The Health Tests I Take Regularly (And What They’ve Taught Me)

Even though I consider myself healthy, I believe in taking a proactive approach to my well-being. That includes doing regular health tests to check my current status and see if my lifestyle or nutrition needs adjusting to better support my body.

These tests are part of my long-term health optimization and longevity plan. They help me understand how my body works, so I can give it what it needs to thrive, not just survive. Because it’s better to be foresightful than reactive. I’d rather know how I’m doing now than wait until something’s off and be told I should’ve acted sooner.

Here’s a look at the health tests I do regularly and what they’ve revealed. These are by no means something you have to do to stay healthy. But they’re a powerful way to gain insights that are hard to figure out on your own. Hopefully, this post inspires you – or helps you discover a test that could support your own wellness journey.

Blood Work – My Annual Check-In with the Basics

Each year, I take a full blood panel that includes a detailed analysis of heart and blood vessels, blood sugar, iron levels, vitamins and minerals, inflammation, thyroid, liver, kidneys, and markers related to muscles and joints.

These tests offer a foundational look at my overall health and help me spot subtle imbalances — even when I feel fine.
For example, last time I discovered that my ferritin was on the low side. Not critical, but a useful indicator that I either need to increase my iron intake through food, or consider supplementation.

A full blood panel like this can reveal a lot, yet it’s usually done with a simple blood sample and takes no more than 15 minutes. You can easily get a referral online and then book your appointment at a local lab.There are many companies offering comprehensive tests like this. Some have pre-set packages that cover a broad range of markers, while others let you customize your own panel based on what you want to track.

👉 Want to measure your NAD+ levels at home? This at-home NAD+ test kit is a great tool to check if your levels are optimized for energy and longevity. Use code: KAJSA and get 10% off your order.

Hormone Testing – Thyroid & Sex Hormones

I test both thyroid and sex hormones regularly. I find this especially important for us women — particularly if you’re trying to conceive, approaching perimenopause, or already in menopause. At 41, hormone balance feels more relevant than ever. These tests provide valuable insights into hormones like estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, and cortisol, as well as thyroid markers including TSH, T3, and T4.

I started hormone testing after struggling with PMS, heavy bleeding, and cramps. My estrogen levels came back in the higher range — not dangerously high, but high enough to explain what I was experiencing. I plan to re-test during different phases of my cycle for a more complete picture.

Bonus insight: During a GlycanAge consultation, the doctor mentioned that women with higher estrogen levels often metabolize caffeine more slowly. That made so much sense to me — especially after learning through DNA testing that I’m a slow caffeine metabolizer. I’ve since cut back significantly, and I can feel the difference. Without these tests, I would never have found this connection!

GlycanAge – My Biological Age Test

GlycanAge is one of my favorite annual tests. It measures your biological age by analyzing the state of your immune system through glycosylation markers, backed by more than 30 years of scientific research.

If you haven’t taken a GlycanAge test yet, I highly recommend it. Each time I test, I receive a full analysis and consultation, which gives valuable context to my results — along with personalized recommendations. Tracking my biological age has been a great motivator for fine-tuning my lifestyle. It’s a reminder that longevity isn’t just about living longer — it’s about building resilience.

When I took my first test, my biological age came back six years younger than my chronological age. However, during the consultation, the doctor recommended I focus more on recovery. She encouraged me to use saunas and explore other science-backed recovery methods. She also recommended a book on cycle syncing, as my elevated estrogen levels could sometimes create challenges. Additionally, I learned that intermittent fasting for women is different than for men. It was a great example of how one test result can lead to real, actionable steps toward better health.

👉 Order your GlycanAge Test here (Use code HACKS4 for 10% discount)

DNA Testing – My Personal Blueprint

I’ve also done a DNA test that gave me insights into how I’m wired to eat, train, and recover. Some of my top takeaways:

– I metabolize caffeine slowly → explains why I used to feel jittery and sleep poorly

– I have a tendency toward carb sensitivity → matches my experience of bloating and cravings. Also, it led me to explore biohacks to make carbs more healthy.

– My body thrives on fats → confirmed through both genes and real-life feedback

– Recovery, sleep, and antioxidant capacity → all help me tailor supplements and routines

This isn’t about being ruled by genetics—but when combined with bloodwork and personal awareness, it’s a powerful guide.

Food Sensitivity Testing

To round things out, I occasionally take food sensitivity tests when needed — especially to monitor gut health and inflammation levels. I’ve learned to approach these tests with nuance: not every result means I need to cut out a food forever. But when certain patterns show up consistently, they help me identify potential triggers. It’s also a great way to optimize for personalized nutrition.

For example, I’ve been sensitive to gluten my whole life, but it wasn’t until adulthood that I fully removed it from my diet (without even testing first). That made a huge difference in how I felt. However, I’ve noticed that even gluten-free substitutes, like gluten-free bread, often leave me feeling bloated and unwell. So this time, I decided to dig deeper and test for wheat allergies — along with a few other potential culprits.

Test, Don’t Guess

Most of us wait until something goes wrong to start asking questions. But your body is always talking. These tests simply help you listen earlier. Understanding my body at this level isn’t about fear. It’s about alignment. It’s about showing up with intention. And the more I understand what my body needs, the better I can support it with food, movement, recovery, and habits that are actually right for me. And that, to me, is what real longevity is all about.

👉 One of the supplements I use to boost NAD+? Pure NMN from DoNotAge.org — high quality, lab-tested, and part of my daily routine.