• Home
  • About
  • Work With Me
  • Contact

Nutrition Nut on the Run

  • Recipes
  • Workouts
  • Running
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Beauty
  • Shop My Favorites
    • Shop Beautycounter
    • 2020 Holiday Gift Guide

An Inside Look at My Health Using InsideTracker

August 2, 2019 by Hillary Leave a Comment

While needle pricks and blood draws can be highly intimating to many people, because of my hospitalization as a kid, I’m rather immune to getting pricked and prodded; so it doesn’t phase me much when I’m due for lab work. In fact, I find it pretty fascinating how much information we can gather from a simple, nearly pain-free test. I spend much of my energy focused on my wellbeing (albeit sometimes too much energy), so I enjoy being able to see how my efforts are playing out internally.

It’s been a solid year since I’ve had any sort of lab work done, so was I was excited to collaborate with InsideTracker to get a comprehensive blood and analysis as a way to check in on my health.

What is InsideTracker?

InsideTracker is a blood testing service that uses science to analyze your results with personal recommendations for nutrition, supplements, and lifestyle. The InsideTracker team is made up of experts in aging, genetics and biometric data, from Harvard, MIT and Tufts. Whether you are an elite athlete, stressed-out professional, or bust parent, InsideTracker optimizes your health by analyzing your blood, lifestyle and nutrition habits to help you achieve your personal goals — whether that’s increasing energy to chase your kids or going after a gold medal.

Curious to learn more about the biomarkers they measure and how it’s different from visiting your doctor? Get all that info and more here.

How does it work?

You simply schedule an appointment at your local lab, print off the lab slip from InsideTracker, and get your blood drawn at the lab. Your results are automatically sent to InsideTracker and are uploaded to your personal dashboard (mine only took a few days). You also answer a set of questions about your lifestyle, such as sleep, activity level and diet, in order to get the best personalized recommendations.

Once your results are uploaded and analyzed, you get an email with a link to your personal dashboard that’s chockfull of information. Even if you aren’t savvy with blood tests, they do a great job breaking it down and making it super easy to digest and comprehend.

My Results

I did the Ultimate Test, which includes 43 biomarkers. InsideTracker breaks your results down by At Risk (out of range), Needs Improvement (in range, but not optimal) and Optimal.

I had 4 At Risk, 8 Needs Improvement, and 31 Optimal.

My 4 At Risk markers were:

  • LDL (“bad” cholesterol)
  • Eosinophils (white blood cells)
  • SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin)
  • TIBC (Total Iron-Binding Capacity)

The 8 that “needs improvement” included: Vitamin D, HDL, TS (transferrin saturation), and magnesium — all on the low end. Again, all of these items are technically in the normal range, but not optimal according to InsideTracker.

When you review your results, you’re given nutrition, supplement, and lifestyle recommendations for each biomarker that is not optimal. They also include an explanation of what each biomarker is/why it’s important, and some even include an informational video clip.

The personalized recommendations are based not only on your results, but from the information you provide about your activity, diet, sleep, stress, etc.

TIBC (red) – At Risk

Vitamin D (yellow) – Needs Improvement

Cortisol (green): Optimal

So, am I changing anything?

After going through my personalized recommendations, I am definitely going to be more diligent with my Vitamin D supplementation (already knew my Vitamin D was low – like most Americans), and I plan to increase my fish/wild salmon intake for not only Vitamin D, but protein as well.

Of my 4 At Risk biomarkers, the only recommendation given was for LDL which was to decrease consumption of coconut oil (a.k.a. saturated fat). I found it interesting that InsideTracker didn’t provide personalized recommendations for the other 3 biomarkers that were out of range.

I honestly didn’t know how to interpret my SHBG and TIBC, but after consulting with my naturopath, these aren’t critical values that need priority attention. And while my TIBC was high and my TS was low (confusing, right?), I do have sufficient iron and am not anemic.

My 116 LDL is out of range (>100), but it’s not a huge concern to neither me nor my doctor. High cholesterol is hereditary in my family and is mostly likely not due to lifestyle. Plus, my total cholesterol is normal.

InsideTracker recommended I switch to a vegetarian or vegan diet, but this doesn’t fit into my current health goals (oppositely, I’m trying to add a bit more meat for protein).

As for the high eosinophils, it’s not an alarming value considering I have a history of higher eosinophils.

How much does it cost?

There are different plans ranging from $49 to $589. You can see all of them here. I did the Ultimate test, complimentary of InsideTracker.

General Thoughts

Overall, I’m impressed with the service. It was super user friendly! Not only is the website with your personal dashboard easy to navigate, but they make the information understandable, even for someone who doesn’t have a background in nutrition.

Downsides?

While you don’t need a doctor to order the blood test/use the service (a huge perk!), I personally think it’s advisable to consult your health care provider before making any major changes — especially in terms of supplementation. You are able to print and/or email your results to your doctor. I chose to send them to my naturopth for a follow up appointment.

Would I do it again and/or recommend it?

Absolutely! You can even schedule to have a follow-up date in your profile so you’ll get a reminder to get your labs re-tested. If getting lab work done ever feels like a chore to you, this service makes the process headache-free. I think the information is highly valuable; however, I wouldn’t suggest replacing it for seeing your doctor.

With my holistic view, this comprehensive test of 43 biomarkers was largely helpful in adding beneficial information to the larger picture of my health, but it wasn’t the full picture. I have an extensive health history, and current chronic GI issues, so the few markers that are out of range are only small pieces of the puzzle. Again, I think this is why it’s important you use this service in conjunction with your health care providers (InsideTracker does encourage follow-ups with your doctor and to use your results as part of your overall medical/health plan).

Thanks, InsideTracker, for the inside look. While I’m happy it was a rather clean bill of health, my gut health is another story for another time…

Use this link to get 15% off any InsideTracker plan!

 

Lab work: fascinating or terrifying?

Do you get routine lab work?

 

 

Disclosure: I received a complimentary test from InsideTracker in exchange for this post. The information provided is my personal health information, and the review and opinions of the service are my own. 

Related Posts

  • Friday Favorites // May 2019
  • 5 Tips to Spring Clean Your Life
  • Favorites Lately
  • What I’m Loving Lately | June 2018
  • Friday Favorites

Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: InsideTracker

« A New Decade
10 Years + A Life Update! »

SUBSCRIBE

Get the Nutrition Nut Newsletter delivered to your email inbox.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  • Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Search by Topic

Instagram

I’m sure Koba is wondering why we ever lived in I’m sure Koba is wondering why we ever lived in Florida for two years.

#takemetothemountains #snowday
dog [noun] companion, loyal comforter, playmate, f dog [noun] companion, loyal comforter, playmate, forgiving, loving, energetic, protective, best friend.
this is the season ✨ she will make beautiful th this is the season ✨

she will make beautiful things

not perfect things 

but honest things 

that speak to who she is

and who she is called to be 

— Morgan Harper Nichols 

#happynewyear
❷⓿❷⓿ - moved clear across the country to ❷⓿❷⓿

- moved clear across the country to a new state for the second time
- hopped from one AirBNB to the next for 6 weeks while looking for a house to call home
- made new friends, virtually & IRL
- binge watched more TV shows than I can recall
- leveled up as an entrepreneur: hitting milestones with my virtual assistant and @beautycounter businesses
- voted for a new president 
- ascended new trails and explored alpine lakes of the Pacific Northwest 
- adapted: to Zoom holidays, takeout, and masked faces becoming the (temporary) norm

This challenging year was all about appreciating the little things while living through some really BIG things. 2020 had more than a few lessons to teach us all. Through a pandemic, pivotal change in presidency, and loud cry for human rights, I see very clearly how privileged I am. It was the year to let go of plans and lean in to a new perspective. 

After all, hindsight is ②⓪②⓪.
From my quaranteam to yours, happiest of holidays From my quaranteam to yours,

happiest of holidays! ❄️

#happyholidays #wintersolstice
#GIRLGETAFTERIT GIVEAWAY 💯⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Best th #GIRLGETAFTERIT GIVEAWAY 💯⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Best thing about 2020... for me, it’s been relationships - virtual and IRL.⁣⁣
⁣⁣
One of the goals that I set for 2020 was to make one new local friend in Seattle (seriously something I wrote down as I began the new year moving across the country). While I’m happy to say that I did so (during a pandemic), I feel fortunate for the virtual friendships that developed, too.⁣⁣
⁣⁣
I’ve gotta take a second to give a shoutout to my newest soul sista @weeksofwonder. You helped me get after it during my second year of entrepreneurship with a hefty dose of #2020 mayhem. 🙏🏼⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Wendy and I met here on IG, and what started as a business relationship and accountability partner has turned into a special bond that transcends any walkie-talkie or social media app. This creative spirit has not only inspired me to get after it and dream bigger as an entrepreneur, but in the same way has encouraged me to honor rest and play: whether it’s giving each other kudos on Strava for tackling a run, building badass business plans and packages, or simply holding space to share the wins and the many woes, personally and professionally, of a memorable year. Having Wendy in my corner has led to some serious momentum and a sense of consistent community.⁣⁣
⁣⁣
2020 has been a shit show, but it delivered GRL PWR 👊🏻⁣⁣
⁣⁣
We want to hear from YOU: Who has been your supportive soul sister through the ups and downs of 2020? ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
One lucky winner will receive a @girlgetafterit swag bag with hoodie, beanie & water bottle. ⁣⁣
 ⁣⁣
HOW TO ENTER:⁣⁣
1. 👆🏼LIKE this photo⁣⁣
⁣⁣
2. 👇🏼TAG a womxn who has helped you GET AFTER IT this year - virtually or IRL⁣⁣
⁣⁣
3. 👯‍♀️ FOLLOW @hillontherun, @weeksofwonder AND @girlgetafterit⁣⁣
⁣⁣
BONUS ENTRY: Share this post to your story and tag us!⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Winner will be announced Sunday @ 5pm PST. This promotion is not endorsed by Instagram. Must be 18 and over to enter. Only available to ship in the U.S.
Follow on Instagram

10% off Primally Pure

My Favorite Collagen Peptides

Recent Posts

  • A Few of My Favorite Things: 2020 Holiday Gift Guide
  • Six Months in Seattle
  • My Amazon Favorites
  • Farewell Florida
  • 10 Years + A Life Update!
  • An Inside Look at My Health Using InsideTracker

Connect with Me

  • Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Keep in Touch

Get the Nutrition Nut Newsletter delivered to your email inbox.

Follow
Privacy Policy & Disclaimers

Copyright © 2021 Design by Deluxe Designs