Taking glutathione intravenously is an option if a glutathione test reveals low levels.
Glutathione is one of many chemicals in the body. Glutathione is responsible for so many functions within the body; low levels of glutathione can indicate a health problem. Doctors can test how much glutathione is in the body and determine treatment for conditions resulting from low levels.
What Is Glutathione?
Glutathione is a tripeptide produced in the liver. Specifically, glutathione is made up of cysteine, glutamic acid and glycine. Glutathione impacts cellular respiration because it gathers and gives off hydrogen within the body and is part of the metabolic process. Glutathione is an antioxidant and has a strong influence on the immune system.
Why Test Glutathione Levels?
Low levels of glutathione are connected to numerous conditions because it is tied so closely to immune system response, cell regeneration and stability, and metabolism. Among these conditions are cancer, autism, liver disease, respiratory disorders and Parkinson's disease. The chemical may be linked to aging. According to Juan Sastre, a researcher looking into the glutathione-age connection, Pinto and Bartley studied the anti-aging effects of glutathione as early as 1969. A glutathione test can be the first step in developing an effective treatment plan for diseases related to low levels.
Test Process
The test for glutathione starts with a simple blood draw (red blood cell test), although the high turnover rate of blood cells can make the test inaccurate. In one test method, the blood sample then goes to a laboratory, is treated with a reagent and is put through a centrifuge. The optical density of the supernatant (the liquid that comes to the top after being centrifuged) is measured along with pH. The lab technician gathers the glutathione levels from the optical density measurements. Glutathione can also be measured by looking at the amino acids in the sample or by doing an oxidative stress panel. An indirect method of measuring glutathione is to measure the acids within a urine sample.
Test Cost
The cost of a glutathione test is usually a few hundred dollars. The cost will vary, however, depending on the laboratory performing the test and whether the test is covered by insurance.
Considerations
Some people debate the need for glutathione testing. For example, the GlutathioneDiseaseCure.com states that according to glutathione expert Dr. Jimmy Gutman, tests are too inaccurate to be much good, even if the sample can be tested right after being gathered. Another argument by Gutman is that the immune system varies naturally so low levels of glutathione thus may not indicate a problem for some individuals.
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