Awesome Biomarkers, Blood Tests and Health Indicators
Learn more about blood testing, biomarkers, tech, and services to help quantify (and improve) your health!
Contents
Objectives
This project has a couple of objectives:
- First, to be an awesome list about biomarkers, blood testing, blood tracking and quantified metrics about health and wellness. That way you can learn all the basic info about blood tests and biomarker track.
- Second, to provide a biomarker tracker so everyone has a user friendly tools for tracking and monitoring your blood biomarkers over time. Right now our recommended solution is a Google Sheets biomarker tracker.
- Third, to be an open source and community database on biomarkers, blood test ranges and various research about these numbers. That way we can get reliable numbers and build more advanced technologies for individuals, companies and communities hoping to use biomarkers and health metrics to power the revolution in data-driven health.
Feel free to use, comment, share, contribute. This is very much a collaborative effort at open source citizen science!
Awesome List on Biomarkers
A curated list of biomarkers, blood tests, health indicators, blood testing companies and health tracking and analytics technologies, applications, tools and resources.
Common Blood Test Panels
- Complete Blood Count (CBC) with Differential - Measures the numbers and percentages of various blood cell types in a blood sample. CBC is one of the most common tests used to assess and monitor overall health status.
- Lipids Panel - Tests the fatty substances found in blood, High level of triglycerides and cholesterol are associated with increased risk of heart-related problems.
- Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP) - Tests electrolyte levels, kidney function, and blood sugar levels. One of the most common tests used by health care providers. Consists of seven or eight biochemical tests. Used to assess and monitor overall health status, response to medication and medical therapies, and indicators of metabolic functioning.
- Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) - Tests kidney function, liver function, diabetic and parathyroid status, and electrolyte and fluid balance. The CMP includes a panel of 14 blood tests and is an expanded version of the basic metabolic panel (BMP), which includes liver tests. Also know as Chemical Screen or Complete Metabolic Panel 14 (CMP 14).
Specific Biomarkers and Blood Tests
Complete Blood Count Biomarkers
- RBC - Red blood cell count (corpuscles). Red blood cells are made in the bone marrow and broken down in the spleen and liver. May be elevated due to dehydration, high testosterone. May be low due to nutrient deficiencies (iron, Vit B6, Vit B12, folate), kidney dysfunction, chronic inflammation, anemia, blood loss.
- Hemoglobin - Delivers oxygen throughout the blood. May be elevated due to dehydration, elevated testosterone, poor oxygen deliverability, thiamin deficiency, insulin resistance. May be deceased due to anemia, liver disease, hypothyroidism, exercise, arginine deficiency, protein deficiency, inflammation nutrient deficiencies (Vit E, magnesium, zinc, copper, selenium, Vit B6, Vit A).
- Hematocrit - Percentage of volume of blood composed of red blood cells. May be elevated due to dehydration, elevated testosterone, poor oxygen deliverability, thiamin deficiency, insulin resistance. May be deceased due to anemia, liver disease, hypothyroidism, exercise, arginine deficiency, protein deficiency, inflammation nutrient deficiencies (Vit E, magnesium, zinc, copper, selenium, Vit B6, Vit A).
- MCV - Mean Corpuscular Volume. An estimate of the average red blood cell size. May be elevated (“macrocytic”) due to nutrient deficiencies (Vit B12, folate, Vit C), alcohol consumption, thiamin deficiency. May be decreased (“microcytic”) due to iron deficiency, nutrient deficiencies (Vit B6, copper, zinc, Vit A, Vit C).
- MCH - Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin. A measure of the average weight of hemoglobin per red blood cell. May be elevated (“macrocytic”) due to nutrient deficiencies (Vit B12, folate, Vit C), alcohol consumption, thiamin deficiency, and (falsely increased) by hyperlipidemia. May be decreased (“microcytic”) due to iron deficiency, nutrient deficiencies (Vit B6, copper, zinc, Vit A, Vit C).
- MCHC - Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration. Measures the average concentration of hemoglobin in red blood cells. May be elevated (“macrocytic”) due to nutrient deficiencies (Vit B12, folate, Vit C), alcohol consumption, thiamin deficiency, and (falsely increased) by hyperlipidemia. May be decreased (“microcytic”) due to iron deficiency, nutrient deficiencies (Vit B6, copper, zinc, Vit A, Vit C).
- Platelets - Small, anucleated cell fragments in blood that are involved in clotting and important for vascular integrity. May be increased due to iron deficiency anemia, collagen diseases, hemolytic anemia, blood loss, stress, infection, inflammation. May be decreased due to alcoholism, liver dysfunction, viral/bacterial infections, pernicious anemia, bleeding.
- MPV - Mean Platelet Volume. Measures the average size of platelets and reflects their function. May be elevated due to increased platelet production, which is often caused by loss or destruction of existing platelets. Elevated MPV can be associated with vascular disease and mortality, some cancers, type 2 diabetes, and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. MPV may be decreased due to conditions associated with under-production of platelets such as aplastic anemia or cytotoxic drug therapy.
- RDW - Red blood cell distribution width. A measurement of the variation in red blood cell size. Typically increased due to nutrient deficiency-related anemias (iron, Vit A, copper, zinc, Vit B6).
- Absolute Neutrophils - The most abundant white blood cell type, neutralizes pathogens. May be elevated due to bacterial infection or inflammation. May be decreased due to nutrient deficiencies (copper, B12, folate), elevations in other white blood cells.
- Absolute Lymphocytes - White blood cell type including B-cells, T-cells, and Natural Killer Cells. May be elevated due to viral infections, Crohn’s and other autoimmune diseases, hypoadrenalism. May be decreased due to zinc deficiency, elevations in other white blood cells.
- Absolute Monocytes - White blood cells that leave the circulation to become macrophages. May be elevated due to inflammation, collagen disease (i.e. Rheumatoid Arthritis), ulcerative colitis, recovery after an infection or trauma.
- Absolute Eosinophils - Immune cells that become active in late stage inflammation. May be elevated due to allergies, asthma, parasitic infection, hypoadrenalism, skin diseases such as eczema, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s, aspirin sensitivity. May be decreased due to elevated cortisol.
- Absolute Basophils - White blood cells associated with inflammation and hypersensitivities. May be elevated due to inflammation, allergies, hemolytic anemia, hypothyroidism.
Lipids Panel Biomarkers
- Total Cholesterol - A waxy, fat like substance that travels throughout the body in carrier lipoproteins (HDL, LDL, and VLDL); a precursor to steroid hormones and bile salts. May be elevated due to poor thyroid function, insulin resistance, blood glucose dysregulation, magnesium deficiency, dehydration, kidney disease, familial hypercholesterolemia. May be decreased due to liver dysfunction, oxidative stress, inflammation, malabsorption, anemia.
- Triglycerides - Measures blood levels of the major storage form of fat in our bodies; also called triacylglycerols. Must be fasting to be accurate. Implicated in cardiovascular disease. May be elevated due to blood glucose dysregulation, diabetes, hypercaloric diets, poor thyroid function, kidney disease, alcohol consumption. May be decreased due to fat malabsorption, low carbohydrate diets, calorie restriction, potentially autoimmunity.
- LDL-C - The amount of cholesterol associated with Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) particles in the blood. May be elevated due to insulin resistance, blood glucose dysregulation, poor thyroid function, kidney disease, familial hypercholesterolemia. May be low due to liver dysfunction, oxidative stress, malabsorption, anemia.
- HDL-C - The amount of cholesterol associated with High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) particles in the blood. May be elevated due to inflammation, oxidative stress, excessive exercise. Low HDL is associated with metabolic syndrome and may be decreased due to insulin resistance, sedentary lifestyle, poor diet quality.
(All includes Lipids Panel: Total Cholesterol, Triglycerides, LDL-C, and HDL-C)
- Glucose - Blood sugar concentration; may be elevated due to diabetes type 1 and 2, insulin resistance, increased stress hormones, or an inability to inhibit the liver’s production of glucose, or (if not fasting) ingestion of a high carbohydrate meal.
- BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen) - A marker of kidney function. May be elevated due to dehydration, poor kidney function, high protein intake, fatty liver, catabolic stress. May be decreased due to inadequate protein intake or protein malabsorption, liver disease, over hydration, and B6 deficiency.
- Creatinine - A byproduct of creatine breakdown. May be increased due to kidney disfunction, dehydration, excessive muscle breakdown or increased muscle mass, hyperthyroidism, high meat intake, ketones. May be decreased due to low muscle mass, poor protein intake or absorption.
- Sodium - A positively charged electrolyte, necessary for muscle contraction, nutrient absorption, neurological functioning, pH balance. May be elevated due to dehydration, hyperaldosterone (reabsorption of sodium), excess sodium intake. May be decreased due to elevated serum glucose, low cortisol, glycosuria, ketonuria, hypothyroidism, fluid loss through sweat.
- Potassium - A positively charged electrolyte, necessary for muscle contraction, pH balance, nerve signal conduction, and action potentials. May be elevated due to renal failure, hypoaldosterone, acidosis, hemolysis, low insulin, hyperglycemia, exercise. May be decreased due to poor potassium intake, alkalosis, hyperaldosterone, excessive fluid loss, elevated insulin, low magnesium, elevated estrogen, increased catecholamines.
- Chloride - A negatively charged electrolyte; important for maintaining cellular equilibrium across cell membranes and for the production of stomach acid. May be elevated due to kidney dysfunction, diarrhea, dehydration, hyperparathyroidism, hyperventilation. May be decreased due to vomiting, respiratory acidosis (hypoventilation), metabolic alkalosis, hypoaldosterone.
- Carbon dioxide (CO2) - Measures blood bicarbonate and is a surrogate marker for CO2 gas. May be elevated due to vomiting, metabolic alkalosis, respiratory acidosis (hypoventilation). May be decreased due to metabolic acidosis, respiratory alkalosis (hyperventilation).
- Uric Acid - End product of DNA purine base metabolism and excretion in the kidneys; may indicate oxidative stress and elevated levels are associated with cardiovascular disease and diabetes. May be elevated due to gout, kidney dysfunction, excess alcohol intake, starvation, extreme calorie restriction, liver dysfunction, hemolytic anemia, excess fructose consumption, fungal infection, ketogenic diet, supplemental niacin, high protein diet, prolonged fasting, supplemental vitamin B3, excess acidity. May be decreased due to nutrient deficiencies (molybdenum, zinc, iron), oxidative stress, low purine intake (vegetarian or vegan), excess alkalinity.
- Albumin - The most abundant plasma protein in serum, synthesized in the liver, binds to other compounds in the blood and contributes to the plasma osmotic gradient. May be elevated due to dehydration. May be decreased due to infection, inflammation, liver disease, kidney disease.
- Globulin - A plasma protein with different subtypes. May be elevated due to cancer, autoimmunity, elevated estrogen. May be decreased due to hemolytic anemia, nephrosis, compromised immune system.
- Calcium - Plays many roles in the body including teeth and bone health, clotting, neurotransmitter function, muscle contraction and enzyme activity. May be elevated due to alkalosis, kidney dysfunction, hyperparathyroidism, cancer, excess Vit D intake, adrenal insufficiency, excess Vit A intake. May be decreased due to poor intake or absorption, hypoparathyroidism, Vit D deficiency, magnesium deficiency.
- Phosphorus - A mineral involved in DNA and RNA synthesis, part of ATP, helps activate enzymes. May be elevated due to Vit D toxicity, hypoparathyroidism, kidney dysfunction. May be decreased due to poor absorption, Vit D deficiency, elevated insulin, high carb diets, diarrhea, poor protein digestion.
- Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) - An enzyme found in the liver, bone, kidneys, small intestine, and placenta. May be increased due to liver obstruction, cirrhosis, gastrointestinal issues, hyperphosphatemia, hyperparathyroidism. May be decreased due to nutrient deficiencies (zinc, magnesium, and/or Vit C).
- Alanine amino transferase (ALT or SGPT) - An enzyme found in highest concentrations in the liver but also in smaller amounts in heart, muscle and kidney. May be elevated due to hepatocellular disease, biliary issues, pancreatitis.
- Aspartate amino transferase (AST or SGOT) - An intracellular enzyme that is usually elevated due to active tissue and cellular destruction. May be elevated due to hepatitis, liver cirrhosis or alcoholism, hypothyroidism. May be decreased due to Vit B6 deficiency, elevated serum nitrogen.
- LDH - Lactate dehydrogenase; may be elevated due to liver disease, hypothyroidism, skeletal muscle damage, anemia (hemolytic, pernicious), fractures. May be decreased due to reactive hypoglycemia, insulin resistance, ketosis.
- Total Bilirubin - A byproduct of red blood cell breakdown and an important component of bile; functions as an antioxidant. May be elevated due to excess hemolysis, liver dysfunction, bile duct obstruction, Gilbert’s Syndrome. May be decreased due to oxidative stress, zinc deficiency.
- GGT - An enzyme found primarily in the liver, kidney, and pancreas. May be elevated due to biliary tree dysfunction, alcoholism, pancreatitis, oxidative stress. May be decreased due to hypothyroidism, magnesium deficiency.
- Iron - Measures iron bound to transferrin and represents ~⅓ of the total iron binding capacity of transferrin. By itself, is a relatively poor marker of iron status. May be elevated due to hemochromatosis and other genetic conditions, hemolytic anemia, liver damage, Vit B6 deficiency. May be decreased due to poor iron intake, poor absorption, chronic blood loss, chronic disease or infection, progesterone birth control pills.
- TIBC - Measures the iron-binding capacity of transferrin. May be elevated due to iron deficiency, pregnancy, elevated estrogen. May be decreased due to anemia of chronic disease, chronic infection, liver dysfunction.
Additional Common and Recommended Biomarkers
- C-Reactive Protein
- Cortisol
- DHEA-Sulfate
- Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR)
- Estradiol
- Ferritin: The body’s iron binding protein. May be elevated due to hemochromatosis and other genetic conditions, inflammation, liver damage, hemolytic or sideroblastic anemia. May be decreased due to poor intake, poor absorption, chronic blood loss, chronic disease or infection, progesterone birth control pills.
- Folate
- Hemoglobin A1c
- Homocysteine
- Progesterone
- Prostate Specific Ag (PSA)
- Testosterone
- Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone
- Vitamin D, 25-Hydroxy
Misc Blood Tests
- ABO Grouping (Blood Typing) - Test used for classifying blood types.
- Antinuclear antibody (ANA) - General test for autoimmune disease
- Aluminum (Blood) - This blood test measures Aluminum levels. There are concerns that aluminum exposure from either diet or the environment may be related to Alzheimer’s disease.
- Arsenic (Blood) - This blood test is used to measure Arsenic levels. Arsenic toxicity affects the blood, kidneys, skin, digestive tract and central nervous system.
- Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) - No single test exists for all infectious agents. Screening of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) typically includes syphilis, trichomonas, gonorrhea, chlamydia, herpes, hepatitis and HIV.
Blood Testing Companies
- Inside Tracker
- WellnessFX
- Life Extension
Books
- Your Blood Never Lies - Author James B. LaValle explains all of the commmon and recommended blood tests, how to read your results, and some of the most recommended interventions with medicine, lifestyle changes and supplements.
- The Blood Code: Unlock the secrets of your metabolism - Doctor Richard Maurer offers a guide on how to order, read and act upon on your own blood test results and skin-fold caliper measurements. By understanding your metabolic blueprin, you can take the best steps through a tailored diet and exercise to improve your health and wellness.
- Blood Chemistry and CBC Analysis: Clinical Laboratory Testing from a Functional Perspective - This manual by Dr Dicken Weatherby and Dr Scott Ferguson presents a diagnostic system of blood chemistry and CBC analysis that focuses on physiological function as a marker of health. Covers of 52 blood tests with optimal and functional values.
Biomarker Tracker
Get Biomarker Tracker for Google Sheets Now
Biomarker Tracker is a tracking tool for lab and blood test results. It is simple tool for logging and tracking your blood and other biomarker data. Built and shared as a Google Sheets template, it provides a way to record your test results and see if they are in or out of the target ranges.
The tracker currently provides several panels:
- Biomarker Tracker - Highlights key health and wellness biomarkers and a target goal
- CBC
- Chemistry
- Lipids
- Advanced - an example sheet for custom logging of additional biomarkers
Ranges can be adjusted according to your lab, doctor or own targets. Based on targets, conditional formatted will highlight results outside of the range.
How to Use the Blood Tests Tracker
- If you are not already signed in, be sure to log in to a Google account.
- First, navigate to Biomarker Tracker for Google Sheet Template.
- Second, under the menu tab for “File,” scroll down and select “Make a Copy.” This will duplicate the sheet.
- After that, go to your new tracking template and start adding your blood test results.
- You may need to adjust the units, reference ranges and targets according to your lab, country and/or health situation.
For problems, ideas, feedback and changes, please post a comment in the issue queue. Be sure to include a link to your version of the tracking template.
BiomarkerDB
An Open Source Database on Biomarkers and Health Metrics
While there are a number of sources on blood testing, biomarkers and medical testing, they are often difficult to navigate, non-digital and/or proprietary. In order to provide access to latest info on blood testing and biomarker ranges and research, we are building an open source database and directory on biomarkers: Biomarker DB.
This database is intended as a reliable source about the most common, researched and used biomarkers for health and wellness. It is open source and community built.
Update 8/8/19: In order to speed development and community involvement, the latest version of the database and directory is being made available in Google Sheets here. Feel free to add and contribute.
We intend to then transfer this into an alternative format that get be managed in code / git at a later time.
License
To the extent possible under law, Mark Koester has waived all copyright and related or neighboring rights to this work.
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