Albumin is a multifunctional protein synthesized by the liver. It maintains oncotic pressure in blood vessels, aiding in fluid balance between blood and tissues. Additionally, albumin binds to and transports various substances, including hormones such as testosterone, estrogen, and cortisol, as well as fatty acids, and drugs. Its role in buffering pH and antioxidant activity contributes to overall physiological stability.

Cortisol is a hormone synthesized and secreted by the adrenal glands of the kidneys that plays a major role in regulating stress, metabolism, and immunity. It follows a diurnal rhythm that is affected by sleep- naturally rising in the early morning and falling in the evening. High cortisol levels are an indicator of acute (sudden), chronic (long-term), and/or traumatic (life-threatening) stress. Results outside the normal range might indicate a dysregulated circadian rhythm or a more serious health condition.

Insulin is a hormone secreted primarily by the pancreas that is mainly responsible for regulating blood glucose levels. After eating, insulin is released to move blood sugar (known as glucose) from your bloodstream into your cells. Insulin plays a key role in keeping glucose at the right levels. If glucose levels are too high or too low, it can cause serious health problems. High levels of insulin is indicative of insulin resistance, prediabetes, and type 2 diabetes (T2D). High insulin is strongly strong linked to heart attack and stroke. Elevated fasting insulin is also strongly linked with the risk of breast cancer, melanoma, and colon cancer. Longevity is associated with people who have lower insulin levels.

Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, is a vital nutrient essential for nerve function, DNA synthesis, and red blood cell formation. It plays a critical role in maintaining the health of nerve cells and supporting cognitive function. Vitamin B12 is primarily obtained through dietary sources, with animal products being the most common. Deficiency can lead to anemia, neurological issues, and other health complications.

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) is produced by your pituitary gland. Once released into the bloodstream, TSH is responsible for stimulating the thyroid gland to produce hormones. A TSH test is done to find out if your thyroid gland is working the way it should. It can tell you if it’s overactive (hyperthyroidism) or underactive (hypothyroidism). The test can also detect a thyroid disorder before you have any symptoms. The thyroid gland's chief function is to regulate metabolism but also plays an important role in maintaining normal growth and development, body temperature, and energy levels.

Triiodothyronine (T3) is the main active thyroid hormone. Thyroid hormones are vital to metabolism, heart and digestive functions, muscle control, brain development, and bone maintenance, among other roles. High levels may be indicative of hyperthyroidism, while low levels may indicate hypothyroidism.

High-density lipoproteins (HDL) are vehicles for transporting cholesterol in the bloodstream. HDL transfers cholesterol away from the vasculature and brings it to the liver, which is why it is referred to as “good" cholesterol due to its anti-atherogenic (prevents plaque buildup) effects. However, very high levels of HDL may behave more like LDL cholesterol (or ‘bad cholesterol’) and raise the risk of disease, according to current research.

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is a hormone synthesized mostly by the pituitary gland in the brain. It is involved in sexual development and reproduction for both males and females. In females, FSH stimulates the production of estradiol and regulates the menstrual cycle, peaking just before ovulation. In males, FSH works with testosterone to maintain normal sperm count and function.

Estradiol (E2), a type of estrogen hormone, is naturally produced by both males and females. In females, estradiol regulates the menstrual cycle, plays a role in fertility and ovulation, and can indicate the presence of PCOS. In males, this hormone is important for modulating libido, erectile function, and sperm synthesis. Estradiol also operates beyond the reproductive system, including bone health and brain function.

The Triglyceride:HDL (TG:HDL) ratio is an important metric of both cardiovascular and metabolic health, and has even been shown to have neurologic implications. In recent studies, a high TG:HDL ratio has been shown to predict metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and all-cause mortality. In that regard, the ratio provides a good assessment of metabolic health, specifically insulin resistance.

Luteinizing Hormone (LH) is a crucial hormone that plays a pivotal role in reproductive health. It is responsible for stimulating ovulation in females and testosterone production in males. By triggering the release of eggs from the ovaries and promoting the development of the corpus luteum, LH contributes to the menstrual cycle and fertility in women. In men, LH stimulates the Leydig cells in the testes to produce testosterone, an essential hormone for male reproductive function.

Prolactin is a hormone synthesized mostly by the pituitary gland in the brain. In women, it is primarily known for its role in regulating milk production after childbirth (lactation) and plays a role in the menstrual cycle. It also affects male reproductive health by regulating testosterone production, impacting libido, erectile function, and fertility. Even in expecting fathers, prolactin levels can experience an uptick, possibly contributing to the preparation for nurturing roles and parenthood. Prolactin is critical for the analysis of a variety of issues, and abnormal levels may indicate pituitary gland irregularities, including tumors.

High-density lipoproteins (HDL) are vehicles for transporting cholesterol in the bloodstream. HDL transfers cholesterol away from the vasculature and brings it to the liver, which is why it is referred to as “good" cholesterol due to its anti-atherogenic (prevents plaque buildup) effects. However, very high levels of HDL may behave more like LDL cholesterol (or ‘bad cholesterol’) and raise the risk of disease, according to current research.

Homocysteine is one of the amino acids that play a role in the metabolism of proteins. Too much is toxic, and too little results in metabolic problems. High homocysteine levels are associated with elevated cardiovascular risk including coronary artery disease, heart attacks, blood clots, or strokes, and neurological disorders such as dementia. A 3µmol/L drop in homocysteine can lessen the likelihood of heart attacks by 16%, strokes by 24%, and deep vein thrombosis by 25%. A 5µmol/L decrease in homocysteine can reduce the risk of death from all causes by 49%, death from cardiovascular disease by 50%, and death from cancer by 26%.

Estradiol (E2), a type of estrogen hormone, is naturally produced by both males and females. In females, estradiol regulates the menstrual cycle, plays a role in fertility and ovulation, and can indicate the presence of PCOS. In males, this hormone is important for modulating libido, erectile function, and sperm synthesis. Estradiol also operates beyond the reproductive system, including bone health and brain function.

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a hormone produced by the body's adrenal glands. The body uses DHEA to make androgens (like testosterone) and estrogens, the male and female sex hormones. If your DHEA levels are not normal, it may mean there is a problem with your adrenal glands or sex organs (testicles or ovaries). High DHEA in women may be the cause of acne, menstrual irregularities, excess body and facial hair, scalp hair loss, and increased muscularity. Men may not have any apparent symptoms of high levels. Low DHEA levels are associated with a decreased sex drive, erectile dysfunction in men, and thinning of vaginal tissues in women. Severely low levels may be a sign of an adrenal gland disorder with more serious symptoms. The adrenal glands start to produce less DHEA as we age. By age 60, we only have one-fifth of the amount of DHEA in our blood.

The hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is representative of your average blood sugar levels over the past 2–3 months, providing a snapshot of your ability to maintain healthy blood sugar over time. When sugar enters your bloodstream, it attaches to hemoglobin, a protein in your red blood cells. Everybody has some sugar attached to their hemoglobin, but people with higher blood sugar levels have more. The A1C test measures the percentage of your red blood cells that have sugar-coated hemoglobin. Hyperglycemia—the chronic state of having high blood sugar—is known to adversely affect many organ systems. An HbA1C level consistently above 5.6% may indicate pre-diabetes and a level above 6.5% may indicate diabetes.

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin typically synthesized via UV light exposure or obtained from food or supplements. Normal levels are essential for an effective immune system and healthy mineral balance. Vitamin D is vital for its role in calcium absorption, bone mineralization, and reducing inflammation, and even has neuromuscular and metabolic functions. ~40% of adults are deficient in Vitamin D, which makes it a very valuable marker to track and optimize.

Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) is a protein that's made by your liver. It has an important job: carrying and controlling sex hormones in your body, like testosterone and estrogen. When a hormone is bound to SHBG, it is no longer active as tissues can only use free (not bound) hormones. Males typically take this test to resolve issues related to high SHBG. This is because an excess of SHBG will bind to more testosterone, leaving less free testosterone available for use by the body. On the flip side, females typically take this test when SHBG is low as this results in abnormally high amounts of active, free testosterone. By regulating the distribution and activity of sex hormones, SHBG modulates various physiological functions such as reproductive health, bone density maintenance, and metabolic processes. Fluctuations in SHBG levels can impact hormone-related conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and androgen-related disorders.

High-density lipoproteins (HDL) are vehicles for transporting cholesterol in the bloodstream. HDL transfers cholesterol away from the vasculature and brings it to the liver, which is why it is referred to as “good" cholesterol due to its anti-atherogenic (prevents plaque buildup) effects. However, very high levels of HDL may behave more like LDL cholesterol (or ‘bad cholesterol’) and raise the risk of disease, according to current research.

Folate, also known as vitamin B9, is an essential nutrient vital for numerous biological processes, including DNA synthesis, repair, and cell division. It is particularly crucial during periods of rapid growth and development, such as pregnancy. Adequate folate intake is essential for preventing neural tube defects in developing fetuses. Additionally, folate plays a role in supporting cardiovascular health by contributing to the breakdown of homocysteine, an amino acid linked to heart disease risk and inflammation.

Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) are vehicles for transporting cholesterol in the bloodstream. LDL cholesterol is commonly considered “bad" cholesterol because LDL carries cholesterol to the vessels where it can build up in the vessel walls (pro-atherogenic). High LDL levels are thus associated with increased cardiovascular risk. Luckily, cholesterol is dynamic and fluid; results can be substantially moved up and down within days using lifestyle and dietary interventions.

ApoA1 is a constituent of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), which is anti-atherogenic (reduces plaque formation). ApoA1 is a protective molecule that acts as an antioxidant and lowers inflammation. The more ApoA1, the lower the risk of cardiovascular disease.

ApoB is a constituent of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), which is atherogenic (plaque-forming). There is exactly one ApoB per LDL particle. Therefore, ApoB gives us the most accurate estimate of the amount of LDL in your body. High ApoB levels are associated with an increase in risk for cardiovascular events.

Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) is a protein that's made by the prostate, a small gland that produces semen in men. PSA helps keep the semen in a liquid state, which helps sperm move. PSA levels are also used as a marker for prostate health. Elevated PSA levels can indicate conditions such as prostate inflammation, enlargement (benign prostatic hyperplasia), or even prostate cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer will occur in 1 in 8 men during their lifetime and is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in men after lung cancer in the U.S.

Ferritin is a protein that stores iron inside your cells. A ferritin blood test is used to help check your iron levels. A lower-than-normal ferritin level indicates that one is iron-deficient, which may lead to iron deficiency anemia, weakness, fatigue, cold extremities and dizziness. A spike in the ferritin level can be seen in acute illnesses like bacterial infections. Chronically raised levels are seen in several conditions including hemochromatosis (also called iron overload), rheumatoid arthritis or other chronic inflammatory disorders, liver diseases, alcohol abuse, leukemia, Hodgkin's lymphoma, and hyperthyroidism. Taking too many iron supplements can also lead to elevated ferritin levels.

Free testosterone is the unbound testosterone in your body. It plays an important role in muscle development and bone health, while also providing a more accurate measurement of your overall hormonal health. Understanding your Free T avoids misdiagnosis of low testosterone levels.

Thyroxine (T4) is an inactive thyroid hormone which is converted to the active T3 form mainly in the liver, but also in the kidneys, brain, and other organs. Thyroid hormones are vital to metabolism, heart and digestive functions, muscle control, brain development, and bone maintenance, among other roles. High levels may be indicative of hyperthyroidism, while low levels may indicate hypothyroidism.

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is a nonspecific inflammatory marker. It is particularly suited to testing for chronic inflammation (long-term, low-level), as opposed to ordinary CRP, which measures acute (short-term) inflammation. Chronic inflammation contributes to the development of at least 7 of the 10 leading causes of death in the United States. It may go undetected for years or even decades without proactive tracking, silently threatening your health. It contributes to cancer, heart disease, lung disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic kidney disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and irritable bowel syndrome. It is also connected to metabolic disorders, including pre-diabetes and diabetes, obesity, and high blood pressure.

Antibodies are part of the immune system's defense mechanism. They are used to fight foreign substances within the body, but they can occasionally malfunction and attack the body itself. This malfunction is known as an autoimmune disease. The presence of thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) is often indicative of a thyroid autoimmune disease such as Hashimoto's disease or Graves' disease. Often, people with abnormal levels of thyroid hormones will get their TPOAb tested to determine whether the underlying cause is related to an autoimmune disease.

Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) is a hormone produced in the ovaries that reflects ovarian reserve and egg count. It is commonly used as a marker of female fertility, as lower AMH levels may indicate a reduced number of viable eggs remaining in the ovaries. AMH testing is valuable for assessing reproductive potential and guiding fertility treatment decisions, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Testosterone is the primary male hormone responsible for sexual health and development, in addition to other physiological functions. Having proper levels of testosterone is essential not only for males but for females, too. An imbalance of testosterone can have negative effects on both reproductive and overall health. In men, testosterone regulates sex drive (libido), bone mass, fat distribution, muscle mass and strength, and the production of red blood cells and sperm. Symptoms of low testosterone may include reduced sex drive, erectile dysfunction, low sperm count, and other emotional and physiological changes.