What does Huberman recommend to get tested while young?
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has made several recommendations about what young individuals should consider getting tested. Key areas include:
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Micronutrient Levels: Nutritional testing to evaluate micronutrients like magnesium, which is important for hormone production and detoxification of estrogen. This can be crucial for long-term health and can motivate healthier dietary choices among teenagers and young adults 1.
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AMH Levels and Ultrasounds: For young women, Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) testing and ultrasounds can help understand fertility status by assessing the number of eggs in the ovaries 2.
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Broader Hormonal Health: Monitoring hormonal health starting from puberty onwards. This includes understanding the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis and its impact on menstrual health and stress responses 3.
These tests provide valuable data that can influence preventive health strategies and improve overall well-being.
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What other tests are recommended?
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Apart from micronutrient and hormonal tests, recommends several other tests for young individuals to monitor and optimize their health:
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Blood Work Analysis: Comprehensive blood tests can provide insights into metabolic factors, hormone levels, brain health indicators, and more. Platforms like InsideTracker offer personalized nutrition advice based on blood and DNA data 1 2.
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Genetic Testing: DNA tests can provide information about processes like fat metabolism and caffeine metabolism capacity, offering additional insights into personal health management 1 2.
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Stool Testing: For gut health, stool tests like those provided by Genova or AI-powered tests by Thorn can be useful. These tests can detect issues like parasites or other gastrointestinal problems and offer tailored recommendations to improve gut health 3.
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Eye Tracking for Concussion Management: Eye tracking can be used to gauge the impact of concussions and monitor recovery, which is especially useful for athletes. This test provides accurate data on brain function post-injury and aids in making informed decisions about returning to activities 4.
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Advanced Neurologic Testing: For detecting subtle brain issues, especially after a concussion, sophisticated neurologic tests like eye tracking can be more insightful than MRIs 4.
These tests, which encompass a broad spectrum of health metrics, can help young individuals maintain and optimize their health proactively, enabling better-informed decisions and potentially preventing long-term issues.
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What hormonal tests are recommended?
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recommends several hormonal tests to better understand and monitor health. Here's a summary of the advised tests and some key considerations:
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Core Hormonal Tests:
- IGF-1 (Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1)
- Testosterone (including free testosterone)
- Estrogen (commonly reported as estradiol)
- Dihydrotestosterone (DHT)
- Cortisol (check in the morning, preferably fasted)
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Additional Hormonal Markers:
- Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG)
- Progesterone and Prolactin (particularly important for women)
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Frequency and Timing:
- Establish a baseline in your late teens post-puberty.
- Test again around mid-20s, then every 5 years.
- After 40, annual testing is recommended to monitor changes.
- For women, hormonal levels vary throughout the menstrual cycle; it's best to consistently test during the same phase of the cycle, such as mid-follicular or mid-luteal phases for accurate comparisons.
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Preparation:
- Conduct tests ideally in the morning and in a fasted state to avoid fluctuations.
- Consider using various test types, such as blood tests, dried urine for metabolomics, and salivary tests for free cortisol levels, as these can provide a comprehensive view of the hormone levels and their metabolites 1 2 3 4.
By following this protocol, individuals can gain valuable insights into their hormone levels and overall health. Regular testing allows for monitoring trends and adjusting lifestyle or interventions accordingly.
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