How to Estimate Glutathione

Glutathione is a triple amino acid molecule, or a tripeptide, that is found in the blood of humans and animals. It is used within the blood as an antioxidant and helps to remove free radicals from blood and cells. Glutathione also aids in the neutralization of toxins in the liver. Glutathione is relatively low in the blood of people with HIV and elevated in the blood of those with leukemia. A healthy diet is of value in maintaining an adequate level of glutathione.

Instructions

• 1

  Go to the doctor and have a blood test ordered. A prescription is needed and only certain labs are equipped to measure glutathione level. A low glutathione level is a good predictor of a low survival rate in HIV patients, states the Southern Alberta HIV Clinic. This is more a reflection of poor health than it is a cause of poor health in the case of HIV, according to the Southern Alberta Clinic.

• 2

  Ask your doctor for an Oxidative Stress Analysis (OSA) of the blood. This test measures the antioxidant reserve in your blood and can help to identify issues related to glutathione deficiency.

• 3

  Measure the total glutathione level and determine the ratio of reduced glutathione to that of oxidized glutathione. This will help to determine if there is deficiency of glutathione and at what level.

• 4

  A diet with an adequate supply of fresh fruits and vegetables can help to maintain appropriate levels of glutathione in the bloodstream.

  Take a urine sample with a doctor prescribed lab test. This can help to provide indirect evidence related to low levels of glutathione, according to Doctor's Data, a clinical laboratory from New York State. Some of the diseases that can be associated with low levels of glutathione are cystic fibrosis, atopic dermatitis, rheumatoid arthritis, pancreatitis, chronic hepatitis, inflammatory bowel disease, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and Huntington's.

  There can be many factors involved with such diseases, including environmental contamination, according to Doctor's Data, but diet can also play a role. A diet with adequate intake of carotenoids and antioxidant-rich foods is of importance in maintaining proper levels of glutathione in the bloodstream. Carotenoids are found in a variety of fruits and vegetables.