#1

I’m getting a standard physical next week, drawing my blood etc. Any suggestions on markers I should ask for in addition to all the standard things?

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#2

See this thread, and also search the forums on “biomarkers”

#3

I’d ask for these in addition the typical set.

Insulin resistance: (1) Fasting TG / HDL and (2) homa-IR (fasting glucose and insulin input into model)

inflammation — hsCRP

Testosterone—- total, SHBG, free (calc), maybe estrogen

eGFR — use cystatin C instead of creatinine if muscular or taking creatine

apoB — better than LDL for clarity on risk

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#4

This has been discussed in other threads.
But one piece of advice:

I learned a long time ago that certain food supplements affected my blood panel results.
For instance:

Creatine: Increases serum creatinine, mimicking impaired kidney function.
It’s generally recommended to stop taking creatine supplements 3–7 days before your blood test.

Protein Powders: May elevate BUN and creatinine, stressing kidney markers.
Don’t take the day before.

Biotin: Disrupts streptavidin-biotin assays used in hormone and cardiac marker tests.
Falsely high results (e.g., thyroid hormones like TSH, T3, T4). Stop taking at least 3 days before your blood test. The number of days you need to stop is dose dependent.

I can’t find any studies about how many of my supplements affect blood tests, so I try to stop at least 5 half-lives of the supplement before the test.

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#5

You’ll be sorry you asked … here is my list
CBC, Comprehensive Metabolic Panel, RBC Magnesium
Apo B, Lp(a), Apolipoprotein A1, Lipid Panel, HsCRP
Fasting Insulin Level, HbA1C, HOMA-IR (to be derived from insulin/glucose)
IGF-1
TIBC/Iron/Ferritin, In Fe Deficiency rarely soluble transferrin receptor
Vitamin D (25-OH)
Vitamin B12/Folate/Homocysteine
TSH/FT4/FT3
If concerns Thyroid Peroxidase (TPO) and Thyroglobulin (TgAb) antibodies
Testosterone Total/Free/Bioavailable/SHBG/Estradiol/Dihydrotestosterone if hair issues
If concerns LH/FSH/Prolactin/DHEAs/Progesterone/Estrone/Estriol/Estrogen metabolites/17 Alpha Estradiol
PSA, Free PSA
Creatine Kinase
Cystatin C
GGT
Cortisol (AM)
Autoimmune Testing if indicated such as ANA, Rheumatoid Factor, Anti CCP antibodies, Anti SSA/SSB antibodies, DS DNA antibodies
If not tested ApoE and Lp(a) once only
Omega 3 index
Salivary Cortsiol/Melatonin Curve
Gut permeability panel
PFAS – forever chemicals
Heavy Metals
Organic Acid Testing
Vibrant Tox Panel if concerns on broad based environmental exposures (covers metal, environmental, organics, PFAS, Mold and more)
Drug levels if needed (e.g. sirolimus)
Mold exposure testing if indicated
EpiSeek or Grail/Galleri if indicated
Amyloid Beta 42:40 ratio, p-Tau 181 and 217 if indicated

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#6

It’s a great list anybody can dream about, but in real life no doc would order that during a routine physical and no insurance would cover it. But nevertheless I’ll try - my physical is coming in couple weeks too.

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#7

I order it very commonly, and yes, routine care with standard primary care - they aren’t going to dig and optimize much, so yes, a CBC, Comp, Lipid, Thyroid, maybe a Testosterone if you ask for it. Some might do a Vitamin D/B12/Folate. Those would all be covered by standard insurance.

The rest are cash pay and can be obtained cost effectively.

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#8

Thanks. I take creatine and I didn’t know this. I’ve stopped as of today. My appointment is the middle of this coming week.

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#9

Thank you so much. This is incredibly comprehensive.

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