Ulta Lab Tests

Weight Loss & Optimal Metabolism Lab Panel

The Weight Loss & Optimal Metabolism Lab Panel helps uncover key metabolic, hormonal, thyroid, blood sugar, and vitamin D factors that may affect weight management, energy, cravings, and fat metabolism. With 7 tests and 28 biomarkers, this panel provides deeper insight into the biological patterns that may influence weight-loss success and overall metabolic health.

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Weight Loss Lab Panel, Optimal Metabolism Blood Test Panel, Metabolic Weight Loss Panel, Weight Management Lab Panel, Weight Loss Resistance Blood Test Panel, Insulin Resistance Weight Loss Panel, Metabolism Hormone Panel, Slow Metabolism Blood Test

The following is a list of what is included in the item above. Click the test(s) below to view what biomarkers are measured along with an explanation of what the biomarker is measuring.

Adiponectin

Also known as: Chem 12, Chemistry Panel, Chemistry Screen, CMP, Complete Metabolic Panel, Comprehensive Metabolic Panel CMP, SMA 12, SMA 20

Albumin

Albumin is a protein made by the liver. A serum albumin test measures the amount of this protein in the clear liquid portion of the blood.

Albumin/Globulin Ratio

The ratio of albumin to globulin (A/G ratio) is calculated from measured albumin and calculated globulin (total protein - albumin). Normally, there is a little more albumin than globulins, giving a normal A/G ratio of slightly over 1. Because disease states affect the relative amounts of albumin and globulin, the A/G ratio may provide a clue as to the cause of the change in protein levels. A low A/G ratio may reflect overproduction of globulins, such as seen in multiple myeloma or autoimmune diseases, or underproduction of albumin, such as may occur with cirrhosis, or selective loss of albumin from the circulation, as may occur with kidney disease (nephrotic syndrome). A high A/G ratio suggests underproduction of immunoglobulins as may be seen in some genetic deficiencies and in some leukemias. More specific tests, such as liver enzyme tests and serum protein electrophoresis, must be performed to make an accurate diagnosis. With a low total protein that is due to plasma expansion (dilution of the blood), the A/G ratio will typically be normal because both albumin and globulin will be diluted to the same extent.

Alkaline Phosphatase

Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is a protein found in all body tissues. Tissues with higher amounts of ALP include the liver, bile ducts, and bone.

Alt

Alanine transaminase (ALT) is an enzyme found in the highest amounts in the liver. Injury to the liver results in release of the substance into the blood.

AST

AST (aspartate aminotransferase) is an enzyme found in high amounts in liver, heart, and muscle cells. It is also found in lesser amounts in other tissues.

Bilirubin, Total

Bilirubin is a yellowish pigment found in bile, a fluid made by the liver. A small amount of older red blood cells are replaced by new blood cells every day. Bilirubin is left after these older blood cells are removed. The liver helps break down bilirubin so that it can be removed from the body in the stool.

Bun/Creatinine Ratio

A ratio between a person’s BUN and blood creatinine to help determine what is causing these concentrations to be higher than normal. The ratio of BUN to creatinine is usually between 10:1 and 20:1. An increased ratio may be due to a condition that causes a decrease in the flow of blood to the kidneys, such as congestive heart failure or dehydration. It may also be seen with increased protein, from gastrointestinal bleeding, or increased protein in the diet. The ratio may be decreased with liver disease (due to decrease in the formation of urea) and malnutrition.

Calcium

You have more calcium in your body than any other mineral. Calcium has many important jobs. The body stores more than 99 percent of its calcium in the bones and teeth to help make and keep them strong. The rest is throughout the body in blood, muscle and the fluid between cells. Your body needs calcium to help muscles and blood vessels contract and expand, to secrete hormones and enzymes and to send messages through the nervous system.

Carbon Dioxide

CO2 is carbon dioxide. Measures the amount of carbon dioxide in the liquid part of your blood, called the serum. In the body, most of the CO2 is in the form of a substance called bicarbonate (HCO3-). Therefore, the CO2 blood test is really a measure of your blood bicarbonate level.

Chloride

Chloride is a type of electrolyte. It works with other electrolytes such as potassium, sodium, and carbon dioxide (CO2). These substances help keep the proper balance of body fluids and maintain the body's acid-base balance. This is a measure of the amount of chloride in the fluid portion (serum) of the blood.

Creatinine

The creatinine blood test measures the level of creatinine in the blood. This test is done to see how well your kidneys work.

Egfr African American

Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is a test used to check how well the kidneys are working. Specifically, it estimates how much blood passes through the glomeruli each minute. Glomeruli are the tiny filters in the kidneys that filter waste from the blood.

Egfr Non-Afr. American

Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is a test used to check how well the kidneys are working. Specifically, it estimates how much blood passes through the glomeruli each minute. Glomeruli are the tiny filters in the kidneys that filter waste from the blood.

GFR-AFRICAN AMERICAN

GFR-NON AFRICAN AMERICAN

Globulin

Globulins is the collective term for most blood proteins other than albumin. Identifying the types of globulins can help diagnose certain disorders. Globulins are roughly divided into three groups: alpha, beta, and gamma globulins. Gamma globulines include various types of antibodies such as immunoglobulins (Ig) M, G, and A.

Glucose

A blood glucose test measures the amount of a sugar called glucose in a sample of your blood. Glucose is a major source of energy for most cells of the body, including those in the brain. The hormones insulin and glucagon help control blood glucose levels.

Potassium

Potassium is a mineral that the body needs to work normally. It helps nerves and muscles communicate. It also helps move nutrients into cells and waste products out of cells. A diet rich in potassium helps to offset some of sodium's harmful effects on blood pressure.

Protein, Total

The total protein is the total amount of two classes of proteins, albumin and globulin that are found in the fluid portion of your blood. Proteins are important parts of all cells and tissues. Your albumin helps prevent fluid from leaking out of blood vessels and your globulins are an important part of your immune system.

Sodium

Sodium is a substance that the body needs to work properly it is vital to normal body processes, including nerve and muscle function

Urea Nitrogen (Bun)

BUN stands for blood urea nitrogen. Urea nitrogen is what forms when protein breaks down. BUN measures the amount of urea nitrogen in the blood.

Also known as: A1c, Glycated Hemoglobin, Glycohemoglobin, Glycosylated Hemoglobin, HA1c, HbA1c, Hemoglobin A1c, Hemoglobin A1c HgbA1C, Hgb A1c

HEMOGLOBIN A1C

The A1c test evaluates the average amount of glucose in the blood over the last 2 to 3 months. It does this by measuring the concentration of glycated (also often called glycosylated) hemoglobin A1c. Hemoglobin is an oxygen-transporting protein found inside red blood cells (RBCs). There are several types of normal hemoglobin, but the predominant form – about 95-98% – is hemoglobin A. As glucose circulates in the blood, some of it spontaneously binds to hemoglobin A. The hemoglobin molecules with attached glucose are called glycated hemoglobin. The higher the concentration of glucose in the blood, the more glycated hemoglobin is formed. Once the glucose binds to the hemoglobin, it remains there for the life of the red blood cell – normally about 120 days. The predominant form of glycated hemoglobin is referred to as HbA1c or A1c. A1c is produced on a daily basis and slowly cleared from the blood as older RBCs die and younger RBCs (with non-glycated hemoglobin) take their place. This test is used to monitor treatment in someone who has been diagnosed with diabetes. It helps to evaluate how well their glucose levels have been controlled by treatment over time. This test may be used to screen for and diagnose diabetes or risk of developing diabetes. In 2010, clinical practice guidelines from the American Diabetes Association (ADA) stated that A1c may be added to fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) as an option for diabetes screening and diagnosis. For monitoring purposes, an A1c of less than 7% indicates good glucose control and a lower risk of diabetic complications for the majority of diabetics. However, in 2012, the ADA and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) issued a position statement recommending that the management of glucose control in type 2 diabetes be more "patient-centered." Data from recent studies have shown that low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can cause complications and that people with risk of severe hypoglycemia, underlying health conditions, complications, and a limited life expectancy do not necessarily benefit from having a stringent goal of less than 7% for their A1c. The statement recommends that people work closely with their doctor to select a goal that reflects each person's individual health status and that balances risks and benefits.

Also known as: Insulin (fasting)

Insulin

Insulin is a hormone that is produced and stored in the beta cells of the pancreas. It is vital for the transportation and storage of glucose at the cellular level, helps regulate blood glucose levels, and has a role in lipid metabolism. When blood glucose levels rise after a meal, insulin is released to allow glucose to move into tissue cells, especially muscle and adipose (fat) cells, where is it is used for energy production. Insulin then prompts the liver to either store the remaining excess blood glucose as glycogen for short-term energy storage and/or to use it to produce fatty acids. The fatty acids are eventually used by adipose tissue to synthesize triglycerides to form the basis of a longer term, more concentrated form of energy storage. Without insulin, glucose cannot reach most of the body's cells. Without glucose, the cells starve and blood glucose levels rise to unhealthy levels. This can cause disturbances in normal metabolic processes that result in various disorders, including kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, and vision and neurological problems. Thus, diabetes, a disorder associated with decreased insulin effects, is eventually a life-threatening condition.

Leptin

Vitamin D, 25-Oh, D2

Vitamin D2 ((ergocalciferol,) is found in fortified foods and in most vitamin preparations and supplements. Vitamin D comes from two sources: endogenous, which is produced in the skin on exposure to sunlight, and exogenous, which is ingested in foods and supplements. The D2 form is found in fortified foods and in most vitamin preparations and supplements. Vitamin D2 is effective when it is converted by the liver and the kidney into the active form, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D.

Vitamin D, 25-Oh, D3

Vitamin D3 (cholecalcifero) which comes from animals. Vitamin D comes from two sources: endogenous, which is produced in the skin on exposure to sunlight, and exogenous, which is ingested in foods and supplements. Vitamin D3 is the form produced in the body and is also used in some supplements. Vitamin D3 are is converted by the liver and the kidney into the active form, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D.

Vitamin D, 25-Oh, Total

Vitamin D comes from two sources: endogenous, which is produced in the skin on exposure to sunlight, and exogenous, which is ingested in foods and supplements. The chemical structures of the types of vitamin D are slightly different, and they are named vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol, which comes from plants) and vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol, which comes from animals). The D2 form is found in fortified foods and in most vitamin preparations and supplements. Vitamin D3 is the form produced in the body and is also used in some supplements. Vitamin D2 and D3 are equally effective when they are converted by the liver and the kidney into the active form, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D.

Also known as: Thyroid Stimulating Hormone Test, Thyrotropin Test

TSH

A TSH test is a lab test that measures the amount of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in your blood. TSH is produced by the pituitary gland. It tells the thyroid gland to make and release thyroid hormones into the blood.
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The Weight Loss & Optimal Metabolism Lab Panel panel contains 7 tests with 29 biomarkers .

Weight Loss & Optimal Metabolism Lab Panel

Understand the Hidden Factors That May Be Affecting Your Weight, Energy, and Metabolism

Struggling to lose weight is not always about willpower, calories, or exercise. Your metabolism, blood sugar control, hormone signals, thyroid function, vitamin D status, and fat-regulating hormones can all influence how your body stores fat, uses energy, and responds to lifestyle changes.

The Weight Loss & Optimal Metabolism Lab Panel includes 7 tests and 28 biomarkers designed to provide deeper insight into key biological factors that may affect weight management, body composition, energy levels, and overall metabolic health.

By identifying important patterns in your lab results, this panel can help you make more informed decisions about nutrition, exercise, lifestyle changes, and provider-guided care.

Why Choose the Weight Loss & Optimal Metabolism Lab Panel?

Many people follow diet and exercise plans but still struggle with slow progress, weight-loss plateaus, fatigue, cravings, or stubborn fat. This panel helps evaluate several common internal factors that may contribute to those challenges, including:

  • Blood sugar and insulin-related patterns
  • Thyroid function and metabolic rate
  • Fat-regulating hormones such as leptin and adiponectin
  • Vitamin D status
  • Liver, kidney, electrolyte, and protein markers
  • Metabolic health indicators connected to weight and energy

Instead of guessing what may be affecting your results, this panel gives you measurable data that can support a more personalized approach to weight loss and metabolic wellness.

Who May Benefit From This Panel?

The Weight Loss & Optimal Metabolism Lab Panel may be helpful for people who want to better understand why they may be experiencing:

  • Difficulty losing weight
  • Weight-loss plateaus
  • Unexplained weight gain
  • Low energy or fatigue
  • Sugar cravings or energy crashes
  • Concerns about insulin resistance or prediabetes
  • Slow metabolism symptoms
  • Stubborn body fat despite diet and exercise
  • Interest in optimizing metabolic health before starting a weight-loss plan

This panel is also useful for individuals who want a baseline view of important metabolic markers before making changes to their nutrition, fitness, or wellness routine.

What This Panel Measures

The Weight Loss & Optimal Metabolism Lab Panel evaluates 7 tests and 28 biomarkers connected to weight regulation, blood sugar control, metabolic efficiency, thyroid function, nutrient status, and overall health.

Adiponectin

Adiponectin is a hormone produced by fat cells that helps regulate glucose levels and fatty acid breakdown. Higher adiponectin levels are generally associated with better insulin sensitivity and lower levels of body fat.

Testing adiponectin may provide insight into metabolic health, fat metabolism, and risk patterns associated with insulin resistance, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome.

Comprehensive Metabolic Panel

The Comprehensive Metabolic Panel, often called a CMP, evaluates important markers related to blood sugar, liver function, kidney function, electrolytes, acid/base balance, and protein levels.

These markers help provide a broad picture of overall metabolic health and may identify imbalances that can affect weight management, hydration, energy, liver stress, kidney function, and general wellness.

Glucose

Glucose measures the amount of sugar in the blood at the time of testing. Blood sugar regulation plays a major role in weight management and metabolic health.

Elevated glucose levels may suggest blood sugar imbalance, insulin resistance, prediabetes, or diabetes-related concerns. Understanding glucose levels can help guide better nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle decisions.

Hemoglobin A1c

Hemoglobin A1c, also known as HgbA1c, reflects average blood sugar levels over the past two to three months. This test provides a longer-term view of how well the body is managing glucose.

A1c testing is commonly used to help identify blood sugar patterns associated with prediabetes, diabetes, and metabolic dysfunction, all of which can influence weight management and fat storage.

Insulin

Insulin is a hormone that helps move glucose from the blood into cells for energy. When insulin levels are elevated, it may suggest that the body is working harder to manage blood sugar.

High insulin may be associated with insulin resistance, a common metabolic pattern that can make weight loss more difficult and may contribute to abdominal fat, cravings, fatigue, and increased risk for type 2 diabetes.

Leptin

Leptin is a hormone produced by fat cells that helps regulate appetite, hunger signals, and energy balance. It plays an important role in how the body communicates fullness and manages body weight.

Abnormal leptin levels may suggest leptin resistance or disrupted appetite signaling, which can make it harder to regulate hunger, maintain weight loss, or reduce body fat.

Vitamin D, 25-Hydroxyvitamin D

Vitamin D supports bone health, immune function, hormone activity, and metabolic wellness. Low vitamin D levels are common and may be associated with poor metabolic health, higher body fat, and increased risk for insulin resistance.

Testing vitamin D can help identify whether deficiency or insufficiency may be affecting energy, wellness, and metabolic function.

TSH

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone, or TSH, helps evaluate thyroid function. The thyroid plays a major role in regulating metabolism, energy use, temperature control, and body weight.

Abnormal TSH levels may suggest thyroid imbalance, which can contribute to weight gain, difficulty losing weight, fatigue, and changes in energy levels.

How This Panel Can Support Smarter Weight-Loss Decisions

The Weight Loss & Optimal Metabolism Lab Panel helps move weight management from guesswork to data-driven insight. Results from this panel may help you and your healthcare provider better understand:

  • Whether blood sugar and insulin patterns may be affecting fat storage
  • Whether thyroid function may be contributing to a slower metabolism
  • Whether leptin and adiponectin patterns may be influencing appetite and fat burning
  • Whether vitamin D status may be affecting metabolic health
  • Whether liver, kidney, electrolyte, or protein markers need attention
  • Whether your current nutrition and exercise strategy aligns with your biology

These insights can support more personalized decisions about diet, exercise, weight-loss strategies, supplementation, and follow-up testing.

Benefits of Ordering This Panel

A More Complete View of Metabolic Health

This panel goes beyond basic weight and BMI by measuring important internal markers connected to metabolism, blood sugar, hormone signaling, and nutrient status.

Helps Identify Weight-Loss Roadblocks

If you are doing the work but not seeing results, this panel may help uncover biological patterns that could be making fat loss more difficult.

Supports Personalized Lifestyle Changes

Lab results can help guide more targeted decisions around nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress management, and provider-guided care.

Useful Before or During a Weight-Loss Program

This panel can be used as a baseline before starting a new plan or as a follow-up tool to track metabolic progress over time.

Convenient Direct Access Testing

Order your lab tests online, visit a convenient lab location for specimen collection, and receive secure results that can help you take the next step in your health journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Weight Loss & Optimal Metabolism Lab Panel?

The Weight Loss & Optimal Metabolism Lab Panel is a comprehensive group of blood tests that evaluates key biomarkers connected to weight management, blood sugar control, thyroid function, metabolic health, fat-regulating hormones, and vitamin D status.

How many tests and biomarkers are included?

This panel includes 7 tests and 28 biomarkers.

Can this panel tell me why I am not losing weight?

This panel can help identify metabolic, hormonal, thyroid, blood sugar, and nutrient-related patterns that may contribute to weight-loss resistance. It does not diagnose every possible cause of weight difficulty, but it provides valuable data that may help guide next steps.

Is this panel only for people who are overweight?

No. This panel may also benefit people who want to optimize metabolism, improve energy, monitor blood sugar patterns, support body composition goals, or establish a baseline before beginning a health or fitness program.

Why are insulin and A1c important for weight loss?

Insulin and A1c provide insight into blood sugar regulation. Elevated insulin or A1c patterns may suggest insulin resistance or impaired glucose control, both of which can make fat loss more difficult and affect long-term metabolic health.

Why is thyroid testing included?

Thyroid function plays an important role in metabolism and energy regulation. TSH can help identify thyroid patterns that may contribute to fatigue, weight gain, or difficulty losing weight.

Why are leptin and adiponectin included?

Leptin and adiponectin are hormones produced by fat cells. They help regulate appetite, fat metabolism, insulin sensitivity, and energy balance. Measuring these markers may provide deeper insight into how your body manages fat storage and hunger signals.

Take Control of Your Weight and Metabolic Health

The Weight Loss & Optimal Metabolism Lab Panel gives you meaningful insight into the biological factors that may be influencing your weight, energy, and metabolism. With 7 tests and 28 biomarkers, this panel helps you better understand blood sugar control, insulin response, thyroid function, vitamin D status, fat-regulating hormones, and overall metabolic wellness.

Stop guessing and start using data to guide your next step.

Order the Weight Loss & Optimal Metabolism Lab Panel today and get the insights you need to support smarter weight management and better metabolic health.

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