Today, more and more people are turning to tools like ChatGPT and asking a simple question:
“What blood tests should I do to check my health?”
The problem is – most answers are based on standard medical protocols. These protocols are designed to detect disease, not to identify early imbalances. As a result, many important markers are missed.
At the same time, we see many startups offering large, “advanced” blood panels. They often look comprehensive, but in reality:
- they include too many unnecessary markers
- they miss key functional markers
- and they are sold as fixed packages that cannot be adjusted
Our goal is to provide clear, universal guidance – so that any person, in any country, can go to a local lab and order the right tests without overpaying or repeating what has already been done.
If you already have recent results from your annual check-up, you should not have to repeat everything. You should only add what is missing.
Why We Do NOT Include Serum B12 and Folate
We focus on selecting markers that help identify early dysfunction – not just confirm disease. At the same time, we intentionally exclude tests that are often misleading.
Commonly ordered, serum vitamin B12 and folate do not reflect what is happening inside the cell.
These vitamins function at the cellular level, especially in methylation pathways. Blood levels only show what is circulating, not what is being used.
It is possible to have normal or elevated serum levels and still have a functional deficiency.
To properly assess these pathways, functional markers or tests like an organic acids test (link to the organic acid test) are required.
Commonly Missed but Critical Markers
When people rely on AI or standard panels, several key markers are often left out:
- Homocysteine – reflects methylation efficiency and cardiovascular risk
- Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase (GGT) – a powerful marker of glutathione status and detox capacity
- Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) – a simple but valuable marker of early inflammation
- Indirect Bilirubin – important for identifying patterns such as Gilbert’s syndrome
- Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) – reflects cellular turnover and tissue stress
- Ferritin and Iron Panel (Serum Iron, Total Iron Binding Capacity, Transferrin Saturation) – reflects true deficiency, impaired transport, inflammation, or iron overload.
Thyroid – Looking at the Full Picture
Thyroid testing is often incomplete in both standard practice and AI-generated recommendations.
Most conventional panels include only TSH, sometimes free T4, and more recently free T3. However, this is not enough.
At Hormunity, we include:
- TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone)
- Free T4 (Thyroxine)
- Free T3 (Triiodothyronine)
- Reverse T3
Reverse T3 is essential for understanding how T4 is being converted into active T3 and how this affects metabolism at the tissue level.
In addition, we include thyroid antibodies:
- Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (TPOAb)
- Thyroglobulin Antibodies (TgAb)
Many traditional practitioners check only one antibody TPOAb, which can lead to missed diagnoses.
Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism is very common, especially in women, and checking only one antibody can miss an underlying autoimmune process. At the same time, we are seeing an increase in cases of Graves’ disease, including in men. This is why checking thyroid antibodies at least once a year is important for both men and women.
Metabolic Health – Looking Earlier
Fasting glucose and HbA1c is not enough to assess metabolic health. It can remain normal while insulin is already elevated.
That is why we include fasting insulin – one of the earliest indicators of metabolic dysfunction.
Why CBC Must Include Differential
A complete blood count without differential provides very limited information. It gives numbers, but not the context needed to understand what is actually happening in the body.
The differential breaks down white blood cells into their subtypes – neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils – and this is where real clinical insight begins.
It allows us to see:
- immune system activity and how the body is responding
- patterns of acute vs chronic inflammation
- possible viral, bacterial, or allergic tendencies
- indirect signs of nutrient deficiencies (such as B9, B12, protein status)
- stress patterns and immune suppression
For example, two people can have the same total WBC count, but completely different distributions – and therefore completely different underlying physiology.
Without the differential, these patterns are missed.
Timing and Preparation Matter More Than People Think
Another important issue we often see in traditional practice is a lack of attention to how blood tests are performed.
In many cases, there is no clear guidance on:
- time of day
- whether the test is done fasting
- consistency between repeated tests
This matters more than most people realize.
The body is dynamic and responds to food, stress, sleep, and circadian rhythms. Hormones, glucose, and even blood cell distribution can change throughout the day.
For this reason, we recommend:
- performing any blood tests in the morning
- on an empty stomach
- and under consistent conditions each time
This allows results to be comparable over time and helps identify real patterns – rather than fluctuations caused by external factors.
If tests are done at different times of day or under different conditions, results can vary significantly, making interpretation less reliable.
COMPLETE MARKER LIST
CBC with Differential
- WBC
- RBC
- Hemoglobin
- Hematocrit
- MCV
- MCH
- MCHC
- RDW
- Platelet Count
- MPV
- Neutrophils (%)
- Neutrophils (absolute)
- Lymphocytes (%)
- Lymphocytes (absolute)
- Monocytes (%)
- Monocytes (absolute)
- Eosinophils (%)
- Eosinophils (absolute)
- Basophils (%)
- Basophils (absolute)
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
- Glucose
- Calcium
- Sodium
- Potassium
- Chloride
- CO₂ (Bicarbonate)
- BUN
- Creatinine
- eGFR
- BUN/Creatinine Ratio
- Total Protein
- Albumin
- Globulin
- A/G Ratio
- Total Bilirubin
- Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP)
- AST
- ALT
Lipid Panel
- Total Cholesterol
- LDL Cholesterol
- HDL Cholesterol
- Triglycerides
Metabolic
- Fasting Insulin
- Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)
Inflammation & Methylation
- hs-CRP
- ESR (Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate)
- Homocysteine
Nutrients
- Vitamin D (25-OH)
Thyroid Panel
- TSH
- Free T4
- Free T3
- Reverse T3
- Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (TPOAb)
- Thyroglobulin Antibodies (TgAb)
Iron Panel
- Ferritin
- Serum Iron
- TIBC (Total Iron Binding Capacity)
- Transferrin Saturation
Liver
- GGT
- Direct Bilirubin
- Indirect Bilirubin
Cellular / Tissue
- Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH)
