MetabolicMarkers

Educational content only, not medical advice. We are not a medical provider; review your results with a licensed physician. Details

Current promotion

Keto Blood Test Panels: Monitor Ketogenic Diet Health Markers

Lab panels built for low-carb living, track how your body actually responds to keto.

Affiliate disclosure: we earn a commission when you purchase lab tests through links on this site, at no extra cost to you. Learn more

Order Now

Six panels listed from $122.36 (regularly $152.95) up to $400.37 (regularly $571.95), promotional pricing at time of writing.

At a glance

Keto blood test panels measure the cardiovascular, metabolic, nutrient, and organ-function markers most affected by a ketogenic diet, including cholesterol and lipoprotein balance, blood glucose, insulin, HbA1c, thyroid hormones, iron storage, and liver and kidney markers. They are designed for people following (or starting) a low-carb, high-fat eating pattern who want objective data on how their body is adapting. Six panel options range from a focused 7-test nutrient check to a comprehensive 20-test, 112-biomarker workup.

Best suited for

  • People starting a ketogenic or low-carb diet who want baseline labs before changing their macros
  • Experienced keto eaters tracking how their cholesterol and lipoprotein markers respond to sustained high fat intake
  • Anyone monitoring glucose, insulin, and HbA1c trends on a low-carb eating pattern
  • People on restrictive diets who want to screen nutrient levels, iron storage, and thyroid markers
  • Data-driven self-trackers who review lab trends with their doctor

What's included

Keto Lab Test Panel - Basic

10 tests, 99 biomarkers; blood and urine

Keto Lab Test Panel - Basic Plus

15 tests, 107 biomarkers; blood and urine

Keto Lab Test Panel - Advanced

17 tests, 109 biomarkers; blood and urine

Keto Lab Test Panel - Comprehensive

20 tests, 112 biomarkers; blood and urine

Keto Lab Panel

12 tests, 23 biomarkers; blood only

High Fat Diet (Ex. Ketogenic) Vitamin Deficiency Test Panel

7 tests, 7 biomarkers; ages 18+

Deep-dive the key markers: Fasting Glucose, HbA1c, Fasting Insulin, LDL-C, HDL-C, Triglycerides, hs-CRP, TSH, Vitamin D, Ferritin, eGFR, ALT

Key biomarker ranges

Commonly used adult reference ranges for markers this panel measures, labs vary, so always interpret results against your lab's stated ranges and with your doctor.

Fasting Glucose (mg/dL)

Commonly used reference ranges place fasting glucose at 70–99 mg/dL; results vary with sleep, stress, and recent illness, and labs differ slightly.

Fasting Glucose reference ranges (mg/dL)
ZoneRange
Low50–70 mg/dL
Optimal70–100 mg/dL
Prediabetic range100–126 mg/dL
Diabetic range126–160 mg/dL
Hemoglobin A1c (%)

Commonly used reference ranges place HbA1c below 5.7%; conditions affecting red blood cells can skew results, so labs and clinicians interpret in context.

Hemoglobin A1c reference ranges (%)
ZoneRange
Optimal4–5.7 %
Prediabetic range5.7–6.5 %
Diabetic range6.5–10 %
Fasting Insulin (µIU/mL)

Commonly used reference ranges accept up to ~25 µIU/mL, but many clinicians view single-digit fasting insulin as the more informative target; assays vary by lab.

Fasting Insulin reference ranges (µIU/mL)
ZoneRange
Low0–2 µIU/mL
Optimal2–10 µIU/mL
Above optimal10–25 µIU/mL
High25–30 µIU/mL

The importance of testing

A ketogenic diet meaningfully raises fat intake, which makes lipid tracking the first priority. These panels evaluate cholesterol levels and lipoprotein balance, markers associated with cardiovascular risk, so you can see how your individual lipid profile responds to sustained high fat intake rather than guessing. A baseline before you start, followed by periodic retests, turns a diet experiment into a measurable trend line.

Keto also shifts how your body handles glucose and insulin. The panels track blood glucose, insulin production, and HbA1c, which reflects long-term glucose control, useful for observing how your blood sugar management changes on a low-carb pattern. Liver and kidney markers are included because the metabolic shift changes the workload on both organs, and uric acid-related kidney markers are relevant on higher-protein intakes, where markers associated with gout can trend upward.

Restrictive diets can also under-supply nutrients that support nerve, muscle, and immune function. The broader panels screen nutrient levels, iron storage (ferritin), and inflammation markers, alongside a complete blood count and urinalysis for a general health status check. Thyroid hormones round out the picture, since metabolic rate can change with significant diet adjustments.

None of these tests confirm any condition on their own. Their value is in trends: establish a baseline, retest as your diet matures, and bring flagged or shifting results to your doctor to decide whether your eating pattern needs adjusting.

Part of our complete guide to Metabolic Health Lab Tests — browse every panel and biomarker guide in this hub.

Promo code

KETO30

Save 20% with code KETO30, current promotion; confirm final pricing on the partner page.

Ready to get your numbers? Order online, visit a nearby draw site, and receive private results to review with your doctor.

Order Now

Frequently asked questions

What do the Keto Diet Essentials lab panels measure?

They measure cardiovascular, metabolic, nutrient, and organ-function markers relevant to a ketogenic diet, cholesterol and lipoprotein balance, blood glucose and insulin, HbA1c for long-term glucose control, liver and kidney markers, thyroid hormones, iron storage, inflammation markers, a complete blood count, and urinalysis. Panel sizes range from 7 tests up to 20 tests covering 112 biomarkers.

Which keto lab panel should I choose?

Choose based on how much detail you want: the Basic panel (10 tests, 99 biomarkers) covers core markers, while Basic Plus (15 tests), Advanced (17 tests), and Comprehensive (20 tests, 112 biomarkers) add progressively deeper coverage. There is also a blood-only Keto Lab Panel (12 tests) and a focused 7-test High Fat Diet Vitamin Deficiency panel for adults 18 and older. If you are establishing a first baseline, a broader panel gives you more trend lines to follow over time.

Can I order keto blood tests without a doctor's visit?

Yes, these panels are ordered directly online through the partner site, with no doctor's visit or referral required. You select a panel, check out, and complete the sample collection at a local lab; results are returned to you to track and to review with your own doctor.

How do I get the discounted keto panel pricing?

Apply promotion code KETO30 at checkout on the partner page, where the current promotion advertises 20% savings on Keto Diet Essentials tests. Listed sale prices were accurate at time of writing; always confirm final pricing on the partner page before ordering.

How often should I retest while on a ketogenic diet?

A common approach is to establish a baseline before or soon after starting keto, then retest periodically as your body adapts so you can compare trends rather than single readings. Your doctor can help you set a retesting cadence based on your initial results and health history.

Is this keto testing available in every US state?

No, direct-to-consumer lab testing is restricted or prohibited in New York, New Jersey, and Rhode Island, so residents of those states may be blocked at the partner's checkout. Availability in all other states depends on having a partner lab location nearby.

References

  1. [1] Hidden Risks behind Normal Fasting Glucose: Is It Significant? — Diabetes & Metabolism Journal (Korean Diabetes Association, via PMC)
  2. [2] Good to Know: Factors Affecting Blood Glucose — Clinical Diabetes, American Diabetes Association (via PMC)
  3. [3] Insulin Resistance & Prediabetes — National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
  4. [4] Interpreting A1C: Principles of the A1C Assay — National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
  5. [5] Interpreting A1C: Diabetes and Hemoglobin Variants — National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
  6. [6] The A1C Test & Diabetes — National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
  7. [7] What Is Diabetes? — National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
  8. [8] Surrogate markers of insulin resistance: A review — World Journal of Diabetes (via PMC)
  9. [9] Insulin Assay Standardization: Leading to Measures of Insulin Sensitivity and Secretion for Practical Clinical Care — Diabetes Care, American Diabetes Association (via PMC)
  10. [10] LDL: The 'Bad' Cholesterol — MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine, NIH)
  11. [11] Low-density lipoproteins cause atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: A consensus statement from the European Atherosclerosis Society Consensus Panel — European Heart Journal
  12. [12] Familial Hypercholesterolemia — GeneReviews, NCBI Bookshelf (NIH)
  13. [13] Hypercholesterolemia — StatPearls, NCBI Bookshelf (NIH)
  14. [14] Low HDL Cholesterol — StatPearls, NCBI Bookshelf (NIH)
  15. [15] HPS2-THRIVE, AIM-HIGH and dal-OUTCOMES: HDL-cholesterol under attack — Global Cardiology Science & Practice
  16. [16] Metabolic syndrome — MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine, NIH)
  17. [17] Cholesterol Levels: What You Need to Know — MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine, NIH)
  18. [18] Triglycerides — MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine, NIH)
  19. [19] Hypertriglyceridemia — StatPearls, NCBI Bookshelf (NIH/NLM)
  20. [20] High Blood Triglycerides — National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NIH)
  21. [21] C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Test — MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine, NIH)
  22. [22] Assessing Cardiovascular Risk with C-Reactive Protein — Johns Hopkins Medicine
  23. [23] C-Reactive Protein: Clinical Relevance and Interpretation — StatPearls, NCBI Bookshelf (NIH/NLM)
  24. [24] TSH (Thyroid-stimulating hormone) Test — MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine, NIH)
  25. [25] Thyroid Function Tests — American Thyroid Association
  26. [26] Subclinical Hypothyroidism — StatPearls, NCBI Bookshelf (NIH/NLM)
  27. [27] Vitamin D - Health Professional Fact Sheet — NIH Office of Dietary Supplements
  28. [28] Evaluation, Treatment, and Prevention of Vitamin D Deficiency: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline — Endocrine Society (Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism)
  29. [29] Vitamin D - Health Professional Fact Sheet — NIH Office of Dietary Supplements
  30. [30] Iron-Deficiency Anemia — StatPearls, NCBI Bookshelf (NIH)
  31. [31] Limitations of Serum Ferritin in Diagnosing Iron Deficiency in Inflammatory Conditions — International Journal of Chronic Diseases
  32. [32] Diagnosis of Hemochromatosis — NIDDK (NIH)
  33. [33] Dose–response relationship of serum ferritin and dietary iron intake with metabolic syndrome and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease incidence: a systematic review and meta-analysis — Frontiers in Nutrition
  34. [34] Physiology, Glomerular Filtration Rate — StatPearls, NCBI Bookshelf (NIH)
  35. [35] Stages of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) — National Kidney Foundation
  36. [36] What Is Chronic Kidney Disease in Adults? — NIDDK (NIH)
  37. [37] Is It Time for a Requiem for Creatine Supplementation-Induced Kidney Failure? A Narrative Review — Nutrients
  38. [38] Estimated GFR (eGFR) Test: Kidney Function Levels, Stages, and What to Do Next — National Kidney Foundation
  39. [39] Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) Test — StatPearls, NCBI Bookshelf (NIH)
  40. [40] Definition & Facts of NAFLD & NASH — NIDDK (NIH)
  41. [42] Liver Function Tests — StatPearls, NCBI Bookshelf (NIH)

Reviewed by

Jason August

Jason August

Founder & Editorial Lead

Jason August is the founder of Metabolic Markers and its parent company, Advancing Development. He has spent his career building and scaling real-world ventures, including as a founding team member at Build-A-Bear Workshop during its growth from startup to global public company, and since then across capital, real estate, adaptive reuse, and hospitality. He founded Metabolic Markers to make blood-biomarker testing easier to understand and access, and oversees the site’s content and editorial accuracy. Jason is not a medical professional; all content on this site is educational, reviewed for accuracy, and never a substitute for advice from a licensed physician.

LinkedInAbout the author

Other ways to think about this offer

Same testing, covered from a different starting point.

Keto Vitamin Deficiency Testing: Nutrient Labs for Low-Carb Diets

Cutting carbs can also cut nutrients, check what your keto plate might be missing.

Related lab test panels

Weight Loss Blood Tests: Metabolic & Hormone Panels

See the metabolic and hormonal numbers behind appetite, energy, and fat storage, so your plan is built on data, not guesswork.

View panel

Metabolic Health Blood Test Panel: 77 Biomarkers in One Draw

One blood draw, 77 biomarkers, a data-driven snapshot of how your metabolism is working.

View panel

Vitamin & Mineral Blood Tests: Check Your Micronutrient Levels

Nine tiered lab panels that measure the vitamins and minerals your body runs on, from a basic iron and magnesium screen to a full micronutrient workup.

View panel