Dr. Mary Claire Haver

Okay, so you don't wanna be low or deficient.

You wanna be optimal, which is in the way we measure in the US, 60 or above, super easy to supplement if you have low levels.

We have vitamin D supports bone density and muscle strength, plays a role in immune function and inflammation.

It influences mood and insulin sensitivity and low levels are associated with fracture risk.

Hello, because vitamin D, calcium all come in at the same, okay?

Number four, you should know what your LP little a is.

Lipoprotein A can be genetically determined, but we do see an uptick in levels as you go through menopause.

So if you had it done in your 30s and you've been told, oh, you don't need to check it again.

It was normal.

Not if you're a woman.

You really should check it in postmenopause as well.

So once you go through the menopause transition, we don't see it increase more in the data that I've seen, but it's not something it's a one and done.

For men, it's a one and done.

But for women, you should recheck it after menopause if you've had it checked before.

Why?

Because heart disease is the leading cause of death in women and LP little a is significantly associated with the risk of cardiovascular disease.

And you can get in there and get early before you could pick that up before your total cholesterol increases and know what that is.

Number five, and this one is controversial, but we do do it in our clinic and I'll explain why.

This is a high sensitivity C-reactive protein.

I was always taught, don't measure something if you're not going to treat it, right?