Biological indicators of sub-optimal health status

Abstract

ObjectiveTo investigate biological indicators of sub-optimal health status and provide means of objective assessment of sub-optimal health status. MethodsWe set the unified standards for diagnosing a SHS. We tested various laboratory indicators in 407 cases that we selected randomly from 2807 subjects and collected 15 mL of fasting venous blood from each case. We measured serum immunoglobulin A (IgA) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations, serum beta endorphins (β-EP), cortisol (C), testosterone (T), plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and serum T lymphocyte subsets CD3+ and CD4+. ResultsMean serum testosterone concentrations and their ratio to cortisol (C) concentrations were significantly higher in the healthy group than in those with sub-optimal health status (P<0.01). Mean serum CD3+ concentrations were significantly higher in those with sub-optimal health status than in the healthy group (P<0.05). ConclusionDecreased serum testosterone/cortisol ratio may be an objective indication of sub-optimal health status. Changes in neuroendocrine and immunological indicators may explain some of the symptoms, including malaise and poor work performance, attributable to persistent or relapsing fatigue in subjects with sub-optimal health status.