Lab checklist · Performance nutrition
BIRDIE POWER Check Up
The markers to request from your doctor or lab.
Before the blood draw
- 1Blood draw fasted (at least 10 h), ideally between 7 and 10 a.m.
- 2No intense training for 48 h beforehand – otherwise CK, CRP and liver values are skewed.
- 3Pause biotin (also contained in multivitamins) 3 days beforehand – it interferes with thyroid and hormone tests.
- 4Have minerals measured in whole blood, not serum (more meaningful for cellular status).
- 5On the day of the blood draw, take supplements only after the sample has been taken.
The markers
01Basics
2 markers
Basics
2 markers
- Complete blood count incl. differential
- Sodium, calcium
02Iron status
5 markers
Iron status
5 markers
- Ferritin
- Iron
- Transferrin
- Transferrin saturation
- Soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR)
03Minerals & trace elements
5 markers
Minerals & trace elements
5 markers
- Magnesium
- Potassium
- Zinc
- Selenium
- Copper
04Vitamins & methylation
6 markers
Vitamins & methylation
6 markers
- 25-OH vitamin D
- Vitamin B12
- Holotranscobalamin (active B12)
- Folate (red blood cell)
- Vitamin B6
- Homocysteine
05Cellular energy & fatty acids
2 markers
Cellular energy & fatty acids
2 markers
- Coenzyme Q10
- Omega-3 Index (incl. fatty acid profile)
06Blood sugar & metabolism
6 markers
Blood sugar & metabolism
6 markers
- Fasting glucose
- Fasting insulin + HOMA-IR
- HbA1c
- Lipid profile: total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides
- Lipoprotein (a)
- Uric acid
07Liver, kidney & muscle
4 markers
Liver, kidney & muscle
4 markers
- Liver panel: AST, ALT, GGT, ALP, bilirubin
- Creatinine, eGFR
- Cystatin C (muscle-independent kidney marker)
- Creatine kinase (CK)
08Thyroid
3 markers
Thyroid
3 markers
- TSH
- fT3, fT4
- TPO antibodies
09Inflammation & gut
3 markers
Inflammation & gut
3 markers
- hs-CRP (high-sensitivity)
- Zonulin (stool)
- IgG4 food sensitivity screening
10Hormones – if indicated
8 markers
Hormones – if indicated
8 markers
- Total testosterone + free testosterone
- SHBG
- Estradiol, progesterone
- LH, FSH
- DHEA-S
- Cortisol (morning)
- IGF-1
- Prolactin
This list is a checklist to discuss with your doctor or lab. It does not replace the laboratory's reference ranges or a medical diagnosis. Results are reviewed in a personal consultation.