What is the Keto Blood Test Panel Used For?
The Keto Blood Test Panel is designed to help you track key biomarkers that reflect how your body is responding to a keto diet or an all-meat diet like The Lion Diet by Mikhaila Peterson.
These tests give a detailed look at cholesterol patterns, inflammation levels, and nutrient markers, which are important to your metabolic health while on a keto diet. For example, one biomarker, Beta-Hydroxybutyrate (BHB), is a type of ketone that tells how effectively your body is burning fat for fuel and can be used to monitor your keto diet or The Lion Diet.
Why is the Keto Diet Blood Test Panel Important?
Many doctors overlook these tests, but they provide crucial insights for those on a keto diet. Some biomarkers in this panel, such as Apolipoprotein B, can help identify cardiovascular risks that regular cholesterol tests might miss. High levels of Apolipoprotein B can lead to issues if on a keto diet or The Lion Diet, which is something worth monitoring if you’re following a high-fat diet.
Why Consider Ordering the Keto Diet Blood Test Panel?
If you’re on a keto diet, this panel can help you optimize your results and ensure the diet works well for you. For instance, hs-CRP (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein) can highlight inflammation in the body, posing a problem while on a keto diet. Checking your inflammation levels could significantly affect how you manage your diet and long-term health.
Labs Included in Your Order
| Test Name | Reference Ranges | Significance | Low and High Levels |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Cholesterol |
|
Total Cholesterol measures all types of cholesterol in your blood. On a high-meat keto diet, your total cholesterol might go up because you’re eating more fat. Total cholesterol by itself is not a good marker for heart health. | High: High levels of Total Cholesterol might mean you have too much fat in your blood.
Low: Low levels of Total Cholesterol might mean your body isn’t making enough cholesterol. |
| HDL |
|
HDL is the “good” cholesterol that helps remove other types of cholesterol from your blood. A high-meat keto diet might increase your HDL levels, which is often seen as good. | High: High levels of HDL are usually good and might help protect your heart.
Low: Low levels of HDL might mean you’re at higher risk for heart problems. |
| Triglycerides |
|
Triglycerides are a type of fat in your blood. On a high-meat keto diet, your triglycerides might go down because your body is using fat for energy. | High: High levels of Triglycerides might mean you’re eating too many calories or carbs.
Low: Low levels of Triglycerides are usually good and might mean you’re burning fat well. |
| Non-HDL |
|
Non-HDL cholesterol includes all the “bad” types of cholesterol. On a high-meat keto diet, your Non-HDL might go up because you’re eating more fat. | High: High levels of Non-HDL might mean you have too much “bad” cholesterol.
Low: Low levels of Non-HDL are usually good and might mean you have a lower risk of heart problems. |
| Cholesterol Size and Density |
|
This shows how big and heavy your cholesterol particles are. On a high-meat keto diet, you might have bigger, fluffier cholesterol particles, which is often seen as better. | High: High levels of large, fluffy particles are usually seen as good.
Low: Low levels of large particles might mean you have more small, dense particles, which might not be as good. |
| Apolipoprotein B |
|
Apolipoprotein B is a protein in “bad” cholesterol particles. On a high-meat keto diet, your Apolipoprotein B might go up because you’re eating more fat. | High: High levels of Apolipoprotein B might mean you have a lot of “bad” cholesterol particles.
Low: Low levels of Apolipoprotein B are usually good and might mean you have fewer “bad” cholesterol particles. |
| Lipoprotein (a) |
|
Lipoprotein (a) is a type of “bad” cholesterol that’s mostly controlled by your genes. A high-meat keto diet might not change your Lipoprotein (a) much. | High: High levels of Lipoprotein (a) might mean you have a higher risk of heart problems.
Low: Low levels of Lipoprotein (a) are usually good and might mean you have a lower risk of heart problems. |
| hs-CRP |
|
hs-CRP measures inflammation in your body. On a high-meat keto diet, your hs-CRP might go down if the diet helps reduce inflammation. | High: High levels of hs-CRP might mean you have a lot of inflammation in your body.
Low: Low levels of hs-CRP are usually good and might mean you have less inflammation. |
| Lp-PLA2 Activity |
|
Lp-PLA2 Activity is linked to inflammation in your blood vessels. On a high-meat keto diet, your Lp-PLA2 Activity might change based on how the diet affects your blood vessels. | High: High levels of Lp-PLA2 Activity might mean you have more inflammation in your blood vessels.
Low: Low levels of Lp-PLA2 Activity are usually good and might mean you have less inflammation in your blood vessels. |
| Oxidized LDL cholesterol |
|
Oxidized LDL cholesterol is “bad” cholesterol that has been damaged. On a high-meat keto diet, your Oxidized LDL cholesterol might change based on the types of fats you eat and your lifestyle, which might be high in oxidants (processed foods, fried foods, alcholol, omega 6 fatty acids, charred or grilled foods). | High: High levels of Oxidized LDL cholesterol might mean you have a lot of damaged “bad” cholesterol.
Low: Low levels of Oxidized LDL cholesterol are usually good and might mean you have less damaged “bad” cholesterol. |
| Ferritin |
|
Ferritin shows how much iron is stored in your body. On a high-meat keto diet, your Ferritin might go up because you’re eating more meat, which has a lot of iron. | High: High levels of Ferritin might mean you have too much iron in your body.
Low: Low levels of Ferritin might mean you don’t have enough iron in your body. |
| Iron |
|
Iron is important for your blood to carry oxygen. On a high-meat keto diet, your Iron levels might go up because meat has a lot of iron. | High: High levels of Iron might mean you’re getting too much iron from your diet.
Low: Low levels of Iron might mean you’re not getting enough iron from your diet. |
| BUN/Creatinine Ratio |
|
BUN/Creatinine Ratio helps check how well your kidneys are working. On a high-meat keto diet, this ratio might go up because you’re eating more protein. | High: High levels of BUN/Creatinine Ratio might mean your kidneys are working harder.
Low: Low levels of BUN/Creatinine Ratio might mean you’re not getting enough protein or your body isn’t using it well. |
| Uric Acid |
|
Uric Acid is a waste product from breaking down certain foods. On a high-meat keto diet, your Uric Acid might go up because meat has substances that turn into uric acid. | High: High levels of Uric Acid might mean you’re at risk for gout or kidney stones.
Low: Low levels of Uric Acid are usually not a problem unless they’re very low. |
| Homocysteine |
|
Homocysteine is an amino acid in your blood. On a high-meat keto diet, your Homocysteine might go up if you’re not getting enough B vitamins. | High: High levels of Homocysteine might mean you’re at higher risk for heart problems.
Low: Low levels of Homocysteine are usually good and might mean you have a lower risk of heart problems. |
| Fibrinogen |
|
Fibrinogen helps your blood clot. On a high-meat keto diet, your Fibrinogen levels might change based on how the diet affects inflammation in your body. | High: High levels of Fibrinogen might mean you’re at higher risk for blood clots.
Low: Low levels of Fibrinogen might mean you’re at risk for bleeding too much. |
| HbA1C |
|
HbA1C shows your average blood sugar over the past few months. On a high-meat keto diet, your HbA1C might go down because you’re eating fewer carbs. | High: High levels of HbA1C might mean you have high blood sugar over time.
Low: Low levels of HbA1C are usually good and might mean your blood sugar is well-controlled. |
| Beta-Hydroxybutyrate (BHB) |
|
BHB is a ketone your body makes when it’s using fat for fuel. On a high-meat keto diet, your BHB levels will likely go up, showing you’re in ketosis which is the point of keto diets. | High: High levels of BHB might mean you’re in deep ketosis, which could be good or bad depending on your goals.
Low: Low levels of BHB might mean you’re not in ketosis or you’ve just started the diet. |
According to a study published in PubMed, “A ketogenic diet yielded markedly decreased levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and increased levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. These effects were more pronounced than those of low-fat diets.”
Keto Diet Lab Test Panel FAQ
What is the Keto Diet Lab Test Panel for?
This panel checks key biomarkers that monitor your health while following a ketogenic diet. It focuses on cholesterol levels, inflammation, and nutrient markers to ensure your body is responding well to the diet.
What are the signs and symptoms of the issues this test checks for?
This panel tests for high cholesterol, inflammation, and nutrient imbalances. Symptoms of these issues can include fatigue, joint pain, brain fog, and high blood pressure.
How often should I retest?
It’s a good idea to retest every 6-12 months, especially if you’re making significant dietary changes or experiencing symptoms like fatigue or abnormal weight fluctuations. Beta-Hydroxybutyrate (BHB), which tests for ketones, needs to be tested once a week and then gradually spaced out as you optimize BHB levels in the blood.
How accurate is the test?
These lab tests are highly accurate, provided you follow pre-test guidelines like fasting when needed. The advanced technology used ensures precision in detecting biomarkers related to keto diet outcomes.
Are test results private and confidential?
Receive test results securely on TrueHealthLabs.com under ‘My Account.’ Your test results are confidential but it’s critical that you share them with your physician.
Medical Review Board
Reviewed by Jeff Donohue M.D. from Body Logic and Brady Hurst DC, CCCN. Written by True Health Lab’s team of editorial health contributors.
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and not intended as medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider for personalized guidance.
