Based on the new clinical recommendations, my 10.86 ng/mL level puts me at elevated risk for preeclampsia (if I were a women/pregnant). Knowing that could mean my BP during pregnancy is more closely monitored, with a BP cuff for example.
Does it though? What will a pregnant woman do based on her results? Will having PFAS affect someone’s decision about becoming pregnant?
Pregnant women are going to monitor BP anyway. And the intervention is $100 for a BP cuff so that’s cheaper than the test. So we’re better off just recommending monitoring BP more closely than this test.
The value we provide: If people want to know, they can now know.
I also think not making the test accessible also has downsides.
What I mean is what would justify someone spending $400. The example of pregnancy is not a good one, as someone is better off just monitoring blood pressure (which is already common advice for all expectant mothers) for $100 instead of paying for this test.
I think value based healthcare is more important when people pay themselves.
Since there’s no intervention based on the results, it’s not a good idea for people until the results are actionable.
This falls into the “neat, but what can I do” category and at $400, someone really needs to be into self data.
It's everywhere. We all have it. Why bother.
I think we now know there's no safe level of lead in the blood. If you have suspected exposure in 2023, doctors quantify your lead level through a blood test and if it's elevated, recommend a medical procedure called chelation to remove it.
With PFAS, the medicine is just starting to catch up to the horrors of the news cycle.
But I think in the future, PFAS contamination is going to be treated in a similar way to lead exposure. That is, medically.
But right now, it's easy to throw up ones hands and say, it's all fucked. Why bother doing anything.
PFAS crusader haha.
Edit: forgot the word water
Even in your OP, you said you didn't know what to do about it. Neither does the website say much other than basically "lawyer". If there is something I can do to help me, then there is a purpose to the test. This chelation you mentioned.
But again, this should be a "See a doctor first" situation. What are the risks of chelation? Is it safer for me to have PFAS than go through chelation?
The lawyers ( https://www.pintas.com/pfas-class-action-lawsuit/can-pfas-be... ) say there is nothing I can do. So I should sue.
The news says there might be a way soon ( https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/new-way-destroy-p... ) to get rid of PFAS, but nothing about from the human body.
At least the EPA has some suggestions about how to reduce your risk: https://www.epa.gov/pfas/meaningful-and-achievable-steps-you...
We have some really old tech that can reduce your levels -blood letting. (... or donation).
PFAS will eventually (slowly) leave your body - focus on not getting anymore, not on removing it. I posted a comment with suggestions elsewhere in this thread.
Also: better to save a life and either average down whatever PFA count they have, or bolster their blood volume so they can start producing their own lower PFA infested hemoglobin.
Lesser of evils, and kind of a win win: if everyone was blood letting for the safety and humanity of others.
(While also agreeing with those in the thread saying that high-PFAS donations are likely often better than no donations)
What you should not bother doing is replacing your cooking pans because PFAS does not come from that. (Nor does it come from food storage containers or water bottles.)
The first thing to do is avoid paper dishes, no paper straws or any other kind of compostable dishware. The are frequently sprayed with PFAS to make them waterproof, and unless you are buying them yourself and checking you have no way to know what kind they are.
Avoid snowboarding - snowboards (and skis also I think) are sprayed with PFAS to make them slippery. The snow in the area will be covered in it, so just don't do that kind of sport.
Check your outdoor clothing, and kind of breathable clothing that is also waterproof is most likely coated with PFAS to make that happen. This is not just rain jackets, but also active-wear advertised as "quick drying".
Add a carbon filter (any kind) to your drinking water, you don't need reverse osmossis, carbon works fine. And helps for tons of other things you don't know are in there - plus it tastes better.
As a general rule any time you see an object that should get soaked with water stay dry be careful!
>replace my pans
>Get a reverse osmosis filter. Replace your cookware with something that doesn't contain PFAS. Don't use storage containers for food with PFAS. Check your water bottles.
Oh, so all of that would be a good start for anyone and everyone.
The test can help to determine if something, like blood donation, might be a reasonable course of action for a specific person.
This is a great test and a worthwhile addition to our understanding of how prevalent these substances are within the the body.
Any reduction of PFAS in the blood would be beneficial as they are endocrine disruptors.
It's a little like those ads to sell you a full body MRI. Most doctors recommend against them because you're likely to do more harm to yourself than they actually fix something.
If you're concerned about PFAS, live a healthy life and skip spending money on the testing. Live somewhere with PFAS in the water? Get a reverse osmosis filter. Replace your cookware with something that doesn't contain PFAS. Don't use storage containers for food with PFAS. Check your water bottles.
Then live your life, because until we change as a society, there is only so much you can do.