Full biomarker guide
This blood test panel combines insulin, glucose control, lipids, thyroid, liver, kidney, inflammation, and key nutrients to guide safer weight-loss decisions.
When the scale stalls or your diet changes fast (keto, fasting, vegan, GLP-1s), your labs can move in ways that are easy to misread if you only check one marker. This lab panel bundles multiple blood tests into one draw so you can see how glucose control, insulin signaling, lipids, thyroid, inflammation, organ function, and common nutrient gaps fit together.
Do I need this panel?
You may benefit from the Weight Loss Optimal Metabolism Lab Panel if your weight loss has plateaued, your energy or hunger feels “off” compared with your calorie intake, or your body composition is changing differently than you expected. This panel is also useful when you’re experimenting with fueling strategies (low carb, higher carb performance phases, time-restricted eating) and you want objective feedback beyond the scale.
This panel can be especially helpful if you’ve seen a mismatch between how you feel and what you assume is happening metabolically—for example: rising LDL cholesterol on keto, fatigue after aggressive dieting, unexpected changes in triglycerides, or concerns about micronutrient gaps on elimination diets. If you’re using a GLP-1 medication (or considering one), the panel gives you a baseline and helps you monitor safety signals like kidney function, liver enzymes, and nutrition-related markers.
You do not need to “optimize” every number. The value of a panel is pattern recognition: which systems look strained, which look stable, and what is most likely to explain your symptoms or your trend line.
This panel supports clinician-directed care and informed self-advocacy, but it cannot diagnose a condition on its own. If you have severe symptoms (chest pain, fainting, rapid unexplained weight loss, pregnancy concerns, or signs of diabetic emergencies), seek urgent medical care.
Results and reference ranges can vary by lab method and whether you were fasting; interpret trends and clusters of results rather than a single isolated value.
Lab testing
Order labs to measure Weight Loss & Optimal Metabolism Panel
from $169 at Quest Diagnostics
About 1 week
Schedule online — results typically within a week
Clear next steps
Guidance included, with follow-up care available
HSA / FSA
Eligible for pre-tax health spending accounts
Get this panel with Vitals Vault
Vitals Vault makes it straightforward to order a multi-marker lab panel when you want more clarity than a single test can provide. You can use this panel to establish a baseline before a diet change, check in after a few months, or investigate a plateau with data that connects the dots across insulin, lipids, thyroid signaling, inflammation, and nutrient status.
After your results are in, you can use PocketMD to translate the full panel into plain language: what looks most likely to be driving your current trend, what is probably a benign diet-related shift, and what deserves follow-up testing or a conversation with your clinician. If your workup needs to widen, you can also compare this panel with broader options inside Vitals Vault.
If you’re tracking progress, repeating the same panel at consistent timing (similar fasting status, similar training load, similar medication routine) can make your trends more meaningful than chasing “perfect” numbers on a single draw.
- One order, one blood draw, multiple metabolic systems assessed together
- Designed for diet experiments, plateaus, and medication-era monitoring
- PocketMD support to connect results into a practical next-step plan
- Useful for baseline + repeat testing to track trends over time
Key benefits of the Weight Loss Optimal Metabolism Lab Panel
- Separates “scale noise” from metabolic signals by combining glucose, insulin, and A1c in one view.
- Flags lipid patterns that can shift on low-carb diets (LDL-C, triglycerides, HDL-C, and calculated ratios).
- Screens for thyroid patterns that can mimic a plateau (including low T3 patterns during aggressive dieting).
- Checks liver and kidney markers that matter for medication safety, high-protein diets, and rapid weight change.
- Adds inflammation context (hs-CRP) so you can interpret lipids and insulin resistance more accurately.
- Identifies common nutrient gaps that can undermine energy, training, and appetite regulation (iron, B12, vitamin D).
- Helps you choose smarter follow-ups (repeat timing, advanced insulin testing, or a broader metabolic panel) instead of ordering random single labs.
What is the Weight Loss Optimal Metabolism Lab Panel?
The Weight Loss Optimal Metabolism Lab Panel is a bundled set of blood tests designed to evaluate multiple drivers of weight change and “metabolic efficiency” at the same time. Instead of focusing on one hormone or one cholesterol number, it looks across several categories that often move together during dieting, training changes, stress, sleep disruption, or medication use.
At a high level, the panel helps you answer questions like: Are you showing signs of insulin resistance or improving glucose control? Are your lipids shifting in a way that is expected for your diet pattern—or potentially risky? Is your thyroid signaling consistent with your intake and training load? Are your liver and kidneys handling your current plan well? Are nutrient shortfalls (like iron, B12, or vitamin D) likely contributing to fatigue, low exercise tolerance, or poor recovery?
Because weight loss is a whole-body process, the most useful interpretation usually comes from combinations of results. For example, a normal A1c with high fasting insulin can suggest early insulin resistance; high LDL-C with low triglycerides and high HDL-C can look different than high LDL-C with high triglycerides and inflammation; and low-normal thyroid hormones can mean something different if you’re in a large calorie deficit, postpartum, or on certain medications.
This panel is not a diagnosis by itself. It is a structured way to gather the most actionable metabolic data in one draw so you and your clinician (or PocketMD) can decide what to adjust, what to monitor, and what to ignore.
What do my panel results mean?
“Low” patterns across the panel
In a weight-loss context, “low” results often show up as low thyroid output signals (such as low free T3) during aggressive calorie restriction, low ferritin or iron indices that can reduce exercise tolerance, or low vitamin D and B12 that can contribute to fatigue and low mood. You might also see low triglycerides in some low-carb patterns, which can be benign when paired with good HDL-C and low inflammation. The key is whether low values cluster with symptoms (fatigue, cold intolerance, hair shedding, poor recovery) or with restrictive intake that may need to be adjusted for sustainability.
“Optimal” patterns across the panel
An “optimal” panel pattern usually looks like stable glucose control (fasting glucose and A1c in a healthy range), fasting insulin that is not elevated for your context, triglycerides that are not high, HDL-C that is supportive, and hs-CRP that is low—suggesting less inflammatory noise when you interpret lipids and insulin. Thyroid markers tend to be in-range without a clear low-T3 pattern, and liver/kidney markers are reassuring for your current diet, training, and medication plan. Nutrient markers (ferritin, B12, vitamin D) are adequate, which supports energy, appetite regulation, and recovery while you pursue fat loss.
“High” patterns across the panel
Higher-risk patterns often involve elevated fasting insulin (with or without high glucose), higher A1c over time, or a lipid profile that suggests increased cardiometabolic risk—especially when high LDL-C is paired with high triglycerides, low HDL-C, and higher hs-CRP. Elevated liver enzymes can point to fatty liver, medication effects, alcohol effects, or intense recent training (context matters), while reduced kidney filtration estimates or abnormal creatinine/BUN patterns may require medication or supplement review and hydration/training context. If multiple categories are “high” at once, it’s usually a signal to slow down, confirm fasting status and timing, and plan targeted follow-up rather than making extreme diet changes based on one number.
Factors that influence panel results
Your results can shift based on fasting duration, recent exercise (especially heavy lifting or long endurance sessions), acute illness, sleep debt, alcohol intake, and hydration. Diet pattern matters: low-carb diets can lower triglycerides and raise HDL-C while sometimes raising LDL-C; very low-calorie dieting can lower T3 and change lipids; high-protein intake and creatine supplements can affect creatinine interpretation. Medications and supplements also influence patterns—GLP-1s can change appetite and intake (affecting nutrients), statins and thyroid medications change lipid/thyroid markers, and biotin can interfere with some thyroid assays. For the cleanest trend tracking, repeat the panel under similar conditions and interpret changes as a system, not as isolated wins or failures.
What’s included in this panel
- Adiponectin
- Albumin
- Albumin/Globulin Ratio
- Alkaline Phosphatase
- Alt
- Ast
- Bilirubin, Total
- Bun/Creatinine Ratio
- Calcium
- Carbon Dioxide
- Chloride
- Creatinine
- Egfr
- Globulin
- Glucose
- Hemoglobin A1C
- Insulin
- Leptin
- Potassium
- Protein, Total
- Sodium
- Tsh
- Urea Nitrogen (Bun)
- Vitamin D, 25-Oh, D2
- Vitamin D, 25-Oh, D3
- Vitamin D, 25-Oh, Total
Similar tests and panels to consider
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to fast for this panel?
Fasting is often helpful for interpreting insulin, triglycerides, and calculated lipid patterns. If you can, aim for a consistent overnight fast (commonly 8–12 hours) and avoid alcohol the day before. If you cannot fast, you can still test, but tell PocketMD (or your clinician) so interpretation weighs that context appropriately.
How soon after changing my diet should I run the panel?
For most diet changes, a baseline and a repeat at about 8–12 weeks gives your lipids, insulin signaling, and nutrient trends time to stabilize. If you started a medication or have symptoms that concern you, earlier testing may be appropriate—especially for safety markers like kidney and liver function.
Can keto or low-carb raise LDL cholesterol even if everything else looks good?
Yes. Some people see LDL-C rise on low-carb patterns while triglycerides fall and HDL-C rises. The panel helps you interpret whether the overall pattern looks lower-risk or higher-risk by adding ApoB, inflammation (hs-CRP), and other context. If LDL-related markers are high, it’s reasonable to discuss follow-up testing and diet adjustments rather than assuming it is automatically “fine” or automatically “dangerous.”
I’m on a GLP-1 medication—what should I pay attention to in my results?
GLP-1s often improve glucose and insulin patterns, but they can also reduce intake enough to reveal nutrient gaps. Pay attention to kidney and liver markers, hydration-related patterns, and nutrition markers like ferritin/iron indices, B12, folate, and vitamin D—especially if fatigue, dizziness, hair shedding, or reduced exercise tolerance shows up.
Why not just order a lipid panel or an A1c by itself?
Single tests can be useful, but they can also mislead when taken out of context. For example, A1c can look “fine” while fasting insulin is high; LDL-C can look concerning without knowing ApoB or inflammation; fatigue can be blamed on “metabolism” when iron or B12 is low. A panel is designed to reduce guesswork by showing the connected systems at once.
What if one result is out of range but everything else looks normal?
That is common. The next step depends on which marker is off, how far it is from range, your symptoms, and whether there are supporting clues elsewhere in the panel. Sometimes the right move is a simple repeat under consistent conditions; other times it’s a targeted add-on test or a medication/supplement review with your clinician.
How often should I repeat this panel while trying to lose weight?
Many people repeat every 3–6 months during active changes, then less often once stable. If you are making rapid changes (new medication, major diet shift, very high training volume) or you have abnormal safety markers, your clinician may recommend a different cadence.
How does ordering Weight Loss & Optimal Metabolism Panel work?
Purchase online through Vitals Vault. A licensed clinician reviews and approves your order, then you receive a digital requisition for a Quest Diagnostics blood draw.
Where do I get my blood drawn?
Samples are collected in person at Quest Diagnostics locations nationwide. After checkout you can schedule your visit at a convenient site.
How long until I get results?
Most results are ready about a week after your draw. You can view them securely in your Vitals Vault account.
Do I need a doctor referral?
No separate referral appointment is required. Clinician review is included in the online order flow.
Are HSA and FSA accepted?
Yes. Eligible HSA/FSA cards can be used at checkout for qualifying lab orders.
Are my results private?
Results are available in your secure Vitals Vault account. You control who you share them with, subject to applicable law.
What is the difference between blood glucose and A1c?
Blood glucose shows the amount of sugar in your blood at a single moment. A1c (hemoglobin A1c) estimates your average blood sugar over roughly the past 8–12 weeks. Comparing them helps explain whether your long-term average lines up with your fasting glucose on draw day.
What does Weight Loss & Optimal Metabolism Panel help me understand?
It helps you understand how this marker fits into your broader metabolic picture, with results tracked in your Vitals Vault account.
What can I do if my A1c or glucose results are elevated?
Elevated values can signal higher metabolic risk. Many people start with nutrition, activity, sleep, and weight management, then retest and review results with a clinician. This test is educational and does not replace medical advice or diagnosis.
How accurate is this testing?
Your sample is processed at CLIA-certified Quest Diagnostics laboratories. Results should still be interpreted with a qualified clinician alongside your history, symptoms, and other labs.
Why is there an age minimum for ordering?
Consumer-initiated testing through Vitals Vault is limited to adults 18+ so ordering and interpretation stay aligned with clinical best practices for this channel.
