Curious beginner: Top 5 Labs Every Black Woman Should Request
The foundational labs every Black woman needs for longevity and balance.
Before the supplements, smoothies, or sauna sessions — comes the data.
For Black women, lab work isn’t just routine; it’s revelation. Many of the diseases that disproportionately affect us start quietly in our blood chemistry, long before symptoms appear.
Here are the five labs that should be on every Black woman’s radar — whether you’re just beginning your wellness journey or deep in your longevity era.
1. Vitamin D (25-Hydroxy Vitamin D)
Over 80% of Black women are deficient in vitamin D, a key hormone that supports immunity, bone strength, mood, fertility, and metabolism. Melanin reduces the skin’s ability to synthesize vitamin D from sunlight, which means deficiency can persist even in sunny climates.
Ask for: 25(OH)D blood test
Optimal range: 50–80 ng/mL
Biohack: Pair your D3 supplement with K2 and magnesium for better absorption.
2. Comprehensive Hormone Panel
Estrogen dominance, low progesterone, and thyroid imbalance often sit beneath fatigue, hair loss, or fibroids. Tracking your hormones helps you understand your metabolism, mood, and reproductive health at a cellular level.
Ask for:
• Estradiol (E2), Progesterone, Testosterone
• DHEA-S, Cortisol (AM/PM), TSH, Free T3 + T4
Biohack: Test mid-cycle for most accurate results. Support detox with cruciferous vegetables and DIM if estrogen runs high.
3. Metabolic Panel + Fasting Insulin
Diabetes and insulin resistance are quiet disruptors in Black women’s health. Fasting glucose alone doesn’t tell the full story — fasting insulin shows how hard your body is working to keep sugar in check.
Ask for:
• Fasting Glucose
• Fasting Insulin
• HbA1c
• HOMA-IR (insulin resistance score)
Biohack: Pair each meal with protein and fiber to blunt glucose spikes. Re-test every 3–6 months.
4. Inflammation + Iron Status
Inflammation is the root of most chronic diseases. Black women often show elevated CRP (C-Reactive Protein) and low ferritin (stored iron), which can cause fatigue, dizziness, and mood changes.
Ask for:
• High-Sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP)
• Ferritin
• Iron + TIBC (Total Iron-Binding Capacity)
Biohack: Low iron? Pair leafy greens or red meat with vitamin C. High CRP? Cut processed oils and refined sugars, and focus on magnesium, omega-3s, and rest.
5. Lipid Panel + Liver Enzymes
Heart disease remains the top killer of Black women. A full lipid panel — not just “good” or “bad” cholesterol — reveals early cardiovascular risks. The liver, meanwhile, regulates hormones, detox, and cholesterol balance.
Ask for:
• HDL, LDL, Triglycerides, VLDL
• AST, ALT, ALP, GGT (liver enzymes)
Biohack: Support liver function with hydration, bitters, and cruciferous veggies. Avoid alcohol during testing for accuracy.
Why It Matters
You can’t hack what you don’t measure. Labs are your baseline — not a diagnosis. They reveal how stress, diet, sleep, and environment are shaping your biology in real time. Knowledge is your first supplement.
Next Step:
Visit Longevity Lens for research and insights on how these labs connect to chronic disease, hormones, and prevention strategies for Black women.