You could test 100+ things today. Inflammation markers. Metabolic markers. Hormones. Minerals. Methylation. Lipoprotein particles. Glycation. Mitochondrial health. Gut permeability. Microbiome diversity. Toxin load. Epigenetics. Whole-body MRI. Multi-omics.
But here’s the thing: Until your data shapes your decisions, it’s just an expensive exercise of curiosity.
This is the problem with many health dashboards. They hand you a firehose of metrics without a funnel. You’re left staring at a sea of red flags and green ticks, wondering what matters most - and what the hell to do about it.
The Real Question Isn’t “What Can I Test?” It’s more along the lines of "Where am I in my health journey, and what level of insight do I need to move forward - not freeze in place?"
So let’s flip the question.
Not, “Which biomarkers are important?”
But, “What will I actually act on, given my current capacity, context, and clarity?”
This is the Biomarker Hierarchy. Not a strict pyramid, but a flexible lens for when to zoom in, and when to step back.
Level 1: Baseline Biomarkers – The Daily Drivers
Think of this as your dashboard warning lights. If you’ve never tested anything before, start here.
These are the foundationals:
- Glucose & Insulin: Are you crashing by 4 PM or waking up groggy despite 8 hours of sleep? This duo tells you why.
- Vitamin D, B12, Iron Panel: Mood swings? Fatigue? Hair loss? These three are low-hanging clues.
- Liver & Kidney Function: How is your detox engine running behind the scenes?
- CRP or ESR (Inflammation): Is there silent inflammation that’s been normalized as “just aging” or “just stress”?
- Thyroid Panel: Feeling cold, constipated, or gaining weight despite a healthy routine? The thyroid often whispers before it screams.
Ideal for: Anyone starting their health journey, or doing a 6-monthly “tune-up.”
Actionable? Highly. These affect sleep, energy, mood, and metabolism directly.
Level 2: Advanced Panels - Precision, Not Panic
Let’s say you’ve already covered the basics, and something still feels off. Or you’re trying to get a clearer map of your future risks. That’s when you step into deeper terrain.
- Lipoprotein(a), ApoB, Homocysteine: Going beyond cholesterol - what’s your true cardiovascular risk profile?
- Cortisol & DHEA: Burnout, belly fat, poor recovery? This is your stress-resilience loop talking.
- Ferritin + Transferrin Saturation + Serum Iron: Tired despite “normal” iron? These values fill in the story.
- Sex Hormones (Estradiol, Progesterone, Testosterone, SHBG): Especially important if you're navigating PCOS, perimenopause, low libido, or unexplained weight changes.
- Omega 3:6 Ratio & hs-CRP: What’s your body’s inflammatory balance like on a cellular level?
Ideal for: Those refining their plans, athletes, women navigating hormonal changes, or people who've hit a plateau.
Actionable? Yes - especially if paired with a coach, or if you’re tracking changes over time.
Level 3: Functional & Root-Cause Markers – The Why Behind the What
Now we move from symptom tracking to system mapping. These are less about “what’s broken” and more about “what’s misfiring under the hood.”
- Organic Acids Test (OAT): Mitochondria, neurotransmitter precursors, nutrient co-factors - decoded.
- GI Map or Comprehensive Stool Test: Are you absorbing what you eat? Is your gut creating inflammation?
- Methylation Profile (MTHFR, etc): Your blueprint for detox, mood, and even how you handle caffeine.
- Hair Mineral Analysis or Toxin Panels: Tired with no cause? It could be metals, mold, or minerals.
Ideal for: People with chronic symptoms, autoimmunity, “mystery” conditions, or those wanting to dig deeper into prevention.
Actionable? Can be - with interpretation. Don’t run these without guidance unless you love rabbit holes.
Level 4: Multi-Omics, Imaging & Biological Age – Your Personal Health OS
This is where testing becomes a strategy. You’re no longer chasing symptoms. You’re building systems.
- Whole-Body MRI: Detects silent tumors, cysts, lesions, or anatomical red flags before they speak.
- Epigenetic Biological Age / GrimAge / DunedinPACE: Are your habits aging you faster than your birth date?
- Full-Omics Panels (Proteomics, Metabolomics): This is where research-grade tools meet longevity hacking.
- Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) + Wearables: Combine inner data with lived rhythms - this is your biofeedback loop in action.
Ideal for: Founders, athletes, longevity explorers, or anyone optimising for performance, prevention, or healthspan.
Actionable? Hugely - if you're ready to integrate it into a bigger life system.
So… What Will You Actually Act On?
You don’t need every test. You need the right test - at the right time - for the right reason. Here’s a quick way to decide:
Download our consumer guide for health optimisation here, if you’d like to learn more about this subject.
How We Help You Cut Through the Noise
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by health tests, you’re not alone. It’s not about doing all the tests - it’s about doing the right one for where you are right now.
You might just need to get a better handle on your energy and mood before your next big work sprint. Or maybe you’re already thinking long game - how to avoid your parents’ health trajectory, or get ahead of silent risks.
Wherever you are, the question stays the same: Will this test change what I do tomorrow?
At Resolute, we make it about taking it steps further from just testing, into actually doing. We help you make sense of your biology - one decision, one habit, one recommendation at a time. No overwhelm. Just a clear, personalised path that meets you where you are.
If you're not sure what to test next, start first, with a Portrait of your Health. It paints a picture of everything within - all from a blood test.
Ready to see what your body’s trying to tell you?
