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Your Blood Work Explained

A complete guide to comprehensive wellness panels — what each domain measures, how markers connect, and how Hello Gorgeous orders labs through FullScript, Quest, and LabCorp.

Medically reviewed by Ryan Kent, FNP-BC · Updated June 2026

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Hello Gorgeous hormone and wellness lab panels

The bottom line

  • ▸You deserve more than a standard panel. Most annual physicals check 8–14 markers. Our comprehensive wellness panels check 60+ across 10 systems — heart, metabolism, hormones, thyroid, liver, kidneys, blood cells, vitamins, and inflammation.
  • ▸Patterns matter more than any single number. A “normal” fasting glucose means less if your insulin and triglycerides tell a different story. Comprehensive panels are designed to catch those connections.
  • ▸Trends over time beat any single draw. One result is a snapshot. Two or three over a year show direction — and that is where the real value is for hormone, weight loss, and longevity planning.
  • ▸Your provider reads results in context. Reference ranges are starting points, not verdicts. Age, activity, medications, and your goals all factor in — reviewed by our NP team.
1

Why comprehensive blood work matters

A standard annual physical checks 8–14 markers — enough to confirm nothing is acutely wrong, but not much more. It screens for disease; it does not show how each system is actually performing.

A 60+ biomarker panel asks a different question: instead of “is anything broken?”, it asks “how is everything running?” Heart disease, metabolic syndrome, and hormonal decline develop gradually — often before a basic panel flags them.

This is not about finding problems where none exist. It is about having enough data to make informed decisions — especially when you are exploring TRT, BioTE hormones, or GLP-1 weight loss.

2

Reference ranges vs. targets

Reference ranges come from population statistics — the middle 95% of a large “healthy” group. Being inside the range does not guarantee optimal; being slightly outside does not always mean disease.

Medical society targets (AHA, ADA, Endocrine Society) tie specific numbers to outcomes — e.g., LDL goals for heart risk or HbA1c thresholds for prediabetes. Your provider interprets both in the context of your history, medications, and goals.

Hello Gorgeous Lab Workflow

How we order your labs

FullScript is our go-to for comprehensive panels. We can call in any requisition to Quest or LabCorp — and draw many panels in office at Oswego.

FullScript Labs

Primary

We run most comprehensive panels through FullScript — our preferred lab workflow for hormone, metabolic, and wellness testing. Requisitions, tracking, and results stay organized in one place.

  • •60+ biomarker wellness panels
  • •Hormone & metabolic monitoring
  • •Results reviewed at your consult
  • •Supplement recommendations when appropriate
Open FullScript portal →

Quest & LabCorp

Draw sites

Need a specific test or prefer a national draw site? We can call in any lab requisition to Quest Diagnostics or LabCorp — you choose the location that fits your schedule.

  • •Custom requisitions when clinically indicated
  • •Quest & LabCorp locations across Fox Valley
  • •BioTE baseline & TRT monitoring labs
  • •Fasting morning draws recommended for hormones

Hello Gorgeous Oswego

In-office

Many panels can be drawn on site at our Oswego med spa — convenient when you are already here for a consult, pellet insertion, or follow-up.

  • •Phlebotomy on site when available
  • •Same-day consult + draw options
  • •Results typically within 36–72 hours
  • •No referral required

Baseline hormone & wellness panels typically $250–450 — exact panel confirmed at consult.

60+ biomarkers · 10 domains

What comprehensive panels cover

1

Cardiovascular & Lipids

Lp(a), Total Cholesterol, HDL, Triglycerides, LDL, Cholesterol/HDL Ratio, Non-HDL Cholesterol, ApoB

Your heart health snapshot. Beyond standard cholesterol, ApoB is widely used as a strong measure of atherosclerotic risk, and Lp(a) is a genetic factor the National Lipid Association recommends checking at least once in adulthood.

2

Metabolic & Blood Sugar

Fasting Insulin, Fasting Glucose, BUN/Creatinine Ratio, HbA1c

How your body handles energy. Most standard panels only check glucose — adding fasting insulin shows how hard your body works to keep blood sugar stable, often years before glucose or HbA1c shift.

3

Hormones & Endocrine

SHBG, Free Testosterone, Bioavailable Testosterone, Total Testosterone, DHEA-S, FSH, LH, Estradiol, PSA (men)

Markers that affect energy, body composition, mood, and recovery. Total testosterone alone can mislead — free and bioavailable testosterone complete the picture, especially with obesity or high SHBG.

4

Thyroid Function

TSH, Free T4, Free T3, TPO Antibodies

Your thyroid drives metabolism, energy, and temperature. TSH screens well, but Free T4, Free T3, and TPO antibodies reveal conversion issues and autoimmune thyroid disease.

5

Liver Function

Albumin, Total Protein, Globulin, A/G Ratio, Total Bilirubin, Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), AST, ALT

How well your liver processes nutrients, medications, and toxins. AST also rises with muscle breakdown — a hard training week can elevate it; ALT is more liver-specific.

6

Kidney Function

BUN, Creatinine, eGFR, Sodium, Potassium, Chloride, CO2, Calcium

Kidneys filter waste and balance electrolytes. eGFR estimates filtration. Electrolytes reflect hydration and acid-base balance — context matters when creatinine is mildly elevated.

7

Blood Cells & Counts

Complete Blood Count with Differential — WBC, RBC, Hemoglobin, Hematocrit, MCV, MCH, MCHC, RDW, Platelets, and white cell differential

Red cells (oxygen delivery), white cells (immune defense), and platelets (clotting). Red cell indices can hint at iron or B12 issues; the differential shows which immune lines are active.

8

Vitamins & Nutrients

Vitamin D (25-hydroxyvitamin D), Vitamin B12

Two nutrients with wide-ranging effects. Vitamin D supports bone, immune, and mood health. B12 is essential for energy, nerves, and red blood cells — deficiency is more common than many people realize.

9

Inflammation Markers

High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP)

Low-grade systemic inflammation. AHA guidelines tie hs-CRP tiers to cardiovascular risk — but CRP also rises with illness, injury, or hard training, so context is essential.

10

Cross-Domain Patterns

Relationships across all domains above

The tenth “domain” is how markers interact — metabolic insulin resistance plus lipid patterns, thyroid effects on SHBG, inflammation compounding metabolic risk. This is where comprehensive panels pay off.

3

How markers connect — patterns beat single numbers

Your body is an integrated system. The most useful insights come from relationships between markers, not any single value in isolation.

Metabolic + Cardiovascular

High fasting insulin and triglycerides with low HDL is a well-documented pattern linked to insulin resistance and increased heart risk — even when fasting glucose and LDL look normal.

Thyroid + Hormones

Thyroid hormones affect SHBG production, which shifts the balance between total and free testosterone. Low SHBG on a hormone panel may point to thyroid dysfunction as the root cause.

Inflammation + Metabolic Health

Elevated CRP alongside insulin resistance and high triglycerides suggests a metabolic-inflammatory state with compounding heart risk — a different story than elevated CRP alone.

Kidney + Electrolytes

A mildly elevated creatinine may reflect kidney stress — or dehydration. Electrolytes and clinical context help your provider tell the difference.

Liver + Activity Level

Elevated AST in someone who trains hard may reflect muscle breakdown, not liver damage. When ALT stays normal while AST is high, the interpretation shifts entirely.

4

What can affect your results

Blood work is a snapshot from the moment of your draw. These factors help you prepare and interpret results accurately.

Fasting

Most panels require a 10–12 hour fast for glucose, insulin, and triglycerides. Do not fast longer than 16 hours. Water is fine and encouraged.

Hydration

Dehydration concentrates blood and can raise hemoglobin, creatinine, BUN, and electrolytes. Drink water before your draw — not sugary drinks.

Exercise timing

Avoid hard training for at least 48 hours before your draw. Intense lifting can elevate AST/ALT and temporarily shift testosterone and cortisol.

Sleep

Poor sleep affects hormone and metabolic markers. Aim for a normal night of sleep before your draw when possible.

Supplements & medications

Biotin can interfere with thyroid assays — the FDA recommends stopping biotin at least 72 hours before blood work. Tell us about statins, metformin, and hormone therapy.

Time of day

Testosterone peaks in the early morning. The Endocrine Society recommends hormone testing between 7:00 and 10:00 AM on a fasting draw.

5

How often to retest

  • •Metabolic markers: annually if prediabetes signals appear; every 3 years if normal (starting around age 35).
  • •Lipid panel: every 4–6 years if low risk; more often if abnormal or on therapy.
  • •Thyroid: based on symptoms, family history, and prior results.
  • •Hormones: low testosterone should be confirmed with a repeat morning draw before starting treatment.
  • •Kidney function: at least annually if there is an established issue.
  • •The big picture: two or three draws over a year reveal trends — far more informative than any single snapshot.

Frequently asked questions

▸ Does Hello Gorgeous offer comprehensive blood panels?
Yes. We order targeted wellness panels — often 60+ biomarkers — for hormone optimization, medical weight loss, peptide protocols, and baseline health mapping. Panels are selected based on your goals and history at consult.
▸ How do you order labs — FullScript, Quest, or LabCorp?
FullScript is our primary workflow for comprehensive wellness panels. We can also call in requisitions to Quest Diagnostics or LabCorp when that fits your test or location. Many draws can be done in office at our Oswego location.
▸ How much do baseline labs cost?
Baseline hormone and wellness panels typically run $250–450 depending on which markers are ordered. Exact pricing is confirmed at your consult — we do not surprise-bill for panels you did not agree to.
▸ Do I need a referral from my primary care doctor?
No referral is required. Ryan Kent, FNP-BC can order medically appropriate labs as part of your Hello Gorgeous care plan.
▸ How long until I get results?
Most results return within 36–72 hours depending on the panel and lab partner. We review results with you at follow-up — not as a raw PDF with no context.
▸ Is this page medical advice?
No. This guide is educational. Diagnosis and treatment require an in-person consultation where your full history, exam, and labs are reviewed together.

Educational content only — not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

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60+ biomarkers · FullScript, Quest, or LabCorp · In-person review with Ryan Kent, FNP-BC. No referral needed.

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