What Your Blood Work Can Tell You: A Men's Guide to Peak Health
Here’s something we believe - a proverbial hill we are willing to die on - your physical health MATTERS. As we have worked to develop better patterns, habits and beliefs and to understand what is TRUE about who we are and how we are made this whole idea of INTEGRATION emerges.
We are not just disembodied spirits. We are not simply hunks of meat in a floating asteroid. Purpose matters. Cellular health matters. Mindset matters. Presence matters. And they all change things at the level of the WHOLE HUMAN PERSON when we get them right.
Today we are talking about your physical health, why it matters, and one of the best ways you can get a base line understanding of what’s going on at the level of your cells and organs.
Most guys wait until they’re falling apart to get a check-up. But your body gives signals long before the breakdown.
One of the best tools we’ve got? A comprehensive blood panel.
Think of it like a full diagnostic scan for your engine. Bloodwork tells you how your body is running — your metabolism, hormones, inflammation levels, nutrient deficiencies, and more. And if you read it right, you can catch things before they become real problems.
On our podcast, we decided to get fully checked out — and share the journey. Below, we’re giving you the exact list of labs we ran. We'll also break down what each category means, so you know why it matters and what to look for.
1. Metabolic Health & Insulin Sensitivity
Why it matters: This is your blood sugar control system. Insulin resistance is a silent killer, and it often goes undetected until prediabetes or full diabetes kicks in. Optimizing these markers can also help with energy, fat loss, and testosterone.
Markers to test:
- Fasting Glucose
- Hemoglobin A1C
- Estimated Average Glucose
- Fasting Insulin
- C-Peptide
- HOMA-IR (Insulin Resistance Index)
2. Lipid Profile & Cardiovascular Risk
Why it matters: This isn’t just about cholesterol. We’re looking at particle sizes, inflammation, and ratios that actually correlate with heart disease risk.
Markers to test:
- Total Cholesterol
- LDL Cholesterol
- HDL Cholesterol
- VLDL Cholesterol
- Triglycerides
- LDL-P (Particle Count)
- HDL-P (Particle Count)
- Small LDL-P
- LDL Particle Size
- Cholesterol/HDL Ratio
- Triglyceride/HDL Ratio
- ApoB
- Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)]
3. Liver Function
Why it matters: Your liver is the body's detox center. Elevated enzymes can show early signs of fatty liver, inflammation, or damage from alcohol or medications.
Markers to test:
- ALT (SGPT)
- AST (SGOT)
- GGT
- Bilirubin (Total)
- Alkaline Phosphatase
4. Kidney Function & Electrolytes
Why it matters: These numbers reveal how well your kidneys are filtering waste and help maintain electrolyte balance, hydration, and blood pressure.
Markers to test:
- BUN
- Creatinine
- eGFR
- BUN/Creatinine Ratio
- Sodium
- Potassium
- Chloride
- CO2 (Carbon Dioxide)
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- Phosphorus
5. Thyroid Function (Full Panel)
Why it matters: Thyroid hormones control metabolism, energy, mood, and body temperature. Partial panels miss major issues — you want the full picture.
Markers to test:
- TSH
- Free T3
- Free T4
- Reverse T3
- Anti-TPO Antibodies
- Anti-Thyroglobulin Antibodies
6. Complete Blood Count (CBC) & Iron Studies
Why it matters: This gives insight into oxygen-carrying capacity, immune function, and potential anemia. It also shows how your bone marrow and red blood cell production are doing.
Markers to test:
- RBC
- Hemoglobin
- Hematocrit
- MCV
- MCH
- MCHC
- RDW
- WBC with differential
- Platelet Count
- Ferritin
- Iron
- TIBC
- UIBC
- Iron Saturation %
- Reticulocyte Count
7. Inflammation & General Health Markers
Why it matters: Chronic inflammation is at the root of almost every major disease — including heart disease, cancer, and brain decline.
Markers to test:
- hs-CRP
- Homocysteine
- LDH
- Uric Acid
- PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen)
8. Vitamin & Nutrient Levels
Why it matters: Deficiencies can tank your energy, immunity, and hormone levels — and most guys have no idea they’re low.
Markers to test:
- Vitamin D (25-Hydroxy)
9. Immune System Indicators
Why it matters: These show how your immune system is responding to infection, stress, and inflammation — or if something’s off.
Markers to test:
- Immature Granulocytes
- Full WBC Differential
10. Male Hormone Panel
Why it matters: Testosterone is your vitality hormone — but it’s not just about “high” or “low.” Free T, SHBG, LH, and prolactin give context and help pinpoint why your levels are where they are.
Markers to test:
- Total Testosterone
- Free Testosterone
- SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin)
- DHEA-S
- Estradiol (E2)
- LH
- FSH
- Prolactin
- Optional: Pregnenolone
- Optional: AM Cortisol
Final Thoughts: This Is Just the Beginning
Getting your blood work done is the starting line — not the finish. But it’s a powerful move. Knowledge is leverage, and when you know what’s off, you can start making moves to fix it.
In the coming weeks, we’re going to follow Nick’s journey as he works to triple his testosterone levels naturally — using nothing but sleep, sunlight, supplements, training, and smart habits.
Follow along, and consider getting your own labs done. Because the strongest men are the ones who actually know what’s going on under the hood.
*this is not a substitute for professional medical advice and recommendations which is why we recommend SEEING YOUR DOCTOR to consult with them on these test.