InsideTracker Metabolism blood test - 11 blood values

InsideTracker gives members a Metabolism score from 0 to 100, calculated from a fixed set of blood values. If you search for InsideTracker in the Netherlands, you usually want those values measured without a membership and without shipping a sample to the United States.

This blood test is that alternative: the same 11 blood values behind the Metabolism category, drawn at a certified Dutch lab and returned digitally in your account, with an assessment by a BIG-registered doctor.

This panel may suit people who want to track their metabolism objectively. It can be relevant for:

• People who want to lose weight and know their starting position
• People with type 2 diabetes in the family
• People with energy dips who want to see whether blood sugar regulation plays a role
• People who want to follow up a previously slightly elevated glucose or cholesterol

This panel measures 11 blood values:

• Blood sugar and insulin: Fasting Glucose, Fasting Insulin, HbA1c and the calculated HOMA-IR index.
• Lipids: ApoB, Total Cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and Triglycerides.
• Liver: ALT.
• Thyroid: TSH, the regulator of your metabolic rate.

The results show how your blood sugar regulation, your insulin sensitivity, your lipids, your liver and your thyroid compare to the reference ranges. Together they form a broad picture of how your body processes energy.

If you want to look specifically at cardiovascular risk, our InsideTracker Heart Health blood test is more targeted. The full InsideTracker blood test measures 36 blood values in one go. Keep in mind that a single value is not a diagnosis.

For this blood test, a staff member draws a small tube of blood at a certified location. You can choose from 700+ collection sites, so there is almost always a location near you.

You only need your appointment confirmation and a valid ID. The draw usually takes just a few minutes.

Some people choose to measure these values:

• When they start a weight loss or lifestyle program and want a baseline
• When they want to know whether their energy dips relate to their blood sugar
• When they want to follow the effect of diet or exercise on their values
• When they want to repeat their US InsideTracker measurement in the Netherlands

What the results mean depends on your personal situation. With metabolic values especially, the pattern carries the information: a normal HbA1c with an elevated HOMA-IR tells a different story than both deviating.

Always discuss any deviating values with your GP, so you know what the results may mean for you personally.

Fasting is required for this panel: your glucose, insulin and triglycerides are only interpretable when fasted, and HOMA-IR is calculated from your fasted values. Do not eat for 10 to 12 hours before the draw and drink only water.

Drink enough water on the day of the draw. If in doubt, discuss your situation with your GP.

You receive your results digitally in your account, usually within a few working days. For each value, you can see whether it falls within the reference range.

Every blood test result includes a professional assessment from a BIG-registered doctor. For treatment decisions, discuss your results with your GP.