Importance of Blood Tests After- Weight-loss Surgery (WLS)

Your body has now been surgically modified so monitoring your nutrition is vital for your ongoing health.  Food restriction and malabsorption are great for weight loss but can also result in varying levels of vitamin and mineral deficiencies even when you’re eating a healthy diet.

It is these deficiencies that can build up over time and cause problems.

Weight loss surgery research recommends having your blood tested every 6-12 months under the supervision of an experienced WLS doctor, nutritionist or dietitian.

Blood test summary below includes.

Here at CFBS, we appreciate that post-surgery, many bariatric patients are not always able to freely access the recommended annual health checks, as they are not entitled to any NHS follow-up care due to choosing to have their procedure privately, either in the UK or abroad. To ensure everyone has access to these critical tests, we have partnered with Viva Health Laboratories to provide bariatric-specific, private blood tests for all our members.

As established above, annual blood tests, both medical and nutritional, are essential to ensure continued monitoring due to the bariatric surgery procedures removing the areas where food and nutrients are absorbed, which increases the risks for malabsorption and can lead to longer-term health complications.

Ensuring the levels of these key health markers for ongoing health is vital to reducing the very significant risks associated with deficiencies, including the risks of interfering with metabolism—the very thing that helps with the weight loss goals—reducing mood and energy whilst increasing fatigue, irritability, anxiety, and depression.

You have two options for testing.

·  Home testing via a finger-prick blood collection kit. This is a simple and less intrusive method than traditional venous blood draws, allowing you to carry out the test in the comfort of your own home. Finger prick samples are now widely accepted as
an acceptable method of testing and you can be have confidence in the accuracy of the results. However, not all analytes are suitable for finger prick tests.

· Venous draw blood sample. This is the more traditional method and requires a clinic or phlebotomist visit.

Why wait until you experience some of the symptoms that could be preventing you from achieving your goals before you take action? Be proactive and test your levels each year with one of the products outlined below. 

Option 1: CfBS Basic Bloods
Home Kit – Annual Blood finger prick home test kit

This is a standard annual blood kit to be completed via finger prick test. When you complete your test, you send your blood back to the lab using the kit they provide for processing.  Your results are then sent to you via email.

This kit tests for the following levels:

·       Iron

·       Ferritin

·       Vitamin D (25-OH)

·       Vitamin B12 (Total)

·       Folate (Serum)

·       Magnesium (Serum)

·       Glycated Haemoglobin

What is the benefit of this specific kit?

This simple and convenient at-home test covers the most common deficiencies and considers blood sugar balance to help maintain your health and vitality.

Iron and Ferritin (your iron stores) levels often dip as the area for their absorption has been removed as part of the procedure. Depleted levels of either will directly cause and add
to any existing symptoms of 

·      Fatigue.

·      Palpitations or shortness of breath.

·      Headaches

·      Light-headedness

·      Hair loss

Folate and B12 absorption can also be significantly reduced post-surgery, and these two essential nutrients help to maintain energy whilst avoiding symptoms, including

·      Irritability

·      Depression

·      Anxiety

·      Fatigue

·      Weakness

·      Mouth ulcers

·      Sore tongue

Low vitamin D levels are widespread in the general population, especially during the winter months, and unfortunately, any bariatric procedure will magnify such risks. Many people are asymptomatic when D levels are low, as a reduction in bone density rarely has any direct symptoms until a break is experienced. However, unexplained muscle weakness and mood changes are linked to sub-optimum levels.

Magnesium is one of nature’s anti-stress minerals, and maintaining healthy levels can help calm your nervous system, support mood & sleep, protect bone health, and aid constipation.

Glycated Haemoglobin– whilst the risks of type 2 diabetes are significantly reduced following surgery, an overview of glucose control can help to pinpoint any increased incidences of hypoglycaemia-related events in post-surgery patients and can explain several unwanted symptoms.

·      Rapid heartbeat 

·      Shaking

·      Sweating

·      Nervousness

·      Irritability

·      Confusion

·      Dizziness 

·      Hunger 

What are the next steps? Once you have placed your order, your details are sent to Viva Health Labs.
They will process your order and issue an invoice for payment. Once payment has been received, your kit will be distributed to you with instructions on what to do next.

Option 2: CfBS Biochemistry

Home Kit for Men – Bloods finger prick home test kit

Product description: A specific bloods kit specifically for men, to be completed via finger prick test. When you complete your test, you send your blood back to the lab using the kit they provide for processing. Your results are then sent to you via email.

This kit tests for the following levels:

·       Full Blood Count 

·       Iron 

·       Ferritin

·       Vitamin D (25-OH)

·       Vitamin B12 (Total)

·       Folate (Serum)

·       Magnesium (Serum)

·       Glycated Haemoglobin

·       Sex Hormone Binding Globulin

·       C-Reactive Protein (High Sensitivity)

This test builds upon the Annual Basic Home kit by including a standard full blood count, Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) and the inflammatory marker C Reactive Protein – (high sensitivity)

A full blood count is a standard broad screening tool for reviewing different parts of the blood, including Red Blood Cell parameters such as anaemia and the immune system’s white blood cells—the cells that help fight off infections. 

Bariatric surgery will result in weight loss. However, not all weight loss is the same, as the loss of excess muscle tissue will decrease strength and energy and also undermine the longer-term weight-loss goals. Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) influences the amount of testosterone actively working in the male body, and should the levels rise, it can indicate that your tissues may not be
getting enough active testosterone. 

CRP (high sensitivity) is a test often used to check for early signs of inflammation and infection. This is important as the usual Nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) used in such events are not recommended after surgery, as there is an increased risk of
gastrointestinal concerns. Identifying any inflammatory states earlier can help to reduce such risks. 

What are the next steps?

Once you have placed your order, your details are sent to Viva Health Labs. They will process your order and issue an invoice for payment. Once payment has been received, your kit will be distributed to you with instructions on what to do next. 

Option 3: CfBS Biochemistry
Home Kit for Women – Bloods finger prick home test kit

Product Description: This blood kit is specifically for women and is to be completed via a finger prick test. When you complete your test, you send your blood back to the lab using the kit they provide for processing. Your results are then sent to you via
email. 

This kit tests for the following levels:

·       Full Blood Count

·       Iron

·       Ferritin

·       Vitamin D (25-OH)

·       Vitamin B12 (Total)

·       Folate (Serum)

·       Magnesium (Serum)

·       Glycated Haemoglobin

·       Oestradiol

·       C-Reactive Protein (High Sensitivity)

What is the benefit of this specific kit?

This test builds upon the Annual Basic Home kit by including a standard full blood count, Oestradiol and the inflammatory marker C Reactive Protein – (high sensitivity)

A full blood count is a standard broad screening tool for reviewing different parts of the blood, including Red Blood Cell parameters such as anaemia and the immune system’s white blood cells—the cells that help fight off infections. 

Adipose fat cells strongly influence oestrogen levels, and any dramatic weight loss can decrease oestradiol levels—the primary oestrogen found in women. This can negatively impact bone health, mood, and cognitive functions, especially during the perimenopausal/menopausal years. 

CRP (high sensitivity) is a test often used to check for early signs of inflammation and infection. This is important as the usual Nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) used in such events are not recommended after surgery, as there is an increased risk of
gastrointestinal concerns. Identifying any inflammatory states earlier can help to reduce such risks. 

What are the next steps? Once you have placed your order, your details are sent to Viva Health Labs.
They will process your order and issue an invoice for payment. Once payment has been received, your kit will be distributed to you with instructions on what to do next. 

Option 4: CfBS Basic Bloods Draw –
Annual Bloods via blood draw at a local clinic

Product description: This is a standard annual blood test to be completed at a local clinic by a nurse. When you complete your test, your blood is sent to the lab for processing. Your results are then sent to our registered nutritionist, who will contact you with
your bespoke bloodwork report. 

This kit tests for the following levels:

·      Iron

·      Ferritin

·      Vitamin D (25-OH)

·       Vitamin B12 (Total)

·       Folate (Serum)

·       Zinc (Plasma)

·       Magnesium (Serum)

·       Glycated Haemoglobin

·       Calcium

·       C-Reactive Protein (High Sensitivity)

·       Thyroid Stimulating Hormone

·       Free Thyroxine 4

·       Free Triiodothyronine 3 

What is the benefit of this specific kit?

This formal laboratory test covers the most commonly seen deficiencies and key health markers to help maintain your health and vitality. 

Iron and Ferritin (your iron stores) levels often dip as the area for their absorption has been removed as part of the procedure. Depleted levels of either will directly cause and add to any existing symptoms of 

·      Fatigue.

·      Palpitations or shortness of breath. 

·      Headaches 

·      Light-headedness

·      Hair loss 

Folate and B12 absorption can also be significantly reduced post-surgery, and these two essential nutrients help to maintain energy whilst avoiding symptoms, including 

·      Irritability

·      Depression

·      Anxiety

·      Fatigue

·      Weakness

·      Mouth ulcers

·      Sore tongue

Low vitamin D levels are widespread in the general population, especially during the winter months, and unfortunately, any bariatric procedure will magnify such risks. Many people are asymptomatic when D levels are low, as a reduction in bone density rarely has any direct symptoms until a break is experienced. However, unexplained muscle weakness and mood changes are linked to sub-optimum levels. 

Magnesium is one of nature’s anti-stress minerals, and maintaining healthy levels can help calm your nervous system, support mood & sleep, protect bone health, and aid constipation. 

Glycated Haemoglobin– whilst the risks of type 2 diabetes are significantly reduced following surgery, an overview of glucose control can help to pinpoint any increased incidences of hypoglycaemia-related events in post-surgery patients and can explain several
unwanted symptoms

·      Rapid heartbeat

·      Shaking

·      Sweating

·      Nervousness

·      Irritability

·      Confusion

·      Dizziness 

CRP (high sensitivity) is a test often used to check for early signs of inflammation and infection. This is important as the usual Nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) used in such events are not recommended after surgery, as there is an increased risk of
gastrointestinal concerns. Identifying any inflammatory states earlier can help to reduce such risks. 

Maintaining calcium levels is paramount to health due to its role in nerve impulses, muscle contraction, blood vessel regulation and bone health. Whilst at lower levels, symptoms may not be obvious, any deficit in calcium can result in 

·      Muscle cramps

·      Easy fracturing of the bones

·      Memory problems

·       Irritability

·       Confusion

·      Restlessness 

Zinc absorption is impaired following surgery, which can be magnified by a lack of protein, often resulting in lowered levels. Although commonly considered an immune-boosting mineral, zinc is also essential to maintaining healthy thyroid functions and, therefore, metabolism. 

Monitoring and maintaining optimum thyroid functions are essential for a healthy metabolism, and this test includes the three main thyroid elements– Thyroid Stimulating Hormone, Free Thyroxine T4 and Free Triiodothyronine T3. 

What are the next steps?

Once you have placed your order, your details are sent to Viva Health Labs. They will process your order and issue an invoice for payment. Once payment has been received, your kit will be distributed to you with instructions on what to do next. 

Option 5: CfBS Comprehensive Blood Draw – Annual Blood via blood draw at a local clinic

Product description: A nurse will complete this detailed annual blood test at a local clinic. When you complete your test, your bloods are sent to the lab for processing. Your results are then sent to our registered nutritionist, who will contact you with your bespoke bloodwork report.

This kit tests for the following levels:

• Iron
• Ferritin
• Vitamin D (25-OH)
• Vitamin B12 (Total)
• Folate (Serum)
• Zinc (Plasma)
• Magnesium (Serum)
• Glycated Haemoglobin
• Calcium
• C-Reactive Protein (High Sensitivity)
• Thyroid Stimulating Hormone
• Free Thyroxine 4
• Free Triiodothyronine 3
• Copper (Serum)
• Vitamin E (Total)
• Vitamin A (Retinol)
• Selenium (Plasma)

What is the benefit of this specific kit?

Building on the CfBS Basic Bloods Draw, this test also includes the nutrients

• Copper
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin
• Selenium

Copper is required for red blood cells and healthy immune and nervous systems. It also helps to form collagen, the most abundant protein in the body and a key part of bones, skin, hair, and connective tissue.

Any bariatric surgery risks the development of deficiencies in the fat-soluble vitamins A & E – needed for eye and skin health, and those who are vegetarian or vegan are at a greater risk of low levels, especially Vitamin A.

Selenium deficiency can build up over time, usually within 1-2 years of surgery. This mineral is essential for both thyroid and immune functions, and any depletion in levels can lead to muscle weakness, loss of muscle mass, fatigue, lethargy, and shortness of breath.

What are the next steps?

Once you have placed your order, your details are sent to Viva Health Labs. They will process your order and issue an invoice for payment. Once payment has been received, your kit will be distributed to you with instructions on what to do next.

Here at CFBS, we appreciate that post-surgery aftercare is crucial for achieving your desired bariatric results, which is why we are doing everything we can to get those blood tests and additional aftercare to you in the most affordable way possible.  If you have any further questions about blood tests please email: [email protected]