Your Blood Never Lies: How to Read a Blood Test for a Longer, Healthier Life

by James B. LaValle

A standard blood test indicates how well the kidneys and liver are functioning, the potential for heart disease, and a host of other vital health markers. Unfortunately, most of us cannot decipher these results ourselves, nor can we even formulate the right questions to ask about them—or we couldn’t until now.

In Your Blood Never Lies, best-selling author James LaValle clears up the mystery surrounding blood test results. In simple

language, he explains all of the information found on these forms, making it understandable and accessible. This means that you can look at the results yourself and know the significance of each marker. Dr. LaValle even recommends

the most effective conventional and  complementary treatments for dealing with any problematic findings. Rounding out the book are the names of test markers that

should be requested for a more complete physical picture.

A blood test can reveal so much about your body, but only if you can interpret the results. Your Blood Never Lies provides the up-to-date information you need to take control of your health.

Genres: Health, Nonfiction, Science, Nutrition, Medicine

603 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book for anyone who has had a blood test and needs further explanation of the various components of the test results. Explains high blood pressure, and cholesterol in basic and expanded terms. Also provides lifestyle changes and supplements to assist with regularly prescribed medications.

[Cyndy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adding this one to my own reference library. I use the same lab, thus, referring to this book after receiving my test results is better than going back to the doctor for explanation.

[Jenny Macaluso · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book on understanding your blood results paperwork.
A must own
if your into TRUE HEALTH.

Drs. Wont discuss what all your numbers mean, because there's no money to be made on a healthy person! Remember that.
Get it buy it Read it!
Health will set you free.
That's call we got!
Get educated on your damnself!

[Firsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This potential life-changing or life-saving book examines all the more common blood test assays that can be performed. However, it goes beyond that by detailing what could cause high or low values, as well as what you can do to influence these results. My expectation was that I’d become more well-informed when shopping for a test. I read in The Radium Girls that doctors used to withhold results and often did not disclose what they were doing to patients in the past. Nowadays, things are clearly better, but I somewhat dislike that it’s still up to the doctor to decide what to test. I want to choose the assays based on my interests, probably as part of private healthcare.

On some level, this book serves as the ultimate “Google what’s wrong with you” guide for hypochondriacs. But at least it got me closer to having a blood test, which I haven’t taken in over 12 years. The last time I was ordered to take one was by my pediatrician, probably for my driver’s license or something similar. So, the “who knows what lurks within me” sentiment is a valid concern of mine, in my humble opinion.

Anyway, the book lacks re-listening value because it is endlessly repetitive. The programmer in me silently screamed at the book for not following the DRY (Don’t Repeat Yourself) principle. I would have preferred to see all the definitions in an appendix and simply refer to them, rather than expanding again and again on what NSAIDs are or what constitutes light activity (gardening, yoga, walking—all of which I do). Additionally, the listening value was diminished by the endless listing of diseases and conditions you could die from, so it’s not exactly a “relaxation cassette.” The re-reading value comes into play when you’ve actually had a test and need to look at abnormal values; then you can find them in the book.

[Madhuri Kudva]

Overall this is a fantastic reference book to better understand your own blood work and blood markers. It's important to keep blood work in perspective while one stays tuned in with your own body. Then a book like this shows you the path towards better understanding. It is meant to be a tool to navigate the complex human body and it's many amazing ways of working.

As a health and fitness coach, it is of both professional and personal interest to me to better understand blood work and 'marry the readings to the person'. On many occasions I've found myself going back to this book for reference, to better understand the relationship between two markers, and paint a clearer picture of a person's health issues, especially those that affect performance.

Word of warning - If you are the paranoid types, who get stressed and anxious about your blood work, I would avoid reading or referring to this, as it may add to your confusion and anxiety.

[A. Gazes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll be honest: books about clinical data and health metrics are usually not my jam. But Your Blood Never Lies by James B. LaValle was a game-changer. My husband and I read this together, and even though it’s dense with incredibly detailed information, it was surprisingly accessible and profoundly helpful.

The title says it all—this book teaches you how to look past the "normal" ranges on your routine blood tests and truly understand what your biomarkers are telling you about your health, longevity, and potential issues before they become serious problems. It empowers you to become a partner, not a passenger, in your healthcare journey.

If you’re looking for actionable ways to optimize your health based on real data, this is the resource you need. Highly recommend, even for those who typically shy away from non-fiction health guides!

[Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

- Bad cholesterol can be created by liver due to excess intake of sugar or alcohol (hence, fat or animal fat itself often is not the root cause metabolic disorder, excess carb is)

- Olive oil should only be added after the food has been cooked, since it breaks down easily when cooked

- Cholesterol is essential for human as it plays a vital role in vitamin D production, and can be acquired by beef, dairy products and eggs

- Inflammation is a typical cause for blood disorder. Artificial sweetener can cause inflammation

- The natural cure for most problem is proper diet, exercise and sun exposure

[David Szatkowski · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am rating this book, but unusually didn't finish it. The book helps you to understand (and in a way that informs without talking down to you) the 'standard' blood tests you get at the doctor's office. The author explains what the tests are, what is measured, and why they matter. The tests variables and measurements are explained and what high or low numbers may mean. The author also explains what different medications maybe necessary, what imbalances are corrected, and how diet and exercise can help change your health. While based on a 20% read I would recommend the book if you wan to pursue these topics, you could do worse. And, of course, always discuss results with your doctor.

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book for CEU for my dietetic license. It was a good review & had some values for Vitamin D & others that are not as mainstream

[Mariana Baltova · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice book and it's related to me. I am interested in erythrocytes indices
https://www.arsmedica.bg/

[Anh Ny · Rating 4 out of 5]

For someone like me who does blood tests every month, this book is really suitable. The book shoud be read over and over again.

[Denise Spicer · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this 2013 book the author explains how to read the results of you lab tests – from hormones (thyroid, etc.) to lipids to hepatic or liver function to complete blood count and basic metabolic panel. He discusses what the numbers mean and what causes (diseases, conditions, etc.) those high or low numbers. The author also discusses advice for treatment (what meds your doctor prescibed as well as lifestyle changes). The 320 pages include an index, chapter note references, and a chart to track your results as well as guidelines to the normal ranges for men and women.

[Stuart]

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/14475618