Bloodwork¶
Guessing is expensive. A yearly panel is not.
This is not a complete medical workup. It is a useful floor so you know if you are drifting.
Get once a year (or as your doctor recommends)¶
| Marker | Why it matters after 40 |
|---|---|
| CBC + CMP | Anemia, kidney, liver, electrolytes |
| Fasting glucose + HbA1c | Blood sugar drift |
| Fasting lipids | Heart risk |
| TSH | Thyroid |
| Vitamin D | Commonly low, easy to fix if needed |
| Testosterone (morning) + free T | Energy, mood, muscle, libido — interpret with a doctor |
| PSA | Prostate screening conversation with your doctor |
| hs-CRP | Inflammation signal |
How to do the draw¶
- Morning, fasted (water is fine)
- Sleep as normally as you can the night before
- Don't train hard the morning of
- Repeat the same lab when you can, so trends are comparable
How to read it¶
One number is a snapshot. Two or three years is a story.
If something is out of range, do not start a protocol from a forum. Bring the PDF to your doctor and ask: is this a trend, a one-off, or something we treat?
Blood pressure¶
Do this at home. A $40 cuff, seated, two readings, a few mornings a week. High blood pressure is quiet and common. It is also treatable.