Paul's Laboratory Tests

The historical record of Paul Wakfer's blood tests are available in HTML and EXCEL formats. The last tests were taken on 7/29/2009.

Other test results
• Bone Density - May 2002
• Bone Density - May 1999
• Chest X-ray - May 2002
• Chest X-ray - May 1999
• Spirograph - June 1996

Kitty's Lab Tests

Analysis of Laboratory Test Results
(All Comments by Paul Wakfer)

Results for tests of 07/29/2009

• My blood CO2 level is as low as it ever has been. This indicates more alkaline blood, which should be good to prevent minerals leaching from my bones.
• Ferritin is now below 25 where it is wanted - probably the result of less meat and no black strap molasses.
• Homocysteine is the lowest ever at 5.0.
• C-reactive protein is the lowest ever! Likely the absence of my mysterious leg syndrome for over 18 months has helped.

Results for tests of 02/18/2008

General: This analysis is for a set of results taken towards the end of a trial of using Testim (1% testosterone gel) - after 37 days of application.

• All my readings were not significantly changed from previous healthy values (the set labeled 11/30/2007-01/07/2008 below). It is notable that the Testim has no effect on my hormone values and since it also had no effect on my libido, erections, orgasms or mental happiness/depression levels, I have discontinued use of it and will try again with potential supplemental testosterone boosters.

Results for tests of 01/16/2008

General: This analysis is for a small set of results taken during that the acute phase of another attack of my mysterious leg syndrome on 01/16/2008.

• There are small differences from my normal electrolyte values (sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium) that may be due to my having a fever when blood was drawn. I will see if the result is similar the next time I have a blood test during a fever.
• For unknown reasons (perhaps the fever or other conditions of the syndrome), my Alk Phosphatase was also higher than it had been since 1994.
• C-Reactive protein was elevated as would be expected during an infection, but notably very little.
• White blood cell count was over 3 times normal value, which proved that the syndrome is infection based. In absolute terms (something we don't bother to place on the table, but do get with each CBC test report): Neutrophils were about 6.5 times normal; Lymphocytes were a bit lower than normal; Monocytes were a bit higher than normal.
• All other normal blood cell test were normal (for me). Two tests MPV (mean platelet volume) and ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) were tests that I had not had since starting to record all test results.
• A blood smear test was also taken for detection of coccidioidomycosis (aka Valley Fever a soil born fugal infection common to US desert areas for which most people show no symptoms), in case my mysterious leg syndrome was related to same unusual manifestations of this infection. Two days after the acute phase of the syndrome aerobic and anaerobic blood culture were also taken, which after 8 days showed no growth at all. The coccidioidomycosis test result showed normal detection of antibodies which together with other blood parameters and the negative blood culture test implies merely that I have been exposed to the fungus. Since I have visited and lived in Arizona for various lengths of time since the late 70s and I live in and drove through California desert areas all during the 90s, having previous exposure to coccidioidomycosis is entirely reasonable for me.

Results for tests of 11/30/2007-01/07/2008

General: This analysis is for comprehensive set of blood tests done on 11/30/2007, but some draws were missed by the lab technician which were then done in additional draws on 12/05/2007, 12/13/2007 and 01/07/2008.

• Ferritin is below range, but that is what I want for preventing iron oxidation and lipofuscin accumulation.
• At 5.6 my homocysteine is now the lowest that it has ever been in the records that I have.
• C-Reactive protein was down to normal levels, showing that the previous higher than normal result was likely a measurement error.
• Platelets were back down to my earlier low levels, but again without any apparent negative effect on my blood clotting of skin cuts and scratches.
• Fasting glucose was still nicely low.
• Testosterone is lowest it has been. I am trying testosterone replacement with Testim to see if it will improve libido.
• PSA value has risen again. Will retest next time.
• CEA was now down to almost normal range, likely because intestinal problems are now gone.

Results as of 7/19/07

General: This is the first set of comments on lab test results for almost 2 years. The reason why I did not comment on previous test results as they were done was because both I and Kitty have been in the midst of resolving several test results with which we were not happy and I saw little purpose (but mainly I had insufficient time) in giving interim comments when we had yet to determine causes and arrive at solutions. I am commenting now because most of the values with which we were concerned are where we want them.

• BUN is lower likely because of reduced meat/protein intake.
• ALT (liver enzyme) has gone way down for me (which is good).
• Tot Chol went way down likely because of lower meat and meat fat in the diet and use of acipimox. HDL is lowered relatively less and remains adequate. Triglycerides value is extremely low. It is lower than Kitty's likely because I am taking acipimox, more regularly than she is.
• Homocysteine is still down from many previous results after reducing meat intake.
• I have no explanation for the suddenly higher than ever value for C-Reactive protein while Kitty's remains very low.
• Platelets reading has gone to a more normal value, the highest ever for me, even though this has had no noticeable effect on my blood clotting time.
• Fasting BG value was far lower than ever before. If this is correct then it shows that the BG meter currently being used is giving incorrect readings. We will buy strips and switch back to the old one for a while.
• Elevated Lipase values are an indication of some irritable bowel syndrome (IBS, of which we also had other clear symptoms) - Kitty's being far worse on all counts than mine. This seems to be related to the number of pills and strange chemicals that we take. We are doing our best to reduce it by use of FOS, fiber and probiotics. Mine is by now completely resolved and Kitty's is better but needs more improvement still.
• DHEAS and IGF-1 values are now as desired after reducing DHEA intake.
• Last cortisol values were the best that I have ever had.
• PSA is at an all time low.
• CEA was down likely because lipase and IBS were diminished, but the CEA is still higher than I want.

Results as of 11/8/05

This was the first complete set of tests since 1/21/04 when we (I and Kitty) decided not to incur the expense more than every 18 months unless we had specific reasons and clear needs (as we did for the CBC test of 7/15/05).
The first thing to note is that any concern about liver enzymes being affected by our dosage of generic ALT-711 was not shown by any test results. Therefore, the small rise in these levels since early values of over 5 years ago is due either to natural changes with age or (more likely) due to the vast multiple of supplements and chemicals that we are now taking for prophylactic prevention of all possible aging dysfunctions. Since the rise is small, not continuing to rise, and the values (of SGOT and SGPT) are still well within normal range, I am not concerned about them.
My potassium maintained its level but has not risen and there is still the occasional leg cramp, so I have increased the supplemental dose to 2 grams daily from 1.
My iron, ferritin, hemoglobin and hematocrit have responded somewhat to eating more liver and black strap molasses and we are now taking an iron supplement to continue that.
My cholesterol readings are all good, but the new more comprehensive VAP test showed some differences between the test values from the CBC, particularly with the triglycerides which the VAP test measured almost double that of the CBC test.
My homocysteine was higher this time than I would like it to be. I think this may be because of LEF's enormous dilution of their folate powder product making it difficult for us to get as much by using that product. Therefore, we have now procured a source of pure folate and have gone back to the former large dosage we were taking (even though my serum folate tested very high). In addition, it turns out that polyphenols in general can increase homocysteine (even though they are highly valuable for other purposes). Therefore, I have eliminated the stand-alone green tea supplement since I am probably getting more than enough from the other supplements which contain green tea and from the several cups that I drink daily. Even though my serum B-12 was very high I have also increased my daily dosage to 5 grams so that it is more available to assist with homocysteine recycling. In addition, I have increased my pyridoxamine intake in case that is being too much inhibited by the aminoguanidine, since B6 is necessary for both recycling and metabolizing homocysteine. I have also increased intake of TMG, since it also helps recycle homocysteine. I plan to get homocysteine tested again in April.
My fasting blood glucose was the lowest ever; my Hemoglobin A1C was equal to the lowest ever; and my fasting insulin was still low. Since we are now on a very strict two daily meals and no snacks, I may also get these tested again in April to see how they are doing.
I got a complete thyroid panel this time because many people keep telling me that a TSH value over 2.5 and a low body temperature implies that I am hypothyroid. And since thyroid hormone is helpful to uncouple mitochondrial respiration and reduce ROS generation (besides the lack of it being conducive to mental dullness, lack of energy and putting on weight), I certainly do not want to be hypothyroid (not that I really thought I was, since I have none of the symptoms). As my tests show, my output of T3 and T4 is entirely adequate.
Two new tests osteocalcin, which is related to bone health, and RA Latex Turbid, which is a measure of rheumatoid arthritis, both showed normal healthy values.
Pregnenolone was a little on the low side, so I have doubled my dosage to 100 mg daily. My DHEA was much higher (likely because of taking 7-keto DHEA which inhibited some of the metabolism of the normal DHEA), but since my IGF-1 had not correspondingly risen, I left it. My free testosterone was way down (although not the lowest ever) even though my serum testosterone was up. This suggests that my sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) must be higher (which it is), which is also verified by my low estradiol. My low DHT is likely the cause of my currently low libido, but all these things together should keep prostate cancer away (as my very low PSA shows) and I am so busy that I really do not miss having sex more often. When I do my erection ability remains more than adequate as it always has been. I may have these tested again in April to see if the double dose of pregnenolone has changed anything.
Both my AM and PM cortisol values are a little high out of range, but this is normal for someone on calorie restriction and my high DHEA value is guarding against any brain damage from the high cortisol. Besides, this higher cortisol (producing cortisone) may be why my skin is less itchy this winter that previous ones.
Because of all the selenium that I supplement and brazil nuts eaten, I was surprised that my blood selenium was only mid-range. I may increase my selenium dosage.

Results as of 7/15/05

This new set of blood tests include only normal chemistry and blood count values because its purpose was to get a baseline on current liver enzymes before temporarily ceasing supplementing generic ALT-711 to see if it was having any effect on liver enzymes. (See discussion in MoreLife Yahoo post#946.) Any liver enzyme differences will be determined when we the usual more comprehensive set of blood tests in late October 2005, which are in any case overdue since we will not have had comprehensive tests for 18 months. We decided to change their frequency to only every 18 months because of price and because our tests show no problems which need to be watched more frequently.
The most notable thing about my current test values is that my weight has now dropped to a consistent level of 4 lbs below what it had been for several years. I think this is generally due to less snacking, less bread and smaller servings of many things, perhaps most importantly sweet potatoes (yams), which we now hardly ever have since they are relatively expensive in our new location in rural Ontario. Here are a few other notable readings:
My uric acid is the lowest since 1999, which may be from eating less protein.
My blood iron was the lowest that it has ever been and together with a hemoglobin that also was the lowest ever, this may indicate that I have subclinical anemia (not enough iron for optimal body functions - see discussion at MoreLife Yahoo message#1095). Therefore, I will start eating more foods containing iron and will definitely have my ferritin tested at the October testing. We realized that we had not eaten any liver or kidney and very little beans since we moved from Toronto and have now started eating it twice weekly together with more beans and daily black strap molasses.
My lowest ever value of LDH is not bad, but probably results from less muscle injury because of less rigorous exercise due to the unavailability of dance clubs.
Interestingly enough both my liver enzymes (ALT and AST) are already down and I very much doubt the layoff of ALT-711 will show any lowering of them, but I will be interested to see for sure. My guess is that the lower values are a result of taking the generic EUK-189 which is a SOD/Catalase mimetic.
My total cholesterol is back down to where I like it, but my HDL remains high, which is great.
My RBC, hemoglobin and hematocrit are all down a little which could be from lack of exercise or too little iron or both. I must try harder to get more exercise, but my problem is that I am only happy doing exercise that is part of something productive and/or enjoyable.

Results as of 3/1/04

This new set of blood tests are so good that there is not really much to say about them. Any potentially adverse values that I had a year ago are now back to excellent values. I am particularly pleased that my sex hormone related values are as good or better than they have ever been, and that my AM cortisol is the lowest ever, which last shows that I am a calmer happier person, likely due in large measure to Kitty. My homocysteine, fasting glucose and Hemoglobin A1c values remain a little higher than I would like them, although still very low by all disease and/or risk standards. My fasting insulin is so low, and much less than what its value of the one previous test, that I am inclined to think this is an error. With such a low level a person would normally be hyperglycemic and I am not. Being a new and first reading for me, my high within-the-range fructosamine reading (similar to Kitty's) is also suspect as to its meaning. It may be that something in our diet and supplements is affecting this test reading since neither of us have any signs of high glycation and the high fructosamine reading is inconsistent with both our glucose and HbA1c readings.
Although this is the highest total cholesterol reading that I have ever had, the HDL reading is also high and at 168, the total cholesterol is now within the range which many studies suggest is optimal.

Results as of 10/22/02

The current tests were obtained after a lapse of 3 years since the last set due to the fact that I was not allowed into the US by the INS and could not therefore get a complete and comprehensive set of tests (the ones I wanted and with the same reference units) like I did before. This was unfortunate and some of the results show that more frequent testing should be done. I hope to get complete tests at least yearly from now on (as I had planned before, but was not allowed to do) and those involving any potential problems will be done even more frequently. Here are the highlights of my test results as of this date.

1. Weight and blood pressure are decreased from 3 years ago due to a moderate calorie restricted diet.
2. Uric acid is the human body's chief serum antioxidant and a higher level shows that I am well protected.
3. Higher calcium and lower phosphorous generally indicates a better bone status.
4. The low ferritin, yet adequate iron and excellent hematocrit and hemoglobin show that my iron status is excellent with respect to my red blood cell health, but not so high that I need to donate blood to lower it and prevent iron free radical production.
5. The slightly high ALT (alanine aminotransferase) potentially indicates a liver problem and needs to be watched carefully. I plan to take extra liver protective nutrients before getting this enzyme retested within 3 months.
6. Homocysteine is a little higher than I would like it to be. I will increase B12 and folate to combat this.
7. C-reactive protein is higher than I would like it to be and I plan to take more anti-inflammatory nutrients and get it retested in 3 months.
8. I am very pleased with my low glycated hemoglobin and fasting insulin. This shows that all my efforts to counteract glycation and insulin resistance are working well.
9. Low testosterone is not a problem wrt my sexual life, likely because of my high/normal DHT. However, my high estradiol is a definite concern especially related to my slightly elevated PSA reading. I am increasing all prostate protective nutrients and ceasing supplementation with all steroid hormones before getting another PSA and complete hormone profile in 3 months.
10. See my regimen for the details of the changes which have been made temporarily as a result of these blood tests.
11. The bone density test of May 2002 was a little disconcerting for its reduction of femur density until I realized that I am now 5 lbs lighter and thus have less weight to carry. In addition, the current music at my dance clubs is much less conducive to jumping than it used to be. It should also be noted that these bone density measurements are notoriously inaccurate and unrepeatable. Still after that result, I began to take more bone supplements and will endeavor to do more jumping exercise to see if I can reverse this trend before my next bone density scan planned in another 1 1/2 years.
12. The chest xray diagnosis of May 2002 (with unchanged xray since May 1999) is an example of the errors which can be made by only using one kind of test. Any lung scaring that I have is *very* old probably from a bout of scarlet fever at age 4. As my spirograph test of 1996 and all exercise indications show, I have, in fact, very superior lung capacity and rate of exhalation.

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Webpage last updated 9/6/2009.
If you have questions, comments or suggestions contact Kitty Antonik Wakfer