YOU MUST ADD THIS TO YOUR LABWORK!!
I personally do not check this lab value, but these numbers are very strong. Troponin T (cTnT) is a protein that helps cardiac muscles contract. Any level of heart damage can increase the level of this compound in the blood stream. In this particular study, those with the highest levels of cTnT had almost an 800% increased risk of dying from a fatal heart attack!!! 800%!! Even those with mild elevations had increases in risk of dying. It is becoming more and more frequent to hear of people suffering fatal heart attacks that “had no history of heart disease.” This is actually very misleading as I’ve said that someone can drop dead of a heart attack leaving a perfect stress test and cardiac screen. Maybe if these now deceased patients had their cTnT levels checked it would’ve be a wake up call for the path they were on.
what is the normal level for the Troponin? if I get this test done my doctor should know if it is good or bad right?
Tim–if you click through to the study you can see the values that they used.
Dr. Bogash