A Clearer View of Health: A Guide to Understanding Comprehensive Bloodwork With Jim LaValle, RPh, CCN

A Clearer View of Health: A Guide to Understanding Comprehensive Bloodwork

We all have the experience of going to the doctor and getting a traditional blood panel done — but are these labs really giving us the most comprehensive look at our health? Jim LaValle, RPh, CCN, recommends advocating for more. In this episode, he shares the markers he suggests working with your healthcare provider to test for and track — and why they are important — so you have a clearer picture of the state of your health.

Episode Highlights 

There are certain blood markers that are typically not included in traditional lab panels but that can offer important insights about your current health status and potential risks. LaValle recommends working with your healthcare provider to test and track the following:

• C-reactive protein (CRP): This is a marker for cardiovascular risk, as well as indicator for inflammation levels in the body.
• Insulin: LaValle advises this in addition to testing for glucose. He explains that it’s possible to have a normal glucose test but still be pumping out too much insulin.
• Iron and ferritin: If you avoid red meat and/or eat more plant-based, it’s possible to have iron levels that are too low. On the other hand, it’s also possible for iron to run too high if you eat more of a carnivore-style diet. If you have metabolic inflammation, you may have enough iron but may not be making enough ferritin.
• Homocysteine: If this marker is high, it can mean you’re not methylating well; this can increase your risk of certain diseases. Methylation is involved in detoxification of all cells in the body and in making neurotransmitters.

Jim LaValle Bio

Jim LaValle, RPh, CCN, is an internationally recognized clinical pharmacist, author, and board-certified nutritionist with more than 40 years of clinical experience. He has served thousands of patients using a metabolic model for health and is best known for his expertise in precision and performance health as well as integrative care.

LaValle is the founder of Metabolic Code Enterprises, a cloud-based health technology platform that helps practitioners and individuals pinpoint the metabolic roadblocks to health.

LaValle taught for 18 years as an appointed adjunct faculty member at the University of Cincinnati College of Pharmacy and served as faculty at the College of Medicine at UC. He is former faculty at the New York College of Chiropractic and Oriental Medicine as well as adjunct faculty for the Masters of Integrative Medicine program at the George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences.

He is the clinical co-chair at the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine and the Chair of the International Peptide Society. LaValle was the clinical director for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Performance Health Program. Organizations including Corvette Race Team, Orlando Magic, Chicago Blackhawks, San Jose Sharks, and Golden State Warriors have relied on his expertise for performance, resiliency, and return-to-play programs. He also works with first responders and military educating on program development to maximize recovery and readiness.

LaValle is the author of more than 26 books including Cracking the Metabolic Code and Your Blood Never Lies, as well as has authored 20 e-books and more than 200 articles.

LaValle currently serves as Chief Science Officer at Life Time. There he spearheads the development and implementation of scientific initiatives and strategic relationships to support MIORA, Life Time’s longevity and performance program.