You go in for your annual physical, get bloodwork done, and hear that everything “looks normal.”
That’s reassuring. But if you’re trying to be proactive about your health, you may still have questions.
How is my cardiovascular risk changing?
What does my metabolic health look like beyond blood sugar?
Are there other areas of my health worth paying attention to?
Your annual physical is an important part of preventive care, but there’s no universal set of blood tests everyone receives each year. What gets ordered depends on your age, health history, symptoms, risk factors, and physician.
That means routine bloodwork can answer important questions without necessarily giving you a comprehensive view of your health. You probably already know a few common health numbers, like cholesterol and blood sugar. They matter for a reason. But they’re only part of the picture.
Other biomarkers can provide additional insight into cardiovascular health, metabolism, blood sugar regulation, kidney function, and more. Some may be included in routine bloodwork, while others aren’t commonly tested.
The goal isn’t simply to collect more data. It’s to understand what your results can tell you about your health, and which areas may deserve a closer look.
Here are five biomarkers worth knowing and what each can help you understand.
Top 5 Biomarkers to Test For
1. ApoB: A Deeper Look at Cardiovascular Risk
What it is: ApoB reflects the number of cholesterol-carrying particles that can contribute to plaque buildup.
Think of LDL as how much cholesterol is being carried, while ApoB gives you a better sense of how many particles are carrying it.
Why it matters: Two people can have similar LDL levels but different ApoB levels, which can provide different insight into cardiovascular risk.
2. Lp(a): A Genetic Cardiovascular Risk Factor
What it is: Lp(a), or lipoprotein(a), is a cardiovascular risk factor that is largely determined by genetics and isn’t typically included in a standard cholesterol panel.
Why it matters: Your lifestyle, fitness level, and standard cholesterol numbers can’t tell you whether your Lp(a) is elevated. Testing is the only way to know your level, and it can reveal cardiovascular risk that may not show up in routine bloodwork.
Together, ApoB and Lp(a) can provide additional context about cardiovascular risk beyond a traditional cholesterol panel.
3. Fasting Insulin: A Closer Look at Blood Sugar Regulation
What it is: Fasting insulin measures how much insulin your body is producing after you haven’t eaten for several hours.
Why it matters: Your blood sugar can still look normal while your body is producing more insulin to keep it there. When viewed alongside glucose and HbA1c, fasting insulin can provide additional insight into your metabolic health.
4. HbA1c: A Longer-Term Look at Blood Sugar
What it is: HbA1c estimates your average blood sugar over the previous two to three months, offering a longer-term perspective than a single glucose reading.
Why it matters: HbA1c can help show whether your blood sugar has been running higher over time. When considered alongside fasting glucose and insulin, it provides more context about how your body is managing blood sugar.
Together, fasting insulin and HbA1c can provide a broader view of metabolic health than a single blood sugar reading alone.
5. Cystatin C: A Closer Look at Kidney Function
What it is: Cystatin C is a protein that can be used to estimate how well your kidneys are filtering waste.
Why it matters: Because Cystatin C is less influenced by muscle mass than creatinine, it can provide additional context when evaluating kidney function. Looking at both can help give a more complete picture.
More Testing Isn’t Automatically Better
More biomarkers don’t automatically mean better care.
Lab values can fluctuate, not every result outside a reference range signals a problem, and not every test is equally useful for every person.
The real value comes from understanding which results matter, how they relate to one another, and what—if anything—you should do next.
That’s where broader testing can be useful.
Thrive Healthspan looks across 90+ biomarkers spanning cardiovascular, metabolic, hormone, nutrient and vitamin, kidney and liver, and blood health.
But the testing is only the beginning. After your labs, you meet one-on-one with a Thrive physician for a 30-minute virtual visit to understand what matters, what deserves your attention, and what to focus on next.
The goal isn’t more information. It’s clarity—and a personalized plan built around your results.
Ready to take a deeper look at your health?
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment.
