I Tried Biomarker Testing to Understand My Health Better

Health and wellness are something I’ve been exploring more seriously over the past few years, though I haven’t written much about it here. I want to stay active, feel good, and be present for my family, my travels, and everything else I enjoy for a long time. Getting a clearer picture of what’s going on with my health felt overdue.

When Superpower reached out about access to its baseline diagnostic panel, I decided it would be beneficial, especially considering my recent health journey. I said yes. It felt like the right opportunity at the right time.

Why I Decided to Try Biomarker Testing

I’ve requested additional bloodwork through my primary care doctor before, and I’ve done a couple of one-off home health tests. But I’d never done comprehensive biomarker testing, which is a full panel designed to give you a detailed picture across multiple body systems at once.

A couple of years ago, I injured my L5-S1 disc doing squats in my home gym. I felt a tweak at the time, but not much pain, so I kept playing basketball and going about my life. That turned out to be a mistake. The first doctor I saw wasn’t overly concerned, chalking my symptoms up to restless leg syndrome or a possible vitamin deficiency. Lab work came back clean, and I kept getting worse. It took several doctors and close to a year before anyone identified what was going on. By then, I had been dealing with nerve pain in both legs for months.

Physical therapy helped strengthen my core and the muscles supporting my back. A back injection provided some relief for several months. But I still experience nerve pain in both legs, and it tends to flare up after almost any exercise or activity. It’s been especially bad at night, consistently disrupting my sleep.

I was diagnosed with ADHD in my mid-20s. Over the past few years, I’ve worked with a doctor to find a more effective treatment. We’ve tried different options, and I’m in a better place, but I’m not fully satisfied with the current plan. Medication shortages and shipping delays have made it hard to stay consistent. Add in poor sleep and extended stretches of inactivity, and the brain fog I deal with regularly has been significant.

Honestly, not getting answers for so long and not being able to stay active took a toll. I struggled with depression, and with it came a pattern of eating through it. The combination of being sedentary, eating poorly, and the emotional weight of it all compounded on each other and eventually drove my cholesterol and triglycerides up. Biomarker testing seemed like a way to finally get a full picture.

Many of the travel experiences I cover involve physical activity, whether that’s yoga, fitness classes, hiking, swimming, or other activities that come with press trips. My decreased fitness level and the nerve pain I deal with after almost any activity have started to limit what I can do and enjoy. Watching that happen and thinking about where it was heading pushed me to take action.

What Is Superpower and How Does It Work?

Superpower is a health membership platform built around comprehensive biomarker testing. The bloodwork ordered by many primary care doctors typically only covers general health markers. Superpower goes much deeper, running over 100 biomarkers across categories, including heart health, metabolic health, hormones, thyroid, liver, kidney, immune regulation, and key nutrients. The in-person testing is done through Quest Diagnostics, which has locations across the country.

Once your results are ready, you log into your dashboard to review everything. Each biomarker is categorized as optimal, normal, or out of range. Superpower analyzes your test results and builds a personalized protocol. The step-by-step action plan included recommendations covering diet, supplements, and lifestyle. Superpower’s care concierge team is available to support you with any questions you may have. 

Creating My Account and Health Profile

It took me less than ten minutes to set up my account. During the intake process, I was asked to provide personal and family medical history, current medications, supplements, and health goals. The process was pretty thorough, but I was able to complete it quickly. 

Superpower uses what you share and your blood results to personalize the analysis. 

Scheduling My Lab Appointment

Once I set up my account, I scheduled a blood draw. Superpower partners with Quest Diagnostics for its in-person lab testing. There were several Quest locations nearby. I’m not sure if that’s the case everywhere or if that’s more specific to the Cleveland area. I scheduled my appointment at one of the nearby Quest Diagnostics locations. There were plenty of time slots available. I booked an early-morning slot so I wouldn’t have to fast later into the day.

Superpower sent a few texts ahead of my appointment with instructions in preparation for my blood draw. If you’ve ever had blood drawn for diagnostic tests, you know that what you put in your body can skew your test results significantly. The prep requirements were specific: 

• Fast for ten hours without food or caffeinated drinks
• Continue any prescription medications
• Stop supplements at least 72 hours before the draw
• Avoid alcohol and strenuous exercise for at least 24 hours beforehand
• Stay hydrated

Quest sent a text the morning of my appointment with a link to check in online. I checked in for my appointment on my phone as I walked into the facility. I ended up waiting about seven minutes before being called back.

Labwork at Quest Health

The lab technician was friendly. She drew several vials of blood. The whole process took about five minutes. If you’ve had blood drawn before, you know what to expect.

After the appointment, I received an email from Superpower walking through the types of numbers and scores I’d see in my results. It was a useful primer that made the results feel less daunting before I saw them.

Receiving and Reviewing My Results

I received an email and text from Superpower five days after my labwork appointment to let me know my results were ready. I set aside time that afternoon to go through the results. 

I logged into my account and accessed my test results. One of the documents provided was the full Quest Diagnostics lab report. It was more technical, with all of the technical test names and values listed. I could read it, but it lacked most of the context that the rest of Superpower’s resources would provide.

I continued to work through the test analysis provided by Superpower. Each biomarker was organized by health category and labeled as optimal, normal, or out of range, followed by explanations of what each result meant and why it matters. I loved how the results were organized. They were easy to understand and figure out which ones needed extra attention. 

The analysis included additional links I could click at any time to dive deeper into specific tests and test results, read the cited research, and see how my medications and health history were affecting what I was seeing. 

The “Ask Superpower AI” button was available in the corner of the screen the entire time. I could ask questions at any point and get answers tied to my specific results.

Superpower also has a marketplace where members can purchase additional tests and supplements. The action plan mentions a few of the supplements, but only when relevant. I didn’t find it to be intrusive. I typically purchase supplements on Amazon or other retailers. Superpower’s supplements cost more than I would typically spend, so I didn’t buy any. I can’t speak to the quality of its supplements, but they seem to be high-quality. 

What Did the Results Show?

My results covered 100 biomarkers total: 57 came back optimal, 29 normal, and 14 out of range. Honestly, I wasn’t sure what to expect going in.

My Superpower Score came in at 81 out of 100. The platform described it as generally healthy, with some areas needing attention. My biological age is 46.3, putting me 3.5 years younger than my actual age of 49. Not bad for 49.

Six of 14 health categories came back strong: thyroid, liver, kidney, energy, immune system, and brain health. Given how I’ve been feeling, seeing solid numbers in several categories was a relief.

My heart and vascular health came back as the biggest problem area. Cholesterol and triglycerides were both significantly elevated, and several related markers came back out of range alongside them. I knew cholesterol was an issue, but I didn’t realize how many markers connected back to it.

Superpower also flagged gut health as a concern and tied it directly to my current medications. The analysis noted that the specific combination I take is likely slowing digestion and reducing bacterial diversity, which probably explains some of the low energy and general drag I’ve been feeling. That was a connection I hadn’t made before, and it was probably the most useful thing in the entire report.

The Action Plan Superpower Provided

After reviewing my results, Superpower built a protocol around three prioritized health goals.

1. Get My Lipids Moving in the Right Direction

The plan recommended high-dose omega-3 supplementation as the first step, along with shifting toward a Mediterranean-style eating pattern. Supporting steps included a plant sterol supplement and a red yeast rice plus CoQ10 combination. The dietary guidance was specific: eat fatty fish several times a week, cut refined carbs and added sugars, get enough protein daily, and add fermented foods for gut support. 

2. Reach a Healthier Weight

Superpower identified that my weight directly affected my triglyceride levels and was a major contributor to my consistent fatigue, joint stiffness, and poor sleep. Losing weight would help across the board, not just with my lipid numbers. The exercise recommendations were tailored to my back injury, giving me realistic options I could start right away. The plan included seated upper-body resistance work, short recumbent bike sessions, and pool walking.

3. Restore Gut Health

Given how my medications are affecting my microbiome, the plan recommended a probiotic and a GI integrity supplement. A gut microbiome test was also suggested as an optional next step, though that would be an additional purchase. The protocol was laid out step by step, with options to source supplements through Superpower or on my own. It didn’t push me toward their store.

Superpower projected that following the protocol over 12 weeks could push my score from 81 toward 100. I am a bit skeptical of the projection, but it’s cool to see that it’s possible to make significant progress through relatively simple actions. 

Superpower also integrates with wearables, including the Oura Ring, WHOOP, Withings, and Eight Sleep, letting you bring additional health data into the dashboard over time.

Who Is Biomarker Testing For?

Biomarker testing is for anyone who wants a more in-depth picture of their health than standard testing provides. It’s a good fit if you have concerns that haven’t been fully addressed through typical bloodwork, or if you’re looking for answers and a clear plan to follow without a revolving door of doctor visits. The information Superpower provides is specific, but what you do with it is still on you. The more you read through the results, ask questions, and work through the protocol, the more value you get out of it.

Superpower is not a replacement for medical care. It’s a tool for understanding your health in greater depth than a standard annual physical provides. If you prefer working directly with a physician who manages your care and walks you through everything, Superpower won’t replace that. That said, the results give you something concrete to bring to your own doctor if you want to take the conversation further.

What Are Your Health Goals?

Getting a clearer picture of my health has been something I’ve wanted to do for a while. Between the back injury, the nerve pain, the sleep issues, and everything else that’s piled up over the past couple of years, I needed answers wherever I could find them. The biomarker results didn’t address all of it, but they filled in some important gaps.

Some of what I found wasn’t surprising. I already knew my cholesterol and triglycerides were a problem, but I didn’t have a clear plan for addressing them until now. The same goes for the gut health findings, which pointed to something I never would have figured out on my own.

The thing I appreciated most was having everything in one place. I could access the data, the context, and my action plan easily without digging.

If you’re thinking about biomarker testing, start by getting clear on what you’re trying to learn or address. Then check with your primary care doctor to see what testing they can run. That might be enough depending on your situation. If you want something more in-depth, that’s where a platform like Superpower makes sense.

If you’re curious about what Superpower offers, you can learn more at superpower.com.