The following tests should be performed during the preparation phase of the program. They will be important in diagnosing and monitoring your progress throughout the program. One should be fasting for more than eight hours. Depending on your financial and available/regional resources, I recommend getting the following tests:

Absolute Must

Insulin & Glucose Response Test – These two tests are the only ones that are required for everyone. The insulin response test checks your insulin levels while having been fasting for a minimum of 8 hours. Then, you drink 75g of glucose, and afterward they check your insulin levels after 1 hour and then after 2 hours. The glucose response (tolerance) test checks your glucose levels while having been fasting for a minimum of 8 hours. Then, you drink 75g of glucose, and afterward they check your glucose levels after 1 hour and 2 hours (of drinking the 75g glucose). The above two tests are done together. All together, over the 2 hours, they take a blood sample three times. You will need to stay at the lab facility for 2 hours. You should not exercise or walk around much. Just sit and relax.

Strongly Recommended
If you have not had blood tests done in over one year or if you have been specifically advised to, then the following diagnostic tests are absolutely essential.
Complete Blood Count (CBC) – CBC includes red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelet analysis.
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) – CMP includes electrolytes, creatinine, eGFR, uric acid, liver function tests
Lipid Profile – Lipid profile usually includes Cholesterol, HDL, LDL, Triglycerides. With the Lipid Profile, you can calculate the Triglyceride-to-HDL and Total Cholesterol-to-HDL ratios.
TSH – Thyroid function test.
Hemoglobin A1c – HbA1c checks average six week blood glucose levels

Advanced Testing
If your medical condition is more severe or if you have been specifically advised to, the following advanced testing further evaluates the severity of your condition.

• NMR Lipid Profile
• High-sensitivity C-reactive protein
• Fibrinogen
• Lipoprotein
• Uric Acid (include in CMP)
• Liver function (included in CMP)
• Kidney function (included in CMP)
• Microalbumin – Urine test
• 25 OH vitamin D
• Homocysteine
• Ferritin
• Thyroid hormones (TSH, free T3, free T4, TPO antibodies)
• Sex hormones (male: total & free testosterone; female: FSH, LH, DHEA-S, estradiol, progesterone, free testosterone, and sex hormone binding globulin)

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