Direct-To-Consumer Lab Testing: Friend or Foe?

In this episode of the Barbell Medicine podcast, Dr. Jordan Feigenbaum and Dr. Austin Baraki delve into the rapidly expanding world of direct-to-consumer lab testing. They discuss the significant growth of this market, the potential benefits and risks associated with self-ordered lab tests, and their personal experiences with such testing. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding who truly needs lab tests, the distinction between screening and diagnostic tests, and the critical need for context when interpreting lab results. The hosts also explore the implications of lab errors and the necessity for informed decision-making in health monitoring. They emphasize the importance of targeted screening recommendations and the need for proper interpretation of lab results to avoid unnecessary anxiety and misdiagnosis. (09:59) Who Needs Lab Tests (20:00) Our Experiences With Personal Labs (31:13) Liver Associated Enzymes (36:46) Immune Tests (41:10) Lipid Tests (52:25) Men's Health (Test and Prostate) (59:57) Leptin Rant (03:00) Metabolic Testing (06:03) Nutrient Testing (14:08) Targetted Recommendations Resources: https://www.barbellmedicine.com/blog/abnormal-labs-in-exercise-part-i-kidney-function/ https://soundcloud.com/user-344313169/episode-107-abnormal-labs-part-i https://soundcloud.com/user-344313169/episode-108-abnormal-labs-part-ii https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5638475/ https://cfpclearn.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/TFP-187-CBC-screening-FV2.pdf https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9687310/ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7249447/ https://www.bmj.com/content/368/bmj.m149 https://www.jwatch.org/na51792/2020/06/18/more-us-residents-have-antinuclear-antibodies-now-1990s https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1567576922007767 https://www.med.unc.edu/medicine/rheumatology-allergy-immunology/patient-care/rheumatology-clinical-care/decoding-the-ana-a-guide-to-ana-testing/ https://www.thyroid.org/patient-thyroid-information/ct-for-patients/february-2024/vol-17-issue-2-p-5-6/ https://www.choosingwisely.org.au/recommendations/racgp10 New Stuff: https://www.barbellmedicine.com/shop/training-templates/program-library/ https://www.barbellmedicine.com/blog/how-to-train-while-losing-weight/ https://www.barbellmedicine.com/shop/courses/testosterone/ Become a Barbell Medicine Plus Member Today https://barbellmedicine.supercast.com/ Resources Page: https://www.barbellmedicine.com/resources/ Template Quiz: https://www.barbellmedicine.com/template-quiz/ Got pain and need a professional who understands you lift? Or, do you need an experienced coach to help you get the most out of your training? Contact us at [email protected]