Order a Laboratory Test
Testing for Oxidative Stress
There is no perfect clinical test for oxidative stress. Many of the tests available are used mostly for research, although they are becoming more available to the health care consumer. They need to be interpreted by someone experienced in dealing with oxidative stress. With that caveat, here are some of the indicators of oxidative stress now in use and available (although perhaps only at specialty laboratories) for our doctor to order.
Lipid Peroxide Assays
(indicators of rancid fat in the body, especially the fats from our cell membranes)
Lipid peroxides (TBARS) in urine or serum
Malondialdehyde (MDA)
4-hydroxy-2(E)-nonenal (4-HNE)
Myeloperoxidase
This is a protein stored inside white blood cells (neutrophils) and released during activation of immune system
Serum lactoferrin
This comes from (white blood cells) and indicates increased immune activity
F2 isoprostanes
These are basically the rancid fats from our destroyed cell membranes
Whole blood or intracellular glutathione and reduced glutathione
Antioxidant enzyme assays of super oxide dismutase (SOD), Glutathione Peroxidase (GSHPx) and Catalase
Urinary hydroxyl markers including catechol and 2,3-dihydroxybenzoate measured after an aspirin and acetaminophen challenge
Assessment of iron overload
Hemachromatosis or iron storage disease is the most commonly inherited genetic disorder in the Northern hemisphere. Doing a blood test for transferrin saturation, ferritin, serum iron and total iron binding capacity is the best test for this. There is also a gene analysis that can tell you if you have this disease.
Blood tests for antioxidants levels
These can be occasionally helpful including Vitamin A, Vitamin E, CoQ10, and beta-carotene
