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Evidence-first articles on longevity, peptides, at-home testing and family health — from the xlr8well clinical team.
biomarkersWhat Is Albumin? Albumin is the most abundant protein circulating in your bloodstream, making up roughly half of the total protein content of blood plasma. It i…
Read MorebiomarkersWhat Is Fasting Insulin? Insulin is a hormone produced by the beta cells of the pancreas. Its primary job is to act as a key — unlocking your body's cells so th…
Read MorebiomarkersWhat Is the Omega-3 Index? The Omega-3 Index is a blood biomarker that measures the percentage of two specific omega-3 fatty acids — eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)…
Read MorebiomarkersTSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) is the pituitary signal that sets thyroid output — the master dial for metabolism, temperature, energy and weight. You can tes…
Read MorebiomarkersWhat Is ESR? Erythrocyte sedimentation rate, universally abbreviated to ESR, is one of the oldest and most widely used blood tests in medicine. The principle is…
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biomarkersWhat Is Prolactin? Prolactin is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland — a small, pea-sized structure at the base of the brain. Although it is best known for…
Read MorebiomarkersWhat Is Free T3? Thyroid hormones govern an extraordinary range of bodily functions — from the speed at which your cells produce energy to the regulation of bod…
Read MorebiomarkersCreatinine and eGFR together form the standard kidney filtration check. Creatinine is a natural byproduct of muscle metabolism that healthy kidneys continuously…
Read MorebiomarkersVitamin D (25-OH) is a fat-soluble hormone-vitamin governing calcium absorption, immunity, mood and muscle function. Despite living in one of the sunniest regio…
Read MorebiomarkersVitamin B12 is essential for nerve function, red blood cells, and energy metabolism. Absorption declines with age, certain medications, and plant-based diets. I…
Read MorebiomarkersWhat Are Platelets? Platelets — formally called thrombocytes — are tiny, disc-shaped cell fragments produced in the bone marrow from large cells known as megaka…
Read MorebiomarkersGGT (gamma-glutamyl transferase) is a liver enzyme that also serves as a sensitive marker of oxidative stress and alcohol load. Levels below 20 U/L are consider…
Read MorebiomarkersWhat Is Free T4? Free T4 (free thyroxine) is a hormone produced by the thyroid gland — a small, butterfly-shaped gland sitting at the front of the neck. It is o…
Read MorebiomarkersEstradiol (E2) is the primary oestrogen — vital for bone health, skin quality, mood, and menstrual cycles in women, and equally important (in smaller amounts) i…
Read MorebiomarkersLipoprotein(a) — written Lp(a) — is a genetically determined cholesterol particle that independently raises cardiovascular risk regardless of your diet or lifes…
Read MorebiomarkersWhat Is Folate (Vitamin B9)? Folate is a water-soluble B vitamin that plays a central role in some of the body's most fundamental processes. It works closely al…
Read MorebiomarkersWhat Is SHBG? Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin — SHBG for short — is a protein produced mainly in the liver. Its primary job is to travel through the bloodstream an…
Read MorebiomarkersWhat Is Zinc and Why Does It Matter? Zinc is an essential trace mineral involved in hundreds of enzymatic reactions throughout the body. Unlike some nutrients t…
Read MorebiomarkersWhat Is ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase)? ALT, short for alanine aminotransferase, is an enzyme found predominantly in liver cells. Its primary job is to help con…
Read Morebiomarkershs-CRP (High-sensitivity C-reactive protein) is the gold-standard blood marker for detecting silent, chronic inflammation — a key driver of cardiovascular and m…
Read MorebiomarkersWhat Is an Iron Panel (Serum Iron, TIBC & Transferrin Saturation)? An iron panel is a group of blood tests that together give a complete picture of how your bod…
Read MorebiomarkersWhat Is Cystatin-C? Cystatin-C is a small protein produced at a remarkably steady rate by virtually every nucleated cell in the body. Unlike many biological mol…
Read MorebiomarkersWhat Is Ferritin? Ferritin is a protein found in almost every cell of the body. Its primary job is to store iron safely and release it in a controlled way when …
Read MorebiomarkersWhat Is LH (Luteinising Hormone)? Luteinising hormone, or LH, is a small signalling protein produced by the pituitary gland — a pea-sized structure at the base …
Read MorebiomarkersMagnesium (RBC) is the cellular form of the "relaxation mineral" — standard serum magnesium tests can miss true deficiency, whereas red-cell magnesium gives a m…
Read MorebiomarkersWhat Is Vitamin A (Retinol)? Vitamin A is a fat-soluble micronutrient that the body cannot manufacture on its own in meaningful quantities — it must come from f…
Read MorebiomarkersWhat Is Fasting Glucose? Fasting glucose is a measurement of the amount of glucose (sugar) circulating in your bloodstream after a period of not eating — typica…
Read MorebiomarkersWhat Are Thyroid Antibodies (TPO and TG)? Thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO-Ab) and thyroglobulin antibodies (TG-Ab) are proteins produced by the immune system…
Read MorebiomarkersVitamin B6 is a cofactor in over 100 enzymatic reactions — from neurotransmitter synthesis to homocysteine clearance and hormone metabolism. Levels that are too…
Read MorebiomarkersDHEA-S is the adrenal "mother hormone" — a precursor pool for sex hormones and a resilience marker that declines steadily with age. You can test it at home in D…
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