Blood values and your metabolism
Your blood values make your metabolism visible. Sugar, fats and thyroid all help decide how easily you lose weight. Look up a value below. Each one gives the normal range and what a deviation means.
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Platelets (Thrombocytes)
The platelet count is simply how many platelets circulate per litre. On a weight-loss programme that number is worth watching. Carrying extra weight comes with low-grade inflammation, and platelets react to inflammation. So a slightly raised count at the start is common here. If it drifts down as you lose weight, that fits with less inflammation. If it climbs while everything else improves, low iron is worth ruling out. The usual adult range is 150 to 400 ×10⁹/l, the same for everyone. Compare against your own first result rather than a table.
Potassium
Potassium supports heart rhythm and blood pressure regulation, both increasingly important with age. Regular testing helps maintain cardiovascular stability.
Prolactin
Prolactin is a hormone that can influence reproductive function and overall hormonal balance. In older adults, elevated prolactin may sometimes be associated with certain medications or other factors. Monitoring can help your healthcare provider assess your hormonal health in context.
RDW
RDW shows how much your red blood cells vary in size. Anaemia becomes more common as you get older and can go unnoticed for some time. A raised RDW can be an early clue to a shortage of iron, vitamin B12 or folate, often before other values change.
Reticulocytes
A reticulocyte count measures the number of young, immature red blood cells in your blood. It reflects how actively your bone marrow is producing new red blood cells and is a valuable indicator of bone marrow function.
SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin)
SHBG is the protein that binds testosterone and oestradiol in your blood. Its full name is sex hormone binding globulin. Anything stuck to this protein cannot be used by your tissues. So your SHBG decides how much of your total testosterone is actually working. There is a second reason to measure it during a weight-loss programme. The main driver of a low SHBG is a persistently high insulin level. That travels with insulin resistance and fat mass. As that improves while you lose weight, your SHBG usually rises. So this value moves with the exact thing your programme is changing.
Selenium
Selenium supports immune resilience and cognitive health, both of which may benefit from extra attention as you age. Regular monitoring helps maintain antioxidant protection.
Sodium
Sodium balance is important for blood pressure management and cognitive function, both of which may need more attention with age. Regular monitoring supports cardiovascular well-being.
TPO Antibodies
TPO antibodies may signal autoimmune thyroid activity. In adults over 60, thyroid autoimmunity may have developed gradually over years. Testing can help your healthcare provider understand whether thyroid function changes are autoimmune-related and guide appropriate care.
TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone)
Your TSH level shows how hard your pituitary is pulling on your thyroid. The laboratory uses 0.27 to 4.20 mE/L as the usual range. When you are losing weight this is one of the first numbers people look at. A raised TSH fits an underactive thyroid. A low value fits an overactive one. What matters just as much is what the thyroid does not explain. An underactive thyroid usually accounts for a few kilos, not tens. A baseline at the start of your programme is what makes later measurements genuinely useful.
Total Cholesterol
Total cholesterol management becomes increasingly important with age. Regular screening supports cardiovascular risk awareness and heart health in later years.
Total Testosterone
Total testosterone measures the overall testosterone level in your blood. In older adults, testosterone levels tend to decline gradually, and monitoring may help provide context for changes in energy, mood, or physical well-being. Results should be discussed with your healthcare provider.
Transferrin
Transferrin helps your body deliver iron where it is needed most. Monitoring supports healthy iron metabolism and energy maintenance as dietary absorption changes with age.
Transferrin Saturation
Transferrin saturation is a key iron status marker that becomes increasingly important with age. Monitoring helps prevent both iron deficiency, which can contribute to fatigue and cognitive changes, and iron overload, which can be associated with organ damage over time.
Triglycerides
Triglyceride management is important for cardiovascular health as metabolic efficiency changes with age. Regular monitoring supports heart and metabolic health in later years.
Urea (BUN)
BUN monitoring becomes increasingly important with age, as kidney function naturally declines over time. Medications commonly used by older adults, including certain blood pressure drugs and pain relievers, can also affect BUN levels, making regular testing valuable for healthy ageing.
Uric Acid
Uric acid levels and gout risk tend to increase with age. Regular monitoring supports joint health, kidney function, and metabolic well-being in later years.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A measures retinol levels, a fat-soluble vitamin that may become increasingly important to monitor with age. Adequate vitamin A could support immune resilience, vision preservation, and skin health in older adults.
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
Vitamin B1 (thiamine) is considered important for energy metabolism, which may become less efficient with age. Some older adults may have reduced absorption. Monitoring levels can help healthcare providers support healthy ageing strategies.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is considered especially important for older adults, as absorption may decline with age. Low levels have been associated with cognitive changes and anaemia. Regular monitoring may help healthcare providers support healthy ageing.
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) is considered important for energy metabolism and antioxidant protection, which may be especially relevant for older adults. Absorption and dietary intake may change with age. Healthcare providers can help assess your needs.
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
Vitamin B3 (niacin) is considered important for NAD+ production, which may support cellular repair and energy metabolism in older adults. Age-related changes may affect niacin status. Healthcare providers can help assess your individual needs.
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 is considered important for cognitive function, immune health, and metabolism in older adults. Requirements may change with age, and some medications common in later life may affect B6 status. Healthcare providers can help assess your needs.
Vitamin B7 (Biotin)
Vitamin B7 (biotin) is considered important for maintaining hair, skin, and nail health in older adults. Age-related dietary changes may affect biotin intake. Healthcare providers can help assess whether your levels support healthy ageing.