Labs & Health Data

Lab & Health Information Guide

Thank you for visiting our site! I want to provide guidance on lab work and other health data that can help personalize your nutrition and wellness plan.

Do You Need Lab Work Before Your Visit?

✅ No, lab work is not required to meet. We will still make great progress with the information you provide, and we can discuss whether additional testing would be beneficial for you. However, if you already have recent lab work or are interested in testing, this can enhance the precision of your nutrition and health strategy.

What If You Don’t Have Lab Work?

No problem! Your symptoms, health history, and current habits are just as valuable in guiding our work together. We will build a personalized plan with or without lab data, and if testing is something you want to explore later, we can discuss options that best fit your needs.

What Labs & Health Data Can Be Helpful?

This is not an all-inclusive list but a general guide on various labs. If you have any of the following from an annual checkup, specialist, or past testing, you’re welcome to bring them:

1. Standard Lab Panels (from your doctor’s visit)

  • Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP) – Evaluates blood sugar, kidney function (creatinine, BUN), and electrolytes. This is a simplified version of the CMP without liver markers.
  • Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) – Assesses blood sugar, kidney/liver function, and electrolytes.
  • Lipid Panel – Evaluates cholesterol, triglycerides, and cardiovascular markers.
  • Complete Blood Count (CBC) with Differential – Provides insight into immune health, inflammation, and anemia.
  • C-Reactive Protein (CRP, hs-CRP preferred) – Identifies systemic inflammation.
  • Ferritin & Iron Panel – Helps assess iron status, energy levels, and inflammation.
  • Vitamin D (25-Hydroxy D) – Supports immune function, bone health, and energy.
  • Serum B12 – Measures the amount of vitamin B12 in the blood, which is important for energy, brain function, red blood cell production, and nerve health. However, it doesn’t always show if your body is using B12 efficiently at the cellular level.
  • Serum B9 (Folate) – Measures folate levels in the blood, which is essential for DNA production, red blood cell formation, and methylation (a key process for detox and brain function). Like B12, blood levels don’t always reflect how well your body is using folate.
  • Thyroid Panel (TSH, Free T3, Free T4, Reverse T3, Thyroid Antibodies if needed) – Assesses metabolism, energy, and potential autoimmune involvement.
  • Hormone Testing (Testosterone, Estradiol, DHEA-S, SHBG, Cortisol) – Relevant for energy, metabolism, and hormone balance.
  • Creatinine & eGFR – Common kidney function markers but can be affected by muscle mass, hydration, and diet.
  • Cystatin C & eGFR – A more accurate kidney function test, especially for athletes, those with high muscle turnover, or individuals with low muscle mass.
  • Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) – Measures waste buildup in the blood but can be affected by hydration and protein intake.

2. Advanced Functional Testing (If Available, Not Required)

  • Organic Acids Test (OAT) with Metabolomics – Provides insight into gut health, mitochondrial function, nutrient status, and detox pathways.
  • GI-MAP (Stool Test) & Zonulin Test – Helps assess gut microbiome balance, inflammation, and intestinal permeability.
  • B12 Cobalamin & Methylmalonic Acid (MMA) – Evaluates B12 absorption, methylation, and metabolic function. (MMA is more sensitive than serum B12 alone).
  • B9 Folate & Formiminoglutamic Acid (FIGLU) – Evaluates folate metabolism and potential methylation issues.
  • Homocysteine (HCY) – A key marker for methylation, cardiovascular risk, and B vitamin status (B12, B6, Folate). Elevated levels may indicate methylation inefficiencies, cardiovascular risk, or nutrient deficiencies.

3. Genetic Testing (If Available – Strongly Encouraged for Precision Health)

  • Genetic testing offers a highly personalized approach to health, nutrition, and lifestyle interventions based on your unique genetic blueprint.
  • I regularly incorporate nutritional genomics in my practice, particularly with the 3X4 Genetics test, which provides deep insights into:
    • Methylation & Detoxification – How efficiently your body processes toxins and supports cellular function.
    • Inflammation & Recovery – Genetic predispositions related to chronic inflammation, injury recovery, and immune function.
    • Metabolism & Weight Management – How your genes influence blood sugar regulation, fat metabolism, and response to different diets.
    • Exercise & Performance – Insights into muscle fiber composition, endurance, and injury risk.
    • Cardiovascular & Cognitive Health – Genetic risk factors related to heart health, brain function, and neuroprotection.
    • And much, much more!
    • Check out our 3X4 GENETICS page for more information.

4. Cellular Nutrition & Food Sensitivity Testing (If Available or Needed for Symptom-Based Evaluation)

  • Cellular Nutrition & Micronutrient Arrays – Measures how well your body absorbs and utilizes vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and antioxidants at the cellular level. This is often more insightful than serum nutrient testing.
  • Food Sensitivity Testing (MRT, IgG Panels, LEAP, etc.) – Can help identify delayed immune responses to foods that may contribute to inflammation, digestive distress, or chronic symptoms.
  • Allergy Testing (IgE Panel, Skin Testing) – Pinpoints true allergic reactions that trigger immediate immune responses, such as hives, swelling, or breathing difficulties.

⚠ Important Note on Food Sensitivity Testing:
While these tests can be helpful, a positive result indicates that you have been producing antibodies to a food, meaning your immune system has recognized it and is reacting. However, if you haven’t been eating a food you’re sensitive to, you may not produce detectable antibodies, and the test could miss it.

Because of this, an elimination diet—where you remove certain foods and reintroduce them carefully—is often more accurate and cost-effective than food sensitivity testing. It takes more time but provides more precise real-world insights into what is affecting your health. If needed, we can guide you through an elimination and reintroduction process.

Accessing Lab Testing

We recommend obtaining labs and health data through your primary care provider. However, many clients prefer to take an active role in managing their health data. If you choose to do so, we can provide several options for accessing lab testing independently.

Looking forward to working with you! Let me know if you have any questions before our appointment.

Yours in health,
Timothy Garrett, RDN, LDN, IFNCP, CPT
“In the journey to better health and wellness, data helps guide your path!”