Bloodwork · labs · panels
Know your numbers.
Own your health.
Bloodwork · labs · panels
- 2
- Doctor letters (woman / man)
- 9
- Add-on panels
- Every 3 months
- For insulin resistance
You · your doctor · your coach
We're all on the same team.
You are the most important person on your health team. Your doctor brings the medical expertise, I bring the training, nutrition and accountability, and you bring the commitment. When all three of us work from the same numbers, you get safer, faster and longer-lasting results. Be informed, be honest, be in control.
Your doctor works for you
You have every right to ask questions, share concerns and be part of every decision about your health.
Never hide what you're taking
Supplements, peptides, hormones or medicines: your doctor needs the full picture to keep you safe and to read your labs correctly.
Early detection saves lives
Regular labs and honest updates let your doctor catch small problems before they become big ones.
Teamwork gets better results
When you, your doctor and your coach share the same plan, you get fewer complications and results that last.
Even if you disagree, keep talking
Your doctor may have valid concerns, suggest a safer approach or change their view as new research appears. A respectful conversation keeps the door open.
If they won't listen, find one who will
If a doctor refuses to test you or dismisses your concerns, you deserve a second opinion and a clinician who listens.
- 1
Talk first
Tell your doctor everything you take or plan to take, including how much and how often.
- 2
Get tested
Get a full baseline panel so decisions are based on data, not guesswork.
- 3
Make the plan together
Review your results with your doctor, and bring your training and nutrition plan from me.
- 4
Retest and adjust
Repeat your labs every 3 months while things are changing, and we adjust training, nutrition and recovery to your numbers.
Inform. Test. Plan. Execute. That's how we win.
Copy · paste · send
Letters for your doctor
In simple words: pick your letter, tap Copy, paste it into your patient portal or an email, and add your name. Ask for a fasting, early-morning blood draw (before 10 am) so insulin, glucose and testosterone are accurate. Your doctor decides which tests are right for you.
♀ For a woman
Dear Doctor, I am writing to request a comprehensive medical evaluation to help find out why I am struggling to lose weight despite a good diet, portion control, regular exercise and adequate protein. I would like to rule out insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, inflammation, thyroid problems, hormone imbalance, nutrient deficiencies and other causes. Please consider the following tests: - Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) - CBC with differential - Fasting glucose and fasting insulin, with HOMA-IR if appropriate - Hemoglobin A1C - Fasting lipid panel: triglycerides, HDL, LDL, total cholesterol, VLDL - hs-CRP and ESR - Thyroid panel: TSH, free T4, free T3, and thyroid antibodies (TPO/TgAb) if appropriate - Hormones if appropriate: estradiol, progesterone, LH, FSH, prolactin, DHEA-S, cortisol, total and free testosterone, SHBG - Vitamin D (25-OH), vitamin B12, folate, iron panel, ferritin, magnesium, zinc, copper - Liver enzymes (ALT, AST, GGT) and evaluation for sleep apnea if indicated If appropriate, I would also appreciate: - ApoB and lipoprotein(a) - Kidney function: eGFR, cystatin C, urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio - Uric acid My goal is to find any underlying issue and build a safe, medically supervised plan. Sincerely, [Your name] [Date of birth]
♂ For a man
Dear Doctor, I am writing to request a comprehensive evaluation for possible low testosterone, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome and related issues. Despite diet and exercise, I would like to understand what may be affecting my weight, energy, body composition, libido and recovery. Please consider the following tests: - Total testosterone, free testosterone, SHBG, LH, FSH, estradiol (sensitive assay), prolactin - Thyroid panel: TSH, free T4, free T3 - Fasting glucose and fasting insulin, with HOMA-IR if appropriate - Hemoglobin A1C - Fasting lipid panel: triglycerides, HDL, LDL, total cholesterol, VLDL - CBC with differential (including hematocrit) and comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) - hs-CRP and ESR - Vitamin D (25-OH), vitamin B12, folate, ferritin, iron panel, magnesium, zinc - If indicated: morning cortisol and sleep apnea evaluation If appropriate, I would also appreciate: - ApoB and lipoprotein(a) - PSA (age 40+ or before any testosterone therapy) - IGF-1 - Kidney function: eGFR, cystatin C, urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio - Uric acid and GGT I would like testosterone drawn fasting in the early morning (before 10 am). My goal is to find the cause of these concerns and build a safe, medically supervised plan. Sincerely, [Your name] [Date of birth]
Ask your doctor to add these panels
Tap a panel to open it. Each one has a simple explanation and a copy button for your doctor.
Thyroid panel
In simple words: An underactive or overactive thyroid can cause tiredness, weight changes, mood changes and a racing heart, symptoms people often blame on other things.
- TSH
- Free T3
- Free T4
- Thyroid antibodies (TPO / TgAb) if thyroid disease runs in the family
Insulin resistance panel
In simple words: Insulin resistance drives belly fat, cravings and energy crashes, and it's often missed because fasting glucose alone can look normal for years.
- Fasting insulin
- Fasting glucose
- HbA1c (3-month average blood sugar)
- HOMA-IR (calculated from glucose and insulin)
Inflammation panel
In simple words: Ongoing inflammation slows recovery and affects the gut, joints and heart.
- hs-CRP (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein)
- ESR
- Homocysteine
Testosterone & hormone panel
In simple words: Low testosterone, in men and women, is an overlooked cause of muscle loss, fatigue, low libido, poor recovery and low mood. Standard panels often skip it.
- Total testosterone
- Free testosterone
- SHBG
- LH
- FSH
- Estradiol (E2)
- DHEA-S
- Prolactin
Liver panel
In simple words: Fatty liver is common with insulin resistance, and many medicines and supplements are processed by the liver. A baseline catches problems early.
- ALT
- AST
- ALP
- GGT
- Total and direct bilirubin
- Albumin
- Total protein
Heart & cholesterol (advanced)
In simple words: A standard cholesterol test can look fine while heart risk is high. These give a much clearer picture.
- ApoB
- Lipoprotein(a) (once in your life; it's mostly genetic)
- Fasting lipid panel
- Triglyceride-to-HDL ratio
- Homocysteine
- hs-CRP
Kidney panel
In simple words: High-protein diets, creatine, painkillers like ibuprofen, dehydration on GLP-1s and blood pressure all affect the kidneys.
- Creatinine and eGFR
- Cystatin C (more accurate if you're muscular or eat lots of protein)
- BUN
- Urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio
- Uric acid
- Sodium and potassium
Vitamins & minerals
In simple words: Low levels are common and can cause fatigue, low mood, hair loss, poor sleep and slow recovery.
- Vitamin D (25-OH)
- Vitamin B12 and folate
- Ferritin and full iron panel
- RBC magnesium
- Zinc and copper
- Omega-3 index (optional)
Peptide, GH or GLP-1 user safety
In simple words: If you use growth-hormone boosters, testosterone or GLP-1 medicines, these show early whether something needs adjusting. Check at the start and every 3–6 months.
- IGF-1
- Fasting glucose, fasting insulin and HbA1c
- CBC: hematocrit and hemoglobin
- PSA (men 40+ or on testosterone)
- Estradiol (sensitive assay)
- Lipase (on GLP-1s, if you have belly pain)
Testosterone: for men and women
In simple words: insulin resistance, stress and poor sleep can all lower testosterone, and low testosterone makes it harder to build muscle and lose fat. Women need it too, in smaller amounts.
Men: labs to ask for
- • Total and free testosterone, drawn in the morning (repeat to confirm a low result)
- • LH and FSH: show whether the brain or the testes are the cause
- • Estradiol, SHBG and prolactin
- • CBC (hematocrit) and PSA when right for your age, especially before and during TRT
Thinking about TRT? It shuts down your own production and can lower fertility. Ask your doctor about enclomiphene, clomiphene or hCG first if you want to keep your own production.
Women: labs to ask for
- • Total testosterone (sensitive method) and SHBG, plus free testosterone
- • DHEA-S, estradiol, prolactin and TSH
- • FSH and LH, timed to your cycle if you still have periods
- • Fasting insulin and glucose (HOMA-IR) if PCOS is possible
Testosterone supports sex drive, energy, mood, muscle and bone in women. Too much (often from PCOS) is also a problem, so both low and high levels matter.
Your bloodwork came back “normal”? Here's what they didn't test
A standard panel (CBC, basic metabolic panel, cholesterol, glucose, TSH) skips many markers unless you ask by name. Ask for the ones that match your goal:
- Body composition & metabolism
- Fasting insulin, HbA1c, C-peptide, HOMA-IR
- Heart & longevity
- ApoB, Lp(a) (once in your life), hs-CRP, cystatin C, homocysteine
- Training recovery
- CK (test after 2–3 rest days, since hard workouts raise it), ferritin and iron saturation, morning testosterone, cortisol
- Energy, focus & mood
- Ferritin: low iron stores can cause brain fog and fatigue even when your blood count is normal
- Skin & hair
- Ferritin and iron panel, free T4, B12 and folate, zinc and copper, vitamin D, sex hormones as appropriate
The real question isn't “were my results normal?” but “did we test the right things?” Normal isn't always optimal for you, so go over your results with your doctor.
Every 3 months if you have insulin resistance
The American Diabetes Association advises checking HbA1c every 3 months when blood sugar isn't at goal or treatment has changed, and at least twice a year when it's stable.
HbA1c
Your average blood sugar over the last 2–3 months.
Reference: Normal under 5.7%; prediabetes 5.7–6.4%; diabetes 6.5% or higher.
Fasting glucose
Your blood sugar after not eating overnight.
Reference: Normal under 100 mg/dL; prediabetes 100–125; diabetes 126 or higher.
Fasting insulin
How hard your body has to work to keep blood sugar normal.
Reference: No single agreed cutoff; labs vary. Lower within the lab's range generally means better insulin sensitivity.
HOMA-IR (calculated)
A score made from fasting glucose and insulin that estimates insulin resistance.
Reference: No universal cutoff; many studies treat values above about 2–2.5 as suggesting insulin resistance.
Lipid panel
Cholesterol and triglycerides (fats in your blood).
Reference: Triglycerides under 150 mg/dL; HDL 40+ (men) or 50+ (women); LDL goal set by your clinician.
Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP)
Kidneys, liver and electrolytes in one test.
Reference: eGFR 60 or higher (90+ is normal); ALT/AST within the lab's range (fatty liver often raises ALT).
Every 6–12 months (and before you start)
Complete blood count (CBC)
Red cells, white cells and platelets; checks for anemia.
Reference: Within the lab's range.
Vitamin B12
Low B12 is common with metformin and small appetites.
Reference: Within the lab's range; borderline results may need a follow-up test.
Vitamin D (25-OH)
Your vitamin D store.
Reference: Many labs treat 30 ng/mL or higher as sufficient.
Ferritin / iron
Your iron stores.
Reference: Within the lab's range.
TSH
Thyroid check; thyroid problems can affect weight and energy.
Reference: Within the lab's range.
hs-CRP
A marker of inflammation linked to heart risk.
Reference: Under 1 mg/L lower risk; 1–3 average; over 3 higher.
Urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio
Early kidney check, important with diabetes or high blood pressure.
Reference: Under 30 mg/g.
HOMA-IR calculator
Use the numbers from the same fasting blood test.
Your HOMA-IR
1.9
Not likely insulin resistant
Your score is below about 2, the range studies associate with normal insulin sensitivity. Keep training and recheck yearly, or every 3 months if you're actively changing your weight or treatment.
HOMA-IR = glucose × insulin ÷ 405. Cutoffs vary between studies and populations; it's a screening estimate, not a diagnosis.
Don't know your numbers?
Fasting insulin usually isn't on a routine blood test, so you have to ask for it. Send this to your doctor through your patient portal or by email, or bring it to your visit.
Subject: Request: fasting insulin and glucose test (HOMA-IR)
Hi Dr. [name], I'd like to check whether I have insulin resistance. At my next blood draw, could you please order these fasting tests: - Fasting glucose - Fasting insulin (so we can calculate my HOMA-IR score) - HbA1c - Lipid panel, including triglycerides and HDL I'll fast for 8–12 hours before the test (water only). If any of these may not be covered by my insurance, could you let me know first? Could we go over the results together, including my HOMA-IR score? Thank you, [Your name] [Date of birth]
Where to get tested
Step 1 · start here
Full panel with your doctor
Use the letters above for your baseline. This is your starting point and is often covered by insurance.
Step 2 · order your own
Direct-to-consumer labs
Services like GoodLabs let you order tests without a visit. Share every result with your doctor.
Step 3 · track progress
At-home follow-up every 1–3 months
Kits such as Rythm Health or SiPhox Health help you see whether you're improving between doctor visits. They don't replace the full panel.
Next: why the scale gets stuck · vitamin guide
Educational only, not medical advice. Reference points follow American Diabetes Association criteria where available; your lab's ranges and your clinician's interpretation come first. Brands are examples, not endorsements.