Originally posted by topgun
Can the docs measure the individual protein intake requirement of one's body by a blood test or sth? I'm curious becasue i heard about sth. like this a while ago.
Yup. Next question? (But seriously, folks . . .)

Among other things, the Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (usually just called a CMP) measures total protein. The normal range is between 6.0 and 8.3 g/dl (grams per decaliter).

The CMP is one of the essential tests I recommend if you use AS, since it's the one that checks your kidney and liver function. The test is done on a fasting basis (that is, after you have fasted for at least 12 hours, thus most people have it done in the morning before they have had breakfast - that's because it also measures your fasting blood glucose). It also provides additional information relevant to AS users such as creatinine and calcium levels, as well as a host of other nifty readings.

Therefore, if you want to have your protein levels checked and if you insurance covers it anyway, I would recommend that you ask your doctor for a CMP rather than just a protein test. That way, they draw the same vial of blood (just one), but you get a lot more information.