“You can’t change what you don’t measure.”
Our functional medicine approach begins with a comprehensive view of the body’s major systems—so you and your clinician can work upstream, at the root cause.
Too often, routine check-ups miss early signs of dysfunction. A standard panel may check only a few basics—such as blood sugar and cholesterol—while overlooking other critical biomarkers.
At UpStream, our START™ assessment includes over 100 biomarkers. This guide highlights 10 core lab markers we believe every adult with ongoing fatigue, weight challenges, gut issues, or chronic inflammation should understand.
Knowing these numbers can help you:
- See hidden patterns that drive symptoms
- Ask better questions in your next medical visit
- Track progress as you make lifestyle or treatment changes
(This guide is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Always discuss test results and next steps with a qualified clinician.)
The 10 Labs to know
1. Fasting Insulin
Why it matters: High insulin can signal early metabolic dysfunction years before diabetes shows up.
Optimal range: Often lower than what’s reported as “normal”; most functional medicine clinicians aim for ~5 μIU/mL or less.
Upstream insight: High insulin often precedes weight gain, fatigue, and inflammatory risk.
2. Hemoglobin A1c
Why it matters: Reflects average blood sugar over 2–3 months.
Optimal range: Generally 5.0–5.3% for metabolic health (below diabetic threshold of 6.5%).
Upstream insight: Even modest elevations can drive inflammation, hormone imbalance, and cardiovascular risk.
3. High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP)
Why it matters: A marker of low-grade, body-wide inflammation.
Optimal range: <1.0 mg/L.
Upstream insight: Persistent inflammation underlies most chronic diseases.
4. Vitamin D (25-OH)
Why it matters: Vital for bone health, immune resilience, and metabolic balance.
Optimal range: Typically 40–60 ng/mL.
Upstream insight: Low vitamin D is common and often correctable.
5. Ferritin
Why it matters: Main storage form of iron. Low can mean deficiency; high may signal inflammation or overload.
Optimal range: ~50–100 ng/mL (varies by age and sex).
Upstream insight: Both low and high levels can drive fatigue and worsen chronic disease risk.
6. Apolipoprotein B (ApoB)
Why it matters: Measures the number of atherogenic lipoprotein particles—more predictive of heart risk than LDL-C alone.
Optimal range: Often <80 mg/dL for lower-risk adults.
Upstream insight: Detects cardiovascular risk earlier than a standard cholesterol test.
7. Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH) + Free T4 and Free T3
Why it matters: Essential for energy, mood, weight control.
Optimal ranges: TSH often 0.5–2.5 mIU/L; interpret in context with Free T4/T3.
Upstream insight: Mild thyroid dysfunction is frequently missed on a routine panel.
8. Comprehensive Lipid Particle Profile (e.g., LDL-P, HDL-P)
Why it matters: Goes beyond standard cholesterol to show particle size and number.
Upstream insight: Small, dense LDL particles are more inflammatory and atherogenic.
9. Homocysteine
Why it matters: Amino acid linked to cardiovascular, cognitive, and methylation issues.
Optimal range: ~6–8 μmol/L.
Upstream insight: Elevated levels often improve with targeted nutrition.
10. Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) + GGT
Why it matters: Provides baseline kidney, liver, and electrolyte status; adding GGT helps flag early oxidative stress.
Upstream insight: A healthy metabolism depends on these “engine-room” functions.
What to do next
- If you have unexplained fatigue, weight changes, gut symptoms, or stubborn inflammation, ask whether these tests are included in your next check-up.
- At UpStream, all 10 are part of the START™ onboarding assessment—along with 90+ other key biomarkers—to give you a full dashboard of your health.
- Take the first step upstream. Book your START™ Assessment at $595 all-inclusive— a deep-dive visit, advanced lab package, and a personalized review to guide your next decisions.
