Blood sugar baseline
HbA1c, which reflects average blood sugar over the prior two to three months.
It can show metabolic drift that a single point-in-time reading may miss.
Foundational baseline
Building your health baseline
Most people have never seen a full picture of their own biology. A baseline is not about finding something wrong — it is about creating the reference point that makes every future result readable.
Why this matters
- Ranges are wide. Knowing where you personally sit inside a normal range matters more than the range itself.
- A single result is a snapshot. Two results are a direction. Your first panel is what makes the second one useful.
- When something does change later, a baseline turns a confusing number into an obvious shift.
The fuller picture
Reference ranges are built from large populations, which means 'normal' spans a lot of territory. Two people can both be in range on a thyroid marker while one sits at the very bottom and the other at the very top — and those are meaningfully different places to be. A baseline tells you where you sit, not just whether you passed.
The real power of a baseline shows up later. When a marker moves, the question is never just 'is this in range?' but 'is this different from me?' A personal reference point turns an abstract number into a trend — and trends are what clinicians can actually act on.
There's also a quieter benefit: peace of mind with a receipt. Most baselines come back broadly fine, and that confirmation is genuinely useful — it means the vague worry of 'I should probably get checked' gets replaced with an actual record you can build on.
What this can look like day to day
If several of these feel familiar, this journey is probably yours.
- You've never had a full panel — or can't remember the last one
- You feel broadly fine but want to confirm that with data
- You've started new habits (training, diet changes) with no way to measure their effect
- Your annual physical, if it happens, covers only a handful of markers
- You want a record your future self — and your clinician — can compare against
What gets measured
Cholesterol and apolipoproteins
Total cholesterol, HDL, calculated LDL, triglycerides, ApoA, and ApoB.
Together they provide broader cardiovascular context than standard cholesterol alone.
Lipoprotein(a) and hs-CRP
Lp(a), an inherited cardiovascular risk marker, and hs-CRP, a marker of inflammation.
They add context that routine cholesterol measurements may not capture.
Liver and kidney function
ALT, AST, BUN, creatinine, and eGFR.
These establish a focused baseline for filtration and liver function.
Cortisol and TSH
A cortisol measurement plus thyroid-stimulating hormone.
These add stress-response and thyroid context to the baseline.
Sex-specific markers
Male: testosterone and PSA. Female: vitamin B12 and vitamin D.
The Essential panel is tailored with a distinct marker set for male and female versions.
How to read your results
For a baseline, in-range results are the goal — but pay attention to where inside the range each marker lands. Anything near a boundary is worth noting, because that's what your next test will clarify. Bring any borderline results to a clinician with this report; 'here's where I was' is a much stronger starting point than 'something feels off.'
How testing works
- 1
Order the panel that matches your questions
You pick the panel, we ship a collection kit to your door. No appointment, no waiting room, no referral needed.
- 2
Collect your sample at home
A quick finger prick gives a tiny drop of blood from your fingertip — similar to a blood sugar check. It takes a few minutes, and prepaid return packaging is included.
- 3
Accredited lab processing
Your sample is analyzed by a certified, accredited lab using established laboratory methods.
- 4
Plain-language results
You get each marker with its range, what it means in ordinary words, and what a follow-up conversation could focus on.
How often to retest: Once a year is enough when things feel steady. Retest sooner if life changes markedly.
Where to start
For this journey we usually suggest the Essential Wellness Panel. A focused baseline across blood sugar, cardiovascular risk, liver and kidney function, inflammation, cortisol, TSH, and sex-specific markers.
Loading panels…
Common questions
I feel healthy. Is a baseline still worth it?
That's exactly when it's most useful. A baseline taken while you feel well defines your personal normal, so any future change stands out clearly. Testing only after symptoms appear means your clinician compares you to population averages instead of to you.
What if something comes back out of range?
One out-of-range marker is a question, not a conclusion. It usually means a focused retest or a conversation with a clinician — and catching it at baseline stage is the best-case scenario, because it's early.
Is this a diagnosis?
No. Testing gives you measurements and context. Diagnosis and treatment belong to a licensed clinician, and your results are designed to make that conversation faster and more specific.
Do I need a doctor's order?
No referral is required. You order the panel directly and collect your sample at home with a simple finger prick.
How long do results take?
Results are typically ready 3-5 business days after the certified, accredited lab receives your sample.
Can I use HSA or FSA funds?
Often, yes. Panels are frequently HSA/FSA eligible, but coverage depends on your plan — check with your plan administrator. You receive an itemized receipt after checkout.
Not sure this is your starting point?
Ten questions, four minutes, and a tailored recommendation for where to begin.
Take the assessmentOther journeys
This assessment is educational and does not diagnose, treat, or provide medical advice. It is not a substitute for care from a licensed clinician.