3 Overlooked Blood Tests That Can Reveal Big Clues About Your Health
Blood tests offer a peek “under the hood,” helping us understand how our bodies are functioning and where we might need support. But some of the most insightful tests are the ones many doctors don’t routinely order.
These three blood tests (ferritin, uric acid, and fasting insulin) are simple to add to your annual lab work and often come at little or no extra cost. They can highlight imbalances before symptoms become more serious. Because they respond well to nutrition and lifestyle changes, they’re also helpful markers to track your progress over time.
Let’s take a closer look at why each one matters.
Ferritin: Your Iron Storage
Ferritin is a protein that stores iron in your body. It helps us assess whether your iron levels are optimal, not just within normal range.
Low ferritin can lead to fatigue, anxiety, weakness, and hair loss. High levels may indicate inflammation or liver issues. This marker can also show iron deficiency well before it appears on other tests.
Why It Matters:
Energy Levels: Iron helps deliver oxygen to your cells, supporting energy and focus.
Immune Function: Low iron can leave you vulnerable to frequent infections.
Mental Health: Iron deficiency is linked to low mood, anxiety, and cognitive fog.
Uric Acid: A Marker for Metabolic Health
Uric acid is a waste product that results from the breakdown of purines, substances found in many foods. While it's normal to have some uric acid in your blood, high levels can lead to gout, kidney stones, and may be a sign of metabolic syndrome, which increases your risk for heart disease and diabetes.
While we used to only worry about uric acid levels in those with gout, we are seeing a strong connection between elevated uric acid levels and cardiovascular health, including a possible link to high blood pressure.
Why It Matters:
Joint Health: Too much uric acid can trigger painful gout attacks.
Kidney Function: It may increase the risk of kidney stones and reduced kidney performance.
Heart Health: Elevated uric acid may point to underlying issues with blood sugar and inflammation.
Insulin: The Blood Sugar Regulator
Insulin is a hormone produced by your pancreas that helps regulate blood sugar levels. Testing your fasting insulin levels can provide insights into how well your body is managing glucose. Abnormal insulin levels can be an early indicator of insulin resistance, prediabetes, or type 2 diabetes.
Changes in fasting insulin levels can be detected up to 10 years before we begin to see elevations in blood glucose or hemoglobin A1c, the typical markers used to measure blood sugar regulation.
Why It Matters:
Blood Sugar Control: Early signs of insulin resistance allow for earlier intervention.
Weight Management: Trouble losing weight may be connected to insulin imbalances.
Hormonal Balance: Insulin plays a key role in reproductive and metabolic hormone signaling.
These three markers can reveal a lot about your body’s current state and how to support it going forward.
💡If your labs are “normal” but you still don’t feel your best, it could be a sign that your numbers aren’t in the optimal range. That’s where I come in.
Want to take a more proactive, personalized approach to your health? I’d love to help you understand what your labs are really saying.
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