InsideTracker Gut Health blood test - 6 blood values

InsideTracker gives members a Gut Health 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 6 blood values behind the Gut Health 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 gut health objectively. It can be relevant for:

• People who want the InsideTracker Gut Health category measured in the Netherlands
• People with recurring digestive complaints who want a broader picture alongside their GP's advice
• People who want to see how stress and blood sugar relate to their digestion
• People who want to follow the effect of a change in diet

This panel measures 6 blood values:

• Blood sugar regulation: Fasting Glucose and HbA1c.
• Inflammation: hs-CRP.
• Stress: Cortisol.
• Blood lipids: HDL cholesterol and Triglycerides.

The results show how your blood sugar regulation, your inflammation value, your cortisol and your lipids compare to the reference ranges. Together they give an impression of processes closely linked to gut health.

If you want to look beyond this one area, our InsideTracker blood test measures 36 blood values in one go. Keep in mind that a single value is not a diagnosis: your results only gain meaning in combination with your symptoms and history.

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 want an objective starting point before changing their diet
• When they want to see whether stress shows up in their cortisol and blood sugar
• When they want to follow up on a previously elevated inflammation value
• When they want to repeat their US InsideTracker measurement in the Netherlands

What the results mean depends on your personal situation. Each value is compared to a reference range, but a value outside that range does not automatically mean something is wrong.

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

For your glucose, insulin-sensitive values and lipids, fasting before the draw is advisable. For your cortisol, a morning draw is most informative, because cortisol follows a daily rhythm.

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.