I don’t know why this test isn’t offered even for transplant patients whose goal with immunosuppression is to make T-cells less active. For transplant patients, it’s assumed that T-cells are adequately suppressed at sirolimus trough level between 5 and 20. It’s assumed but not measured. For 14 years I have never measured my T-cells.
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I don’t think so, but I just contacted them a few years ago and they agreed to offer the sirolimus rapamycin blood test at $95 instead of the typical $400. So - they seem pretty responsive. See this discussion: How to get a Rapamycin (sirolimus) Blood Level Test
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Ok, I’ve emailed them and asked.
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Let us know the email you sent the request to. Last time a bunch of us expressed interest in buying the test, by emailing them, so it indicates that its not just one wild person asking for a test, but rather a bunch of people who would actually use the test and order it (thus indicating that there is good demand for the service).
We can do this again.
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Great idea, here is the email I used (same as you did last time):
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@RapAdmin and all, here is what I heard back from Life Extention that they offer. Do you have any view of how big the difference is/whether it might be worth considering the more expensive one?
I’m thinking that I’d do the test pre-rapa and then perhaps take in one or twice after having started taking rapa and then only once or twice a year depending on the results.
As background
The regulatory T cells (Tregs /ˈtiːrɛɡ/ or Treg cells), formerly known as suppressor T cells , are a subpopulation of T cells that modulate the immune system, maintain tolerance to self-antigens, and prevent autoimmune disease. Treg cells are immunosuppressive and generally suppress or downregulate induction and proliferation of effector T cells.[1]
Treg cells express the biomarkers CD4, FOXP3, and CD25 and are thought to be derived from the same lineage as naïve CD4+ cells
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I will contact Dudley and get is opinion on this. I don’t know enough about it to tell you anything.
Did you ask for them to offer the Tregs test that is available on Labcorp? Did they just try to redirect you to some ones that they do have?
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Yes, please do ask him, that would be amazing.
After trying to compare them item by item, I think the top panel I linked from Life Extention might be identical to the LabCorp one (perhaps good if some else confirms), with the one question mark being that
- LabCorp lists: CD8xHLA-DR+
- Life Extension lists: natural killer (NK) cells
Is does seem like CD8*HLA-DR+ are one form of natural killer (NK) cells. Do you understand if the same type of NK cell is tested in the LC vs LE panels?
As for the conversation with Life Exertion, I started by emailing them and they said that they have the test, and that I should call them. Then when I called them they said I’d have two options re TREG tests and then emailed me the two options I posted above.
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Hi RapAdmin, any update on this from Prof Lamming?
More color from L.E.:
Thank you for your recent communication.
The Life Extension Helper/Suppressor (CD4+:CD8+) and Natural Killer Cell Profile Blood Test (Item # LC259317) is distinct from the LabCorp T-Cell Activation Profile, CD8 Subsets (TEST: 505750). These tests evaluate different types of cells; notably, CD8*HLA-DR+ is an antibody and not a cell type analyzed in our test.
Both assessments include a CBC panel with differential, yet our test additionally incorporates a platelet count. For your convenience, we have provided links below to the descriptions for each test:
To test for T-Cell Activation Profile, CD8 Subsets, [the LabCorp one] you would need to call the number listed below and request it by providing the item number. This test is only offered as a special-order blood test. The item number is 505750 and the cost is $1,200.00. [ouch, that is expensive…]
If there is anything else that we can help you with, please e-mail us or call the wellness specialist helpline at (800) 226-2370; international customers dial 001-954-202-7660. We will be glad to assist you.
Thank you for contacting Life Extension and choosing us as your trusted source of health information and quality dietary supplements.
At the same time, besides the
- LabCorp lists: CD8xHLA-DR+
vs
- Life Extension lists: natural killer (NK) cells
piece, (and platelet count part) they do seem to be measuring the same?
-
Absolute CD4+ helper T cells (CD3+CD4+)
-
Absolute CD8+ cytotoxic T cells (CD3+CD8+)
-
Absolute lymphocyte count
-
Absolute T cells (CD3+)
-
CD4+:CD8+ ratio
-
Percentage and absolute natural killer (NK) cells
-
CBC with differential and platelet count
The response from Dudley Lamming:
These tests seem to examine the absolute number of just a few classes of immune cells by type; I would have to defer to an immunologist as to whether they are likely to function as a proxy for immune system suppression by rapamycin.
My question to him:
Dear Dudley,
A few years back you had suggested to me that rapamycin users would ideally like to track and measure “TREGS” (t-cell regulatory cells) to track our immune system health - especially as people test higher in dosing. But I’ve yet to find this test at any convenient provider, not managed to get a cost on it for consumers.
A person at the Rapamycin News forum has found the following tests (see below), and we’re wondering if they might be a reasonable proxy for the TREGs test. Your input would be greatly appreciated - see the tests below:
Helper/Suppressor and Natural Killer Cell Profile | Blood Test - Life Extension
T-Lymphocyte Helper/Suppressor Profile - Life Extension
So our question is if either one of these tests above would be a reasonable proxy for immune system function as TREGs are?
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Here is what Ulta says they have when I asked them. Similar price range (after 20% normal discount) to the Life Extension one:
although this might might in some ways be more similar (not sure what would be best in a rapa context though): Lymphocyte Subset Panel 4 | Ulta Lab Tests
We need to get some input from an immunologist… on what these might inform us about and whether they meet our needs.
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100% agree. (extra char)
I just did the above test. So happy to have just clicked on the link, to find that it is now on sale for 25% off.
I did the test to see if it would confirm my trudiagnostic results which said I had an inverted CD4/CD8 ratio, which is not desirable.
The life extension result shows a ratio of 2.16 as opposed to the .75 result from tru. So the actual result is good, while the epigenetic proxy result is bad. I suppose tru would say their marker is more accurate.
Just to add to the confusion, see my absolute CD4/CD8/NK counts below. I talked to a life extension consultant, and he offered up some explanations (‘recent illness, autoimmune disease’) none of which apply as far as I know. I was advised to talk to my health care professional.
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Thanks I ordered too (the discount seems real and not that they they just changed the price by a similar amount).
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