Biomarkers are measurable signs of what is happening inside the body. They can add useful context to how you feel, reveal changes that are difficult to notice day to day, and give you a clearer record to bring into conversations about your care.
For Black women, tracking can also be a form of preparation. A single number offers one piece of information, while patterns across time can help you recognize what deserves closer attention.
Cardiovascular health
Blood pressure
Why it matters: Blood pressure offers a useful view of cardiovascular strain and can change long before symptoms become obvious.
- Reference point
- Less than 120/80 mmHg
- How to track
- Validated home monitor
- Rhythm
- Follow your clinician’s guidance
Measure under similar conditions and record more than one reading. Technique, timing, stress, medication, sleep, and movement can all influence the result.
Resting heart rate
Why it matters: Your resting heart rate can reflect cardiovascular fitness, recovery, illness, medication, and stress.
- Reference point
- Often 60–100 bpm for adults
- How to track
- Wearable or manual pulse
- Rhythm
- Notice your personal trend
Heart rate variability
Why it matters: HRV describes variation between heartbeats and may offer context about recovery and nervous-system load.
- Reference point
- Highly individual
- How to track
- Consistent wearable or sensor
- Rhythm
- Compare with your own baseline
A biomarker becomes more useful when it is considered alongside context, trends, symptoms, and lived experience.
Metabolic health
Fasting glucose
Why it matters: Fasting glucose is one part of understanding how the body is regulating blood sugar.
- Reference point
- Interpret with your clinician
- How to track
- Laboratory testing
- Consider with
- HbA1c, symptoms, and history
HbA1c
Why it matters: HbA1c estimates average blood glucose across the preceding two to three months.
- Reference point
- Interpret in clinical context
- How to track
- Laboratory testing
- Important context
- Some blood conditions affect results
Micronutrients and inflammation
Vitamin D
Why it matters: Vitamin D participates in bone health, immune function, and other biological processes.
- Test
- 25-hydroxyvitamin D
- How to track
- Laboratory testing
- Discuss
- Results, dosage, and retesting
Ferritin
Why it matters: Ferritin can offer information about iron stores and deserves interpretation alongside symptoms and other laboratory results.
- How to track
- Laboratory testing
- Consider with
- CBC and iron studies
- Bring forward
- Fatigue, hair changes, or bleeding
A useful way to begin
- Start with context Record symptoms, medications, family history, sleep, stress, and questions before deciding what to track.
- Establish a baseline Review existing records and discuss which measurements are appropriate with a qualified healthcare professional.
- Follow patterns Use consistent conditions where possible and look at change across time alongside each isolated result.
- Bring the record Take your questions and observations into appointments so the numbers can be interpreted within the fuller picture.
Reference ranges, testing frequency, and the meaning of a result depend on your health history, symptoms, medications, laboratory methods, and clinical context. Review results and tracking plans with a qualified healthcare professional.
