Six blood panels in a single draw: CBC, CMP, TSH, HbA1c, lipid panel, and Vitamin D. Your provider reviews every marker, flags what's trending toward dysfunction (not just what's already out of range), and maps findings to a treatment path, whether that's GLP-1 candidacy screening, targeted supplementation, IV therapy, or a broader wellness protocol.
Metabolic dysfunction, thyroid irregularities, pre-diabetic glucose patterns, cardiovascular lipid risk, Vitamin D deficiency, unexplained fatigue, weight loss resistance, patients preparing for GLP-1 therapy, and anyone who wants a clinical snapshot of their baseline health rather than waiting for something to show up as a problem at urgent care.
A single fasting blood draw at our Lincoln Park clinic collects samples for six panels: complete blood count (CBC), comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), a full lipid panel (LDL, HDL, triglycerides, total cholesterol), and 25-hydroxy Vitamin D. Samples are processed by Access Medical Labs. Your provider reviews results against clinical reference ranges and your personal health history, then builds a protocol: supplement adjustments, IV therapy recommendations, GLP-1 screening eligibility, or referrals when needed.
Most annual physicals check a handful of markers, hand you a printout that says "normal," and send you on your way. We run six panels, review every marker in context, and track your data over time so we can catch shifts before they become diagnoses. Your results feed directly into our weight loss, peptide, supplement, and IV therapy programs, meaning one test informs every treatment decision we make with you. Lincoln Park.
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Six panels. One draw. The clinical starting point for every wellness, weight loss, and longevity decision.
The Advanced Wellness Baseline Test is a six-panel blood draw that captures a broad clinical snapshot of your metabolic, hematologic, thyroid, cardiovascular, and nutritional health in a single visit. The panels (CBC, CMP, TSH, HbA1c, lipid panel, and Vitamin D) were selected because they cover the markers most likely to reveal dysfunction early, before it shows up as a diagnosis on a standard lab report. At Better Med Spa in Lincoln Park, Chicago, your provider doesn't just check whether your numbers fall inside a reference range. They review every marker in context, compare against your prior results when available, and connect findings to a specific treatment path: weight loss programming, GLP-1 candidacy, IV therapy, targeted supplement protocols, or a referral when the data warrants it.
Complete Blood Count (CBC): Measures red blood cells, white blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelets. This panel identifies anemia, infection markers, immune function, and blood cell production. For patients entering a weight loss or peptide protocol, the CBC establishes your hematologic baseline so your provider can monitor for changes during treatment.
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP): Covers 14 markers including glucose, BUN, creatinine, eGFR, sodium, potassium, chloride, CO2, calcium, total protein, albumin, bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, and ALT. The CMP is your liver and kidney function check. For GLP-1 patients, liver enzymes and kidney function are monitored throughout therapy, and having a clean baseline is essential before prescribing.
Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH): A single marker, but one of the most clinically significant. Elevated TSH can indicate subclinical hypothyroidism, a common and under-diagnosed cause of fatigue, weight gain, brain fog, and cold intolerance. Many patients who've been told their thyroid is "fine" have TSH levels above 2.5 mIU/L, which functional medicine practitioners increasingly flag as suboptimal even though traditional reference ranges extend to 4.5 or higher.
Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c): Measures your average blood glucose over the previous 90 days. Unlike a fasting glucose test, which captures a single moment, HbA1c reveals sustained glucose control. An HbA1c between 5.7% and 6.4% falls in the pre-diabetic range, and catching that number early means you can intervene with nutrition, exercise, or medication before it progresses. This marker is also the primary screening tool for GLP-1 candidacy at our Chicago clinic.
Lipid Panel: Total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides. Cardiovascular risk assessment starts here. But lipid data also connects to metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, and inflammation. Triglyceride-to-HDL ratio, for example, is a stronger predictor of insulin resistance than fasting glucose in many clinical contexts. Your provider calculates these derived ratios rather than just reporting the individual numbers.
Vitamin D (25-Hydroxy): Vitamin D deficiency is pervasive in the Midwest, particularly in Chicago where UV exposure drops significantly for six months of the year. Levels below 30 ng/mL are associated with immune dysfunction, bone density loss, fatigue, mood changes, and impaired recovery. For patients entering peptide, weight loss, or IV therapy programs, knowing your Vitamin D status determines whether supplementation should be part of your protocol from day one.
Samples are processed through Access Medical Labs, a CLIA-certified lab partner used across our diagnostic programs. Results are typically available within 5 to 7 business days. Once results are in, your provider at Better Med Spa conducts a clinical review that goes beyond flagging out-of-range markers. They evaluate trending patterns, calculate derived ratios (triglyceride-to-HDL, BUN-to-creatinine, albumin-to-globulin), and cross-reference your findings against your intake history and treatment goals. The review is conducted either in-person at our Lincoln Park location or via telehealth for patients anywhere in Illinois.
This panel is designed for a wide range of patients and goals. The conditions, symptoms, and profiles it addresses include:
Early detection of metabolic trends, not just disease states. Standard labs flag markers when they cross a diagnostic threshold. By then, the dysfunction has been developing for months or years. The Baseline Test, reviewed through a functional lens, catches movement toward dysfunction. An HbA1c of 5.5% isn't "normal" in our clinic. It's a data point that tells your provider your glucose management is worth monitoring and possibly intervening on now.
One draw that feeds multiple treatment programs. Rather than ordering separate labs for GLP-1 screening, IV therapy nutrient levels, and general wellness, the Baseline Test consolidates six panels into a single fasting blood draw at our Lincoln Park clinic. The results directly inform your candidacy for medical weight loss, GLP-1 dosing protocols, Vitamin D and B12 supplementation, and IV therapy formulations.
Longitudinal tracking that turns a snapshot into a trend line. A single set of lab results is useful. A series of results over time is powerful. Better Med Spa stores your data and compares each round of testing against your personal history. This means your provider spots a 15-point jump in LDL or a 0.3% rise in HbA1c that would be invisible to a provider seeing your labs for the first time. Your baseline becomes a living reference point, not a one-time event.
Informed supplement and IV therapy prescribing. Guessing at supplements wastes money and can mask problems. Vitamin D at 18 ng/mL calls for aggressive repletion, not a standard 1,000 IU daily dose. Low albumin and total protein may indicate absorption issues worth investigating before layering on oral supplements. Your provider uses the Baseline Test data to prescribe targeted interventions with specific dosing, not generic wellness stacks.
GLP-1 candidacy determined by data, not guesswork. Semaglutide and tirzepatide are powerful medications that require metabolic, hepatic, and renal screening before prescribing. The Advanced Wellness Baseline Test provides every marker needed for that assessment: HbA1c for glucose control, CMP for liver and kidney function, lipid panel for cardiovascular risk, and CBC for hematologic safety. Your provider has the complete picture in one visit.
The ideal patient for this test falls into one of several profiles. You're considering a weight loss program and need the metabolic data to screen for GLP-1 therapy. You've been told your labs are "normal" but you don't feel normal, and you want a provider who looks deeper than the reference range. You're entering a peptide, supplement, or IV therapy protocol and need baseline data. You're a proactive patient in your 30s, 40s, or 50s who wants to track your health longitudinally rather than reactively. Or you're new to Better Med Spa and want a clinical starting point before committing to any treatment program.
This test is not a replacement for specialized care. Patients with diagnosed thyroid conditions under endocrinology management, active hematologic disorders, or complex multi-system diseases should continue their specialist oversight. If your Baseline Test results reveal significantly abnormal findings, your provider will discuss next steps, which may include advanced panels (such as our Women's or Men's Hormone Panel), imaging referrals, or specialist referrals. Dr. Brechner, Better Med Spa's Medical Director, oversees all diagnostic protocols and referral pathways.
Step 1: Booking. Schedule your Advanced Wellness Baseline Test online or by calling (312) 285-2618. Select a morning appointment slot, as fasting is required. The clinic is located at 2117 N Halsted St in Lincoln Park, easily accessible from Old Town, Lakeview, Bucktown, and the greater North Side.
Step 2: Preparation. Fast for 8 to 12 hours before your draw. Water and black coffee are permitted. Skip supplements the morning of your appointment. If you're on prescription medications, take them as directed unless your provider has specifically instructed otherwise.
Step 3: The draw. The blood draw itself takes approximately 10 minutes. A trained phlebotomist collects your samples at the clinic. Six panels, one draw, one visit.
Step 4: Lab processing. Samples are sent to Access Medical Labs for analysis. Results are typically returned within 5 to 7 business days.
Step 5: Provider review. Your provider reviews all six panels together, calculates derived ratios, and prepares a treatment roadmap. You'll receive a walkthrough of your results during an in-person visit at our Lincoln Park clinic or via telehealth if you're located anywhere in Illinois.
Step 6: Treatment integration. Based on your results, your provider may recommend targeted supplementation, IV therapy, entry into a GLP-1 or medical weight loss program, peptide protocols, or advanced diagnostic testing. Your Baseline Test data stays in your record and serves as the comparison point for all future labs.
Get your baseline data before starting any wellness, weight loss, or longevity program.
The Advanced Wellness Baseline Test is the clinical starting point for nearly every treatment we offer. One blood draw, six panels, a complete provider review.
Typically includes a basic metabolic panel (BMP) or partial CBC, possibly a lipid panel if your age or risk factors warrant it. Results are reviewed by a primary care physician looking for out-of-range flags. TSH, HbA1c, and Vitamin D are often only ordered if you specifically request them or present with symptoms. No longitudinal comparison, no derived ratio analysis, no integration with treatment programs.
Six panels every time: CBC, CMP, TSH, HbA1c, lipid panel, Vitamin D. Results are reviewed with a functional and optimization lens, not just a disease-detection lens. Derived ratios calculated. Longitudinal tracking against your personal data over time. Findings are mapped directly to treatment options available at the clinic: GLP-1 screening, supplement prescribing, IV therapy, peptide protocols. Your data doesn't sit in a portal waiting for you to interpret it. It becomes the foundation for a plan.
The Advanced Wellness Baseline Test starts at $200. That includes the blood draw, processing of all six panels through Access Medical Labs, and your provider's clinical review with a treatment roadmap. We publish pricing because you should not have to book a consultation just to find out what something costs. For patients who plan to retest quarterly or combine the Baseline Test with other treatments, our membership program reduces per-visit and per-test costs. We also accept CareCredit and Cherry financing for patients building out multi-treatment plans.
All samples from the Advanced Wellness Baseline Test are processed through Access Medical Labs, a CLIA-certified laboratory that services practitioner-ordered panels nationwide. CLIA certification means the lab meets federal standards for accuracy, reliability, and quality control. We chose Access Medical Labs as our diagnostic partner because their turnaround times, panel breadth, and reporting detail meet the standards Dr. Brechner requires across all Better Med Spa diagnostic programs. Results are delivered in a format that allows our providers to review raw values, reference ranges, and historical comparisons side by side.
This matters because lab quality varies more than most patients realize. Reference ranges, testing methodology, and reporting formats differ between labs, which can lead to inconsistent readings if you're comparing results from different providers over time. By running all diagnostic panels through the same CLIA-certified partner, Better Med Spa ensures that your longitudinal data is measured, processed, and reported under consistent standards. When your provider compares your HbA1c from January to your HbA1c from July, they're comparing numbers produced by the same methodology, not approximating across different lab protocols.
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