Are Medical Lab Tests Important?
- joelbrownwellness
- Mar 14
- 4 min read
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I recently had a check up with my primary doctor. Not for any acute problem, just checking in and getting a few labs done.
At 45 (approaching 46), I feel more energized, focused, sharp and more capable than I have, maybe ever.
But I also want to keep an eye on key health markers just to make sure everything is where it should be.
Ultimately, lab tests like this should be used as guideposts to show what is going on in your body, and not as a primary health issue to be treated with a pill.
You might be used to many of these tests, and hearing your doctor talk to you about getting on a statin to get your LDL down, or reducing your A1c.
What these are really telling you are how metabolically healthy you are.
So let’s take a look at a few common labs your doctor might order, what they measure and why they matter.
Common lab tests and what they mean
Blood Pressure (Systolic/Diastolic)
What it measures: The force of blood against the artery walls when the heart beats (systolic) and when it rests between beats (diastolic).
Optimal range:
Ideal: 110–120 / 70–80 mmHg
Elevated: 120–129 / <80 mmHg
Hypertension (Stage 1): 130–139 / 80–89 mmHg
Hypertension (Stage 2): ≥140 / ≥90 mmHg
Why it matters:
High blood pressure (hypertension) increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney damage, and cognitive decline.
Even “high-normal” BP (120–129 systolic) can indicate early vascular dysfunction.
Low BP (<90/60 mmHg) may indicate dehydration, adrenal dysfunction, or low electrolyte levels.
What to watch for:
A high systolic number (first number) suggests stiff arteries or high stress levels.
A high diastolic number (second number) often signals chronic inflammation or poor circulation.
A widening gap between systolic and diastolic (>60 points) can indicate arterial stiffness or heart strain.
Lipid Panel (Total Cholesterol, LDL, HDL, Triglycerides)
What it measures: Assesses cardiovascular risk and metabolic health.
Optimal range:
Total Cholesterol: 180–220 mg/dL (context-dependent)
LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein): Pattern A (large, fluffy) is better than Pattern B (small, dense); particle size matters more than raw number
HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein): >50 mg/dL (women), >40 mg/dL (men)
Triglycerides: <100 mg/dL (ideally <70 mg/dL)
Trig/HDL ratio: <2:1 (lower is better)
Why it matters: High triglycerides and low HDL are markers of insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. A high Trig/HDL ratio can indicate poor metabolic health.
Fasting Glucose & HbA1c
What it measures: Blood sugar levels and long-term glucose control.
Optimal range:
Fasting Glucose: 75–90 mg/dL
HbA1c (3-month average of blood sugar): 4.8–5.2%
Why it matters: Elevated glucose or HbA1c indicates insulin resistance or prediabetes, which increases the risk of Type 2 Diabetes and heart disease.
Fasting Insulin
What it measures: Insulin production in a fasted state.
Optimal range: 2–5 µIU/mL (lower is better, but not too low)
Why it matters: Elevated fasting insulin is an early sign of insulin resistance, often before blood sugar becomes abnormal. High insulin contributes to weight gain, fatigue, and metabolic dysfunction.
Sex Hormones (Testosterone, Estrogen, SHBG, DHEA, Progesterone)
What it measures: Balance of key reproductive and metabolic hormones.
Optimal range (men):
Total Testosterone: 500–900 ng/dL
Free Testosterone: 15–25 ng/dL
SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin): 20–40 nmol/L
DHEA-S (Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate): 250–450 µg/dL
Optimal range (women – varies by cycle phase & age):
Estradiol (E2): 30–400 pg/mL (depends on cycle phase)
Progesterone: 1–20 ng/mL (varies by phase)
Testosterone (Total): 15–70 ng/dL
Why it matters: Low testosterone in men can lead to fatigue, poor libido, and muscle loss. In women, estrogen/progesterone imbalances can contribute to weight gain and energy issues.
Thyroid Panel (TSH, Free T3, Free T4, Reverse T3, Thyroid Antibodies)
What it measures: Thyroid function and metabolism regulation.
Optimal range:
TSH (Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone): 0.5–2.0 µIU/mL
Free T3 (Triiodothyronine): 3.5–4.2 pg/mL
Free T4 (Thyroxine): 1.0–1.5 ng/dL
Reverse T3 (rT3): <15 ng/dL
Thyroid Antibodies (TPO & TgAb): Should be negative
Why it matters: Low thyroid function can lead to weight gain, fatigue, brain fog, and slow metabolism. High rT3 can indicate stress-induced thyroid dysfunction.
The common thread connecting all of these is metabolic health.
As a coach, these labs are very useful to me to get an objective baseline for your metabolic health, but they don’t tell the whole story.
(Obviously, not a doctor, I can’t diagnose or treat. But.)
You might have elevated LDL cholesterol or higher than normal liver enzyme activity.
But how much energy do you have during the day?
Do you need alcohol every night to get to sleep?
What does your diet look like?
How often do you move?
Are you carrying some extra weight around your middle?
Again, these labs will give us an idea of what questions to ask, and what things to keep an eye on.
For sure, there could be some serious disfunction that shows up in your labs that your doctor wants to address with medication - I just suggest that you ask for a plan to come off of that prescription at some point.
But these labs can be sign posts to help us know where the metabolic disfunction is showing up, and how to support it.
At its root, metabolic disfunction is a result of chronic inflammation and insulin resistance.
Which, good news! Is reversible and manageable.
I’m here to support your metabolic health by giving you the tools, support and accountability you need to make lasting habit change.
We’ll work together to reverse chronic inflammation, prevent diseases like Type 2 Diabetes, and get your energy and focus back.
Are you ready to get back in control of your health?
Ready? Let’s go!
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