If you're curious about testing your nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) levels, the good news is — yes, it's possible to measure NAD levels to gain insights into your body’s cellular health.
There are several ways to measure NAD levels, and each method varies in terms of how samples are collected and analyzed.
How Do You Measure NAD Levels?
One of the main ways to measure NAD levels is through a blood test, specifically looking at NAD and NADH (the reduced form of NAD). These tests can give you insights into possible deficiencies that could impact your energy levels or other aspects of your health.
Dried Blood Spot (DBS) Testing
DBS is the most straightforward and convenient NAD-level testing method. It involves collecting a small drop of blood on a filter paper, which is then tested for NAD levels.
The results of this testing method are pretty accurate, making it one of the most accessible options for people interested in learning more about their cellular health.
Intracellular NAD Testing
This test is a little different in that it tests NAD levels inside cells rather than the concentration in the blood for a more direct picture of cellular function. An intracellular NAD level test can be done on blood, urine, or tissue samples.
But it does require more advanced equipment to extract and measure NAD from these biological samples, and it's not something you can buy online and conduct at home.
Mass Spectrometry
Mass spectrometry is a highly sensitive testing method that allows for precise quantification of NAD levels in biological samples. Again, this is not something you can do at home and is conducted in accredited labs because it requires specialized equipment.
This method is better suited for individuals who need that highly accurate measurement of NAD with complex health conditions, or it might be used for diagnostics and medical treatment planning.
Fluorescence Imaging
Fluorescence imaging uses fluorescent probes to detect and quantify NAD levels in real-time. This technique is mainly used for research settings where monitoring changes in cellular metabolism is important.
Fluorescence imaging is conducted in research facilities and is unavailable as an at-home kit because it requires specialized imaging equipment. This method is more commonly used for scientific studies to observe how NAD levels change under different conditions for a better understanding of metabolic health.
At-Home NAD Testing Options
If you're interested in checking your NAD levels, at-home kits are available.
- Jinfiniti Precision Medicine: Jinfiniti has launched a new intracellular NAD test that uses dried blood spots (DBS) on filter paper. This at-home test kit includes a finger stick and a blood collection specimen card, allowing you to easily collect your blood at home and mail it back to the lab. Their protocol can preserve NAD at room temperature for weeks, solving the problem of rapid NAD degradation.
- DoNotAge.org: The Do Not Age kit includes dried blood spot collection using a simple fingerstick procedure, similar to Jinfinit's kit. You'd then mail the sample to the Do Not Age Lab for analysis, and results are provided within a couple of weeks. This test helps you better understand and optimize your NAD supplementation strategy.
Does Blood Get Drawn During NAD Tests?
Yes, in most cases, blood is the primary sample used for NAD testing. Depending on the specific method, blood can be collected as a dried blood spot (using a fingerstick) or through venipuncture, where a small vial of blood is drawn from a vein.
Both methods allow labs to measure NAD and NADH levels to help identify deficiencies or imbalances affecting the body’s cellular functions.
Preparing for an NAD Test
Some NAD tests may require fasting, as it can help provide more accurate results. Always follow the specific instructions provided by the testing facility.
Another good practice is to let your healthcare professional or lab facility know about any medications or supplements you’re taking. Certain medications or supplements can influence NAD levels, which might affect the test results.
Benefits of Testing NAD Levels
Testing your NAD levels can give you insights into your cellular health, which can be useful for optimizing your wellness plans for healthy aging or metabolic disorders (with your healthcare professional).
Thankfully, convenient at-home dried spot tests can make sample collection much more convenient and affordable than traditional in-lab testing methods.
