The Biomarkers Your Insurance Company Told You “Not to Worry About”

In the world of modern medicine, remarkable advances in lab technology have unlocked doors to a deeper understanding of our health. Yet, many of these doors remain closed to us—not because the science isn’t there, but because insurance companies have deemed certain tests “unnecessary” or “elective.”

At Marek Diagnostics, we believe you deserve better. That’s why we’ve cut through the red tape to provide direct access to affordable, advanced lab testing—giving you insights that are often overlooked or ignored in traditional healthcare.

Here are four critical biomarkers your insurance company likely won’t want to cover, but could be game-changers for your health:

1. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) Total & Free

Although Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone, its metabolite DHT is actually the most potent androgen in the body. While most known for its implications in puberty and male pattern baldness, DHT has captured growing interest due to its downstream metabolism into bioactive neurosteroids 3a-diol & 3β-diol. Measuring DHT alongside Total and Free Testosterone, Estradiol, Progesterone, and SHBG can give you a much clearer picture of your hormonal balance—something traditional lab panels rarely offer.

2. Thyroid Antibodies: TpoAb + TgAb

Thyroglobulin & Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies are immune proteins that attack structures and enzymes critical to optimal thyroid function. While testing these antibodies is key to diagnosing autoimmune conditions such as Hashimoto’s disease, they’re often overlooked in routine labs unless TSH levels are severely out of range.  Due to the intricate nature of thyroid cascades, many individuals have elevated antibodies and symptoms of suboptimal thyroid function even with a normal TSH level. 

We strongly recommend testing Thyroid Antibodies in the context of looking at TSH, Free T4, Free T3, and reverse-T3.

3. Estradiol (E2) via LC-MS Testing

While the importance of measuring estrogen levels is well understood, less attention is paid to how we test. Considering scale is of utmost importance when choosing the right tool for any job. You wouldn’t expect a magnifying glass to accomplish what was meant for a microscope. Given that circulating levels of estradiol in men are quite low, it’s no surprise LC-MS is the gold standard due to its unmatched sensitivity. 

We’ve bundled Estradiol (LC-MS/Ultrasensitive) into our Comprehensive Lab Panel to ensure all incoming Guided Optimization clients have precision insight into their hormone status prior to considering HRT/TRT. 

4. Omega-Check™

Despite the abundance of research demonstrating the importance of optimized fatty acid status on enhancing longevity, reducing cardiovascular risk, and supporting cognitive health, advanced Omega-Index testing is typically deemed “elective” by insurance companies. While OmegaCheck™ performs as a standalone test, you can also bundle and save with our Advanced Heart Health Panel. 

Don’t Leave Your Health to Chance

While insurance companies might downplay these tests, they could hold the answers to unlocking your next level of health. With Marek Diagnostics, you gain access to expert, advanced testing—without the guesswork or unexpected bills.

Ready to take control of your health? Let us help you discover what you’ve been missing.