Lab Testing Guide: What to Test & Why

Why Lab Testing Matters

Lab testing is the foundation of any evidence-based health optimization protocol. Without baseline labs, you are guessing. Labs tell you where your hormones, metabolic markers, nutrient levels, and inflammatory markers actually are — not where you assume them to be based on symptoms.

Essential Panels

At minimum, a comprehensive baseline should include metabolic, hormone, thyroid, lipid, inflammatory, and nutrient panels. The specific markers depend on your age, sex, symptoms, and goals.

• ✓Metabolic: Fasting glucose, HbA1c, Fasting insulin, HOMA-IR
• ✓Hormones (Male): Total/Free testosterone, Estradiol (sensitive), SHBG, DHEA-S, LH, FSH, PSA, IGF-1
• ✓Hormones (Female): Estradiol, Progesterone, Total/Free testosterone, DHEA-S, FSH, LH
• ✓Thyroid: TSH, Free T3, Free T4, Reverse T3, TPO antibodies, Thyroglobulin antibodies
• ✓Lipids: Total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, Triglycerides, ApoB, Lp(a)
• ✓Inflammation: hs-CRP, ESR, Homocysteine, Ferritin
• ✓Nutrients: Vitamin D, B12, Folate, Iron/Ferritin, Magnesium (RBC), Zinc
• ✓CBC: WBC, RBC, Hemoglobin, Hematocrit, Platelets

Optimal vs Conventional Ranges

Conventional lab ranges are based on statistical averages of the population — including sick people. Functional medicine uses tighter "optimal" ranges that represent where markers should be for peak health. For example, conventional TSH range is 0.5-4.5 mIU/L, but optimal is 0.5-2.0.

How Often to Test

Baseline labs before starting any protocol, then recheck at 6-8 weeks for initial adjustments, and quarterly for ongoing monitoring. Some markers like CBC and metabolic panels should be checked every 3-6 months while on peptide or HRT protocols.

Ordering Your Own Labs

In many states, you can order your own labs through direct-to-consumer lab services without a doctor's order. BioRoot AI recommends only the labs you need based on your specific symptoms and goals — so you are not paying for unnecessary tests.