Take Your Health into Your Hands with Biomarker Testing

Gated Access to Biomarker Testing

We all know that early detection of diseases is crucial for effective treatment and improved outcomes. But our current system often restricts the ability of doctors to order laboratory tests and biomarker testing unless patients present with symptoms or have an existing diagnosis.

It has become sick-care, not well-care, and certainly not proactive care.

Healthcare systems worldwide predominantly operate under a reactive model. Doctors typically order diagnostic tests only after a patient exhibits symptoms or has a medical history indicating the need for further investigation. Read that again: you can only get tests ordered once you’re already sick. You might not know you’re sick, but you could be sick.

This entire approach is rooted in the need to manage healthcare costs and avoid unnecessary testing for insurance companies. However, it also means that asymptomatic people may go undiagnosed for conditions that could have been detected early through routine screening.

Improve Health Outcomes with Early Detection

This is giving me a bit of PTSD from my Journalism degree and statistics classes, but it’s important stuff.

Numerous studies have shown that early detection significantly improves patient outcomes. For instance:

Cancer: The 5-year survival rate for localized cancer detected early is 89%, compared to just 21% for metastatic cancer. Proactive screening programs have been shown to reduce mortality rates in breast cancer and cervical cancer, up to 30%. According to the CDC, up to 25% of cancers in the U.S. are detected at an advanced stage, when the disease is more challenging to treat.
Cardiovascular Diseases: Early detection of high cholesterol and hypertension can reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke by up to 50%.
Diabetes: Early intervention in pre-diabetic individuals can prevent the progression to full-blown diabetes in up to 58% of cases.
Hypertension: Nearly 50% of individuals with hypertension are unaware of their condition because they have not been screened.

So Why Can’t People Get Their Own Biomarker Testing?

Several factors contribute to the current restrictions on ordering labs and biomarkers:

Cost Concerns: Routine testing can be expensive, and insurance companies often deny coverage for tests that are not deemed medically necessary.

Risk of Overdiagnosis: There is a fear that widespread screening may lead to overdiagnosis, where benign or slow-progressing conditions are treated unnecessarily, leading to patient anxiety and increased healthcare costs.

Regulatory and Ethical Issues: Medical guidelines often restrict testing to symptomatic patients to avoid the misuse of resources and ensure that interventions are evidence-based. The reality is, there are quite a few “snake oil” salespeople out there touting solutions that are not backed by any scientific evidence, and in theory, regulations are here to protect us.

Regular biomarker testing gives insight into your health.

Proactive Testing

People are more aware of the benefits of proactive testing and are demanding access to the tests that give them insight into their health. It makes sense from a financial standpoint and from a humanity standpoint.

Biomarker testing gives people the ability to take preventative action. We can make lifestyle changes to alleviate, or even eradicate, conditions.

I have been regularly doing biomarker testing for the past 2 years, and it has provided me enormous ability to course-correct anything trending in an unhealthy direction.

Insights To Impact Epigenetic Change
Let’s get into 2 distinct use cases for biomarker testing, and two of the lifecycles my startup has particular focus on for now: preconception and perimenopause.

My biomarker testing back in March 2024 showed my Omega 3 was out of range. I was able to correct my nutrient levels by eating more wild salmon. Access to biomarker tests helps people clearly see where they can make changes to their diet and lifestyle.

How Biomarker Testing Helps Fertility and Preconception

Biomarker testing can play a significant role in helping women with fertility by identifying potential issues early and guiding personalized treatment plans.

Some of the biomarkers you can look into include:

Ovarian Reserve Testing: One of the most common biomarkers tested for fertility is the Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH). AMH levels help assess a woman’s ovarian reserve, which is an indicator of her remaining egg supply. Women with higher AMH levels generally have a higher chance of conceiving through assisted reproductive technologies (ART) like IVF. A 2015 study found that women with AMH levels above 1.0 ng/mL had significantly higher pregnancy rates than those with lower levels.

Thyroid Function Tests: Thyroid function is crucial for fertility, as both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can affect ovulation and pregnancy outcomes. TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) is often measured to assess thyroid function. Women with normal TSH levels (<2.5 mIU/L) have better pregnancy outcomes, including higher implantation rates and lower miscarriage rates, compared to women with abnormal TSH levels. A meta-analysis of studies found that treating subclinical hypothyroidism in infertile women could improve pregnancy rates by up to 30%.

Hormonal Imbalances: Biomarker testing for hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, and luteinizing hormone (LH) can help diagnose conditions like Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) or luteal phase defects, which are common causes of infertility. Approximately 70-80% of women with PCOS have irregular ovulation or anovulation, contributing to infertility. Identifying hormonal imbalances early through biomarker testing allows for targeted treatments, such as ovulation induction, which significantly increases the chances of conception.

Genetic Biomarkers: Testing for genetic biomarkers can help identify inherited conditions that may affect fertility or pregnancy outcomes, such as mutations in the BRCA1/BRCA2 genes, which are associated with increased risks of ovarian cancer. Women who are aware of their BRCA mutation status through genetic testing may choose to take proactive steps, such as fertility preservation, before undergoing risk-reducing surgeries or treatments that could impact fertility. Studies have shown that awareness of genetic risks can lead to earlier intervention and better long-term reproductive planning.

How Biomarker Testing Helps Perimenopause

Perimenopause, the often 10-year rollercoaster toward menopause, is characterized by fluctuating hormone levels that can lead to a variety of symptoms, such as hot flashes, mood swings, and irregular periods.

Biomarker testing can provide a clearer picture of what’s actually going on. For example, my biomarkers showed HIGH estrogen in my forties, not low estrogen. Many doctors simply looked at the age on my medical chart and made assumptions that were completely inaccurate.

Labs don’t lie—and they can and will validate your experience of feeling something is not right with your health.

Here are some of the things you can test for:

Estrogen and Progesterone Levels Testing: Monitoring these hormones can help identify imbalances that may be contributing to symptoms. For example, estrogen dominance (a condition where estrogen levels are higher relative to progesterone) is common in early perimenopause and can lead to weight gain, anxiety, and sleep disturbances.

FSH Tests: Elevated FSH is a sign of declining ovarian function and can indicate the approach of menopause.

Cortisol Levels Testing: Elevated Cortisol can lead to issues such as fibroids, which can be treated early with Traditional Chinese Medicine (herbs and acupuncture), lifestyle changes such as less dairy in your diet and more high-intensity exercise; as well as reducing stress.

DNA Methylation Testing: This type of testing looks at patterns of DNA methylation, which refers to how our genes express themselves as we age. Changes in lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, and stress management can influence DNA methylation patterns and potentially mitigate some of the negative effects of perimenopause. Research has shown that diet and exercise can significantly influence DNA methylation. Regular physical activity also helps estrogen metabolism, which may reduce the risk of hormone-related cancers.

Oxidative Stress Markers: Biomarkers like 8-OHdG (8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine) can indicate the level of oxidative stress in the body. High levels of oxidative stress are linked to accelerated aging and increased risk of chronic diseases. Antioxidant-rich diets and lifestyle changes that reduce oxidative stress, such as regular exercise and stress management techniques, have been shown to positively impact these biomarkers and may help ease perimenopausal symptoms.

C-Reactive Protein (CRP): Elevated CRP levels are a marker of inflammation and have been linked to hot flashes and other perimenopausal symptoms. Dietary changes, such as increasing intake of anti-inflammatory foods (e.g., omega-3 fatty acids, fruits, and vegetables), and lifestyle modifications, like regular physical activity, can lower CRP levels and improve quality of life during perimenopause.

Biomarker Testing and Lifestyle Change

Importance of Personalized Nutritional and Lifestyle Plans
Based on biomarker testing, personalized plans can be developed to help people make targeted lifestyle changes that influence their epigenetics and alleviate or eradicate many conditions.

For women in transitional phases of life, biomarker testing is especially insightful. By understanding your hormone levels, inflammation markers, and epigenetic patterns, women can make informed lifestyle changes that improve their symptoms, improve their ability to conceive, and help balance hormones.

Proactive Testing is The Key
The restrictions on ordering labs and biomarkers only after symptoms arise have significant consequences for health.

Clearly, we require a movement toward more proactive testing, supported by statistical evidence and tailored guidelines. It can and will revolutionize the early detection and treatment of diseases, improving public health outcomes and reducing the overall burden on healthcare systems. It empowers and validates people with data that helps them make the steps to change their lives.

And…until it’s more readily accessible, you can work with a company like mine, Rêve Health. With us, you not only get access to all the tests needed to give you the full picture of insights, but you’ll also receive personalized guidance from a collective of holistic wellness experts, and community access helping you every step of the way on your wellness journey.