Understand the blood markers that shape your long-term health.
Each guide answers what the marker is, how to test it, what your result means and what moves it, with every number tied to its source.
ApoB
Apolipoprotein B
ApoB (apolipoprotein B) is the protein on every LDL, VLDL, IDL and Lp(a) particle, one per particle, so a blood ApoB test counts the particles that drive atherosclerosis.
The test · Lower it · High ApoB · Normal range · ApoB vs LDL · ApoB vs Lp(a)
Read the guideFasting insulin
Fasting insulin
Fasting insulin is the level of insulin in your blood after at least 8 hours without food.
The test · Calculate HOMA-IR · Good levels · Lower it · Low insulin
Read the guideFerritin
Serum ferritin
Ferritin is the protein that stores iron inside your cells, and a blood ferritin test estimates how much iron you have in reserve.
Low ferritin · High ferritin · Raise it · Normal range · The test · Ferritin vs iron
Read the guideHbA1c
Hemoglobin A1c (glycated hemoglobin)
HbA1c (A1c) is the percentage of hemoglobin in red blood cells that has glucose attached.
A1c chart · Lower it · High A1c · Average glucose · The test
Read the guideHomocysteine
Plasma total homocysteine
Homocysteine is an amino acid your body makes when it uses methionine from protein.
The test · Lower it · High levels · Normal range · B12 and MTHFR
Read the guidehs-CRP
High-sensitivity C-reactive protein
hs-CRP is a blood test that measures C-reactive protein, an inflammation protein made by the liver, at very low levels.
High hs-CRP · Lower it · Normal range · hs-CRP vs CRP · The test
Read the guideLDL cholesterol
Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)
LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) is the cholesterol carried inside low-density lipoprotein particles, the main particles that deliver cholesterol to tissues and lodge in artery walls.
Lower it · Normal range · High LDL · Foods · Too low?
Read the guideLp(a)
Lipoprotein(a)
Lp(a), or lipoprotein(a), is an LDL-like particle with an extra protein, apolipoprotein(a), attached.
Get tested · High Lp(a) · Normal range · Lower it
Read the guideTriglycerides
Triglycerides
Triglycerides are the main form of fat in the body and in the blood, carried by VLDL from the liver and chylomicrons from the gut.
High levels · Lower them · Normal range · TG to HDL ratio · Low levels
Read the guideTSH
Thyroid-stimulating hormone
TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) is the pituitary hormone that tells the thyroid how much T4 and T3 to make .
Low TSH · High TSH · Normal range · The test · TSH vs free T4
Read the guide