When it comes to understanding your health, basic lab tests provide a good starting point as I discussed here. However, to truly optimize your well-being and stay ahead of potential health issues, it's important to explore more advanced testing. One set of labs, in particular, should become standard care to prevent cardiovascular disease and detect metabolic imbalances before they cause major health problems.

Why Advanced Testing Matters

Knowing your lab results isn't just about fine-tuning your health—it could quite literally save your life. Advances in cardiovascular and immune system testing offer insights into how your body responds to diet, movement, sleep, and stress. These factors significantly impact your overall health, and deeper testing can provide crucial information that standard lab work may miss.

Next-Level Lab Tests for a Comprehensive Health Assessment

Full Thyroid Panel (Beyond TSH)

A comprehensive thyroid panel includes T3, T4, and thyroid antibodies, not just TSH.

The thyroid is like the body’s energy regulator, controlling metabolism and cellular activity. If your thyroid function is low, you may feel constantly fatigued, even after a full night’s sleep. Other common symptoms include:

• Constipation

• Feeling unusually cold (especially in hands and feet)

• Thinning hair and eyebrows

• Unexplained weight gain

Standard TSH testing alone may not reveal thyroid dysfunction, as some individuals have normal TSH levels but struggle with improper conversion of T4 to active T3. Others may have undetected autoimmune thyroid conditions despite a "normal" TSH reading.

Homocysteine

Elevated homocysteine levels can indicate issues with nutrient processing, particularly involving B12, folate, and B6. Certain genetic variations can impair the body's ability to recycle these nutrients efficiently, leading to metabolic imbalances.

High homocysteine levels have been linked to cognitive decline and cardiovascular disease, making it a critical marker for brain health and longevity. Ideally, homocysteine should be kept below 10 micromoles/L.

Vitamin B12

Speaking of B12 - I also like to get a baseline of B12 in clients. B12 is essential for nerve function and energy production. Low levels can cause:

• Fatigue

• Numbness or tingling

• Memory problems

• Dementia (if deficiency persists long-term)

Despite consuming animal protein or taking supplements, some individuals still struggle with B12 absorption. The lab reference range for B12 is broad (200–900 pg/dL), but symptoms often appear when levels drop below 500 pg/dL. If you experience persistent fatigue or neurological symptoms, testing and optimizing your B12 levels could be life-changing.

I wrote in depth about how important it is B12 and how can be deficient in even though you eat animal protein or taking supplements. Check that out here.

Expanded Cholesterol Panel

A standard cholesterol test provides limited information. That’s why I think this test should be used as part of routine cardiovascular testing more often. An expanded cholesterol panel goes beyond total cholesterol and LDL/HDL levels to examine how cholesterol is packaged and transported in the body.

Cardiovascular health is influenced by diet, inflammation, blood sugar levels, exercise, stress, sex hormones, and even gum health. Some individuals experience heart attacks despite "normal" cholesterol readings because standard tests fail to assess cholesterol particle size and function. We need to know WHAT the cholesterol is DOING, not just HOW much cholesterol there is.

The bare minimum markers to check:

• Small and medium-dense LDL particles(more likely to contribute to plaque formation)

• Apolipoprotein B/A (a strong predictor of cardiovascular risk)

• Lipoprotein (a) (a genetic risk factor for heart disease)

• Adiponectin (a marker of metabolic health)

There are many other combinations of markers that assess cardiovascular health in the expanded cholesterol panels, but the above values can guide more targeted health and lifestyle treatment.

Magnesium

Despite being vital for over 300 biochemical reactions in the body, magnesium is often overlooked in standard lab panels. This essential mineral supports:

• Muscle function

• Heart health

• Nerve signaling

• Blood sugar regulation

Modern diets often fall short of magnesium needs due to soil depletion and food processing. Testing can reveal deficiencies and help guide supplementation to restore optimal levels.

Blood Pressure

While not a blood test, monitoring your blood pressure is crucial for overall health. Blood pressure measures the force of blood against artery walls and is a key indicator of cardiovascular function.

• High blood pressure (>130/90 mmHg) can damage blood vessels, increasing the risk of stroke and heart disease.

• Low blood pressure (<110/70 mmHg) can lead to poor circulation, causing symptoms like dizziness, fatigue, and cold extremities.

Many doctors provide only a general assessment of blood pressure (“It’s fine” or “It’s high”), so always ask for your exact readings and track trends over time.

Advocating for Comprehensive Testing

Despite the importance of these tests, obtaining them through traditional healthcare providers can be challenging. Reasons may include insurance limitations or providers being hesitant to order additional tests if standard panels appear "normal."

If you’re experiencing symptoms like fatigue, cognitive decline, or have a family history of cardiovascular disease, advocate for further testing. Have an open discussion with your healthcare provider about why these labs matter. If you aren’t being heard, consider seeking another practitioner or exploring direct-pay lab options.

While maximizing insurance coverage is ideal, many of these tests are available at reasonable cash-pay rates, providing valuable insights that can lead to life-saving health interventions.

Final Thoughts

Investing in advanced lab testing goes beyond routine check-ups—it's about taking control of your health and making informed decisions to prevent disease before it starts. If you're serious about optimizing your well-being, consider integrating these next-level lab tests into your health strategy.

Looking for help to improve your blood cholesterol or other nutritional needs? It’s my passion to empower you to achieve your optimal health. High cholesterol and blood pressure do not have to be a guarantee for your future. You can reverse course and still eat delicious foods!

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