“Check 2-in-1: Stress and Metabolism” Medical Package

Prolonged stress increases the risk of developing cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, which are leading causes of death worldwide. It can slow down metabolism, increase the risk of insulin resistance, and promote the accumulation of fat tissue, particularly in the abdominal area (visceral obesity).

Chronic stress may impair thyroid function, leading to hormonal imbalances. Cortisol can also affect the thyroid. Thyroid hormones play a crucial role in the metabolic processes of every cell in the body, influencing the rate at which cells convert nutrients into energy. They also interact with other hormones in the body, including insulin, sex hormones, and cortisol.

Prolonged exposure to stress disrupts the body’s internal balance, resulting in chronic inflammation and impaired function of organs such as the brain, heart, thyroid, and liver. It can also contribute to or worsen the course of lifestyle diseases, including diabetes, hypertension, and autoimmune conditions such as thyroid disease.

Check how stress is affecting your body

Stress response can be assessed through selected parameters, such as hormone levels like TSH, and biomarkers including triglycerides and glucose concentrations. Blood tests can provide valuable insights into your overall health.

Indications for testing

This package is primarily recommended for individuals exposed to stress or experiencing symptoms of chronic stress, such as:

• lack of energy, persistent fatigue, irritability, difficulty concentrating, shortness of breath, heart palpitations;
• mood disturbances, brain fog;
• weight fluctuations, hair loss;
• headaches;
• weakened immunity;
• gastrointestinal issues potentially linked to stress;
• excessive sweating;
• difficulty falling asleep.

Package range

• TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) evaluates the hormone regulating thyroid function. Proper thyroid activity influences mental wellbeing, particularly in women.
• Lipid profile (total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides) includes the assessment of total cholesterol, HDL and LDL fractions, and triglycerides. The results allow for the estimation of cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome risk. Abnormal values may also indicate the effects of chronic stress, such as anxiety or depression.
• Fasting glucose – determination of blood glucose levels; chronic stress increases the risk of developing metabolic syndrome, and consequently type 2 diabetes; cortisol release (the so-called stress hormone) causes an increase in glucose concentration and blood pressure.
• Complete blood count – quantitative and qualitative analysis of blood morphological components, useful in the overall assessment of health. Chronic stress may reduce the number of immune system cells.
• Vitamin D-25(OH)D – determination of vitamin D3 levels, which supports immune system function.
• Ferritin – this test is used in diagnosing iron-deficiency anaemia; excessively low ferritin levels may worsen general wellbeing.
• Total calcium – measurement of the level of an element essential for numerous metabolic processes, including hormone and enzyme synthesis.
• Magnesium – determination of magnesium levels, essential for the proper functioning of the nervous system.
• Vitamin B12 – this test is performed to detect anaemia, neuropathies, and to assess the nutritional status of the body. Deficiencies of this vitamin may affect the functioning of the nervous system.
• Cortisol – considered the stress hormone, its level increases with increased energy demand; it inhibits TSH secretion and enhances the action of adrenaline; according to research, chronically elevated cortisol levels, produced in response to stress, may lead to disturbances in glucose metabolism, increasing the risk of insulin resistance and the development of type 2 diabetes.
• Prolactin – measurement of the concentration of a hormone considered a biological marker of stress; this hormone participates in the regulation of the body’s stress response.
• FT4 (free thyroxine) – a hormone produced by the thyroid gland; FT4 level testing is used to assess thyroid function and is often utilised in the diagnosis of thyroid diseases such as hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.
• FT3 (free triiodothyronine) – a thyroid hormone; FT3 level testing is helpful in diagnosing thyroid diseases and monitoring treatment.
• ATPO (anti-TPO antibodies) – antibodies directed against thyroid peroxidase (an enzyme essential in thyroid hormone synthesis), produced by the body in autoimmune thyroid disease.
• Glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) – a form of haemoglobin; an indicator of the average blood glucose concentration over the past 3 months. HbA1c testing is important in the diagnosis and monitoring of diabetes and in assessing the risk of diabetic complications.
• Insulin – a hormone produced by the pancreas, which plays a key role in regulating blood glucose levels. Insulin deficiency, absence, or the body's inability to respond appropriately to insulin may lead to the development of diabetes. During stress, cortisol and adrenaline secretion increases, which rapidly exacerbates insulin resistance and necessitates a significant increase in insulin secretion.

Preparation for testing

• Tests should be performed in the morning due to the natural diurnal fluctuations in hormone levels.
• The patient should arrive on an empty stomach – no food or drink (except water) should be consumed for 8–12 hours prior to blood collection. A maximum of one glass of water may be consumed in the morning.
• It is recommended to avoid intense physical activity and alcohol consumption 24 hours prior to the examination.

Benefits for the patient

• You will be able to monitor your health status, and in the case of abnormalities, you will gain the opportunity for early intervention and treatment.
• Thanks to the broad range of laboratory tests (as many as 19!), you will find out whether stress has affected your health, especially the functioning of the endocrine and circulatory systems, whether there is a risk of prediabetes or diabetes, hypercholesterolaemia, and whether your thyroid is functioning correctly.
• You will have the opportunity to counteract the further consequences of prolonged stress. You may undertake preventive measures to reduce the risk of health complications.

Remember that a medical consultation and further testing may be necessary, as blood tests alone may not be sufficient to diagnose the health issue you are experiencing.

How to use the package at Medicover Centres?

Choose a convenient location First, please choose a city and the Medical Centre in which you want to undergo the tests included in the package. Next, fill out the form with your details and pay for the purchase.

How to book the tests included in the package? Please come to the blood lab in the morning with your ID or book an appointment by calling the Hotline on +48 500 900 505. For exact opening times of the labs in individual Medicover Centres please go to: www.medicover.pl.

Test results Pick up your test results from the lab within 3 business days. If you are a Medicover patient and have a password for the Medicover OnLine platform, you can check your test results online.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

You have 3 months (from the date on the order confirmation) to use the package.

The package is dedicated for people over 18 years old.