Tests to Monitor
I Want to Stay Healthy....What tests and things to monitor?
Thinking aout your questions, I wanted to come up with an excellent outline of key metabolic and preventive blood markers that can offer deep insight into your health beyond standard reference ranges. You're absolutely right that "normal" lab values are not the same as optimal values. “Normal” just means you fall within a statistical average of a population that may be largely unwell.
Below is a clean, structured summary of the 13 most valuable labs (plus a few extras), including optimal ranges and why each matters:
🔑 Core Metabolic and Health Labs to Monitor Annually
TestWhy It MattersStandard RangeOptimal Range
1. Fasting GlucoseScreens for early blood sugar dysregulation.< 100 mg/dL70–85 mg/dL
2. Hemoglobin A1cReflects 3-month blood sugar average.< 5.7%5.0–5.4%
3. Fasting InsulinBest early marker of insulin resistance.< 25 μIU/mL2–5 μIU/mL
4. HOMA-IR (Insulin Resistance Index)Calculated from fasting glucose and insulin.< 2.5 (varies)< 1.0 is ideal
5. TriglyceridesMarker of sugar intake and metabolic health.< 150 mg/dL< 80 mg/dL
6. HDL Cholesterol“Good” cholesterol; higher is protective.> 40 (men), > 50 (women)50–90 mg/dL
7. Triglyceride:HDL RatioStrongest predictor of insulin resistance and heart risk.Not specified< 1.5 (ideal < 1.0)
8. High-Sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP)Inflammation marker linked to heart disease and chronic illness.< 3.0 mg/L< 0.3 mg/L
9. Uric AcidHigh levels indicate fructose overload, metabolic risk.2.5–6.0 mg/dL< 5.0 men, < 4.0 women
10. Liver Enzymes (ALT, AST, GGT)Early signs of fatty liver or liver stress.ALT: < 55, AST: < 48, GGT: < 61ALT & AST < 17, GGT < 25 (men), < 14–20 (women)
11. Vitamin D (25-OH D)Crucial for immunity, hormones, brain health.30–100 ng/mL40–60 ng/mL
12. Blood PressureSilent cardiovascular risk factor.< 120/80 mmHg< 115/75 mmHg
13. Waist CircumferenceBest physical marker for visceral fat.< 40" (men), < 35" (women)< 35" (men), < 31.5" (women)
🧪 Bonus Markers (If Available)
These are inexpensive and often part of a comprehensive panel:
TestOptimal RangeLDL Particle Size /
ApoBSmall/dense LDL = high risk; ApoB < 80 is best
Ferritin30–100 ng/mL (Too high = inflammation; too low = deficiency)
Homocysteine< 8 μmol/L (Linked to heart and brain risk)
Reverse T3 / Free T3 / Free T4 / TSHFor complete thyroid picture
IGF-1 (Growth Factor)Insight into longevity & metabolic rate
🧠 Key Concepts for Interpretation
🔄 Symptoms as Signals, Not Enemies
Your note about symptoms being the language of the cells is exactly how holistic medicine views health. Instead of silencing them with suppression, ask:
“What are my cells trying to tell me?”
This empowers you to seek ROOT causes rather than just masking signals.
✅ Next Steps
Ask your provider for these labs annually or semi-annually—most are low-cost or covered by insurance.
Track trends over time, not just snapshots.
Lifestyle interventions (nutrition, sleep, stress, exercise) will often move all of these markers in the right direction simultaneously.
Dr. P