Soy Milk: The Benefits vs. The Dangers
Friday, October 24th, 2008 | Author: Organic Health News
Soy milk is processed from soy beans through the use of varying manufacturing processes. You can find soy milk with a wide range of fat and protein content, with fat amounts generally ranging from 1-3%. In spite of the tremendous amount of positive press that soy in general seems to receive these days, there is some cause for concern among consumers, particularly when it comes to the consumption of soy milk.
During the past few years, the benefits of soy milk and soy foods have become widely debated. All it takes is a search online to discover some intelligent arguments and clinical studies concerning the potential health dangers that are present in the soy products that American families regularly consume.
While we certainly do not want to label ALL soy products as harmful or dangerous, it is only fair to present you with some essential data representing both sides of this discussion.
The Benefits of Soy Milk
Soy Milk is considered to be a nutritious alternative to cow’s milk for many reasons. First and foremost, soy milk is 100% Lactose-Free, meaning it is a great alternative to those whom suffer from lactose intolerance.
Soy milk may also provide you with beneficial protein, calcium and essential fatty acids, which we all need to live a healthy lifestyle. Soy milk is also low in saturated fat and sodium, but high in dietary fiber.
A recent study from the National Institute of Health & Nutrition in Japan, concludes that soy protein is effective at lowering your cholesterol, which ultimately lowers your overall risk of developing heart-related issues.
Another benefit of soy milk, is the fact that it does not contain a protein called casein, unlike cow’s milk. Casein is commonly used in many different products, ranging from medicine, foods, paints, and adhesives. It is not uncommon for people to develop an allergy to casein. Parents of autistic children need to be aware of products and foods containing casein, as it is widely believed that it can contribute to gastrointestinal disorders.
The Dangers of Soy Milk
Do the benefits of soy milk sound too good to be true? Well, recent research does indicate a few downsides to the consumption of soy foods.
Unfermented soy foods have a high amount of phytic acid, which can lead to the lower absorption of certain vitamins and minerals.
Soy contains a high level of phytoestrogen, which may affect the production of sperm in men, as well as decrease the amount of testoterone in their body. The isoflavones found in soy foods also contribute to the development of thyroid disorders, breast cancer and leukemia.
Another less thought of danger, is whether or not the soy you consume is organic. If possible, you should always avoid all genetically modified foods.
The Soy Isoflavone Controversy
Soy isoflavones, also known as phytoestrogens, are routinely marketed as treatments or prevention of certain types of cancer, including prostate, breast, and edometrium.
Part of the problem with the majority of the information that Americans are receiving is that the facts have been somewhat skewed.
For example, some reports have indicated that Asian diets are heavy in soy products, and that these soy-rich diets have resulted in reduced instances of cancers. This is misleading. Asian diets are actually quite low in soy consumption, with diets incorporating healthy amounts of poultry, eggs, fish, and meats.
The amounts of soy that are being placed in foods that Americans eat are exceeding the amounts that Asians consume in an entire day or week. The danger here is that excessive consumption of soy milk, or any other soy product, can lead to the development of many different diseases. For people who have chosen to focus on eating diets that are rich in soy-based products, this presents a very real problem. Unfortunately, many people are not aware that consuming too much soy can be hazardous to their health.
Soy Research & Product Labels
If you are a person who enjoys soy products, and you have incorporated them into your regular diet, you should understand the importance of reading product labels. It is important that you do this not only for those foods that claim to contain soy, but also on all of the food products that you buy. The reason for this is that there are many foods that contain some form of soy. The only way to be sure about this, however, is to read your labels!
The best advice is to research the types of food you eat so that you can make educated decisions about whether or not they are good for you and your family. Try to stick to organic, unprocessed foods as much as possible, and always be aware of the ingredients you are consuming. Genetically Modified Foods are something that you need to steer clear of when at all possible, and unfortunately soy is a primary component in many of these types of food products.
A healthy, lactose-free alternative to soy milk, is hemp milk.
Monday, 27. October 2008
I love soy milk!
Tuesday, 28. October 2008
Kind of a fluff piece. I don’t see many citations of studies or statistics. Just casually throws out there “Asian diets are actually quite low in soy consumption, with diets incorporating healthy amounts of poultry, eggs, fish, and meats.” Could you please let us know your sources.
Wednesday, 29. October 2008
Thanks for interesting information. I think that soy food and soy milk has a good influence on our health. But there is one condition, we shouldn’t over-eat and over-drink this food, so everything must be in balance.
Wednesday, 29. October 2008
Moderation…just like any other thing in life. Pretty interesting article though.
Wednesday, 29. October 2008
My girlfriend just recently tried switched to being a vegan and had some soy milk in her fridge. It really wasn’t too bad, but I will show her this article.
The hemp milk really interests me, I can’t wait to try it.
Wednesday, 29. October 2008
i personally can’t stand the taste of soy milk. I’d recommend everybody drink ALMOND milk, instead. it’s better for you than soy or cow’s milk, and the taste is waaaaay better!
Wednesday, 29. October 2008
Do you want to know the #1 Danger of Soy? THE TASTE!!!
Wednesday, 29. October 2008
Another alternative is rice milk, which is usually more affordable than hemp milk or almond milk.
I think the real danger in soy is that it’s used as an additive or filler for so many processed foods. I’ve heard that a McDonald’s burger is more soy than meat. The key in a healthy diet is moderation, and it’s hard to do that with a product like soy that is added to so many things.
I’m far more worried about the dangers in meat and other animal products than the dangers of soy.
Wednesday, 29. October 2008
Well,this is very upsetting news to me as I LOVE soy milk (the Silk green carton is my favourite, free of all flavourings). However, I am not going to be stopping consumption at this time. I agree with Megan, I too am far more worried about the contents of all the other ‘foods’ presented to us.
Wednesday, 29. October 2008
I do agree that soy milk can have risks, but only if you drink an abundant amount. Like all things, you should consume in moderation.
great article. Very informative… thanks for posting it!
Sunday, 9. November 2008
I’ve always been curious about the dangers of soy milk.
I’ve heard two different sides when it comes to soy foods. I don’t believe that eating it in abundance is really even a necessaity. There are other sources for protein, and if soy does propose even the smallest health danger, then we should eat with caution.
Either way… the taste of hemp milk is better than soy milk. With plenty of health benefits, and no health dangers… Just drink that instead.
Sunday, 9. November 2008
I like it… despite the supposed dangers of soy milk, I like the taste and the way I feel after I drink it.
It’s not wise to eat any soy foods if you suffer from hyperthyroidism.
Thursday, 13. November 2008
i also love soy milk, so much healthy and contains lots of nutrient!
Check out my blogspot
Cindy
Monday, 17. November 2008
Thanks to a loving dad I realized that giving soy milk to my baby is a BAD thing and I will never do it again hemp milk is the best anyway it contains more nutrients than any other source of anything on our planet… Please do your research…For a healthier you and a healthier planet…. peace, love and naps….
Tuesday, 18. November 2008
My 12 year old son has been diagnosed with leukemia during our time in Japan April 2007. He is still getting chemotheraphy until now and also he had found this web site and told me that “Mom, my Japanese teacher always brings me fresh boiled soy beans to school, maybe that’s how I got my leukemia!” Ever since I read this site I am avoiding to buy soy products due to the risk of this being true.
Thursday, 11. December 2008
Hi, within the last two years I have had two major breast cancer operations and am currently on arimidex. I had concerns over any dairy products because of my type of cancer was sensitive to oestrogen. Having taken soya milk for a year I now have been advised by my oncologist that it is equally as harmful because of the phytoestrogens (from plants in this case) which soya contains. I am totally confused. Can anyone shed light on this dilemma.
Many thanks and good luck Deedy
Tuesday, 16. December 2008
My doctor once told me that over consumption of soy can be very harmful. Great article!
Friday, 9. January 2009
I found the Michael Pollan book, In Defense of Food, to be extremely enlightening about food choices, production and health consequences including the use of soy in human and animal food. I highly recommend reading it!
Thursday, 15. January 2009
I was drinking soy milk everyday for a number of yrs. I stopped drinking it in Oct. of 08. I was told by a health nutritionist that Americans are getting too much soy in their diet. I said: But soy is suppose to be so good for you. She explained that almost everything has soy fillers in it, so therefor we are getting way too much. The reason why I stopped was personal. I was having menstrual problems and as soon as i stopped drinking soy milk my problem stopped and now i have other issues do to soy. So those of you who LOVE SOY. Beware!!! There’s always a price to pay on having too much of a “good thing” Take Caution and Care…
Monday, 19. January 2009
I’ve been taaking too much soy milk lately and this just got me paranoid but fortunately i havent noticed any abnormalities so yeah i’m gonna stop.thanks for the advice or better still warning.
Thursday, 29. January 2009
I am a Fitness Model and Actor and have been taking Soy Milk for about 4 years. I have not felt or experienced any symptons or side effects of consuming soy which I consume in large quantities (oatmeal and protein shakes) but lately I have been reading like this about the dangers of soy so I will take a 2-3 month break to see if I feel a difference. Thanks for the information
Wednesday, 25. February 2009
I was drinking soy milk for several months and did’nt realize what was happening to me and I have even read in years past about dangers from to much soy…I was incredibly cold and was turning my thermostat up more and more and spent a lot of time wrapped up in blankets and extra clothes..my hands and feet would be numb from cold as well as an overall feeling of being cold.. It suddenly dawned on me that it might be the soy , so I stopped .( I recently read that being cold is one of the symptoms , I think especially in men read about it in a letter sent to Obama on the WEESTON PRICE WEBSITE). Within days I returned to my normal self.. dropping the thermostat from as high as 75 degrees to 64-66 degrees.. Iwas’nt eating any tofu during that time and 98% of my diet is organic vegetables and meat….good article and responses
Thursday, 5. March 2009
Have there been any limits set with regards to safe amounts of soy milk / soy protein for men? I would be interested in reading some of the latest research. Thank you.
Wednesday, 1. April 2009
The flavours of soy milk have improved lately, and judging by the numbers of boxes taken off the supermarket shelves, consumption is increasing. With the disposal of bobby calves and the inherent cruelty of the dairy industry, more people should be embrasing soy products instead of dairy.
Saturday, 18. April 2009
I’m having a very hard time accepting this report for several reasons. First, you say that the Asian diet contains very little soy consumption. Now even if this is true, the soy consumption in the diet of Asian people as a whole still FAR outweighs that of the western world – and still they have far fewer instances of cancers and other diseases. Also, you speak about diets incorporating healthy amounts of poultry, eggs, fish, and meats. What, exactly, constitutes a healthy amount? EVERY study dealing with cancers and gastrointestinal disorders always suggest much less meat consumption and much more consumption of vegetables, fruits, and grains. And the benefits of soy have been well researched and are very well documented. Mankind is the ONLY species who continues to drink milk into adulthood – to to add to that drinks the milk of another species. And if eating meat was all that natural then man would be able to consume it raw like all the other natural meat eaters. Of course there must be balance in everything. I agree with you that one should be sure that the soy you consume is organic. That’s the key. But soy products have been shown in many studies to be an excellent alternative for people who have been suffering from many ailments due to the consumption of meat and dairy products.
Monday, 27. April 2009
I’ve had a soy-milk fruit smoothie every morning for the past two years and been feeling amazing. Recent reports of the dangers of soy have given me pause. I’m reading The Okinawa Program now, which studies the lifestyle and diet of the Okinawan elders and youth. There are more centenarians per capita on this island than anywhere else in the world however the Western diet is starting to influence trends with today’s generation, providing insight into intergenerational trends based on food intake. Great book with insights into a healthy Asian diet.
http://www.okinawaprogram.com/books/okinawa_program.html
Tuesday, 28. April 2009
I’ve recently started drinking soy milk, hoping that it will some way help my with my endomitriose and gastro problems. I have been feeling better, by being more regular and reduced pain associated with the endometriosis. After reading this article with i found very interesting, i am now more confused that ever, if I’m actually benefiting from drinking soy milk or not.
Sunday, 31. May 2009
I’m 19 years old, and lactose intolerant. I have grown up drinking soy milk all my life, even for baby formula since I cannot take cow’s milk. I can’t even drink non-lactaid cow’s milk. I am perfectly healthy, my doctors have never found anything wrong with me, besides the occasional cold and such. My normal food intake consists of fish, turkey, chicken, grains, fruit, veggies, and pork & beef on occasions. Junk food on weekends.Maybe the bad side effects of soy milk depends on the person, and what the person eats.
Wednesday, 24. June 2009
This article is good but hs no foundation, nor proof of their claims. I have been using soy milk for years, because I’m lactose into relent. You notice the author tells you to pick hemp. I’m sure he is being payed to push that.
Wednesday, 1. July 2009
I love chocolate soy milk…tastes like Yoo Hoo!
Wednesday, 1. July 2009
When I was a kid attending elementary school in Hong Kong I used to drink a 7oz bottle of soy milk for lunch EVERYDAY. The reason is that flash milk was expensive in HK and we thus drank a lot of soy milk instead.
I never had any health problem because of that.
Saturday, 4. July 2009
I am concerned regarding breast cancer & soy milk. My sister in law is a nurse and recently told me that she cannot use the soy milk and uses rice milk. My mother in law (different family & post meno) drinks the soy milk and thinks it’s wonderful, I’m concerned that she shouldn’t be drinking this. She actually started the soy milk before being diagnosed with breast cancer & no one in her family history had been diagnosed (she’s 88 and sibling & of course mother have passed away). Please send info.
Wednesday, 8. July 2009
I have been a vegetarian for 12 years and I have consumed a good number of soy products. It is very dangerous and I am disgusted that it is promoted as being so healthy for you. I am facing very serious health issues because of my consumption of soy. It can wreak havoc on your body. I have always been a very healthy person, active, eat great. Two years ago I was diagnosed with Hashimotos Thyroiditus, that is where your immune system attacks your thyroid. Soy can really affect your hormones and damage your thyroid. I have since become hypothyroid. The syptoms of that have shocked my pituitary gland giving me a syndrome called Sheehan’s, this causes hypopituitarism. Both Hypothyroidism and Hypopituitarism raise levels of cholesterol in your body despite a good diet and the cholesterol collects in your liver and your gall bladder. When thid happens as it has with me you get gall stones, gall stones can cause a gall bladder attack. A gall bladder attack is very painful and feels very similar to a heart attack. And my liver has become fat infiltrated due to the raise in the cholesterol from my hypo conditions. As you can see there are a myriad of problems that can cascade down from eating soy. I will be on Thyroid medicine for the rest of my life, I will have to have my Gall Bladder removed, I am going to have bopsy done on my liver to ensure it is not cancer. This is very scary considering my healthy lifestyle and what I thought was a healthy diet that included soy. Please any of you who consume soy, do some research on it, you will be suprised to find my story isn’t all that uncommon. I urge you to give this toxic food up because eventually it will probably take it’s toll on you as well.
Wednesday, 8. July 2009
P.S. I am only 26 and should not be experiencing these diseases or conditions.
Thursday, 9. July 2009
I have been drinking Soy milk for many years and am lactose intolerance. Also, I follow a very active life style including healthy eating and daily exercise habits. As someone in my late 50’s, I see my doctor every six months and most of my test results are generally in the above average category range for someone in my own group.
I spent the last few weeks researching information on Soy products including looking at NIH studies and while Soy molecules do mimic certain hormones including estrogen much of the ill effects seem to be based on a very high level of concentration of Isoflavone in the body. I consume about 12 ounces of Soy milk per day or the equivalent 11 grams of Isoflavone. This may be within a normal range hence no adverse effect so moderation might be the key after all. The opposite is that consumption of the same quantity of dairy milk over the same period of time would have perhaps resulted in a blocked artery and a heart attack by now.
What has really turned me off on many of the articles I have read on the internet is that most seem to recommend dairy products as an alternative which leads me to believe they are being published by advocates of the dairy industry and milk producers who have a vested interest in keeping their products on the shelves and not necessarily providing a balance report on the subject.
Tuesday, 14. July 2009
Good article: well researched. I’m still for Soy in place of milk, but it depends on the individual’s body I guess.
Thursday, 16. July 2009
To: World Health Organization and Food & Drug Administration
From: Ania Grenda
Date: July 1, 2009
RE: Organic Soy Milk Poisoning
I had been unsuspectively and progressively poisoning myself for over three years by drinking 2 glasses of organic soy milk daily and consuming other soy products such as tofu, soy cheese and soy sauce. Even though this constituted only about 10% of my daily consumption, this slow poisoning has nearly killed me, it has ruined my liver and metabolism. It has stolen three and half years of my life.
All the books which I have read and all the doctors I have discussed my problems with, they all glorified the benefits of soy products for overall health and gave me prescription drugs for sleeping and constipation.
The reason I had never suspected or attributed my illness to soy milk products was that amazingly I never had stomach cramps or a headache or nausea as usually is the case with other people. Rather I have attributed my illness to a bad case of menopause but I am convinced that menopause like symptoms were caused by soy products because after I stopped using these products these symptoms never came back. Soy to me was a silent killer. My husband’s symptoms were less severe. He experienced stomach cramps and nausea but did not suspect it coming from soy foods.
This progressive food allergy/poisoning begun with insomnia. Now after three and half years, I recall how it all started. In the beginning I was unable to sleep one night a week, then two nights a week then three and after several months I was unable to fall asleep naturally at all. I began falling into severe depression from lack of sleep. I started taking sleeping aids and progressively stronger and more often. I had to take one every time I had awakened during the night. During the day I felt drugged and not being able to think clearly, my memory and health was definitely deteriorating.
Second symptom was my metabolism was going from bad to worse until it almost stopped completely. I was defecating once a week and that was after using everything that was available on the market such as fiber, colon cleansers, stool softeners, pro-biotics, digestive enzymes, etc. after every meal. Other symptoms included extreme bloating (even after consuming small amount of vegetables or fruit), also hair loss, tearing eyes, sensitivity to sunlight, moles on skin etc.
Third slow poisoning symptom was chronic fatigue. By the end of the third year I spent most of my life in bed, unable to do daily house chores, unable to work. I was totally depressed, frustrated, angry, and extremely weak and I felt that I was slowly dying.
By the grace of God and as a person who is dying, I analyzed my foods and decided to STOP consuming all soy products. After just four days I fell asleep naturally for the first time in about three years. Slowly my sleep returned to a normal eight hours. I noticed that my energy was coming back, I could think clearer. My metabolism was improving so I stopped taking digestive aids. My husband’s health also started improving after a week of soy free living. I hope that people will benefit from my near death experience. Please help me to spread this message of warning.
Saturday, 18. July 2009
I been drinking Chocolate soy for years now! I also have grown boobs and my dick doesn’t work well anymore. My testosterone levels are low too
Tuesday, 4. August 2009
I started to use soy milk and creamer. In 11/08 I got endometrio stage one cancer. My doctor told me like many in your responses to stay away from any form of SOY. Because of its affects. I asked way then is the medical community not saying much about this. I think it all boils down to MONEY. If the medical community gets plenty of money from a source they will not say a thing. Until the public SCREAMS about it they will continue, and not say anything. Think about it in the years since SOY was introduced widely. The estrogen cancers from breast to endometrio to ovarian have risen through the ROOF. YOU MUST READ LABELS!!!!!! There is SOY in nearly everything from deodarent to all kinds of foods, and sodas and juices. And why are the doctors telling the cancer patients to stay away. But they are afriad to speak out. I hope it becomes natioanl news soon. Because the cancer surely out of control. I live in a heavy asian populated area. And these women tell me over and over again (the americans use to much soy and they use the wrong way)!! I have looked for farms that feed their chiks corn only or rice. Not one to be found. Thats why if u have an estrogen CANCER, STAY away from MEATS,EGGS,FOODS that are fed soy protein. And thats pretty much the WHOLE FOOD CHAIN!!!!!!!! Stay healthy.
Thursday, 6. August 2009
“Asian diets are actually quite low in soy consumption, with diets incorporating healthy amounts of poultry, eggs, fish, and meats.”
As someone living in China, and has many Japanese and Korean friends, I find this study’s result so absurd I don’t know what to begin. I guess my only conclusion is that a “study” can prove whatever the hell they want.
There two ways to look at the above study’s findings. If you only look at city folks of countries usually associated with the word “Asian”, then they DO eat more soy than Americans. People in China drink soy milk in the morning religiously like Americans drink normal milk. Many popular Japanese, Korean, and Chinese dishes incorporate tofu. People here actually knows make tofu delicious. Something I’ve experienced first hand.
OTOH, if you incorporate EVERY Asian, as in poor farmers in China, Mongolia, etc. As well as Indians, Pakistanians, and former Soviet Union countries, then of course they don’t eat much soy. Most are poor farmers who only eat what they grow. And soy isn’t popular outside the Oriental countries anyway(Japan, Korea, Taiwan, China, etc.) And there’s no way they eat “a healthy amount of poultry, eggs, fish, and meats”. That’s absurd considering they can’t even afford fish and meat, making less money per year than normal working-class citizens in a day.
Basically, people in Asia(or rather Oriental countries) eat lots of soy compared to Americans. It’s the cheapest source of protein. And they’re part of the culture, rather than just being a health craze.
I won’t comment on the perceived dangers though, as I’m not a doctor. But I just want to comment on that particularly horrendously done study.
Friday, 7. August 2009
Meh – people in China do NOT drink soya milk religiously every morning. Having spent much time in that country, I have never heard anything so absurd.
Like a couple of other posters, I also was eating a lot of unfermented soya products (milk, tofu mainly). Fermented is fine. Unfermented is very bad for you.
When my soy consumption went up, I started to feel really bad in myself. I also experienced a heavy menstrual cycle. I didn’t make the link with soya until blood tests came back as me being hypothyroid. I then found that there is a link between hypothyroidism and soya. Instead of taking medication, I ceased all my soya consumption. Within three months my thyroid had normalised, as had my cycle. Soy is also a known disrupter of women’s monthly cycles. I had a friend who ate soy heavily for a month and her periods stopped.
Since then I feel much better in myself, but still not 100% as the damage that eating soy has done cannot completely be undone in a few months.
People: soy is one of the biggest “health” cons going but it is a huge multi billion dollar industry now and getting the truth out is hard because of powerful vested interests.
Whatever you do, don’t give infants soy milk. It is especially bad for male babies and is linked to an increase in autoimmune diseases.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2338464
Wednesday, 12. August 2009
Why worry so much about reports or what something says and do what you feel is working. You are your own decider and not some study. If something is bad for you there will be good studies relased and if something is good for you there will be studies that say it is bad.
Sunday, 23. August 2009
Who did this “study”? Dairy industry I gather. Asians do not eat a high volume of eggs, meat and poultry. That is completely false. I have worked with Asians my entire adult life. They eat a lot of soy, fish and rice.
Saturday, 29. August 2009
The information at this website is more technical and sites references. It tends to support this article and goes into the dangers more explicitly.
Monday, 14. September 2009
I like to drink the organic light soy milk it’s actually really good in my opinion.
Wednesday, 16. September 2009
I have read articles where they did studies on Asians eating a lot of soy in a life time with no serious heath problems. Google and get more information people about soy.
Thursday, 24. September 2009
thanks for the article.. i like soy, and i’m very that soy can reduce cholesterol level. I have quite high cholesterol.
any other food to consume for reducing cholesterol level?
Sunday, 11. October 2009
I love soy milk, and I drink it every day. Rice milk is not a good alternative for me, and it doesn’t taste as good either. Almond breeze is even better than soy milk but it’s more expensive..
BTW, don’t buy silk soy milk, it’s no longer organic!!
Thursday, 15. October 2009
Soy milk (also called soya milk, soybean milk, or soy juice) and sometimes referred to as soy drink/beverage is a beverage made from soybeans. A stable emulsion of oil, water, and protein, it is produced by soaking dry soybeans and grinding them with water.
Sunday, 18. October 2009
Soy milk gets rid of my hot flashs!
Sunday, 18. October 2009
It’s true. I’m a good-looking guy 33 and my testosterone level has steadily gone down in about the year that I’ve been drinking soy. I’m in good health and my doctor couldn’t figure out why. I’ve gone to a urologist and he said that if I had really low testosterone I would not be able to get muscle, which I had but very little. I bet it has to do with the soy milk. It would explain my “chickly” feelins, hair going white, loosing it, etc. I’ll quit drinking it and go back to fat free real milk and start eating healthy American foods again.
Monday, 19. October 2009
I just read this enitre thread, I can’t believe what I’m reading. We are Herbavores + Canavores = Omnivores… Our human bodies can digest and use both plant and animal sources for nutrition. Our bodies need a balance of both. To some of you this is politically incorrect, sorry. You can take that up with the Maker some day. The key is MODERATION.
I love Soy milk, I love to work out, and have great sex with my wife. Needless to say my Testosterone & Growth Hormone levels are fine, at least according to my last full blood work up. I can’t speak for the girls, but you boys with the “manhood/chicky” problems either should get to the gym or to your local Endocrinologist for a blood test…