In my weekly Ask Jenny column, I answer all of your health and nutrition questions. Have a well-being concern or question you’d like advice on? Submit your question by emailing hello@jenniferhanway.com and have it answered by a Holistic Nutritionist and Celebrity Health Coach!
“Hi Jenny, I’ve just signed up for your 8 Week Lean and Clean Program and and am so excited to make 2021 a healthy year for me! In this vein of ‘new year, new you’ and trying to be the healthiest I can be can you recommend the health tests I should start the year with?” – Caroline, Boston
Know Your Numbers
If you’ve ever attended one of my wellness workshops then you’ll know that the first of my PRIME Principles ( the top 10 health tips that everyone can benefit from) is know your numbers! I might be a Holistic Nutritionist, but your blood work and other lab tests are hard data that help us know how to prevent disease and create thriving health. The other aspect of knowing your numbers is to know your family health history and the chronic diseases that your immediate family may have experienced.
The Basic Blood Tests
Below are the basic bloodwork panels that everybody should have on at least a yearly basis:
• Metabolic Markers (Hemoglobin A1c, fasting glucose and insulin, lipid panel)
• Complete Metabolic Panel and Complete Blood Count
• Inflammatory markers (hsCRP, homocysteine)
Additionally I like to see the following from my Private Coaching clients to best help me create their individualized nutrition, supplement and fitness programs:
• Complete Endocrine Panel (testosterone, free testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, DHEA)
• Complete Thyroid Panel (TSH, T4, T3, Reverse T3)
• Essential Nutrient Levels (iron/ferritin, vitamin D, vitamin B12, magnesium)
At Home Testing
Seeing your PCP for non-essential health visits may be challenging right now, or you may find that some practitioners do not think all of these tests are necessary. In this case I recommend at home testing, and use the labs at ‘Let’s Get Checked’ for my own testing needs and that of my clients. You can access their full range of tests here, and use code ‘JENNIFERH’ for a 10% discount.
Family History
Knowing your family history is an oft-neglected but key part of disease prevention and achieving optimum health. This may be something you are acutely aware of, or something that may need a challenging but necessary conversation with older family members. Family history, age, race, gender and lifestyle should all be discussed with your PCP to help determine which health tests you need on a regular basis.
For example, as a 40 year old women with a family history of breast cancer Caroline should have a mammogram on a yearly basis.
Additional Testing
Additional tests can be determined depending on your health goals and challenges. For example, I recommend microbiome testing for my clients that are working on improving gut health, and a 4 point salivary cortisol for those suffering with adrenal fatigue and thyroid dysfunction. My private coaching programs include a full list of testing recommendations followed by analysis of the results and tailored diet, supplement and lifestyle recommendations.
For microbiome testing I recommend the labs at Thryve – you can access their testing services here, and use code ‘HANWAY’ for a 10% discount.
Information provided by this website or this company is not a substitute for direct, individual medical treatment or advice. It is the responsibility of you and your healthcare providers to make all decisions regarding your health. Jennifer Hanway and JH Wellness Services recommends that you consult with your healthcare providers regarding the diagnosis and treatment of any disease or condition. Products sold on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
JH Wellness Services may at times receive a small affiliate commission for products that we shared with you in our posts. Although we may receive a commission for linking certain products, there’s no additional costs to you and all of our opinion and suggestions are 100% unbiased and products we use personally on a regular basis.