Should I Get My Blood Tested? Benefits & Drawbacks | Extra Mile
Aug 20, 2026 · 31m
Summary
Spencer Matthews and Ollie Patrick discuss the value of direct-to-consumer blood testing for proactive health management. They emphasize that blood work reveals silent physiological issues like high cholesterol, elevated glucose, and low testosterone that are not visible without testing. The hosts explain the importance of tracking trends over time to predict future health risks rather than just diagnosing existing diseases. They also address common misconceptions, such as the difference between fruit sugar and processed sugars, and the risks of false positives and negatives.
Topics discussed
Introduction: Why and how to get blood tests
Defining the specific question behind blood testing
The value of tracking trends and preventative health
Sponsor: Mod Com for fatigue and focus
Sponsor: Midas tire guarantee
Sponsor: Acast podcast advertising
Key markers: Lipids, cholesterol, and glucose
Processed sugar vs fruit: The role of fiber
Glucose tolerance and metabolic disease risks
Fueling for exercise: Timing glucose intake
HbA1c, Vitamin D, and skin tone
Sponsors: Mod Com, Agency Skin, Midas
Hidden health issues and the limits of appearance
Predictorics: Using data to predict future health
Optimization vs absence of disease
Testosterone decline and replacement therapy
Case study: Steve Redgrave and TRT
The complexity of testing hormones like cortisol
Tracking vitamins and omega ratios over time
Addressing false positives and negatives in testing
Conclusion and final sponsor reads
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