What Labs Should I Ask My Doctor For? Basic Blood Work (& Beyond) | Ep 386

What Labs Should I Ask My Doctor For? Basic Blood Work (& Beyond) | Ep 386

Author: Erin Holt November 18, 2025 Duration: 29:15

Most people walk out of their routine doctor’s appointments with “normal” labs and zero clarity about why they’re tired, inflamed, or not feeling like themselves. In this episode, Erin breaks down what your CMP, CBC, and lipid panel actually measure, and why routine bloodwork often misses the early signs of metabolic dysfunction, inflammation, thyroid issues, and nutrient depletion.

So what are the best add-on markers to ask for that will give you a genuinely comprehensive picture of your health? From fasting insulin and hemoglobin A1c, to thyroid antibodies, ANA, HS-CRP, ferritin, vitamin D, and GGT, Erin provides critical context about each of these – and how each one uncovers clues your doctor’s standard panel never will.

P.S. Download our FREE bloodwork checklist for the exact labs Erin recommends in this episode. 

In this episode:

  • Why “normal” blood work doesn’t always mean “optimal,” and how functional ranges reveal imbalances years before disease
  • The must-have trio for evaluating metabolic health beyond fasting glucose: insulin, hemoglobin A1c, and uric acid
  • The #1 liver marker missing from most CMPs and how it reflects toxin load, oxidative stress, and glutathione depletion
  • Why TSH alone is an incomplete thyroid screen, and how thyroid antibodies can detect Hashimoto’s years earlier
  • How markers like ANA, ferritin, HS-CRP, and RBC magnesium work together to uncover hidden inflammation and autoimmune activity


Resources mentioned:

FREE GUIDE: The 19 Blood Tests You Should Ask For

Apply to work with us 1:1 here!

Episode 212: A Functional Medicine Approach to Labs


FOR OUR FULL LIST OF LINKS + RESOURCES, HEAD TO: 

https://www.thefunktionalnutritionist.com/podcast/386-bloodwork-labs 

Check out The Funk’tional Nutritionist: Website | Instagram


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Erin Holt’s The Funk'tional Nutrition Podcast digs into the connections between what we eat, how our bodies function, and how we think and feel. This isn't about rigid diets or quick fixes. Instead, Erin, a functional nutritionist, facilitates honest conversations that often challenge conventional health narratives. You’ll hear deep dives into current nutrition topics, where she breaks down the science and practical application in an accessible way. The podcast also features interviews with pioneers and experts across the functional medicine and holistic wellness fields, offering a range of perspectives on achieving vitality. The tone is grounded, eye-opening, and intentionally funky-it’s a deliberate and refreshing twist on mainstream health information. Listening provides a sense of empowerment, moving beyond fear-based advice to a more nuanced understanding of personal health. Each episode is designed to inform and equip you with a different lens on wellness, blending holistic health, real food principles, and mind-body awareness. Tune in for a podcast that values depth, curiosity, and a functional approach to nutrition that actually makes sense for everyday life.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

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