16d • General discussion
Blood Work After 35
The Full Optimization Blood Panel (Men & Women)
Blood work is not about asking, “Am I sick?”
It’s about asking, “Is my body working the way it should?”
After 35, stress, food quality, sleep, toxins, hormones, and life start to stack up.
Blood work is how we see what’s happening inside the body before something breaks.
Most people only check labs to see if they’re “normal.”Normal does not mean optimized.
Optimized means:
- You have energy
- You sleep well
- You recover faster
- Your brain is clear
- Your hormones work
- Your body responds to training
- Your risk is going down, not up
Below is what a FULL OPTIMIZATION BLOOD PANEL looks like and what the markers actually mean.
HOW TO READ YOUR LABS (IMPORTANT)
Most laboratories provide a reference range. That range is based on the average population.
Think of labs like traffic lights:
- Low = something may not be working well
- Mid-range (normal) = acceptable, but not ideal
- High = stress, risk, or dysfunction building
- Optimized = the body runs smoothly and efficiently
CORE BLOOD PANEL (MEN & WOMEN)
These are non-negotiable for anyone over 35.
1. Blood Sugar & Metabolism
(Energy, fat loss, brain performance)
Markers:
- Fasting Glucose
- Hemoglobin A1C
- Fasting Insulin (if available)
What this tells us:
- How well your body handles food
- If you’re heading toward insulin resistance
- Why energy crashes, cravings, or stubborn fat exist
Optimized looks like:
- Fasting glucose in the mid-70s to high-80s
- A1C around 5.0–5.4
If these drift high, people usually feel:
- Tired
- Hungry all the time
- Foggy
- Stuck with fat loss
2. Lipids & Cardiovascular Health
(Heart, circulation, hormone signaling)
Markers:
- Total Cholesterol
- HDL (good cholesterol)
- LDL (bad cholesterol)
- Triglycerides
- ApoB
- Lipoprotein(a)
What this tells us:
- How much stress your arteries are under
- How many cholesterol particles are circulating
- Long-term heart and brain risk
Optimized looks like:
- Triglycerides under 100
- HDL in a healthy mid-range
- ApoB controlled
- Lp(a) known (even if genetic)
This concerns particle load, not just cholesterol levels.
3. Inflammation
(Recovery, joints, brain fog, aging)
Marker:
- hs-CRP
What this tells us:
- How inflamed is your body on a daily basis
- If stress, poor sleep, or diet is wearing you down
Optimized looks like:
- hs-CRP under 1.0 when you are not sick or injured
Lower inflammation usually means:
- Better recovery
- Less pain
- Better mood
- Better long-term health
4. Liver Function
(Detox, metabolism, recovery)
Markers:
- AST
- ALT
- GGT
- Bilirubin
- Alkaline Phosphatase
What this tells us:
- How is your liver handling food, alcohol, meds, and supplements
- If fatty liver or overload is developing
Optimized looks like:
- Stable, low-normal numbers
- No big swings between tests
5. Kidney Function & Hydration
(Blood pressure, filtration, longevity)
Markers:
- Creatinine
- eGFR
- BUN
- Urine Albumin-Creatinine Ratio
- Electrolytes (sodium, potassium)
What this tells us:
- How well your kidneys filter blood
- Early warning signs before symptoms show up
Optimized looks like:
- Stable filtration
- No protein leaking into urine
- Proper hydration balance
6. Complete Blood Count (CBC)
(Oxygen delivery, immunity, safety)
Markers:
- Hemoglobin
- Hematocrit
- Red blood cells
- White blood cells
- Platelets
What this tells us:
- How well oxygen gets to your muscles and brain
- If anemia or excess blood thickness exists
- Immune system stress
This is especially important for:
- Hard trainers
- People on hormone therapy
7. Thyroid
(Energy, weight, mood, cholesterol)
Markers:
- TSH
- Free T4
- Free T3
- Thyroid antibodies (if symptoms exist)
What this tells us:
- How fast or slow your metabolism is running
- Why does energy, mood, or weight feel off
Optimization is symptom-driven, not number-chasing.
8. Nutrient Status
(Fatigue, performance, recovery)
Markers:
- Ferritin (iron storage)
- Iron panel
- Vitamin B12
- Folate
- Vitamin D
Low nutrients often show up as:
- Fatigue
- Brain fog
- Poor workouts
- Poor sleep
MEN’S OPTIMIZATION PANEL (ADD-ONS)
Hormones & Safety:
- Total Testosterone (morning, fasting)
- Free or calculated free testosterone
- SHBG
- Estradiol (sensitive)
- LH / FSH
- Prolactin
- PSA (age-appropriate)
- CBC (monitor hematocrit)
Optimized means:
- You feel strong
- Libido is healthy
- Mood is stable
- Recovery is good
- Blood stays within safe limits
High numbers mean nothing if safety markers drift.
WOMEN’S OPTIMIZATION PANEL (ADD-ONS)
Hormones & Balance:
- Ferritin (critical for women)
- Thyroid panel
- Fasting glucose / A1C
- Lipids
- Inflammation markers
- Sex hormones, if cycle-related symptoms exist
Women are optimized when:
- Energy is stable
- Cycles are predictable
- Mood is balanced
- Training recovery is strong
- Iron and thyroid are dialed in
Hormones must be interpreted in the context of the cycle and symptoms.
THE BIG TRUTH ABOUT OPTIMIZATION
Optimization is not about chasing perfect numbers. It’s about how the numbers work together.
When blood work is optimized, people usually say:
- “I feel clear.”
- “I have steady energy.”
- “I recover faster.”
- “Fat loss is easier.”
- “My mood is better.”
- “My workouts finally work.”
Blood work is not fear-based; it's feedback. Feedback is how you build a body that endures.
If you want help understanding your labs or knowing what actually matters, you can schedule an appointment with Bill to get you daield in.
3
2 comments
Blood Work After 35
skool.com/bioopt
Unlock energy, build lean muscle, burn fat, and balance hormones. Join the tribe redefining health and performance for men & women 35+.
Leaderboard (30-day)
1
+12
2
+11
3
+9
4
+8
5
+6
Powered by