Product Description

**Note: All laboratory testing requires an authorizing physician. DHA Laboratory offers a patient direct program that partners you with an authorizing physician. If you have any additional questions regarding the availability of testing, please contact our laboratory by telephone or email.**

Chronic Inflammation Test

The user-friendly Chronic Inflammation Test measures a thromboxane metabolite in your urine. It quantifies your results with a score that may assist in managing chronic inflammation in your body. The Chronic Inflammation Test is an immunoassay that determines 11-Dehydro Thromboxane B₂ in urine. The 11-Dehydro Thromboxane B₂ level measures thromboxane A₂ production associated with inflammation in the body. A urine creatinine test is also performed to calculate a ratio (11-Dehydro Thromboxane B₂/creatinine) and standardize the test for urine concentration. This permits the test to be performed on a random sample.

The urinary 11-Dehydro Thromboxane B₂ is produced by COX 1 & 2 activity on arachidonic acid (Omega-6 fatty acid). Increased 11-Dehydro Thromboxane B₂ has been associated with disorders such as heart disease, peripheral artery disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and hypertension. Smoking and obesity frequently raise the 11-Dehydro Thromboxane B₂ level.

WHAT IS CHRONIC INFLAMMATION?

Chronic inflammation results when acute inflammation fails to resolve and because of  poor choices in lifestyle, diet and/or environmental factors. It is a major cause of chronic diseases and premature aging. Internists, cardiologists, oncologists, and nutritionists continue to find evidence linking chronic inflammation with chronic diseases and the diseases of aging. The effects of chronic inflammation accumulate over a lifetime to manifest themselves in a number of disorders, including heart disease, cancer, diabetes, pulmonary disease, arthritis, erectile dysfunction, and Alzheimer’s disease.

Chronic inflammation frequently begins when normal acute inflammation fails to resolve. Acute inflammation is the familiar beneficiary response of our healthy immune system to such stimuli as injury, infection, or shock. Chemicals called cytokines are released by our cells to trigger local reaction, including redness, heat, swelling, and pain. In acute inflammation, the cytokines trigger the immune, complement, kallikrein, and clotting systems, which cause discomfort but rapidly restore the body to health.

FACTORS INFLUENCING CHRONIC INFLAMMATION

The failure of acute inflammation to resolve itself  or “turn off” frequently is the beginning of chronic inflammation (also called silent, systematic, cellular, or low-grade inflammation). Chronic inflammation is frequently the result of our poor lifestyle, dietary, and nutritional choices as well as the environment that surrounds us. Over time, chronic inflammation has the ability to activate the genes we inherited, fueling chronic diseases and the early-aging process.

The contribution of smoking and obesity to chronic inflammation is well known. Less recognized factors influencing chronic inflammation include:

• Fat tissue is a source of cytokines
• Chronic minor infections, such as gum disease, stomach ulcers, and upper respiratory infections
• Sun exposure
• Alcohol
• Lack of exercise
• Certain foods provide inflammatory fats
• Excess stress
• Sleeping disorders

PREVENTING FUTURE CHRONIC DISEASES 

Chronic diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, cancer, dementia, digestive diseases, heart disease, migraines, autoimmune diseases, and accelerated rate of aging are the results of chronic inflammation. It is estimated these are responsible for 70 percent of our country’s healthcare costs. Chronic inflammation on a cellular level is the major cause of chronic diseases.

Chronic inflammation left unchecked is a major factor in “turning on” the chronic disease. Unfortunately, chronic inflammation (also called silent, systemic, or cellular inflammation) most frequently does not have symptoms. The use of appropriate biomarker laboratory tests can help to identify chronic inflammation.

Performing Laboratory is Inflammatory Markers Lab.