerobic bacteria and a decrease in the number of lactobacilli, the bacteria that help maintain a healthy vaginal environment. BV can lead to a range of symptoms, including vaginal discharge, itching, and odour. Vaginal microbiome testing can help identify the specific microorganisms responsible for BV, which can aid in the accurate diagnosis and treatment of the infection.

### Prediction of preterm birth
The vaginal microbiome plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy pregnancy, and alterations in its composition have been associated with preterm birth. Vaginal microbiome testing in the second trimester of pregnancy can help predict the risk of preterm birth, enabling health professionals to implement preventive measures and improve pregnancy outcomes.

### Diagnosis and management of recurrent UTIs
Recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a common problem in women, and their treatment remains a challenge for health professionals. The vaginal microbiome plays a crucial role in protecting against UTIs, and an imbalance in its composition can lead to an increased risk of UTIs. Vaginal microbiome testing can help identify the specific microorganisms responsible for recurrent UTIs, which can aid in the development of targeted treatment strategies.

Overall, vaginal microbiome testing is a promising diagnostic tool that can provide health professionals with a more comprehensive understanding of the vaginal ecosystem. Its usefullness has been demonstrated in the diagnosis and management of various women's health conditions, including bacterial vaginosis, preterm birth, and recurrent UTIs. Further research is needed to determine the optimal use of vaginal microbiome testing in clinical practice and its potential to improve women's health outcomes.

Advances in medical technology have enabled health professionals to gain a better understanding of the human microbiome, including the vaginal microbiome. Vaginal microbiome testing is one such technology that can provide valuable insights into the vaginal ecosystem, aiding in the diagnosis and management of various gynecological conditions. As research continues to shed light on the intricacies of the vaginal microbiome, we can expect further advancements in this field that will help improve women's reproductive health and quality of life.

Take care of your vaginal health with i-screen's simple [Vaginal Microbiome Check](https://www.i-screen.co.nz/tests/vaginal-microbiome-test).

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Women's health is influenced by the complex ecosystem of the vaginal microbiome. Testing this ecosystem can help diagnose and manage conditions like bacterial vaginosis and recurrent UTIs, improving women's health outcomes.

Exploring the Hidden World of the Vaginal Microbiome

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## Taking Care of Your Vaginal Health: Optimising the Vaginal Microbiome

Vaginal dysbiosis, or an imbalance in the vaginal microbiome, can lead to a variety of uncomfortable symptoms and health issues for women. Fortunately, there are several effective strategies for managing vaginal dysbiosis and promoting optimal vaginal health.

### Screening and Diagnosis
It is important for healthcare providers to screen for vaginal dysbiosis in women who are symptomatic or at high risk, such as those who are pregnant or have a history of sexually transmitted infections. Diagnosis is typically made through clinical evaluation and laboratory testing, such as vaginal pH and microscopic examination of vaginal fluid.

### Treatment Options
Treatment for vaginal dysbiosis depends on the specific condition present. For bacterial vaginosis, the most common vaginal infection, antibiotics such as metronidazole may be prescribed. For vulvovaginal candidiasis, antifungal medication such as fluconazole or topical agents may be recommended. However, it is important to note that antibiotic and antifungal medications can disrupt the vaginal microbiome and may not be effective for all women.

There are several non-pharmacologic treatment options that may be appropriate be used alone or in conjunction with medications. These include:

__Probiotics__ - Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that can help to restore the vaginal microbiome. Specifically, lactobacillus strains such as Lactobacillus crispatus and Lactobacillus jensenii have been shown to be particularly effective. Probiotics can be taken orally or used topically in the form of suppositories or vaginal capsules. Of course, probiotic foods are also important - we'll discuss this further below.

__Prebiotics__ - Prebiotics are non-digestible food ingredients that promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut and vagina. Examples include inulin, fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), and galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS). If you feel worse for including prebiotics, you may have [SIBO](https://www.i-screen.co.nz/tests/sibo-test). This can make prebiotic prescription tricky as they may trigger painful symptoms. In this case, consider a fibre supplement such as PHGG which is typically well tolerated in sensitive individuals.

__Lifestyle modifications__ - Certain lifestyle factors can improve vaginal health. These include maintaining good hygiene practices, avoiding douching, using non-irritating hygiene products, wearing breathable underwear and avoiding tight-fitting clothing, and engaging in safe sex practices.

### A nutritionist perspective
While a nutritionist may not be the primary healthcare provider for treating dysbiosis of the vaginal microbiome, they can provide recommendations for a healthy diet that can support the growth of beneficial bacteria in the vagina. Some dietary factors that may impact the vaginal microbiome include:

__Probiotic-rich foods__ - Consuming foods that are rich in probiotics can help improve the balance of bacteria in the vagina. Examples of probiotic-rich foods include long-fermented sourdough bread, brine cured olives, yoghurt, kefir, pickles, kimchi, sauerkraut, tempeh, natto and miso.

__Fibre-rich foods__ - A diet high in fibre can help promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut, which in turn may positively impact the vaginal microbiome. Examples of fibre-rich foods include whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and legumes. If you find you respond negatively to high fibre foods, this may indicate a gut microbiome imbalance such as bifidobacterium deficiency - in this case, you may wnat to try supplementing with a broad spectrum probiotic and a digestive enzyme containing cellulase for 2 weeks - then reintroduce high fibre foods. You may also wish to consider testing your gut [microbiome](https://www.i-screen.co.nz/tests/microbiome-test).

__Avoiding processed foods__ - Processed foods, which are often high in sugar and refined carbohydrates, can disrupt the balance of bacteria in the gut and potentially impact the vaginal microbiome. For example: Candida, a yeast present in the vaginal canal, thrives on a high carb/sugar diet. Candida causes minimal issues when in lower numbers, however when overgrown, candida may cause vaginal thrush, jock itch and may heighten sensitivity to creams, soaps, perfumes and synthetic fibres. 

__Adequate hydration__ - Drinking plenty of water and other hydrating fluids can help flush out harmful bacteria and promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the vagina. This also helps to promote healthy bladder function and help prevent cystitis. Don't forget your hydrating foods also such as cucumber, watermelon, celery, apples, iceberg lettuce - whilst these are your super-hydrators, all fruits and veggies improve hydration unless they have been roasted or dehydrated (which removes the water from them). 

It is important to note that while dietary changes can have a positive impact on the vaginal microbiome, they should not replace medical treatment.

### Conclusion
Vaginal dysbiosis can cause significant discomfort and can increase the risk of other health issues for women. However, with proper screening, diagnosis, and management, most women can achieve optimal vaginal health. By incorporating both pharmacologic and natural treatment options, healthcare providers can offer women a comprehensive approach to managing vaginal dysbiosis. Remember, it is important to consult with a healthcare provider before starting any treatment regimen.

Take control of your vaginal health with i-screen's simple [Vaginal Microbiome](https://www.i-screen.co.nz/tests/vaginal-microbiome-test) Check.

Learn how to optimise your vaginal microbiome for better health. Tips for maintaining pH, avoiding irritants, and promoting healthy bacteria.

Taking Care of Your Vaginal Health: Optimising the Vaginal Microbiome

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Adrenal Fatigue (also know as Adrenal Stress and Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) Axis Dysfunction) is a stress-related condition that occurs when your adrenal glands, hypothalamus, and pituitary gland are functioning below their optimal level. It is typically the result of chronic physical or emotional stress. Adrenal Fatigue results in symptoms like a weakened immune system, low energy levels, an inability to handle stressful situations, and cravings for salty or sugary foods. Common symptoms are all too familiar and can include:

- Difficulty getting up in the morning
- Inability to handle stress
- Regular and unexplained fatigue
- Cravings for salty foods
- Mild depression
- Insomnia
- Overuse of stimulants like caffeine
- A weak immune system

Stress is part of everyday life and how you respond to it has a significant effect on your health. The most common daily stressors often go unrecognised and include things like lack of sleep, work overload, financial stress, poor diet, too much caffeine and alcohol and not enough exercise. Here are some tips to help you control your adrenal stress hormones.

### 1. Improve your diet

- Eat within an hour of waking. This helps to maintain proper blood sugar after an evening fast and prevents excess cortisol production.
- Eat a quality source of protein at each meal. Meals should be balanced with protein, veggies, healthy fats and minimal starchy carbohydrates:
1. Protein Sources – chicken, fish, turkey, meats, eggs, protein powder
2. Veggies – green leafy vegetables, cruciferous, anything with lots of colour
3. Healthy Fats – olive oil, coconut oil, raw nuts and seeds, nut butters
4. Carbohydrates – gluten free grains such as buckwheat, quinoa or rice and white potatoes.
- Avoid excessive starchy carbohydrates and sugars. When you eat something sweet or very starchy it causes your blood sugar to spike and then plummet. Your adrenal glands must then release stress hormone to raise it. When blood sugar swings up and down repeatedly it may fatigue the adrenals. Once people have adrenal fatigue they often suffer from low blood sugar, or reactive hypoglycaemia, as well. Aim for a lower glycemic whole foods diet that does not spike your blood sugar, as well as healthy fats, protein, and plenty of fibre.
- Eating foods that trigger an immune reaction can tax adrenal function. One of the more common food intolerances is gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, barley, and oats. Dairy, eggs, soy, corn, and yeast are other foods that can cause inflammation and fatigue the adrenal glands.
- Include high quality sources of fat with each meal such as olive oil, coconut oil, avocados and raw nuts and seeds. This adds to the satiety value of the meal and removes the desire to eat too many starches.
- Meals should be smaller but more frequent throughout the day.  Three main meals and 2-3 small, balanced snacks will keep blood sugar stable and decrease the desire for sweets or caffeine.
- Use smaller plates or bowls for meals. This can prevent overeating by filling up a large plate with food. Most people do not realise they are actually full if there is still food on their plate so start small and wait 10 minutes before deciding on seconds. Chances are, you will realise that you are already full and satisfied.
- Eat a balanced snack within one hour of bedtime to support blood sugar through the night. Waking in the night may be due to low blood sugar. When blood sugar drops, cortisol rises and can cause wakefulness. A good evening snack is half a cup of plain yogurt, berries and raw nuts. This provides protein, some carbs and a healthy source of fat.
- Keep fruit to a minimum and choose low sugar fruits such as berries, pears, apples.  Pears go great with walnuts and apples go well with almond butter. Including some fat with fruit decreases the effect of the sugar in the fruit by slowing digestion and absorption.
- Alcohol should be consumed in moderation and with a meal. One glass of wine or one beer 1-2 times per week should be the limit.

### 2. Integrate exercise into your daily routine

1. Exercise is best done in the morning to increase metabolic rate throughout the day and to improve the chances of adhering to a program. It is better to get up 30 minutes earlier and get exercise done before the events of the day compete for your time.
2. The level of adrenal fatigue will determine which type of exercise is best. Those with mild adrenal fatigue can do more intense exercise such as interval training, weights, running, etc.  Those with symptoms of more advanced adrenal fatigue may only be able to tolerate mild exercise such as walking, stretching, beginning yoga and gentle movement exercises.
3. Duration of exercise should be 30-60 minutes. If experiencing adrenal fatigue or burnout, endurance exercise is not recommended. Extensive training programs involving intense running, cycling or fitness competition training is not advised.
4. Find a type of exercise that you enjoy so you will stick with it. Try to spend some time outside exercising whenever possible. Not only are you more likely to exercise by being in the great outdoors but the exposure to the natural sun can help promote health levels of Vitamin D. However, it is important to also balance this with the risk of skin cancer and that not appropriately covering up and not wearing sun protection can increase this risk. Even while wearing high factor sunscreen, the ultraviolet radiation will still reach the skin as the sunscreen doesn't fully block out the sun's rays.
5. Exercise increases happy hormones and neurotransmitters that make us feel good naturally so get up and get moving daily.

### 3. Get better sleep

- Sleep in comfortable clothing or naked if night clothes tend to become uncomfortable.
- Make sure your room is cool with some source of circulating air, i.e. fan, open window (if not too noisy outside). Some researchers feel that the perfect temperature for sleeping is around 20 degrees celsius.
- Darken room if ambient light is an issue, i.e. street lights, full moon. You can purchase some dark shades or curtains. Having a dark room is necessary to optimise melatonin output.
- Go to sleep before 10 pm and if tired go to bed earlier.
- Go to bed and awaken at the same time each day, even on weekends. This helps to reinforce the sleep-wake cycle.
- Have a bedtime routine that involves a relaxing activity that signals to your body that you are getting ready for sleep:
1. Shower
2. Bath
3. Reading a book
4. Listening to relaxing music
- Do not consume caffeinated (i.e. coffee, tea, ice tea) beverages in the evening. Best to reduce caffeine altogether, and ideally avoid after 2 to 3 pm in the afternoon.
- Herbal teas such as Chamomile and other sleep-promoting teas are okay in the evening.
- Turn off computers, TV, video games other visually oriented electronics before 8 pm at night. If at all possible, do not engage in work that is mentally trying or stressful after 8 pm.  This will allow for a more peaceful transition to bedtime. If you enjoy watching TV in the evening, avoid disturbing images or emotionally charged programs.
- No strenuous exercise, i.e. cardio, weights, power yoga in the evening after dinner.
- Remove night lights and other electronics from room. If must have, then keep cellphone or ipad/tablet at least 10 feet from bed to help reduce electromagnetic field (EMF) emissions.
- If you cannot fall asleep, then get up and do something else such as meditating and/or deep breathing exercises. Mentally recite a prayer or mantra if worried about something and your mind cannot relax. Keep a notepad next to your bed to write down thoughts about things you may need to do the next day. This allows you to release it from your mind without worrying that you will forget it tomorrow.
- Keep in mind that the stressors of the day can often seem amplified at night while we are lying in the dark perseverating on the day’s events. Let them go – nothing will be resolved in the night and will only make tomorrow more difficult for the lack of sleep.  Things often seem clearer and less stressful in the morning after a good night’s sleep anyway.

### 4. Reduce your stress levels

- It is important to take time to play and do the things in life that bring us joy. This is one of the best and most rewarding ways of reducing stress. Make a list of the things you like to do that bring joy into your life. Some things may take ten minutes like walking the dog or some things may take all day like going for a hike. Some of these experiences may occur over a weekend or require a week-long vacation.  Choose to incorporate these joyful experiences throughout the day, week, month and year. Having something to look forward to, relieves the stress of the daily grind that can be so much a part of our lives.
- We all must balance work with recovery. Taking the opportunity to get adequate sleep is one of the most important things we can do for ourselves.
- Whenever possible get out into the great outdoors in somewhere with natural scenery and pure air quality. Not only are you more likely to feel better and your mood improves in a beautiful, natural environment, but it will be healthier too with less pollutants and exposure to the natural sun for healthy Vitamin D promotion. Remember, adequate protection from the sun still applies and common sense measures to reduce risk of skin cancer.
- An afternoon nap or resting quietly is certainly acceptable if possible. Sometimes just sitting quietly away from the TV or computer can help relieve stress.

### 5. Measure your adrenal hormones

Consider an [Adrenal Fatigue Check](http://i-screen.co.nz/tests/adrenal-fatigue-test) - a non-invasive saliva test that serves as a reliable marker of stress response and a critical tool for revealing adrenal imbalances. This test measures:

__Cortisol diurnal rhythm__ - cortisol levels naturally fluctuate throughout the day and so 4 samples need to be collected to show your body's cortisol rhythm. The first sample should be taken 30 minutes after waking which represents the peak of your morning cortisol production. The remaining 3 samples are taken at noon, late afternoon and night time.

__DHEA-S__ - DHEA is another of the body's long-acting stress hormones made by the adrenal glands, and measuring both cortisol and DHEA-S provides an assessment of how well you manage and internalise stress. These hormones must be in proper balance with each other for optimal health, and an imbalance can be caused by prolonged stress.

There is much more to treating Adrenal Fatigue than simply reducing stress or managing it better. If you have been under chronic stress for a long period of time, the depletion of key neurotransmitters and hormones has probably had a serious impact on your health, whether you realise it or not. These changes simply cannot be reversed overnight.

A comprehensive treatment plan for Adrenal Fatigue involves dietary changes, lifestyle changes, appropriate supplementation, and possibly even hormone replacement for more severe cases. But remember, the first step to solving your Adrenal Fatigue is recognising that you have it - hence the importance of appropriate measurement of your adrenal health.

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Stress is part of everyday life and how you respond to it has a significant effect on your health.

5 ways to restore your adrenal health

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### What you need to know about thyroid testing

Do you struggle to lose weight? Are you constipated? Do you often feel flat, fatigued and depressed? Do you feel more sensitive to cold than your friends? Or is it the opposite of all of the above, feeling wired, anxious, hyperactive, struggling to gain weight, hair falling out, insomnia and diarrhoea. 

If the answer is yes to any of the above, it might be time to get your thyroid checked.
 
For those who've answered yes and think you've already had it checked with your GP I have bad news... The sad truth is unless you have a diagnosed thyroid disorder, or unless you have paid for a specific and comprehensive test like the [Advanced Thyroid Check](https://www.i-screen.co.nz/tests/thyroid-antibodies-test) through [i-screen](https://www.i-screen.co.nz/), then it's highly unlikely that you have had a full, accurate and complete assessment. Yes, even if your doctor says they've checked your thyroid, you've only had a partial assessment.

The test available free of charge through your GP is not complete and therefore not reliable. It is not a thorough assessment and it is possible to get an “all clear” from the doctor while still having issues under the surface.

### It's not your doctor's fault!

You see under the public system there is only one test permitted which is your TSH - thyroid stimulating hormone. Without any abnormal TSH measurement, the lab simply cannot reclaim their benefit from Medicare for any further thyroid assessment - so they cannot test the other important markers. 

It is possible to have a TSH within normal range whilst also having elevated antibodies or severely imbalanced thyroid hormones. I see it all the time!
 
### Introducing private pathology…
 
Private pathology means that you’ve been referred by your health professional with a different type of referral slip that states that you’ll be paying for the lab fees yourself, rather than claiming a rebate. At [i-screen](https://www.i-screen.co.nz/) this service is simplified further by allowing you to order the test direct - the referral is provided by the [i-screen](https://www.i-screen.co.nz/) medical team. This allows you to have any test you request immediately. The lab we use at [i-screen](https://www.i-screen.co.nz/) for private pathology testing is the same lab your GP uses, however the referral you get from i-screen is like a permission slip to authorise a complete assessment.
 
Let’s discuss the thyroid a little more so that you have a better understanding of what it is and why comprehensive testing is a highly beneficial and often necessary step..
 
### What is the thyroid?
 
The thyroid is a gland in the throat which secretes the hormones which regulate your growth and metabolism. This effects both mental and physical growth, your energy, brain function, mood and of course metabolism. The thyroid also regulates many other systems in the body.
 
__What effects does the thyroid have on my health?__
 
The direct and indirect effects of the thyroid hormones include your immune balance, stress tolerance, mood, bowel function, digestion, energy and metabolism.
 
__If I am overweight, does this mean I have a thyroid issue?__
 
Thyroid dysfunction is a common cause of weight issues. Hypothyroidism (under-functioning thyroid) may lead to obesity and/or difficulty losing weight. Hyperthyroidism (over-functioning thyroid) commonly causes weight loss, hair loss and anxiety. In this blog we are focusing mostly on Hypothyroidism.
 
However, while an important factor to rule out, and one which can significantly impair weight loss, it is important to know that thyroid dysfunction is not the only cause of weight gain. Testing will help to determine if this is the cause for you.
 
### How can I test my thyroid?
 
There are a few markers which must be assessed together for a complete and thorough assessment of the Thyroid. Let’s discuss each of them now:
 
__TSH: Thyroid Stimulating Hormone__ – this hormone is produced by the pituitary gland. It’s job is to “crack the whip” to tell the thyroid to work a little harder.
 
__T3: Your active thyroid hormone__ - this is the hormone which is metabolically active, responsible for all of the thyroid’s influence in the body (discussed above) including the metabolic rate, stimulating weight loss, improving appetite and digestion.
 
__T4: Your storage thyroid hormone__ – we produce T3 from this in times of need by removing one iodine molecule. An adequate supply of this hormone means we are well nourished and have well stocked reserves. This hormone can be broken down and recycled over and over to create T3.
 
__rT3: Reverse T3, the dummy hormone__ - one which is used to reduce appetite and metabolism in times of famine or malnutrition. This is the hormone which binds up the receptors, preventing T3 from doing it’s job. Remember T3 is responsible for a healthy appetite and metabolism, therefore elevated rT3 generally means slower metabolism, fatigue, difficulty losing weight.
 
__Thyroid Autoantibodies__- Antibodies which are produced due to autoimmune conditions such as hashimotos thyroiditis, or in the instance of nutrient deficiencies. Acceptable levels vary per the sensitivity of the lab conducting the test. Ideal levels would be zero.

__TSI:__ A more recent introduction to thyroid testing is Thyroid Stimulating Immunoglobulin. This is a protein produced in the instance of Graves disease (the most common cause of hyperthyroidism) which mimicks TSH - causing overstimulation of the thyroid. TSI is a much more sensitive and accurate marker for Graves and is the best choice for those suffering with symptoms of Hyperthyroidism (hair loss, anxiety, overheating, difficulty losing weight etc).
 
### Let's talk a little more about the available testing now..
 
__What tests are available free of charge?__
 
The standard process is that your GP will request a TSH assessment. He or she may also tick the boxes to include T3 or T4 but unless the TSH falls outside of the reference ranges, these assessments will not be carried out. Therefore, even if your GP has requested them, you have likely not had a complete assessment. 
 
__What is a reference range?__
 
A reference range should be called the “Average range” as this is what it really means. It is the variation in numbers that is seen following an assessment of many tests, the range within which 95% of the population falls becomes the reference range. An example of this is TSH which has a range of 0.5 to 4.
 
__What is a healthy range?__
 
A healthy range is the ideal variation in test numbers that you would see in a healthy person. Using TSH as the example again, the ideal range is 1-2 – vastly different to the reference range. Outside of the healthy range, you may be unable to be clinically or formally “diagnosed” as having a condition yet would often be experiencing the associated symptoms.
 
For example, I have patients who have experienced hair loss, extreme weight loss and chronic anxiety at TSH of 0.6, I have patients with obesity with thyroid levels at 2.7. They are all under the care of a GP, due to their TSH sitting inside the reference ranges they did not qualify for further testing.
 
I referred them to the laboratory for private pathology for a full assessment. Severely imbalanced hormones were being produced by the thyroid in the majority of cases. From assessing these imbalances, we could determine the appropriate nutritional support.
 
You’ll be pleased to know that all patient’s symptoms improve quickly with the right support and the TSH begins to normalise over time.
 
__What is the ideal?__
 
The ideal range is where we all should aim to be, this is our optimum or preferred level. Ideal TSH is 1.5. At 1.5 we have the perfect amount of stimulation, not so much that it over-stimulates and causes severe weight loss, diarrhoea, anxiety etc, and not so little that we have lazy thyroids making us feel exhausted, constipated, depressed and struggling to lose weight. The ideal range is the gold medal – a reward for a commitment to your health and one that feels incredible once achieved.
 
__Who should get their thyroid checked?__
 
I would recommend that everyone who is trying, unsuccessfully to lose weight, or is experiencing any of the symptoms below, has their thyroid checked. Once the imbalances have been picked up it can be treated very effectively with the right balance of nutrients and will also allow accurate personalisation of your diet. Specific foods may be more therapeutic than others for you and some healthy foods may even need to be avoided – this is a highly valuable assessment that changes my patients lives, creating clarity and direction.
 
If you have been struggling for a while, particularly if you suffer from any of the following symptoms, we would love to help you. For the optimum testing package, combine your Thyroid assessment with a Nutrition Assessment. In a Nutrition Assessment for Thyroid health I'll be analysing your test results and provide dietary, supplemental and lifestyle advice for improving your Thyroid hormone balance and, as a result, your overall health. 
 
### Symptoms of thyroid dysfunction:

- Constipation
- Excessive hair loss
- Dry brittle nails and hair
- Weight gain despite eating healthy
- Excessive weight loss
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Sensitivity to cold
- Chronic colds and/or flu
- Chronic diarrhoea
- Poor digestion
- PMS
- Infertility
- Muscle weakness
- Persistent fatigue
- Joint or muscle pain
- Pale dry skin
- Hoarse and/or deep voice
- Puffy face
 
Pass this article around to those who you think may benefit most from the information. It's time we took charge of our own health and used the tools we have available to us. Too often I see people who have struggled for years unnecessarily, the help was there all along - they just didn't know it.
 
__Until next time, stay deliciously healthy.

man_groceries_feature

If you think you've already had your thyroid checked by your GP I have bad news... The sad truth is unless you have a diagnosed thyroid disorder, then it's highly unlikely that you have had a full, accurate and complete assessment of your thyroid function.

What your doctor hasn't told you about thyroid testing

hiker-looking-at-lake-banner-i-screen

### Thyroid issues affect 1 in 7

A surprising 1 in 7 individuals are affected by some form of thyroid disorder according to the [Australian Thyroid Foundation](https://www.thyroidfoundation.org.au/), and as many as half may not even realise it. Women are also 10 times more likely than men to experience thyroid issues.

### The thyroid regulates vital body functions

The thyroid gland is a small butterfly-shaped gland in the front of the neck which uses iodine to produce hormones which control your metabolism. These hormones regulate vital body functions and how fast or slow your brain, heart, muscles, liver, and other parts of your body work. Every cell in the body depends on thyroid hormones to convert oxygen and calories into energy.

### If you have a thyroid issue, you probably won't feel great

Your thyroid function is intricately connected with every system in your body, so if your thyroid isn’t working properly you most likely won’t feel great. Most people aren’t born with a thyroid disorder, it’s something that typically presents later in life. In fact if you're a woman over 35 your odds of a thyroid disorder increase significantly.

What causes your thyroid to go awry isn’t clear - it could be a result of genetics, autoimmune disease, pregnancy, stress, nutritional deficiencies, or toxins in the environment.  Symptoms of a thyroid disorder are many and varied due to the extensive reach of thyroid hormones across the body.

### Symptoms of a thyroid disorder are many and varied

Most thyroid imbalances are a result of an under-active or hypothyroid, but some are related to an over-active or hyperthyroid, and the symptoms can be all too familiar.

1. Your feel tired all the time
You can feel tired for a number of reasons, but if you’re constantly dragging despite getting 8 hrs of sleep and can't get through your day without coffee, this could be a sign of a hypothyroid.

2. That unexplained weight gain
The thyroid controls your metabolism so it's not surprising it can affect your weight. People with an over-active or hyperthyroid often have higher metabolic rates meaning they may be burning calories faster and lose weight. Conversely people with an under-active thyroid typically experience weight gain despite exercising and not eating more.

3. Unpredictable bowels
Your thyroid gland controls your bowel function, so not surprisingly an under-active thyroid condition can leave you feeling bloated and constipated, or a hyperthyroid can leave you with the opposite issue.

4. Dry skin and thinning hair
Hypothyroidism can leave your skin dry and scaly and your nails brittle and with ridges. Dry, brittle hair that breaks or falls out can also be a sign of an under-active thyroid, as too little thyroid hormone disrupts your hair growth cycle and can also cause excessive hair loss.

5. Mood swings, depression or anxiety
If you feel depressed or anxious, your thyroid should be one of the first areas to investigate. A hypothyroid is typically associated with depression, while a hyperthyroid is more commonly associated with anxiety or panic attacks.

6. Menstrual and fertility issues
Our hormones are intricately connected, and a thyroid imbalance frequently throws other hormones out of rhythm. An under-active thyroid is often the cause of heavier, more frequent and more painful periods, while shorter, lighter or infrequent menstruation can be associated with hyperthyroidism. Infertility is also commonly associated with undiagnosed thyroid conditions, and both an over or under-active thyroid can interfere with ovulation.

7. Cold hands and feet
If you feel cold when others don’t, this could be a sign of hypothyroidism. Conversely an over-active thyroid can leave you feeling overheated and sweaty.

8. The fuzzies
A thyroid imbalance can affect your concentration and leave you struggling to recall events. Too much thyroid hormone can cause difficulty concentrating and too little may cause forgetfulness and general brain fog.

### Thyroid disorders are often misdiagnosed

Australians may not be so proactive in recognising and treating thyroid disorders as compared with other parts of the developed world – in part because private blood testing and the ability to take control of your health data is a relatively new thing in this country. Sadly thyroid issues often go under the radar and are confused with other hormonal disorders such as menopause, psychological disorders like depression, or are even explained away by a stressful lifestyle or getting older.

### Find out it you have a thyroid issue

The truth is if you feel that something’s wrong, but you can’t put finger on what, it could be a thyroid issue. The good news is that a thyroid imbalance can be relatively straightforward to correct, the challenge until now has been finding out that you have one. Find out more [here](https://i-screen.co.nz/tests/thyroid-test).

hiker-looking-at-lake-small-i-screen

Thyroid conditions affect 1 in 7 Kiwis, and half don't even realise it. If you feel that something’s wrong, but you can’t put finger on what, it could be a thyroid issue.

8 reasons to get your thyroid checked

Vitamin D Blog banner

Winter is well upon us down under. When the cold and grey weather settles in, summer can feel like a distant memory and our moods can feel like they're riding a rollercoaster. 

For some, SAD (which has been on a hiatus in the warmer months) can throw itself back into our lives. SAD is the acronym for Seasonal Affective Disorder, a form of depression that usually begins in autumn and continues through the winter months. It is believed to affect up to 10% of the population. Symptoms include feeling sad or anxious, fatigue, concentration problems, irritability and feelings of guilt and hopelessness.

### The role of sunlight
Although the exact cause of SAD isn't clear, a number of studies suggest it may be triggered by lack of sunlight. One hypothesis is that reduced sunlight exposure interferes with the body's biological clock that regulates mood, sleep and hormones. A perhaps more compelling theory is the fluctuation in vitamin D levels with the changing seasons in response to the amount of sunlight. The sun plays a vital role in helping the body to absorb vitamin D. 

"*Vitamin D is activated through a reaction between UV rays and cholesterol in the skin,*" explains i-screen's Nutritionist and Lifstyle Medicine Practitioner [Jennifer May](https://www.i-screen.co.nz/blog/clinical-nutrition), "*levels are typically at their peak during summer months, and drop off during winter which is when people are typically most at risk for a deficiency.*"

### Why is Vitamin D important?
"*Vitamin D regulates the immune system, helps with optimising cell differentiation (which is important for cancer prevention), helps the intestines absorb calcium and magnesium for strong muscles and bones, and helps to regulate mood through production of the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin.*" explains Jennifer, "*A lesser known fact is that Vitamin D is actually a steroid hormone that plays a key part in regulating sex hormones for optimum fertility and virility.*" 

### Am I at risk of deficiency?
You may be at a greater risk of vitamin D deficiency if you stay mostly indoors for health, work or other reasons, have naturally dark skin, or avoid the sun for skin protection or due to medical reasons. Where you live is also a factor - our Tasmanian Medical Laboratory reports that 60% of Tasmanians present with a vitamin D deficiency at the end of winter.

### Combating SAD - the Winter Blues
Here's what Jennifer has to say about boosting those vitamin D levels:
- Increase your exposure to sunlight, but be sure to follow safe sun guidelines - speak to your GP if you're not sure what's safe for you. Even if it doesn't look that sunny outside you can still get valuable Vitamin D, so do what you can to spend as much time outside and keep up regular exercise. 
- Top up your vitamin D levels through dietary sources during winter - vitamin D rich foods include dairy products (particularly cheese), egg yolks, and oily fish such as tuna, mackerel and salmon. Many of us actually start to crave more of these foods during these colder months.
- Consider a vitamin D supplement - talk to your GP or pharmacist about which supplement may be right for you.

Concerned you may have a vitamin D deficiency? Finding out is easy with a simple blood test.

Winter, SAD or whatever the reason - if you need help or know someone else who may, you can find the support needed at one of many helplines listed on [Beyond Blue](https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/national-help-lines-and-websites). 

Adapted from a post originally published in May 2017 as 'Cracking the SADs' 

Beat_the_blues_blog_feature

Winter is well upon us down under. When the cold and grey weather settles in, summer can feel like a distant memory and our moods can feel like they're riding a rollercoaster. 

Cranking your Vitamin D levels can help beat the Winter Blues

movember

## Manliness and The Manopause – what you need to know about your hormones

As many of us spend Movember horrifying our significant others and entertaining work colleagues with bizarre sprouting of facial hair, one can’t help but question one’s own manliness when a month of abstinence doesn’t yield that much-coveted handlebar mo. 

Movember puts a spotlight on the devastating impacts of cancer but also men’s mental health, a murkier and less well understood subject, particularly when this relates to the taboo subject of hormones. Let's be clear, my mental health has been affected and all I've done is some research - after all, talking about hormones is the realm of women, right?

From the age of 30, a man’s testosterone levels naturally start to decline, but not everyone’s levels decline at the same rate. This is a problem because research shows a link between low testosterone and obesity, increased disease risk and premature death.

So here are 5 things you need to know about your hormones:

### Fact #1 – Andropause is a thing
My wife refused to face the inevitable (albeit distant) threat of menopause calmly, instead suggesting that “manopause” was coming to get me, a prediction based solely on my increased lethargy, mildly comical expanding midriff and curve-less arms, and maybe also due to a lack of lust in bed in the morning. Hormone changes are a natural part of aging. Unlike the more dramatic hormone plunge that occurs in women during menopause, male hormone changes sneak up gradually. Testosterone levels start to drop at age 30 to 40 at a rate of about 1% per year, but if levels decrease faster men can experience andropause.

### Fact #2 – Low T can have devastating side effects
The side effects of low testosterone are not to be taken lightly. Other medical terms include testosterone deficiency syndrome, androgen deficiency of the ageing male and my personal favourite, “late-onset male hypogonadism”. I was called a gonad once - I still remember vividly the recoil I experienced at the term - I can't begin to imagine the damage hypogonad would have inflicted. The health issues associated with low testosterone can be all too familiar:

__Bang to buck__
Low T can leave you crashing in the bedroom department – it can cause a dramatic drop in sexual appetite, and goodbye to those, ahem, spontaneous erections. This can also lead to depression and anxiety as physical intimacy with your partner starts to fizzle.

__Low energy__
General lethargy and fatigue is another common complaint of low testosterone. Even if you somehow managed to get your 8 hours of sleep you can find yourself crashing in the afternoon. Over time life may start to feel a bit less interesting and more like a chore.

__From 6-pack to barrel __
Because testosterone inhibits fat deposits and helps with muscle production, some of the early signs of a "declining androgen state" can be increased belly fat and reduction in muscle mass. Men with low testosterone levels are also more likely to suffer a cardiovascular event and even develop insulin resistance.

__Brain Fog__
Brain fatigue starts with something you can brush off, like forgetting your password which happens to everyone right? But then you may realise you’re actually losing your edge, and that those tasks that you used to smash through start to trip you up. For high achievers, brain fog might be one of the worst side effects of low T and can be a slippery slope to depression.

__Anxiety__
Testosterone has a big role to play in emotional well-being, and anxiety is a common consequence of low T. What’s more, when stress levels rise this can cause a spike in cortisol which if left unmanaged can hurl you unceremoniously into early manopause. This cocktail of unmanaged stress and anxiety combined with the resultant hormone imbalances has serious implication for mental health, until you can’t even make a decision without worrying about its outcome.

### Fact #3 – Oestrogen isn’t just for girls
It’s no secret that testosterone is the holy grail of male hormones, but oestrogen also plays a critical role in male sexual function. Whilst elevated oestrogen certainly does come with a host of health issues (man boobs anyone?) without it your libido can fall through the floor, along with your erectile function and sperm quality. Whilst low T hampers the building of lean muscle mass, low oestrogen can lead to increased body fat and even bone loss – what a delightful combo!

### Fact #4 – If you can measure it you can manage it
The only way to know for sure if you have a hormone imbalance is to measure your hormones. [i-screen](https://www.i-screen.co.nz) now offers referrals for private blood tests online. Test results come back in your own personal dashboard with defined hormone reference ranges so you can easily see if yours are off track. [i-screen](https://www.i-screen.co.nz) recommends getting your hormones tested annually so you can check your testosterone levels aren’t dropping faster than the magic 1% each year, and to help you track any improvements or declines in performance.

### Fact #5 - You can fix a hormone imbalance
Before you rush off to your GP to talk about testosterone replacement therapy, take some time to think about how your lifestyle may be affecting your hormones. Hitting the gym, watching your stress levels, fixing your diet, and getting more sleep are all proven ways to help boost testosterone naturally. 

Let's be honest, I look around and tell myself I’m not the only guy with a bulging belly and skinny arms. If my kids weren't so easy to blame for my "decreased sexual activity" I may start to feel like a lousy husband and a less than average man - and that's a well-documented spiral of self-absorbed misery where nobody wins. If I didn't have several legitimate (for now) excuses for some of these common developments for men my age, I know my self-confidence would take a hammering, motivation would follow and probably sleep too - and where would that lead me? Any number of perfectly avoidable hormonal developments could mark my departure from a well-balanced and loved environment to a much lonelier and sinister existence. 

So this Movember, spare a thought for how some less than ideal lifestyle choices may be sabotaging your hormones, and recognise that your path to mental and physical wellbeing may start with a simple [blood test](https://www.i-screen.co.nz/tests/male-fertility-test). 


movember_man

As many of us spend Movember horrifying our significant others and entertaining work colleagues with bizarre sprouting of facial hair, one can’t help but question one’s own manliness when a month of abstinence doesn’t yield that much-coveted handlebar mo. 

Manliness and The Manopause – 5 things you need to know about your hormones

Cortisol banner

## Feeling burnt out? it could be adrenal fatigue

We’ve all experienced ‘flow’ – you know that optimal state of awesomeness where you move from task to task nailing everything in your path like you’re Neo from the Matrix, whilst simultaneously busting out a power pose.

During ‘flow’ the brain floods our system with pleasure-inducing, performance-enhancing chemicals which have considerable impact on our creativity. According to Steven Kotler, flow is typically experienced at the “emotional midpoint between boredom and anxiety — the spot where the task is hard enough to stretch us, but not hard enough to make us snap”. 

But what happens when we slip (or triple jump) past this emotional midpoint? Here we discuss the 4 stages of not so awesome hormone imbalances:

### Stage 1 – “In the zone”
When you’re stressed, the ‘fight or flight’ system takes over and the body produces adrenaline. Adrenaline makes your heart pound, your muscles tense, your breathing faster, and can even make you start sweating – useful when you’re running from a rabid animal, but not that great when you’re sitting in an interview. But as many of us have found, when we control these awkward physical responses, we benefit from the plus side of adrenaline and become alert and sharp.

When we’re ‘in the zone’ the body also produces the stress hormone cortisol and the anabolic hormone DHEA. Cortisol works on fat cells and the liver to make glucose available for muscles, whereas DHEA balances out the effects of cortisol by regulating metabolism, boosting the immune system and preventing the build-up of dangerous plaque deposits in our arteries. 

Often people don’t experience any health issues during this early stage, and in fact many of us go in and out of Stage 1 multiple times throughout our careers and lives.

### Stage 2 – “Wired but tired”
Depending on the long-term nature of the stress and how well we handle it, it can take anywhere from half an hour to a couple of days for us to return to our normal resting state. But what happens during long periods of stress, where we’ve been stretched that bit too far for a bit too long?

Persistent adrenaline surges can damage our arteries, up our blood pressure, and increase our risk of heart attack. If that wasn’t bad enough, chronically high cortisol increases our appetite causing sugar cravings and a build-up of fat tissue – this often leads to ‘unexplained weight gain’. High cortisol also messes with our sleep patterns by inhibiting the hormone melatonin. DHEA production starts to drop under long periods of stress which can in turn impact levels of oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone – bye bye libido.

At this point our clients often complain of feeling “wired but tired” as they experience the effects of over-exertion of their adrenals – they’re alert during the day but then crash hard in the evening. Many start to O.D. on caffeine during this stage.

### Stage 3 – “Flat line”
As time passes but the stress doesn’t, DHEA stays low while cortisol levels drop hovering in the low-normal range. Low DHEA continues to take its toll on the sex hormones which can cause PMS, accelerated menopause, andropause (male menopause – yes, it’s a thing) and also thyroid issues. At this point we may still be able to function, hold down a job and continue a pretty normal life, but our clients often complain of tiredness, a lack of enthusiasm, poor immunity and a lower sex drive. This phase might continue for several months or even years and is often accompanied by a dwindling sick leave balance.

### Stage 4 – “Burn out”
When not addressed, finally the body runs out of ways to produce stress hormones, and cortisol levels drop below normal. With the levels of both sex hormones and stress hormones low, our clients often report suffering from extreme tiredness, lack of sex drive, irritability, depression, anxiety, weight loss, apathy and a general disinterest in the world. To recover from this stage can require a total career and lifestyle overhaul, but we cover that in another [blog](https://www.i-screen.co.nz/blog/saliva-test-for-adrenal-fatigue "5 ways to restore your adrenal health").

### Adrenal fatigue can creep up on you
As with depression, adrenal fatigue is insidious and due to multiple factors. Stress isn’t just a consequence of how enormous the task we’re faced with may seem, it’s also magnified by how supported we feel in the workplace, what kind of physical shape we’re in, what’s going on at home, how much sleep we’ve had, our emotional state and even what we’ve had for breakfast (shout out to the working mums). For many of us integrity is also an issue – if we’re not getting the support we need to deliver on our commitments, or if we don’t feel in control of our working environment or our personal lives, then this can significantly add to our stress burden. Rather than tackling the problem, all too often we tell ourselves we’re just ‘having a bad day’ - we self-talk ourselves into ‘pushing through’ in the hope that things will be better tomorrow. And sometimes they are, but left unchecked this cocktail of work, environmental and lifestyle factors can lead to a chronic stress response.

### The importance of testing
A simple saliva test can measure your levels of cortisol and DHEA over the course of the day. Cortisol levels normally fluctuate throughout the day and night in a circadian rhythm that peaks at about 8am and declines in the evening – this helps us leap out of bed in the morning (or not), and wind down in the evening ready for sleep. Chronic stress messes up this cycle and the resulting hormone imbalance is evident in the results of this simple saliva test. 

If you feel you might be suffering from a chronic stress response, then perhaps it’s time to take back control of your health.

Find out more with our [Adrenal Fatigue Check](https://www.i-screen.co.nz/tests/adrenal-fatigue-test "Adrenal Fatigue Check").


wonder_woman_coffer

Feeling burnt out? it could be adrenal fatigue

Feeling burnt out? It could be adrenal fatigue

young-woman-in-scarf-in-sunlight-i-screen

Winter has officially arrived, and for many Kiwis this also brings a case of the winter blues. 

SAD is the acronym for Seasonal Affective Disorder, a form of depression that usually begins in autumn, continuing through the winter months, and believed to affect up to 10% of the population. Symptoms include feeling sad or anxious, fatigue, concentration problems, irritability and feelings of guilt and hopelessness.

### The role of sunlight

Although the exact cause of SAD isn't clear, a number of studies suggest it may be triggered by lack of sunlight. 

One hypothesis is that reduced sunlight exposure interferes with the body's biological clock that regulates mood, sleep and hormones. Another theory is that lack of sunlight causes an imbalance of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin which regulate mood.

### Link between vitamin D and depression

It is well known that vitamin D levels in the body fluctuate with the changing seasons in response to the amount of sunlight. Vitamin D plays part in the synthesis of both dopamine and serotonin, and it is logical that there is a relationship between vitamin D and symptoms of depression.

You may be at a greater risk of vitamin D deficiency if you stay mostly indoors for health, work or other reasons, have naturally dark skin, or avoid the sun for skin protection or due to medical reasons. Where you live is also a factor, and our Tasmanian Medical Laboratory reports that 60% of Tasmanians presenting for the first time for vitamin D testing at the end of winter show deficiency, and on average in any season of the year 44% of Tasmanians are vitamin D deficient.

### Combatting SAD

So if you feel you've got a case of the 'sads', then you might want to consider:

- increasing your exposure to sunlight (NB following safe sun guidelines)
- increasing dietary calcium
- increasing physical activity
- taking a vitamin D supplement

If you're worried you may have a vitamin D deficiency, then finding out is easy with a simple blood test.

Winter has officially arrived, and for many Kiwis this also brings a case of the winter blues. 

Cracking the SADs

man-and-woman-walking-in-park-banner-i-screen

### What are hormones?

Hormones are chemical messengers in the body that are created in the endocrine glands. These messengers control most major bodily functions from basic needs like hunger to complex systems like reproduction and emotions.

The body produces many different hormones, but certain types have a bigger role to play in the body's health and well-being. Understanding these roles is important if you’re seeking to proactively manage your health.

### A hormone imbalance can cause chronic health issues

When your hormones are in proper balance they help the body thrive, but small problems with hormones can cause serious and life-altering symptoms. Specifically, imbalances of sex hormones, thyroid hormones and adrenal hormones are common problems that can contribute to a host of chronic health issues. Unfortunately, conventional medicine often doesn’t understand the significant role hormone imbalances play in many health complaints.

### How do I know if I have a hormone imbalance?

The following list of common complaints can often be helped or eliminated by improving hormone health. The challenge is often finding out the starting place of your hormone imbalance to ensure you are treating the root of the problem rather than just the symptoms. And that’s where hormone testing comes in.

- Fatigue
- Sleeping problems
- Weight loss difficulties
- Depression and anxiety
- Mood swings and emotional problems
- Dry skin and rashes
- Hair loss
- Allergies
- Body and joint pain
- Chronic headaches
- Infertility
- Menstrual irregularities
- Poor immune function

When assessing a hormone imbalance, it’s important to evaluate the endocrine system as a whole. This is because the endocrine system is complex and hormones and their actions are intricately linked – this means that hormone imbalances originating from different areas can cause the same symptom.

### How do I know which hormones are out of balance?

If you have a sneaking suspicion you have a hormone balance, the chart below may help you understand where the issue is originating from.

![common-signs-of-a-hormone-imbalance](//images.contentful.com/vd2mbykddgpu/7Ib7K6uYfuaQ2EGu6MeYuo/6f070619777ff753f67952abefe31546/common-signs-of-a-hormone-imbalance.jpg)

### How can I find out if I have a hormone imbalance?

The only way to confirm a hormone imbalance is to test your hormone levels. Both blood tests and saliva tests are proven techniques in assessing a hormone imbalance. i-screen uses blood tests to accurately determine sex hormone and thyroid hormone levels, but prefers saliva testing to assess cortisol levels. This is because cortisol levels follow a diurnal pattern which means tests must be conducted throughout the course of the day – this makes blood testing inconvenient.

### Which test should I choose?

i-screen offers a number of hormone tests, and it can be confusing to decide which test is right for you.

- If you believe you have a __sex hormone imbalance__, then i-screen’s [Female Hormone Check](https://www.i-screen.co.nz/tests/progesterone-test) can verify this
- If you think your __thyroid__ may be to blame, then a [Thyroid Check](https://www.i-screen.co.nz/tests/thyroid-test) or [Advanced Thyroid Check](https://www.i-screen.co.nz/tests/thyroid-antibodies-test) is a good place to start
- Or if __cortisol__ could be the problem, then i-screen’s [Adrenal Fatigue Check](https://www.i-screen.co.nz/tests/adrenal-fatigue-test) can provide further insight

If your blood tests or saliva tests do reveal that you have a hormone imbalance, then our team of qualified doctors can recommend how you can take steps to improve your health and wellbeing.

If you need further guidance on which test is right for you, then [contact us](https://i-screen.co.nz/app/contact) and one of our medical professionals will be in touch to work through your symptoms.

### Further information

Check out some of our other blogs for further information about thyroid health and adrenal function:

- [8 reasons to get your thyroid checked](https://www.i-screen.co.nz/blog/hypothyroidism-test)
- [Common signs you have adrenal fatigue](https://www.i-screen.co.nz/blog/adrenal-fatigue-burn-out)


man-and-woman-walking-in-park-small-i-screen

When your hormones are in proper balance they help the body thrive, but small problems with hormones can cause serious and life-altering symptoms.

Recognising the signs of hormone imbalance

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So you’ve had a blood test and found out you have high cholesterol. Don’t panic, half of New Zealanders actually have ‘high cholesterol’ so you’re not alone. But that doesn’t mean you can sit back and relax either, as high blood cholesterol is a major health concern in New Zealand. It’s important to get on top of your cholesterol as you get older and particularly if you’re already at risk of heart disease.

### What is cholesterol?

Cholesterol is an essential type of fat that is carried in the blood. We need a small amount of blood cholesterol because the body uses it to build cell membranes, make hormones, vitamin D, and bile acids that help us digest fat. Cholesterol also helps us to form memories and is vital for neurological function.

So that’s the plus side of cholesterol. The bad news is that too much cholesterol in the blood can damage our arteries and lead to heart disease.

Cholesterol is a white, waxy substance made in the liver and also by most cells in the body. It is carried around in the blood by little ‘couriers’ called lipoproteins to the target organs that need it:

- __The Good: high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol__ – these lipoproteins carry the ‘good’ cholesterol that helps remove excess cholesterol out of the cells, including the arteries.
- __The Bad: low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol__ – these lipoproteins carry most of the cholesterol that is delivered to cells. LDL cholesterol is called the ‘bad’ cholesterol because high levels in the bloodstream can clog your arteries.
- __The Ugly: very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol__ – these lipoproteins are the very large particles - high levels of VLDL cholesterol have been associated with plaque deposits on artery walls which narrow the passage and restrict blood flow.

Also making an appearance in your cholesterol count are:

- __Triglycerides__ – these are the main storage form of fatty acids in the body. Most triglyceride in blood is found in the very large particles (VLDL). High triglyceride levels may contribute to hardening of the arteries and increase the risk of heart disease or stroke.
- __Lipoprotein (a)__ – this is a substance made up of LDL "bad cholesterol" plus a protein (apoprotein a). Elevated levels are a very strong risk factor for heart disease - this is well established, yet few GPs check for it in their patients.

About ¾ of the cholesterol in our bodies is made in the liver and the rest comes from the types of fats we eat. Our genes also partly determine our blood cholesterol levels as do our diet and lifestyle. Cholesterol in food has only a very small effect on blood cholesterol, however eating too much saturated fat may lead to excess cholesterol in the blood stream.

### What cholesterol levels should I be aiming for?

Australian health authorities recommend that total cholesterol levels should be no higher than __5.5__ mmol/l if there are no other risk factors present. If there are other cardiovascular risk factors such as smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity or pre-existing cardiovascular (heart) disease, then total cholesterol should be __less than 4.0__ mmol/l.

A smart tool developed by the National Vascular Disease Prevention Alliance (NVDPA) (an alliance of Diabetes Australia, the National Heart Foundation of Australia, Kidney Health Australia and the National Stroke Foundation) calculates your absolute risk of heart disease (your chance of getting cardiovascular disease which includes all heart, stroke and blood vessel diseases) – you need to know your blood pressure as well as your total and HDL cholesterol to use this tool - [https://www.cvdcheck.org.au](http://www.cvdcheck.org.au/).

### Why is high cholesterol a problem?

Too much cholesterol circulating within LDL in our blood leads to fatty deposits developing in the arteries. This causes the vessels to narrow and they can eventually become blocked which can lead to heart disease and stroke.

If your cholesterol level is > 6.5 your risk of heart disease is about four times that of a person with a cholesterol level of 4.0.

Note that having high cholesterol levels doesn’t automatically mean you’ll develop heart disease – there are other genetic and physiological factors that influence this. But we do know that about 30% of Australians will die from heart disease and most of these will be over 65 years old. Heart disease takes a number of years to develop, so if you discover your cholesterol level is high you can start taking action to lower your cholesterol today, and monitor any changes in your levels regularly.

### How can I lower my cholesterol?

You don’t need to eat foods that contain cholesterol as your body can produce all the cholesterol it needs. High-cholesterol foods are often also high in saturated fats and these foods should be limited in a healthy diet.

The cholesterol in your diet comes mainly from eggs and from animal products that are rich in fat such as meats and full fat dairy foods. All foods from animals contain some cholesterol whereas foods from plants do not contain cholesterol. 

The most effective way to lower your LDL cholesterol is to reduce the amount of saturated fat and follow a healthy diet. By making the following changes to your diet you can expect your cholesterol to fall by 10%:

- Limit cakes, biscuits, pastries 
- Use polyunsaturated or monounsaturated margarine or oils instead of butter 
- Choose lean cuts of meat and remove visible fat 
- Limit fatty meats, including sausages and salami
- Include more fish and beans in your meals 
- Increase the amount and variety of fresh fruit, vegetables and wholegrain foods
- Choose low or reduced-fat milk, yoghurt and other dairy products
- Include foods in your diet that are rich in soluble fibre and healthy fats, such as nuts, legumes and seeds
- Limit cheese and ice cream to twice a week

Food components like saponins (found in chickpeas, alfalfa sprouts and other foods) and sulphur compounds like allicin (found in garlic and onions) may also have a positive effect in lowering cholesterol levels. 

Plant sterols have also been shown to lower cholesterol levels and are found naturally in plant foods including sunflower and canola seeds, vegetable oils and (in smaller amounts) in nuts, legumes, cereals, fruit and vegetables. Some margarine and milks have concentrated plant sterols added to them and can lower LDL cholesterol.

### What else can I do to lower my cholesterol?
Changing some of your lifestyle habits may also help to reduce your cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Suggestions include:

- Limit your alcohol intake to no more than one or two drinks a day and avoid binge drinking - this may help lower your triglyceride levels.
- Don’t smoke - smoking increases the ability of LDL cholesterol to get into artery cells and cause damage
- Exercise regularly e.g. at least 30 mins of brisk walking daily. Exercise increases HDL levels while reducing LDL and triglyceride levels in the body.
- Lose excess body fat - being overweight may contribute to raised blood triglyceride and LDL levels.
- Control your blood sugar levels if you have diabetes. High blood sugars are linked to an increased risk of atherosclerosis (‘hardening of the arteries’), heart attacks and strokes.

### When should I consider medication?

If despite changes to your diet and lifestyle your cholesterol level remains stubbornly above 6.5 you may need medication, especially if you have other risk factors or have a family history of heart disease. Your GP is best able to advise you if medications may be needed to control cholesterol, triglycerides and other risk factors.

### If you can measure it, you can manage it

Consider regular testing of your cholesterol levels and other heart disease risk factors. __i-screen__ offers a range of health checks which include tests for key biomarkers which are known risk factors for heart disease. These include the more conventional tests such as __total cholesterol__, __LDL cholesterol__, __HDL cholesterol__, as well as __C-reactive protein__ - a key marker of inflammation in the body. Elevated levels may indicate increased risk of cardiovascular disease or stroke.

__i-screen__ also offers more specialised testing for heart disease risk factors including:

- __Lipoprotein Particle Size__ – this test separates and quantifies all lipoprotein particles including the ‘large’, less atherogenic LDL-1 and LDL-2 and the ‘small’, highly atherogenic LDL-3 to LDL-7. The test also measures VLDL and IDL cholesterol.
- __Lipoprotein (a)__ -  Lipoprotein (a) has many properties in common with LDL but contains a unique protein, apolipoprotein (a) which is structurally different. Increased plasma lipoprotein (a) levels have been significantly correlated with cardiovascular disease. 
- __Apoliproteins__ - elevated levels of apolipoprotein B (a constituent of atherogenic lipoproteins), and reduced levels of apolipoprotein A-I (a component of anti-atherogenic HDL), are associated with increased cardiac events, and are believe to be a more reliable indicator of risk than traditional LDL and HDL measurements.
- __Troponin__ - a study published on Christmas day 2016 has shown that a blood troponin test could be a more effective way of assessing future heart disease risk than blood pressure or cholesterol.
- __Genetic testing__ – using specialised genomic testing we can identify hidden gene mutations that may promote chronic disease, prevent disease through early intervention, and modify gene expression through more precise, targeted, individualised interventions.

Whichever testing regime you decide on, monitoring changes in your health data over time typically provides greater insight than a single isolated result, and will allow you to track any improvements or declines in performance. This means you can monitor the effectiveness of any diet and lifestyle changes you have adopted, or measure the effects of any cholesterol moderating medications. 

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So you’ve had a blood test and found out you have high cholesterol. Don’t panic, half of New Zealanders actually have ‘high cholesterol’ so you’re not alone.

So I’ve got high cholesterol – now what?

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Androgenic-anabolic steroids (AAS) have been used to enhance athletic performance since the 1940s, but some of the health risks of steroid abuse have only recently come to light. Anabolic steroids have widespread effects on the body and its internal systems, so it’s not surprising that aside from their potential effect on muscle growth, they can harm other cells and organs. That's why regular health screening and blood testing is so important.

### How do anabolic steroids work?

Anabolic steroids are synthetic derivatives of the hormone testosterone which amongst other things is responsible for muscle development - “the anabolic effect”, and the development of male sexual characteristics - “the androgenic effect”.

Anabolic steroids work in several different ways in the body:

1. When we lift heavy weights we create tiny micro-tears in muscle fibres. Testosterone stimulates the creation of new and bigger muscle fibres in reaction to this. Anabolic steroids tend to cause an exaggerated version of this reaction due to the high doses people use.
2. Anabolic steroids stimulate production of growth hormone (GH) which in turn stimulates the production of IGF-1. IGF-1 has growth-promoting effects on almost every cell in the body especially skeletal muscle, cartilage and bone.
3. Intense exercise releases cortisol known as the stress hormone, which breaks down muscle tissue. Anabolic steroids inhibit this breakdown resulting in an overall anabolic effect.
4. There is evidence that anabolic steroids may increase oxygen uptake and increase cardiac output.
5. Anabolic steroids may also improve athletic performance by increasing aggressive behaviour.

### Unintended physical consequences

A common misconception is that because anabolic steroids are a man-made derivative of a hormone occurring naturally in the body they should be safe to supplement with. The human body controls the blood and tissue levels of testosterone within a small range as too high or low a concentration can be harmful. However the typical doses taken as supplements by athletes are significantly higher than the amount that naturally circulates in our system. Use of anabolic steroids can therefore lead to multiple harmful physical side effects with shrunken testicles and male breast growth probably the most well known. An excess of androgens resulting from steroid use can also lead to male-pattern baldness, severe treatment resistant acne as well as altered libido.

Chronic steroid use causes the body to stop its own internal production of testosterone in an effort to maintain a constant level. This can lead to shrunken testicles that can no longer produce testosterone themselves. In addition, testosterone is converted to oestrogens which are important for modulating libido, erectile function and sperm generation. However an excess of testosterone can raise oestrogen to abnormal levels resulting in gynecomastia or the enlargement of male breasts. These effects can be permanent.

### What lies beneath

In addition to the more noticeable effects associated with steroid use, there are other potential consequences that may not be so obvious but can pose a serious health risk. While blood testing can help pick up some of the abnormalities associated with excessive anabolic steroid use it is important to be aware that many of the harmful effects may not cause abnormalities in the blood until it is too late. It is also important to be aware that many of the treatments for the conditions described below are less likely to work with continued steroid use.

Here we describe 7 ways that anabolic steroids can damage your health without you even realising it:

#### 1. Cardiovascular disease

There have been many studies on the impacts of anabolic steroids on the cardiovascular system in athletes and bodybuilders. Steroids have been shown to increase levels of LDL (bad cholesterol) and decrease levels of HDL (good cholesterol) - this increases the risk of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and heart disease such as angina, heart attacks and sudden cardiac death. Similarly steroid use is also associated with elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels – CRP is an marker of inflammation within the body and there is evidence that constant high levels may predispose people to cardiovascular disease.

Chronic steroid use can affect heart muscle causing a condition known as left ventricular hypertrophy which is an enlargement and thickening of the walls of the heart's main pumping chamber. The enlarged heart muscle loses elasticity and eventually may fail to pump with as much force as needed. This is known as heart failure and is a common cause of disability and death in the elderly.

High blood pressure has been reported in some cases of anabolic steroid use which further increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.

#### 2. Liver toxicity

Most metabolism of anabolic steroids occurs in the liver which is therefore prone to damage. Whilst athletes with pre-existing liver conditions are most at risk the damage can occur in anyone. The two markers of liver stress most commonly elevated in users of anabolic steroids are the enzymes ALT and AST. These enzymes are necessary for amino acid metabolism in the liver and will leak into the bloodstream as the liver becomes inflamed or damaged. ALP and GGT are also important markers of liver health during steroid use, and elevated levels can indicate liver toxicity. It is important to be aware that significant liver damage can be occurring even with normal liver function tests and that often the blood levels of these liver markers only start rising when the damage is severe enough.

#### 3. Kidney injury

One of the kidneys many crucial functions is acting as a filter for the blood, removing excess waste products in the body. Bodybuilders frequently use dietary supplements including protein, creatine and vitamins to build strength and muscle bulk. High-protein intake is a concern as it increases the demand on the kidneys to filter off the excess products of protein metabolism. Often this is not a huge problem on its own, but when high-protein intake is combined with anabolic steroid use, this compounds the load on the kidneys and can lead to scarring and possibly kidney failure.

#### 4. Infertility

Chronic anabolic steroid use causes a decrease in luteinising hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) which are needed for sperm generation. This can cause a decrease in sperm count and mobility. Decreases in LH and FSH can be seen within 24 hours of beginning anabolic steroid use, and infertility may result within months. Usually infertility is reversible typically within 1 year of stopping steroid use, but it can take longer particularly in long-term users.

Men may also experience priapism, impotence, difficulty or pain with urination, and a possible increased risk for prostate cancer, which is why a regular prostate check is important.

#### 5. Impaired glucose tolerance

Studies have shown that anabolic steroid use affects the body’s ability to handle sugar and can lead to type 2 diabetes. This can have a devastating health impact and further increase the risk of kidney damage, heart disease, strokes and blindness amongst other things. Testing of fasting blood sugar can help pick this up early before these complications start to arise.

#### 6. Blood disorders

Anabolic steroid use increases stimulates the production of red blood cells and also increases the levels of haemoglobin (the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen) and haematocrit (the percentage of red blood cells in the blood). This can result in a condition known as testosterone–induced polycythaemia or “sludging”. This causes the blood to become thicker which can in some people trigger life threatening blood clots to form in the bloodstream.

#### 7. Thyroid dysfunction

Studies have shown negative effects of anabolic steroids on thyroid function. The thyroid is responsible for a huge number of important metabolic processes, and a thyroid hormone imbalance can cause a wide range of health issues (refer to our blog on thyroid function for more information). An annual thyroid check is important to keep track of thyroid function. Find out more with our [Thyroid Check](https://www.i-screen.co.nz/tests/thyroid-test).

### The importance of blood work

The use of anabolic steroids can lead to a number of negative health consequences most notably with cardiovascular and liver health. By the time physical symptoms of these develop, permanent harm may already have been done. The safest medical advice that any health professional would give you is to stop using these due to their risks. However, if you chose to continue taking these supplements it is important to be vigilant for any signs you may be harming your health. As discussed in this blog some of these effects can be identified in blood work before physical symptoms become apparent:

- __Cholesterol status__ - there are many factors which contribute to your cardiovascular health. Your cholesterol (both high density and low density lipoproteins) and triglyceride levels are one risk factor we can assess by blood testing.
- __Inflammation__ – the biomarkers c-reactive protein and creatine kinase provide insight into cardiovascular disease and muscle damage.
- __Liver function test__ - your liver processes drugs and filters toxic chemicals. Liver damage is often evident from the assessment of liver enzymes and other key markers of liver function.
- __Kidney function test__ - your kidneys filter waste from your body. Extreme athletes are more at risk of kidney failure due to high protein intake, excessive muscle breakdown from intense exercise as well as anabolic steroid use. Measuring key waste products as well as electrolytes, minerals and glucose provides good insight into kidney function.
- __Full blood count__ – measuring steroid-induced increases in red blood cell count, haematocrit, and haemoglobin concentrations are important in determining the risk of heart attack or stroke.
- __Hormone profile__ – supplementing with anabolic steroids can cause changes in hormone profile over time. Key hormones to measure include the androgens testosterone and free testosterone, as well as FSH, LH and oestradiol.

It is important to understand what your own 'normal' levels are for your blood biomarkers, and to track changes to these over time. Monitoring changes in your health data typically provides greater insight than a single isolated result, and will allow you to track any improvements or declines in performance.

If you want to reduce your health risks, then don’t take anabolic steroids. But if you are supplementing then consider appropriate blood work to understand more about how blood testing and health screening can help manage your risk.

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Androgenic-anabolic steroids (AAS) have been used to enhance athletic performance since the 1940s, but some of the negative consequences of steroid abuse have only recently come to light.