How to Get a Blood Test, No Doctor
How to Get a Blood Test, No Doctor
Tools to regularly check blood markers
You should be able to check your blood markers whenever you want. Unfortunately, the medical system doesn’t make it easy.
The good news is that there are several online services that will order blood tests for you at cash cost. You may be able to submit tests to insurance, but don’t count on getting reimbursed. Taking control of your blood tests is a financial investment.
Some services that will order blood tests for you include:
(Nothing here is medical advice, just an explanation of how you might order blood tests that you should then review with a doctor).
The key tests a Highlander should monitor are:
Hormones for men — total testosterone, free testosterone, estradiol sensitive, DHT, DHEA, CBC, CMP, prolactin, LH, FSH. Many labs offer these tests bundled.
Hormones for women — total testosterone, free testosterone, estradiol, DHEA, CBC, CMP, progesterone, LH, FSH. Many labs offer these tests bundled.
Apolipoprotein B (ApoB) to monitor cardiovascular disease risk
HbA1c (Hemoglobin A1c) to monitor diabetes risk (although a continuous glucose monitor is better)
A comprehensive vitamin panel to optimize supplementation. This includes testing for levels of vitamin D, vitamin B, magnesium, and zinc. It may also be worth testing additional things like glutathione.
I usually check my hormone levels once ever three months, ApoB once every year, and wear a continuous glucose monitor for 14 days twice per year.