What happens after I get my results?

You'll receive detailed doctor notes in simple language explaining what your Myeloperoxidase levels mean for your cardiovascular health and inflammation status. These notes include personalized recommendations like anti-inflammatory diet changes, lifestyle modifications, or whether you should follow up with a cardiologist or rheumatologist. You'll also get the standard lab report and can track your MPO levels over time using our trends feature to monitor how your interventions are reducing inflammation.

Who should consider getting this test?

This test is valuable for people with unexplained symptoms like persistent fatigue, kidney problems, or lung issues that might indicate vasculitis. It's also important for those with a family history of autoimmune diseases, individuals concerned about cardiovascular inflammation beyond standard cholesterol tests, and people already diagnosed with autoimmune conditions who need monitoring. Anyone experiencing symptoms of blood vessel inflammation or seeking comprehensive heart disease risk assessment should consider this test.

What symptoms indicate I may need this test?

Symptoms that may warrant this test include persistent unexplained fatigue, breathing difficulties, joint pain, skin rashes or discoloration, numbness or tingling in extremities, and kidney problems indicated by changes in urination. You might also consider this test if you have recurrent sinus infections, coughing up blood, chest pain, or other signs of inflammation affecting your blood vessels and organs. These symptoms can indicate ANCA-associated vasculitis or other inflammatory vascular conditions.

What is Myeloperoxidase and why does it matter?

Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is an enzyme released by white blood cells during inflammation, particularly when your immune system is fighting infection or responding to tissue damage. When MPO levels are elevated, it indicates active inflammation in your blood vessels and is associated with increased risk for heart attacks, stroke, and autoimmune vasculitis. MPO is especially important because it can reveal cardiovascular disease risk that standard cholesterol tests might miss, helping identify inflammation-driven heart disease.

How can I naturally reduce inflammation and support vascular health?

Adopting an anti-inflammatory diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids from fish, walnuts, and flaxseeds can help reduce vascular inflammation. Regular moderate exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, managing stress through meditation or yoga, and getting adequate sleep all support healthy blood vessels. Avoiding smoking, limiting alcohol, and reducing processed foods and refined sugars can also help lower inflammation markers like Myeloperoxidase.

What does high Myeloperoxidase mean?

Elevated Myeloperoxidase levels indicate active inflammation in your blood vessels and immune system, which increases your risk for cardiovascular events like heart attacks. High MPO can also suggest ANCA-associated vasculitis, autoimmune conditions where your immune system attacks blood vessels, potentially affecting your kidneys, lungs, and other organs. If your levels are high, your doctor may recommend additional testing, anti-inflammatory treatments, or evaluation by a cardiologist or rheumatologist.

How often should I retest my Myeloperoxidase levels?

If you're being monitored for vasculitis or cardiovascular inflammation, your doctor may recommend retesting every 3-6 months to track disease activity and treatment effectiveness. For cardiovascular risk assessment in otherwise healthy individuals with elevated levels, retesting annually or after implementing lifestyle changes can help monitor your progress. If you're undergoing treatment for autoimmune vasculitis, more frequent monitoring may be needed based on your symptoms and overall health status.