Medically reviewed by Mark Strehlow, MD, Medical Director — September 2026
Why we look deeper than a standard panel
A routine check-up usually includes a basic metabolic panel and a cholesterol test. Those are useful, but they leave out much of what we need to know to care for you well: how your hormones, thyroid, blood sugar regulation, inflammation and nutrient levels fit together. Symptoms such as fatigue, poor sleep, weight change or low libido can have several causes at once, and a broad baseline helps us avoid guessing.
Comprehensive lab testing is the first step of Premier Care, and it is how we monitor your plan afterward.
What we test
Your baseline is an evaluation of blood and urine. The main areas are:
| Area | What we measure | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| General health | Complete blood count, comprehensive metabolic panel (kidney, liver, electrolytes), uric acid, urinalysis | The foundation: blood cells, organ function and hydration. |
| Thyroid | TSH, free T3, free T4, reverse T3, and two thyroid antibodies (TPO and thyroglobulin) | A single TSH value can miss a great deal; the full panel shows how the thyroid is actually functioning and whether autoimmunity is involved. |
| Blood sugar regulation | Hemoglobin A1c and fasting insulin | Insulin resistance can be present for years before blood sugar rises into the diabetic range. |
| Hormones | Total and free testosterone, DHT, estradiol, DHEA-S, cortisol, pregnenolone, LH, sex hormone binding globulin, IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 (plus PSA for men) | Hormone levels affect energy, sleep, mood, body composition, bone and sexual function. Results guide whether hormone therapy is appropriate at all, and at what dose. |
| Cardiovascular risk | Advanced lipid panel, lipoprotein fractionation (particle size and number), lipoprotein(a) | These add detail that a standard cholesterol test does not provide. |
| Vascular inflammation | hs-CRP, homocysteine, myeloperoxidase (MPO), Lp-PLA2 | Inflammation in the blood vessels contributes to heart disease and stroke risk. |
| Nutrients | Vitamin D, vitamin B12, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids (OmegaCheck) | Deficiencies are common and correctable. |
| Genetics | APOE genotype | Relevant to both cardiovascular and Alzheimer’s risk, and shapes how we prioritize prevention. |
That is roughly 35 individual tests at baseline for a male patient, compared with the handful ordered at a typical annual physical. The baseline for women is comparable in scope, with several tests specific to women’s health. After the baseline, your lab work is customized to you.
Your provider may add other tests based on your history, medications and family history.
How it works
- We order your labs. We help you coordinate a draw through Quest Diagnostics, before your first visit so the results are ready to discuss.
- You prepare. Baseline labs are drawn fasting: nothing to eat or drink except water for at least 10 hours. Drink plenty of water starting the day before, and avoid caffeine for at least 8 hours. The timing of medications, supplements and hormone doses affects results, so please follow our blood draw and medication timing guide. Women who are still cycling may be asked to time the draw to a certain part of the cycle.
- We review the results together. Your provider goes through the results with you in person, explains what each one means in plain language, and gives you a copy.
How your results are used
Lab values are interpreted alongside your symptoms, your history, your DXA scan and your cardiovascular screening, never in isolation. A number outside the reference range is not automatically a problem, and a number inside the range is not automatically reassuring. The aim is a plan that fits you: nutrition, exercise, sleep, supplementation and, only where the evidence supports it for you, prescription therapy.
After an initial three-month program, Premier Care patients return for a re-evaluation with focused lab work. From there, we re-test at intervals that match your plan. If you are on hormone therapy, regular monitoring is part of prescribing it responsibly.
What blood testing cannot do
Blood tests measure risk factors and current function. They do not diagnose every condition, and a normal result is not a guarantee of future health. They also do not replace the care and age-appropriate screenings you receive from your primary care physician. If a result needs follow-up outside our clinic, we will tell you and help you take the next step.
Next step
Call (913) 727-7700 or contact us to ask about comprehensive testing and Premier Care. For the other tests we use, see our testing overview.
This page is educational and is not medical advice. Testing and treatment are individualized by your provider. Individual results vary.