
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 monthsFull Blood Count
→Core Labs
The broadest surveillance panel in the draw — red cell indices, white cell differential, and platelets. Detects anaemia, infection, and early haematological disease on a quarterly trend line.
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel
→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 catches gradual deterioration before symptoms appear.
Urine FEME
→Core Labs
Full urine examination and microscopy. The broadest non-invasive screen we run — detecting renal pathology, infection, metabolic dysfunction, and early bladder and kidney signals in a single sample.
uACR
→Renal
Urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio. The earliest detectable signal of kidney damage — microalbuminuria precedes any change in eGFR or creatinine by years, and independently predicts cardiovascular risk.
Fasting Glucose
→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
→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
→Inflammation
High-sensitivity C-reactive protein. The most widely validated biomarker of systemic inflammation and a direct predictor of cardiovascular events.
ApoB
→Cardiovascular
Apolipoprotein B. A direct count of every atherogenic particle in your blood — a more precise measure of cardiovascular risk than LDL cholesterol.
HbA1c
→Metabolic
Glycated haemoglobin. A three-month average of blood glucose — the gold standard measure of long-term glycaemic control.
Fasting Insulin & HOMA-IR
→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
→Cardiovascular
An amino acid that, when elevated, is independently associated with cardiovascular disease, stroke, and cognitive decline.
IL-6
→Inflammation
Interleukin-6. A cytokine and upstream driver of the inflammatory cascade — including CRP production.
Cystatin-C
→Renal
A more sensitive marker of kidney filtration than creatinine — detects early changes in renal function before standard tests register them.
Uric Acid
→Metabolic
Associated with gout, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular risk. A marker of purine metabolism and oxidative stress.
ApoA-I
→Cardiovascular
The principal protein in HDL particles. The ApoB/ApoA-I ratio captures the balance between atherogenic and atheroprotective particles.
Ferritin
→Inflammation
Both an iron storage protein and an acute-phase reactant. Elevated ferritin can indicate iron overload or systemic inflammation.
Fibrinogen
→Inflammation
A clotting protein and inflammation marker. Elevated levels predict cardiovascular events independent of LDL and other traditional risk factors.
Pulse+
Every 6 monthsTestosterone
→Hormonal
Total and free testosterone, with SHBG. The primary androgen — critical for body composition, energy, cognitive function, and cardiometabolic health.
DHT
→Hormonal
Dihydrotestosterone. The most potent androgen — converted from testosterone by 5α-reductase, the driver of prostate growth and androgenic hair loss.
Oestradiol & Progesterone
→Hormonal
The primary female sex hormones. Oestradiol governs bone density, cardiovascular protection, and mood; progesterone balances oestrogen and regulates the luteal phase.
FSH & LH
→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
→Hormonal
The most abundant circulating steroid — an adrenal androgen precursor that declines with age and reflects the overall steroid hormone reserve.
IGF-1
→Hormonal
Insulin-like Growth Factor 1. A marker of growth hormone activity — associated with muscle maintenance, tissue repair, and longevity.
Cortisol
→Hormonal
The primary stress hormone. Chronically elevated cortisol suppresses immunity, disrupts sleep, and drives metabolic dysfunction.
Prolactin
→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
→Thyroid
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone — the most sensitive screen for thyroid dysfunction. Tested alongside Free T3 and Free T4 for a complete picture.
Vitamin D
→Micronutrient
25-hydroxyvitamin D. Affects immune function, bone density, mood, and cardiovascular health. Deficiency is widespread and largely asymptomatic.
Omega-3 Index
→Micronutrient
EPA + DHA content of red blood cell membranes — a validated biomarker of cardiovascular risk and systemic inflammation.
Vitamin B12 & Folate
→Micronutrient
Essential cofactors in the methylation cycle. Deficiency in either elevates homocysteine; B12 deficiency causes neurological damage that folate supplementation can mask.
RBC Magnesium
→Micronutrient
Intracellular magnesium — a more accurate measure of status than serum. Cofactor for over 300 enzymes including all ATP-dependent reactions.
Zinc & Selenium
→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 monthsPSA
→Cancer
Prostate-Specific Antigen. The primary screen for prostate cancer in males over 40 — tested annually at the correct ceiling for false-positive risk.
CA-125
→Cancer
A tumour marker used in ovarian cancer screening. Most meaningful as a trend over time rather than a single reading.
CEA
→Cancer
Carcinoembryonic antigen. Associated with colorectal, lung, and breast cancers — most informative as a longitudinal trend rather than a threshold crossing.
CA 19-9
→Cancer
The primary blood marker for pancreatic cancer. A rising trend across annual draws is more informative than any single reading — particularly alongside new-onset glycaemic changes.
AFP
→Cancer
Alpha-Fetoprotein. The primary blood marker for hepatocellular carcinoma and germ cell tumours. Establishes a baseline for those with metabolic liver disease or risk factors.
FIT
→Cancer
Faecal Immunochemical Test. Detects occult blood in stool from colorectal cancers and large adenomatous polyps — the most validated non-invasive colorectal cancer screen.
M2-PK
→Cancer
Tumour Pyruvate Kinase M2. Detects the metabolic signature of rapidly proliferating cells — catching non-bleeding polyps and early cancers that FIT misses.
ESR
→Autoimmune
Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate. A slow-responding inflammation marker that complements hsCRP — sensitive to chronic inflammatory conditions and haematological malignancy.
ANA Screen
→Autoimmune
Antinuclear antibody screen. Detects autoantibodies associated with systemic lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and other autoimmune conditions.
Rheumatoid Factor & Anti-CCP
→Autoimmune
The two most validated autoantibodies for rheumatoid arthritis. Anti-CCP can precede joint symptoms by years — early detection changes outcomes.
TSI
→Autoimmune
Thyroid Stimulating Immunoglobulin. The autoantibody that causes Graves' disease — detectable before overt hyperthyroidism develops.
Beta-2-Microglobulin
→Autoimmune
A marker of cell turnover and immune activation. Significantly elevated levels are associated with multiple myeloma and B-cell lymphomas.
AMH
→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
→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 enrollmentAPOE Genotype
→Genetics
The most important genetic modifier of cardiovascular and Alzheimer's risk. Run once — your genotype does not change.
MTHFR
→Genetics
A common genetic variant affecting homocysteine metabolism, folate processing, and methylation. Informs supplementation strategy.
Factor V Leiden
→Genetics
The most common inherited thrombophilia. Affects blood clot risk and informs decisions around certain medications and procedures.
HFE Gene
→Genetics
Hereditary haemochromatosis gene. Iron accumulates silently for decades — identifying carriers before organ damage is the entire clinical opportunity.
Lp(a)
→Cardiovascular
Lipoprotein(a). A genetically determined atherogenic lipoprotein — the most common inherited cause of premature cardiovascular disease.
Clotting Proteins
→Genetics
Antithrombin III, Protein C, and Protein S — the three natural anticoagulants. Inherited deficiency in any creates a prothrombotic state requiring specific clinical management.