The science behind the panel.

Three-month average glycemia. Independently predicts cardiovascular and all-cause mortality.

Screen for impaired fasting glucose; consistent values >100 mg/dL indicate prediabetes.

Earliest detectable marker of insulin resistance — often elevated years before glucose changes.

Calculated insulin-resistance index (glucose × insulin / 405).

Counts every atherogenic lipoprotein particle. Superior to LDL-C for cardiovascular risk (AHA 2023).

Genetic, lifelong cardiovascular risk factor. Should be measured at least once in every adult.

Conventional atherogenic cholesterol — interpret alongside ApoB.

Reverse cholesterol transport capacity. Very high HDL is not always protective.

Fasting triglycerides correlate with insulin resistance and VLDL load.

Surrogate for insulin sensitivity and small-dense LDL burden.

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein. JUPITER and CANTOS data link it to MACE risk.

Reflects methylation status; elevated levels associate with vascular and cognitive decline.

Sensitive marker of hepatic oxidative stress, often elevated in metabolic syndrome.

Drives endothelial dysfunction at the high end; very low values may reflect malnutrition.

Endocrine Society 2018 guidelines define hypogonadism <264 ng/dL on two morning draws.

Bioavailable androgen — the fraction not bound to SHBG or albumin.

Critical for male bone, brain, and cardiometabolic health. Suppression is harmful.

Phase-dependent. Postmenopausal optimization is individualized per NAMS guidelines.

Mid-luteal progesterone confirms ovulation and supports sleep and mood.

Pituitary signal; >25 mIU/mL with amenorrhea suggests menopausal transition.

Modulates bioavailable sex hormones. Low SHBG correlates with insulin resistance.

Adrenal androgen reserve; declines ~2%/year after age 30.

Drawn between 7–9 AM. Diurnal salivary curves give a fuller picture of HPA-axis function.

Downstream marker of GH axis activity. Optimal range varies by age; very high values associate with cancer risk.

Most sensitive screening test. Functional medicine targets 1–2 mIU/L.

Active hormone — interpret with reverse T3 for full picture.

Storage hormone, converted to T3 peripherally.

Positive titer suggests Hashimoto autoimmunity even with normal TSH.

Endocrine Society defines deficiency <20, insufficiency 20–29 ng/mL.

Symptoms of deficiency appear well within the lab 'normal' range; pair with MMA.

Better tissue index than serum folate.

Intracellular magnesium — more sensitive than serum.

Erythrocyte EPA+DHA content. <4% associates with sudden cardiac death.

Required for testosterone synthesis, immune function, wound healing.

Acute-phase reactant — high values can reflect inflammation, not iron overload.

Screens for hemochromatosis and iron deficiency together with ferritin.