Stop wasting time and money on an annual physical exam and the blood panel that goes with it; it’s not going to help you find out if you’re metabolically healthy or not.   In fact, studies have shown that only 12% of Americans are metabolically healthy. So, there is a high probability that you’re not.   In this episode, I share what health markers you should tell your doctor to include on your blood panel, how to interpret the findings, why you should get your blood work done more often than once a year, what other health metrics you can assess yourself without getting a blood panel, and blood testing options if you don’t have insurance.   In this episode, I discuss: (0:02:15) - The significant gap between what is considered 'normal' and what is actually 'optimal' for our health, challenging the conventional ranges provided in blood test results   (0:10:02) - Why hemoglobin A1C is a more reliable marker than fasting glucose for assessing blood sugar levels over time, including its potential to be affected by a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise and sauna use   (0:12:45) - How fasting insulin levels are a crucial indicator of insulin sensitivity, an essential factor in preventing metabolic diseases   (0:18:30) - Challenging misconceptions about cholesterol, dispelling myths about its link to heart disease and the body's actual need for cholesterol   (0:24:58) - Insights into everyday health metrics that anyone can monitor, like fitness levels and skin health, that can reflect overall health without needing a doctor's visit   (0:28:05) - The importance of comprehensive blood marker testing and provides a resource for understanding optimal ranges to help listeners advocate for themselves in medical settings Learn more from Michael Kummer: Use code “primalshift” to save 15% on your order at https://shop.michaelkummer.com/ Website: https://michaelkummer.com/ Instagram: @mkummer82   Resources: In-depth post: https://michaelkummer.com/health/metabolic-health/ Blood testing options if you don’t have insurance: Dr. Randy Smith - Antiaging Atlanta: rsmith@antiagingatlanta.com. Tell him Michael sent you. LabCorp Other links: Levels Health vs. Nutrisense: Hands-On Review & Comparison Dexcom vs FreeStyle Libre: Hands-On Review and Comparison How Continuous Glucose Monitoring Can Improve Your Health and Fitness