At TejoMed, we focus on proactive, personalized care that goes far beyond the standard healthcare experience. Our concierge approach is built on a close, ongoing relationship with your personal doctor, ensuring that every aspect of your health is monitored with care and precision. Part of this philosophy involves using advanced testing to detect early signs of disease and enhance longevity.

Unlike the conventional checkups that you will get from most practitioners, these science-backed advanced tests provide deeper insights into your body’s unique biology. With your TejoMed doctor by your side, you’ll not only have access to cutting-edge diagnostics but also the guidance to make sense of the results and implement personalized, actionable strategies for improving your health and longevity.

In this post, we’ll explore five advanced tests we may recommend at TejoMed, why they matter, how they’re performed, and how they can help you live a healthier, longer life.

1. Oral Glucose Tolerance Test with Glucose and Insulin Measurements

Why It’s Important

The oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) is a valuable tool for assessing how your body processes sugar. Traditionally used to diagnose diabetes, we go a step further by measuring both glucose and insulin levels at multiple intervals. This combination provides a more comprehensive picture of your metabolic health.

Many people with blood sugar within range already have hidden insulin resistance: a major driver of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and according to recent studies, even dementia. The OGTT detects this early, long before traditional markers catch it, by identifying elevated levels of insulin while fasting and/or after a standard caloric meal.

How It’s Performed

• You’ll fast for 8-12 hours before the test.

• A baseline blood sample is taken to measure your glucose and insulin levels.

• You’ll drink a glucose solution containing 75g of glucose.

• New blood samples are taken at 60 minutes and 120 minutes after drinking the solution to see how your body processes the sugar.

What the Results Tell Us

• Normal glucose and insulin: Good metabolic health.

• High insulin with normal glucose: Insulin resistance.

• High glucose and insulin: Diabetes or prediabetes (depending on values).

How We Support You

If signs of insulin resistance and/or diabetes are detected, your TejoMed doctor will work with you to develop a personalized plan. This may include dietary changes (e.g., reducing refined carbohydrates and increasing fiber and protein), exercise, and potentially medications like metformin to improve insulin sensitivity, among other measures tailored for you. Early intervention can dramatically reduce your long-term risk of disease.

2. ApoB/ApoA Ratio: A Deeper Look at Cardiovascular Risk

Why It’s Important

Traditional cholesterol panels focus on LDL-C ("bad cholesterol") and HDL-C ("good cholesterol"), but these measures don’t always accurately reflect cardiovascular risk. The ApoB/ApoA ratio is a more reliable marker for heart disease risk.

• ApoB represents the actual number of atherogenic (plaque-forming) particles in your blood, making it a better predictor of cardiovascular events than LDL-C.

• ApoA is the main protein in HDL, which is protective against heart disease.

A high ApoB/ApoA ratio is associated with an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and other atherosclerosis-related events, even if your standard cholesterol levels appear normal. Conversely, a good ratio may shed new light on apparently bad results from a conventional lipid panel.

How It’s Performed

A blood sample is taken to measure the concentrations of ApoB and ApoA, which can be done alongside your regular bloodwork.

How We Support You

If your ApoB/ApoA ratio is elevated, we may recommend advanced dietary and lifestyle changes (such as increasing soluble fiber and omega-3 intake, or adapting your exercise routine) or consider medications like statins to reduce ApoB levels and lower your risk of heart disease.

3. Lp(a): The Underappreciated Risk Factor

Why It’s Important

Lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), is an important marker for cardiovascular risk that is not included in standard cholesterol tests. Elevated Lp(a) is primarily determined by genetics and significantly increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, and aortic valve disease.

Many people with high Lp(a) levels have no symptoms or warning signs, which makes testing critical for early detection.

How It’s Performed

A simple blood test measures your Lp(a) level. Unlike other cholesterol markers, Lp(a) levels remain consistent throughout your life, so one test is usually enough.

How We Support You

Since lifestyle changes have little effect on Lp(a), your TejoMed doctor will help you focus on managing other cardiovascular risk factors, such as insulin resistance, an unfavorable ApoB/ApoA ratio, high blood pressure, and overall inflammation. By keeping a close eye on your overall heart health, we’ll help you mitigate the impact of elevated Lp(a) and reduce your long-term risk.

4. Omega-3 to Omega-6 Ratio: Assessing Inflammation

Why It’s Important

Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids play crucial roles in the body, but they must be balanced to promote optimal health. Omega-3s are anti-inflammatory, while excess omega-6s can contribute to chronic inflammation, which is linked to heart disease, arthritis, autoimmune disorders, anxiety/depression and metabolic dysfunction, among others.

Measuring your omega-3 to omega-6 ratio provides a snapshot of your long-term dietary fat intake and helps us understand your body’s inflammatory status.

How It’s Performed

A blood sample is taken to analyze the fatty acid composition of your red blood cells, providing an accurate picture of your dietary balance over several months.

How We Support You

If your ratio is out of balance, your TejoMed doctor will help you adjust your diet to reduce inflammation. This may include increasing omega-3-rich foods (like fatty fish) and reducing processed seed oils high in omega-6. We may also recommend omega-3 supplements to help restore balance.

5. APOE Genotype: Your Genetic Blueprint for Cognitive and Cardiovascular Health

Why It’s Important

The APOE gene is associated with both cardiovascular health and Alzheimer’s disease risk. Your genetic makeup can provide valuable insights into how you may respond to certain lifestyle interventions.

• APOE3 represents average risk for both Alzheimer’s and cardiovascular disease.

• APOE4 carriers have an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease and cardiovascular disease.

• APOE2 is associated with a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s and an overall reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, but also with the potential for developing a specific type of genetic lipid disorder (type III hyperlipoproteinemia).

Knowing your APOE genotype allows for highly personalized prevention strategies, especially in the areas of heart and brain health.

How It’s Performed

A simple blood sample is used to determine your APOE genotype.

How We Support You

If you carry the APOE4 variant, your TejoMed doctor will work with you to reduce your long-term risks through lifestyle adjustments. This might include focusing on cardiovascular health, improving your diet, and implementing cognitive health strategies like regular exercise, stress management, and sleep optimization.

Opinion

| Test                                   | Purpose                                                                | How It’s Performed                                                   |
|--------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) with Glucose & Insulin | Detects insulin resistance and early metabolic dysfunction                  | Fasting blood test with multiple samples after consuming a glucose drink   |
| ApoB/ApoA Ratio                        | Assesses cardiovascular risk more accurately than standard cholesterol panels| Simple blood test                                                          |
| Lp(a)                        | Assesses genetic, unchanging cardiovascular risk, helping put overall risk into perspective | Simple blood test                                        |
| Omega-3 to Omega-6 Ratio               | Assesses body inflammation                                                  | Simple blood test                                                          |
| APOE Genotype                        | Provides genetic risk assessment for Alzheimer’s and cardiovascular disease | Simple blood test

At TejoMed, advanced health testing is just one part of our comprehensive, concierge approach to care. These tests allow us to understand your unique health profile in greater detail, giving us the tools to help you prevent disease and optimize your well-being. But what truly makes the difference is the relationship you’ll build with your TejoMed doctor – a trusted partner who knows your health inside and out and will be with you every step of the way.

If you’d like to learn more about these tests or schedule your personalized health assessment, contact us at TejoMed today. We’re here to help you live a longer, healthier, and more vibrant life.