Nexuses

Nexuses Library

The markers. The rationale. The references.

Every test in the Blueprint Bloodwork protocol explained — what it measures, why it matters, why we test it at the frequency we do, and the research it stands on. Start with what you're curious about.

Pulse

Every 3 months

Full Blood Count

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Core Labs

The broadest surveillance panel in the draw — red cell indices, white cell differential, and platelets. Tracks red cells, immune cells, and platelets on a quarterly trend line.

Comprehensive Metabolic Panel

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Core Labs

Kidney function, liver function, and electrolytes in a single panel. Tracks eGFR, ALT, albumin, and electrolyte balance — each on a quarterly trend that shows gradual change over time.

Urine FEME

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Core Labs

Full urine examination and microscopy. The broadest non-invasive test we run — kidney, bladder, and metabolic signals in a single sample.

uACR

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Renal

Urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio. One of the earliest measurable kidney markers — studies show it changes years before eGFR or creatinine, and is independently associated with cardiovascular risk.

Fasting Glucose

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Metabolic

The most direct snapshot of glycaemic status — where blood sugar sits after an overnight fast, the state in which insulin resistance first becomes visible as a rising number.

Full Lipid Panel

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Cardiovascular

Total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C, and triglycerides. The clinical communication standard and risk calculator input — run alongside ApoB for a complete picture of atherogenic particle burden.

hsCRP

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Inflammation

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein. The most widely validated biomarker of systemic inflammation and a direct predictor of cardiovascular events.

ApoB

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Cardiovascular

Apolipoprotein B. A direct count of every atherogenic particle in your blood — a more precise measure of cardiovascular risk than LDL cholesterol.

HbA1c

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Metabolic

Glycated haemoglobin. A three-month average of blood glucose — the gold standard measure of long-term glycaemic control.

Fasting Insulin & HOMA-IR

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Metabolic

The earliest signal of insulin resistance — fasting insulin rises years before glucose or HbA1c move. HOMA-IR calculates the degree of resistance from both together.

Homocysteine

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Cardiovascular

An amino acid that, when elevated, is independently associated with cardiovascular disease, stroke, and cognitive decline.

IL-6

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Inflammation

Interleukin-6. A cytokine and upstream driver of the inflammatory cascade — including CRP production.

Cystatin-C

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Renal

A more sensitive marker of kidney filtration than creatinine — shows changes in kidney filtration before standard tests register them.

Uric Acid

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Metabolic

Associated with gout, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular risk. A marker of purine metabolism and oxidative stress.

ApoA-I

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Cardiovascular

The principal protein in HDL particles. The ApoB/ApoA-I ratio captures the balance between atherogenic and atheroprotective particles.

Ferritin

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Inflammation

Both an iron storage protein and an acute-phase reactant. Elevated ferritin can indicate iron overload or systemic inflammation.

Fibrinogen

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Inflammation

A clotting protein and inflammation marker. Elevated levels predict cardiovascular events independent of LDL and other traditional risk factors.

Pulse+

Every 6 months

Testosterone

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Hormonal

Total and free testosterone, with SHBG. The primary androgen — critical for body composition, energy, cognitive function, and cardiometabolic health.

DHT

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Hormonal

Dihydrotestosterone. The most potent androgen — converted from testosterone by 5α-reductase, the driver of prostate growth and androgenic hair loss.

Oestradiol & Progesterone

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Hormonal

The primary female sex hormones. Oestradiol governs bone density, cardiovascular protection, and mood; progesterone balances oestrogen and regulates the luteal phase.

FSH & LH

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Hormonal

The pituitary gonadotropins that instruct the gonads. Rising FSH is the earliest signal of declining ovarian reserve; the FSH/LH pattern localises the site of hormonal dysfunction.

DHEA-S

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Hormonal

The most abundant circulating steroid — an adrenal androgen precursor that declines with age and reflects the overall steroid hormone reserve.

IGF-1

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Hormonal

Insulin-like Growth Factor 1. A marker of growth hormone activity — associated with muscle maintenance, tissue repair, and longevity.

Cortisol

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Hormonal

The primary stress hormone. Chronically elevated cortisol suppresses immunity, disrupts sleep, and drives metabolic dysfunction.

Prolactin

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Hormonal

A pituitary hormone that, when elevated, suppresses testosterone in males and disrupts ovulation in females — one of the most commonly missed causes of low libido.

TSH

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Thyroid

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone — the most sensitive single measure of thyroid function. Tested alongside Free T3 and Free T4 for a complete picture.

Vitamin D

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Micronutrient

25-hydroxyvitamin D. Affects immune function, bone density, mood, and cardiovascular health. Deficiency is widespread and largely asymptomatic.

Omega-3 Index

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Micronutrient

EPA + DHA content of red blood cell membranes — a validated biomarker of cardiovascular risk and systemic inflammation.

Vitamin B12 & Folate

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Micronutrient

Essential cofactors in the methylation cycle. Deficiency in either elevates homocysteine; B12 deficiency causes neurological damage that folate supplementation can mask.

RBC Magnesium

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Micronutrient

Intracellular magnesium — a more accurate measure of status than serum. Cofactor for over 300 enzymes including all ATP-dependent reactions.

Zinc & Selenium

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Micronutrient

Trace minerals with outsized roles — zinc in immune function and testosterone synthesis; selenium in thyroid hormone conversion and antioxidant defence.

Blueprint Bloodwork

Every 12 months

PSA

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Tumour-Associated

Prostate-Specific Antigen. One of the most studied markers in men's health — tracked annually from 40, where the trend says more than any single reading.

CA-125

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Tumour-Associated

A protein studied mainly in relation to ovarian health. Most meaningful as a trend over time rather than a single reading.

CEA

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Tumour-Associated

Carcinoembryonic antigen. Studied in relation to several gastrointestinal conditions — most informative as a long-term trend rather than a threshold crossing.

CA 19-9

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Tumour-Associated

A carbohydrate antigen studied mainly in pancreatic and biliary health. A trend across annual draws is more informative than any single reading — particularly alongside glucose changes.

AFP

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Tumour-Associated

Alpha-Fetoprotein. A protein studied mainly in relation to liver health. Establishes a baseline for those with liver-related risk factors.

FIT

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Tumour-Associated

Faecal Immunochemical Test. Measures traces of blood in stool — the most widely validated non-invasive stool test in colorectal research.

M2-PK

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Tumour-Associated

Tumour Pyruvate Kinase M2. Measures an enzyme associated with rapidly dividing cells — a different signal from FIT, which measures blood.

ESR

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Autoimmune

Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate. A slow-responding inflammation marker that complements hsCRP — sensitive to chronic inflammation.

ANA Screen

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Autoimmune

Antinuclear antibody screen. Measures autoantibodies studied in lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and other autoimmune conditions.

Rheumatoid Factor & Anti-CCP

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Autoimmune

The two most validated autoantibodies for rheumatoid arthritis. Research shows anti-CCP can appear years before joint symptoms.

TSI

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Autoimmune

Thyroid Stimulating Immunoglobulin. An autoantibody studied in Graves' disease — measurable before thyroid hormone levels change.

Beta-2-Microglobulin

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Autoimmune

A marker of cell turnover and immune activation. Also affected by kidney clearance, so it is read alongside kidney markers.

AMH

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Sex-Specific

Anti-Müllerian Hormone. The most reliable marker of ovarian reserve — more stable than FSH across the cycle and predictive of menopausal timing.

Vitamin A

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Micronutrient

Serum retinol. One of the narrowest therapeutic windows of any fat-soluble micronutrient — deficiency and toxicity from over-supplementation both carry serious consequences.

Foundation

Once at enrollment
Nexuses Library — Markers, Rationale, References | Chronicle by Nexuses