Bloodwork gives you an objective look inside your body that training data and body composition alone can't show. This guide covers common markers people track, what they measure, and general reference context — not a substitute for your doctor's interpretation of your actual results.

Fasting glucose Blood sugar after 8+ hours without food. A snapshot of how your body is managing glucose at rest. See the Glucose Optimizer for ongoing tracking of your own readings. HbA1c Reflects average blood sugar over roughly the past 2-3 months, not a single moment. Considered a more stable long-term metabolic marker than a single glucose reading. Fasting insulin Measures how much insulin your body needs to manage blood sugar at rest. Often used alongside glucose to assess insulin sensitivity.

LDL / HDL / triglycerides The standard cholesterol panel. LDL and HDL are lipoproteins, not "bad" and "good" cholesterol molecules themselves. Triglycerides reflect circulating fat, influenced by diet, alcohol, and metabolic health.

Testosterone (total & free) Relevant to muscle building, recovery, energy, and libido in both men and women, though reference ranges differ significantly by sex. If you're tracking peptide protocols, discuss hormonal bloodwork with your physician as part of monitoring. Thyroid (TSH, T3, T4) TSH is usually the first marker checked — it regulates metabolism broadly. Thyroid function affects energy, weight, and recovery capacity.

ALT / AST Liver enzymes. Can rise from many causes including intense training, certain supplements or compounds, and alcohol — not always liver damage, but worth monitoring, especially for anyone tracking research compounds. Creatinine / eGFR Kidney function markers. Relevant if you train intensely — see the Training Safety guide for how this connects to CK and rhabdomyolysis risk. Open Training Safety guide CK (creatine kinase) Covered in detail in the Training Safety guide — link there rather than duplicating.

CRP (C-reactive protein) A general marker of inflammation in the body. Can rise from injury, illness, or intense training, not just chronic disease — context matters more than a single reading.

Vitamin D, magnesium, and other commonly-tested levels are covered in the Supplement Library — link there rather than duplicating. Open Supplement Library

Testing frequency depends on your goals and health status. Annual bloodwork is a common baseline for generally healthy adults. More frequent testing may be appropriate if you're running peptide protocols, making major diet changes, or working with a physician on a specific health goal. This is general information — your doctor can recommend a testing schedule appropriate for you.