Embarking on a fat loss journey can be a daunting task. There are countless diets and workout programs to choose from, and it can be overwhelming to figure out where to start. However, before you start any fat loss regimen, it’s essential to have a clear understanding of your current health status. One way to do that is through blood tests. In this blog post, we will discuss 10 essential blood tests that you should take before starting your fat loss journey, including some additional panels that you can ask your doctor to order.
Lipid Profile Test
A lipid profile test measures your cholesterol and triglyceride levels. It’s essential to keep these levels in check as high cholesterol and triglyceride levels can increase your risk of heart disease. This test can help you determine if you need to make any dietary changes to reduce your cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
Glucose Level Test
The glucose level test measures your blood sugar levels, which is essential in determining your risk for diabetes. High blood sugar levels can also increase your risk of heart disease and other health conditions.
Thyroid Function Test
The thyroid function test measures the levels of thyroid hormones in your blood. The thyroid gland plays a crucial role in regulating your metabolism, and any imbalance can affect your ability to lose weight. The additional panels to ask your doctor to order are TSH, free T3, reverse T3, and free T4.
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
A complete blood count test measures the number of red and white blood cells in your blood. It also measures the amount of hemoglobin, which is the protein in your red blood cells that carries oxygen. This test can help identify any underlying health conditions that could impact your weight loss journey.
Vitamin D Test
Vitamin D plays a crucial role in bone health and immune function. It also plays a role in regulating your metabolism. A deficiency in vitamin D can affect your ability to lose weight. A vitamin D test can determine if you need to supplement with vitamin D.
Cortisol
Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal gland. It’s responsible for regulating stress in the body. High cortisol levels can lead to weight gain, so it’s essential to keep these levels in check.
DHEA
DHEA is a hormone produced by the adrenal gland. It’s responsible for regulating the production of other hormones, including testosterone and estrogen. DHEA levels decline as we age, which can affect our ability to lose weight.
Testosterone
Testosterone is a hormone produced by the testicles in men and the ovaries in women. It plays a crucial role in muscle development and bone density. Low testosterone levels can lead to weight gain and decreased muscle mass. The additional panels to ask your doctor to order are free, bioavailable, and total testosterone.
Insulin
Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas. It regulates blood sugar levels and plays a role in metabolism. High insulin levels can lead to weight gain and insulin resistance, which can increase your risk of diabetes.
Leptin
Leptin is a hormone produced by fat cells. It regulates appetite and energy expenditure. High leptin levels can indicate leptin resistance, which can make it challenging to lose weight. If you are overweight, it’s essential to check your leptin levels.
Other additional panels to ask your doctor to order if you are overweight are IGF-1 (growth hormone) and Hemoglobin A1C. The Hemoglobin A1C test measures your average blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 months, which can give you a better understanding of your blood sugar control and help you make necessary changes to your diet and exercise routine to improve your weight loss efforts.