# Labwise Cornerstone Test Index

> Plain-language definitions, typical reference ranges, and common pitfalls
> for flagship lab tests across five areas: blood & wellness, STI/STD, genetics,
> microbiome, and emerging biometrics. Grouped by topic.

## Cardiometabolic -- Lipids

Foundational atherogenic-particle and cholesterol markers beyond a routine LDL-C and HDL-C panel.

- ApoB -- ApoB is the primary protein component of LDL, VLDL, and remnant particles. Every atherogenic particle carries exactly one ApoB molecule. Reference range: < 100 mg/dL desirable; < 80 mg/dL for high-risk individuals. Pitfall: ApoB and LDL-P often agree, but in 8 to 23 percent of adults -- especially with diabetes, metabolic syndrome, or elevated triglycerides -- LDL-C underestimates particle number. Pull ApoB or LDL-P. Source: /glossary#apob, /articles/apob-cholesterol-test-missing-number.
- Lp(a) -- Lp(a) is an LDL-like particle with an extra attached protein called apolipoprotein(a). It is almost entirely genetically determined and barely changes with diet or exercise. Reference range: < 75 nmol/L (around < 30 mg/dL); assay-dependent. Pitfall: Lp(a) is not modifiable by diet or statins. The 2026 ACC/AHA guideline frames it as a one-time assessment; if elevated, it is an independent, causal risk factor for heart attack and aortic stenosis. Source: /glossary#lp-a, /articles/lipoprotein-a-lpa-guide.
- LDL-C -- LDL carries cholesterol from the liver to peripheral tissues. When concentrations are elevated, it deposits in arterial walls and drives atherosclerosis. Reference range: < 100 mg/dL desirable; < 70 mg/dL for high-risk individuals. Pitfall: LDL-C is cholesterol-depleted in diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and on statins. In those cases, ApoB or LDL-P captures risk LDL-C misses. Source: /glossary#ldl-c.
- HDL-C -- HDL removes excess cholesterol from artery walls and transports it back to the liver for disposal (reverse cholesterol transport). Reference range: > 40 mg/dL men; > 50 mg/dL women (higher generally protective). Pitfall: Raising HDL pharmacologically has not consistently reduced events. Low HDL is a marker of cardiometabolic risk, not a direct treatment target. Source: /glossary#hdl-c.
- Non-HDL-C -- Non-HDL-C is total cholesterol minus HDL-C, capturing LDL, VLDL, IDL, and remnant particles in one number. Reference range: < 130 mg/dL desirable; < 100 mg/dL for high-risk individuals. Pitfall: Non-HDL-C can be calculated accurately in non-fasting samples and captures more atherogenic particles than LDL-C alone, making it useful for patients with high triglycerides. Source: /glossary#non-hdl-c.
- Triglycerides -- Triglycerides are the main form of stored fat and the most abundant lipid in food. Elevated blood triglycerides are most commonly driven by excess carbohydrate intake and insulin resistance. Reference range: < 150 mg/dL normal; 150-199 borderline; 200-499 high; >= 500 very high. Pitfall: Triglycerides > 500 mg/dL raise acute pancreatitis risk sharply; a fasting draw is required because non-fasting values run 20-50 mg/dL higher on average. Source: /glossary#triglycerides.
- ApoA-1 -- ApoA-1 is the main protein component of HDL particles and drives the reverse cholesterol transport HDL facilitates. Reference range: 120-180 mg/dL men; 130-200 mg/dL women. Pitfall: Low ApoA-1 independently predicts cardiovascular events. The ApoB/ApoA-1 ratio is a more powerful risk marker than individual lipids alone. Source: /glossary#apoa-1.
- Remnant Cholesterol -- Remnant cholesterol is cholesterol carried within VLDL and IDL particles -- triglyceride-rich lipoproteins that remain in circulation after partial metabolism. Reference range: < 25 mg/dL desirable. Pitfall: Calculated as non-HDL-C minus LDL-C, so the precision is limited by each input. More tightly linked to incident MI than LDL-C in some studies. Source: /glossary#remnant-cholesterol.
- LDL-P -- LDL-P is the absolute count of LDL particles regardless of the cholesterol they carry, most commonly reported on an NMR LipoProfile panel. Reference range: < 1,300 nmol/L; optimal often cited < 1,000 nmol/L. Pitfall: LDL-P and ApoB supply nearly the same information via different assays. Pick one -- requesting both rarely adds clinical value. Source: /glossary#ldl-p, /articles/apob-cholesterol-test-missing-number.
- sdLDL -- Small dense LDL is the more compact, cholesterol-depleted subclass of LDL particles, identified by density-gradient ultracentrifugation or a calculated sdLDL-C. Reference range: Pattern A (large buoyant) vs Pattern B (small dense); absolute value not standardized. Pitfall: Pattern B particles are more easily retained in artery walls and more susceptible to oxidation. Significant only as a risk modifier alongside ApoB or LDL-C. Source: /glossary#sdldl, /articles/apob-cholesterol-test-missing-number.
- OxPL-apoB -- OxPL-apoB measures oxidized phospholipids riding on ApoB-containing lipoproteins (LDL, Lp(a), remnants) -- the chemical signature of the oxidative modification that drives arterial inflammation. Reference range: Reported as quartile or continuous relative value; assay-dependent. Pitfall: Useful in patients whose LDL-C looks normal but inflammatory risk is suspected. Assays are not standardized across labs; do not compare results between vendors. Source: /glossary#oxpl, /articles/apob-cholesterol-test-missing-number.
- NMR LipoProfile -- NMR LipoProfile uses proton NMR spectroscopy to count and size lipoprotein particles across LDL, HDL, and VLDL without separating them physically. Reference range: Lab-specific; LP-IR (lipoprotein insulin resistance) score ranges 0-100. Pitfall: The LP-IR score adds a single-draw insulin-resistance layer to a standard lipid panel. NMR results do not interchange with direct LDL-C or ApoB measurements. Source: /glossary#nmr-lipoprofile, /articles/apob-cholesterol-test-missing-number.

## Cardiometabolic -- Metabolic

Glucose regulation, insulin signaling, and metabolic syndrome markers -- the layer most standard lipid panels miss entirely.

- HbA1c -- HbA1c reflects average blood glucose over the prior 2 to 3 months by measuring how much glucose has become irreversibly bound to hemoglobin in red blood cells. Reference range: < 5.7% normal; 5.7-6.4% prediabetes; >= 6.5% diabetes. Pitfall: Unreliable in hemoglobinopathies, recent transfusion, pregnancy, or any condition that alters red blood cell lifespan. Use fructosamine or glycated albumin instead. Source: /glossary#hba1c.
- Fasting Glucose -- Fasting glucose measures blood sugar at a single point in time after an overnight fast. Together with HbA1c, it forms the primary diagnostic toolkit for dysglycemia. Reference range: < 100 mg/dL normal; 100-125 mg/dL prediabetes; >= 126 mg/dL diabetes. Pitfall: A single fasting glucose misses postprandial spikes and early insulin resistance. Pair with fasting insulin or HbA1c for a fuller picture. Source: /glossary#fasting-glucose.
- Fasting Insulin -- Fasting insulin reflects how hard the pancreas is working to keep blood sugar normal. Elevated levels indicate the body needs more insulin than it should -- the hallmark of insulin resistance. Reference range: < 10 uIU/mL fasting; optimal often cited < 7 uIU/mL. Pitfall: The most predictive single marker for future type 2 diabetes, but missing from most standard metabolic panels. Ask for it explicitly. Source: /glossary#fasting-insulin.
- HOMA-IR -- HOMA-IR estimates insulin resistance from simultaneous fasting glucose and insulin measurements. It reflects how much insulin is compensating for reduced tissue sensitivity. Reference range: < 1.0 optimal; 1.0-2.5 insulin resistance; > 2.5 significant. Pitfall: Often elevated years before HbA1c crosses into prediabetes. Calculation depends on accurate fasting insulin -- noisy assays do not give a stable HOMA-IR. Source: /glossary#homa-ir.
- C-peptide -- C-peptide is the byproduct of insulin production -- when proinsulin is cleaved, equimolar C-peptide is released. It reflects how much endogenous insulin the pancreas is making. Reference range: 0.8-3.1 ng/mL fasting (lab-dependent). Pitfall: Distinguishes type 1 from type 2 diabetes and identifies exogenous insulin use -- a low C-peptide with high glucose indicates insulin deficiency, not resistance. Source: /glossary#c-peptide.
- OGTT -- The oral glucose tolerance test measures plasma glucose fasting and again 2 hours after ingesting 75 grams of glucose. Intermediate samples can characterize the curve. Reference range: 2-hr < 140 mg/dL normal; 140-199 impaired; >= 200 diabetes. Pitfall: The gold-standard test for catching dysglycemia that fasting glucose and HbA1c miss, especially in early disease and in pregnancy (gestational diabetes screening). Source: /glossary#ogtt.
- Fructosamine -- Fructosamine measures total glycated serum proteins -- predominantly albumin. Serum proteins turn over in 2 to 3 weeks, so fructosamine reflects shorter-window average glucose than HbA1c. Reference range: 200-285 umol/L (assay-dependent). Pitfall: Useful when HbA1c is unreliable -- hemoglobinopathies, recent transfusion, pregnancy. Does not detect the same pattern in all patients, so trending is key. Source: /glossary#fructosamine.
- 1,5-AG -- 1,5-anhydroglucitol is a sugar-like molecule whose blood level drops whenever glucose frequently exceeds roughly 180 mg/dL, because excess glucose competes for renal reabsorption. Reference range: > 14 ug/mL normal; < 6 ug/mL suggests recent hyperglycemia. Pitfall: A short-term (24 to 48 hour) marker of glucose excursions -- particularly postprandial spikes that fasting glucose and HbA1c miss. Source: /glossary#1-5-ag.
- TyG Index -- TyG (Triglyceride-Glucose Index) is a calculated surrogate for insulin resistance derived from fasting triglycerides and fasting glucose -- no insulin measurement required. Reference range: Optimal zone ~ 7.7-8.3; > 8.5 signals likely insulin resistance. Pitfall: Strong surrogate for clamp-measured insulin resistance in resource-limited settings where fasting insulin is not routine. Less granular than HOMA-IR. Source: /glossary#tyg-index.
- Metabolic Syndrome (ATP III) -- Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of central adiposity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and dysglycemia -- diagnosed when 3 of 5 ATP III criteria co-occur. Reference range: >= 3 of: waist > 40" men / 35" women; TG >= 150; HDL < 40 men / 50 women; BP >= 130/85; FPG >= 100 mg/dL. Pitfall: The diagnosis doubles or triples cardiovascular event risk and confers roughly 5x the risk of incident type 2 diabetes -- a useful shorthand, not a single lab interpretation. Source: /glossary#metabolic-syndrome.

## Cardiometabolic -- Inflammation

Systemic and vascular inflammation markers that predict cardiovascular events independent of cholesterol.

- hsCRP -- hsCRP is a liver-produced acute-phase protein that rises rapidly in response to systemic inflammation. High-sensitivity assays detect levels far below what older CRP tests could measure. Reference range: < 1.0 mg/L low risk; 1.0-3.0 mg/L average risk; > 3.0 mg/L high risk. Pitfall: CRP has significant biological variability. Confirm any elevated result with a repeat test 2 to 4 weeks later and wait until 2 to 4 weeks after any acute infection. Source: /glossary#hscrp, /articles/crp-hscrp-inflammation-guide.
- ESR -- ESR measures how quickly red blood cells fall in a vertical column of anticoagulated blood -- a proxy for acute-phase proteins (fibrinogen, immunoglobulins) that clump red cells. Reference range: 0-15 mm/hr men (age-adjusted); 0-20 mm/hr women (age-adjusted). Pitfall: A non-specific inflammation marker that rises and falls slowly. Useful for serial monitoring (autoimmune disease, infection) but not for acute changes. Source: /glossary#esr, /articles/crp-hscrp-inflammation-guide.
- Ferritin -- Ferritin is the primary intracellular storage form of iron. Blood ferritin proxies for total body iron stores and also rises as an acute-phase reactant independent of iron status. Reference range: 30-300 ng/mL men; 15-200 ng/mL women (varies by lab and age). Pitfall: Low ferritin confirms iron deficiency. Very high ferritin with normal transferrin saturation suggests inflammation or liver disease -- not iron overload. Source: /glossary#ferritin, /articles/crp-hscrp-inflammation-guide.
- Fibrinogen -- Fibrinogen is a liver-produced clotting factor that rises with inflammation and is the precursor to fibrin, the mesh that forms blood clots. Reference range: 200-400 mg/dL (around 2-4 g/L). Pitfall: An independent cardiovascular risk factor alongside LDL. Acute-phase reactant -- interpret in context of recent infection or illness. Source: /glossary#fibrinogen.
- MPO -- Myeloperoxidase is a leukocyte-derived oxidant enzyme released by activated neutrophils at sites of vascular inflammation. It oxidizes LDL and destabilizes atherosclerotic plaques. Reference range: < 470 pmol/L (assay-dependent). Pitfall: A short-term cardiovascular event-risk marker -- particularly useful alongside hsCRP when inflammatory risk is suspected despite a reassuring standard panel. Source: /glossary#mpo, /articles/crp-hscrp-inflammation-guide.
- Lp-PLA2 -- Lp-PLA2 is an enzyme carried on circulating LDL (especially small dense LDL) that hydrolyzes oxidized phospholipids to generate pro-inflammatory lipid mediators in the arterial wall. Reference range: < 200 nmol/min/mL generally considered low risk. Pitfall: Adjunct inflammatory risk marker beyond hsCRP -- particularly for intermediate-risk patients where additional stratification is needed before intensifying therapy. Source: /glossary#lp-pla2, /articles/crp-hscrp-inflammation-guide.

## Cardiometabolic -- Thyroid

Thyroid function, autoimmunity, and iodine status -- the panel that catches subclinical disease in symptomatic patients.

- TSH -- TSH is produced by the anterior pituitary and tells the thyroid to make T4 and T3. It is the most sensitive single marker of thyroid function. Reference range: 0.4-4.0 mIU/L (varies by lab; pregnancy-specific ranges differ). Pitfall: TSH at the upper end of "normal" can still drive symptoms. Stop biotin supplements 2 to 3 days before the draw -- high-dose biotin can falsely lower TSH on some immunoassays. Source: /glossary#tsh, /articles/thyroid-function-tests-explained.
- Free T4 -- Free T4 is the biologically active fraction of thyroxine -- the hormone the thyroid primarily secretes. "Free" means unbound to transport proteins. Reference range: 0.8-1.8 ng/dL (varies by lab). Pitfall: In subclinical disease, free T4 stays normal while TSH is abnormal. Order both together to capture the full picture. Source: /glossary#free-t4, /articles/thyroid-function-tests-explained.
- Free T3 -- Free T3 is the biologically active form of thyroid hormone at the tissue level. T4 is converted to T3 by deiodinases -- T3 is 3 to 5 times more potent than T4. Reference range: 2.0-4.4 pg/mL (varies by lab). Pitfall: Suppressed in severe non-thyroid illness ("sick euthyroid" syndrome) and in some T4-only-treated hypothyroid patients. High in Graves disease. Source: /glossary#free-t3, /articles/thyroid-function-tests-explained.
- Reverse T3 -- Reverse T3 (rT3) is an inactive isomer of T3 produced when T4 is shunted toward the inactive metabolic pathway. It rises in critical illness and severe caloric restriction. Reference range: 8-24 ng/dL (varies by lab; context-dependent). Pitfall: Elevated rT3 with low free T3 and normal TSH in a critically ill patient is "sick euthyroid" syndrome -- not thyroid failure -- and is not treated with hormone replacement. Source: /glossary#reverse-t3.
- TPO Antibodies -- TPO antibodies target thyroid peroxidase -- the enzyme that adds iodine to tyrosine during thyroid hormone synthesis. Their presence indicates autoimmune thyroid disease. Reference range: < 35 IU/mL (varies by lab). Pitfall: Positive in over 90% of Hashimoto and roughly 70% of Graves cases -- predicts progression from subclinical to overt hypothyroidism and signals postpartum thyroiditis risk. Source: /glossary#tpo-antibodies, /articles/thyroid-function-tests-explained.
- TgAb -- TgAb are autoantibodies against thyroglobulin -- the protein scaffold the thyroid uses to synthesize T4 and T3. Their presence signals autoimmune thyroid disease. Reference range: < 115 IU/mL (assay-dependent). Pitfall: Helpful alongside TPO antibodies to characterize autoimmune thyroiditis and track disease activity. Less sensitive than TPO for Hashimoto. Source: /glossary#tg-ab, /articles/thyroid-function-tests-explained.
- Urine Iodine -- Urine iodine reflects recent dietary iodine intake because iodine is excreted almost exclusively by the kidneys. Population medians assess community-level iodine sufficiency. Reference range: 100-299 ug/L adequate intake (WHO). Pitfall: Used more in population studies than individual diagnosis. Low urine iodine is the canonical sign of deficiency driving hypothyroidism and (in pregnancy) fetal neurodevelopmental risk. Source: /glossary#urine-iodine.
- TRAb -- TRAb are autoantibodies that bind the TSH receptor on thyroid follicular cells. Stimulating variants (TSI) drive Graves disease; blocking variants (TBII) cause an autoimmune hypothyroidism pattern. Reference range: < 1.0 IU/L generally negative; assay-dependent. Pitfall: TSI positive in roughly 80 to 95% of untreated Graves disease -- the only autoantibody recommended for routine Graves diagnosis by current endocrine guidelines. Source: /glossary#tsh-receptor-antibodies, /articles/thyroid-function-tests-explained.

## Cardiometabolic -- Nutritional

Vitamins, micronutrients, and methylation markers -- the deficiencies and overloads that drive long-term metabolic and bone health.

- 25(OH)D -- 25(OH)D is the major circulating form of vitamin D -- produced in the liver after UVB exposure or dietary intake. It is the standard clinical marker of vitamin D status. Reference range: < 20 ng/mL deficiency; 20-29 insufficiency; 30-100 sufficiency (some guidelines use 40+ for optimal). Pitfall: There is no single "normal" -- the IOM says >= 20 ng/mL is adequate, the Endocrine Society says >= 30 ng/mL is sufficient. Most labs report 20-50, but "normal" is not "optimal" for every person. Source: /glossary#vitamin-d, /articles/vitamin-d-testing-explained.
- B12 -- Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is essential for DNA synthesis, myelin formation, and red blood cell maturation. It is obtained from animal products or supplementation and requires intrinsic factor for absorption. Reference range: 200-900 pg/mL (148-666 pmol/L); functional deficiency may begin > 350 pg/mL. Pitfall: Serum B12 can be "normal" while tissue B12 is depleted. Order MMA or Holo-TC if symptoms are present despite a low-normal B12. Source: /glossary#b12.
- Folate -- Folate (vitamin B9) is essential for one-carbon metabolism, DNA synthesis, and methylation. Serum folate reflects recent intake; RBC folate reflects tissue stores over the lifespan of red blood cells. Reference range: Serum > 3 ng/mL; RBC > 160 nmol/L (varies by lab). Pitfall: Mandatory folic acid fortification of grains in the US has dramatically reduced neural-tube defect incidence. Folate deficiency still matters for patients with malabsorption or on certain medications. Source: /glossary#folate.
- MMA -- MMA is a metabolite that accumulates when B12 is deficient, because B12 is a cofactor for the enzyme that converts MMA to succinyl-CoA. Unlike serum B12, MMA is not affected by folate deficiency. Reference range: 50-270 nmol/L (varies by lab). Pitfall: The most sensitive functional marker of B12 deficiency -- can identify tissue-level insufficiency even when serum B12 is in the normal range. Especially useful when neurological symptoms are present. Source: /glossary#mma.
- Homocysteine -- Homocysteine is a sulfur-containing amino acid generated during methionine metabolism. It is recycled using B12 and folate as cofactors. Reference range: < 15 umol/L normal; 15-30 mildly elevated; 30-100 moderately elevated; > 100 severely elevated. Pitfall: A functional marker of B12, folate, and B6 status -- the "methylation vitamins." Elevation can reflect deficiency, kidney dysfunction, or genetic variation. Source: /glossary#homocysteine.
- Serum Iron -- Serum iron measures the amount of circulating iron bound to transferrin at a single point in time. It fluctuates significantly with recent meals, time of day, and inflammation. Reference range: 60-170 ug/dL men; 50-160 ug/dL women (varies by lab). Pitfall: Low serum iron alone does not distinguish iron deficiency from anemia of chronic disease. Always pair with ferritin and transferrin saturation. Source: /glossary#iron.
- TIBC -- TIBC measures the maximum amount of iron that transferrin can carry. It rises when iron stores are low (to capture more iron) and falls in iron overload. Reference range: 250-370 ug/dL. Pitfall: High TIBC with low serum iron and low ferritin is the classic pattern of iron deficiency anemia. Low TIBC suggests overload, anemia of chronic disease, or malnutrition. Source: /glossary#tibc.
- Transferrin Saturation -- Transferrin saturation (TSAT) is the percentage of transferrin molecules carrying iron at the time of the draw. It integrates serum iron and TIBC into a single functional percentage. Reference range: 20-50% men; 15-45% women. Pitfall: TSAT below 20% is a key marker of iron deficiency -- more reliable than serum iron alone because it normalizes for transferrin levels. Source: /glossary#transferrin-saturation.

## STI/STD -- Cornerstone

Flagship STI/STD testing topics -- test types, sample requirements, and detection windows for the most commonly screened infections.

- STI Window Periods -- Every STI has a window period -- the time between infection and when a test can reliably detect it. The guide covers HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes, and hepatitis detection timelines. Reference range: See: window-period tables in /articles/sti-testing-window-periods. Pitfall: Window periods vary by test type. A negative result before the assay-specific window has elapsed is not definitive; retest at the appropriate interval. Source: /articles/sti-testing-window-periods.
- Chlamydia / Gonorrhea NAAT -- NAAT, PCR, culture -- which test is right, what sample is needed, and why home test kits are a legitimate option for chlamydia and gonorrhea screening. Reference range: See: NAAT detection thresholds and sample-type guidance in /articles/chlamydia-gonorrhea-testing-guide. Pitfall: NAAT only tells you presence, not susceptibility. If gonorrhea treatment is needed, ensure test-of-cure given rising cephalosporin MICs. Source: /articles/chlamydia-gonorrhea-testing-guide.
- HIV Testing -- Fourth-generation antigen/antibody tests, RNA PCR, and rapid self-tests -- a complete breakdown of HIV test types, accuracy windows, and what "negative" really means after exposure. Reference range: See: HIV test-specific detection windows in /articles/hiv-testing-explained. Pitfall: A negative result before the test-specific window closes is not conclusive. RNA PCR detects earliest, antigen/antibody tests next, rapid antibody tests last. Source: /articles/hiv-testing-explained.

## Genetics -- Cornerstone

Flagship genetics explainers -- how to read raw DTC data and how to interpret the methylation SNPs that show up on consumer reports.

- Raw Genetic Data File -- You have a raw genetic data file with millions of lines. Here is how to open it, what the columns mean, and how to look up specific SNPs (rs IDs) against reference databases. Pitfall: Raw files report SNPs only on the chip used -- any variant not on that chip is invisible. Coverage is partial, not whole-genome. Source: /articles/how-to-read-raw-genetic-data.
- MTHFR / COMT Methylation SNPs -- MTHFR C677T, COMT V158M, VDR Bsm -- these variants appear constantly on consumer reports. What the science actually says versus the hype around methylation. Pitfall: The American College of Medical Genetics classifies C677T and A1298C as benign variants for clinical decision-making. Routine testing in unselected populations is not recommended. Source: /articles/mthfr-comt-methylation-genetics.

## Microbiome -- Cornerstone

Flagship microbiome testing topics -- sequencing methods and how to interpret what companies report.

- Gut Microbiome Testing -- Viome, GutBio, Thorne and others crowd the field. The guide explains 16S rRNA vs shotgun sequencing, what each can tell you, and what consumer panels can and cannot detect. Pitfall: 16S resolves bacteria only to genus level and cannot distinguish closely related species. Shotgun is more expensive but yields species- and strain-level resolution and functional gene content. Source: /articles/gut-microbiome-testing-explained.
- Microbiome Test Results -- Alpha diversity, Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, keystone species -- decoding what microbiome companies report and separating signal from noise. Pitfall: Most vendor dysbiosis scores use proprietary algorithms that have NOT been validated against hard clinical endpoints. Use as conversation starters, not as diagnoses. Source: /articles/microbiome-test-results-explained.

## Emerging Biometrics -- Cornerstone

Flagship emerging-biomarker topics -- biological age clocks and continuous glucose monitors, the two most popular DTC measurements beyond standard labs.

- Biological Age Tests -- Horvath's clock, GrimAge, TELOS -- biological age tests claim to measure how fast you're aging. What the science supports and what it does not. Pitfall: A biological age lower than chronological age is encouraging in cohorts, but the field lacks a universal scale -- results are not interchangeable across vendors. Source: /articles/biological-age-tests-explained.
- CGM for Non-Diabetics -- Abbott Libre, Dexcom -- CGMs are sold direct-to-consumer. The guide covers what they measure, who benefits, glucose variability metrics, and how to act on the numbers without over-reacting. Pitfall: Glucose variability is pipeline-dependent -- do not compare absolute readings across vendors or sensors. Use same-sensor trends over 14+ days to interpret. Source: /articles/continuous-glucose-monitors-cgm-explained.

## Editorial note

Reference ranges are typical adult values and vary by lab, assay, and individual context.
This index is informational, not clinical advice. Always interpret results with your provider.
Full Labwise site: https://eastsidebloodtests.com/