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Question (what to test and where to go)
Hi
I want to get some blood work done hopefully to be covered by insurance where we do full check ups with ultrasounds and everything. I have insulin resistance have reversed it before not sure how it’s doing now. Also hypothyroidism which I take medicine. Also I dont really take any supplements other than vitamin d, inositol and magnesium citrate (poop). I feel my energy is not great, I want to improve hair texture, growth, and loose weight (feel metabolism a bit sluggish and slow) and have slow muscle recovery post workout. Mood close to period (sensitive, not sleeping great). Need a lot to be motivated generally especially in morning I have to push myself and then its ok once I do. Also I want to improve digestion meaning to poop more. Memory and cognitive function improvement as well. Let me know what you think I need to test for and where to go to get it? Thank you
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1 Reply
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Hi @Dana – as a good starting point when someone requires a check-up, it’s a good idea to get a CBC with differentials, CMP (complete metabolic panel) and hs-CRP as the core markers. These are usually covered by insurance and can provide a lot of information as a starting point. You can find the list of these markers (CBC & CMP) on p. 5 in this handout.
Given the symptoms you shared, it would also be a good idea to add in some additional markers as well to be even more comprehensive:
-For blood sugar status (given the history with insulin resistance/weight loss resistance):
- Fasting insulin, fasting glucose, HbA1C, HOMA-IR or C-Peptide
-For thyroid function (given the low energy, metabolism, and desire for better hair growth)
- TSH, Free T4, Free T3, Reverse T3, Anti-TPO, Anti-TG
-For symptoms of low energy/metabolism/slow starter in the morning (adrenal status):
- Cortisol (AM only or 4-point saliva/urine test)
- DHEA-s
-For memory/cognition, energy, hair & mood:
- B12 and folate
- Iron panel (ferritin, iron, TIBC, % saturation)
- Homocysteine
- RBC magnesium
- Vitamin D
- RBC Zinc & copper
Please share your age. Given the PMS-like symptoms and sleep changes, you might want to check sex hormone status as well:
- Estradiol (E2)
- Progesterone (on day 19-21 of your cycle if it’s regular, and a 28-day cycle)
- LH & FSH
- Total and Free testosterone
- SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin to know what’s free and what’s not)
If you want to get these tests covered by insurance, you might need to see 2 different specialists; an OBGYN for sex hormones and an endocrinologist for thyroid/blood sugar/adrenal status. You can also request imaging for your thyroid from the endocrinologist given that you’re on medication.
Another option is to try and get whatever you can get done through insurance, and then pay out of pocket for the rest. B Better members get a discount on some panels with Valeo Health. You can find the details here. They offer convenient home phlebotomy service and their prices are competitive since they cut out the middle man and work directly with the lab.
Hope the above is clear. Let me know if you have any questions.
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