Key Takeaways
- Biomarker testing measures genes, proteins, and molecules that reveal how your body is functioning.
- These tests guide diagnosis, treatment planning, and long-term health monitoring, especially in personalized medicine.
- While biomarker panels can’t detect microplastics directly, they can highlight inflammation or stress patterns linked to environmental exposures.
I was recently contacted by a company that offers biomarker testing and asked me to review their panel. I haven’t started the testing yet, but before I do, I wanted to understand what biomarker testing actually is and what it could tell me.
To be honest, I’m excited about it. For the past few years, I’ve had more doctor visits than I can count, usually ending with me in tears because I still didn’t have answers. I’ve been extremely lethargic, foggy, anxious, and just… not myself. And while every doctor tried to help, I kept walking away feeling like something important was being missed.
So before I jump into my own testing experience, I wanted to share the basics I’ve learned. This guide explains what biomarker testing is, what it measures, how it works, and why so many people are turning to it for clearer insight. Once I complete the test myself, I’ll write a full review about the process and my results. But for now, here’s the simple, straightforward explanation of what biomarker testing is.
What Is Biomarker Testing?
Biomarker testing is a way to learn what’s happening inside your body by measuring specific molecules in your blood, saliva, urine, or tissue. These molecules—called biomarkers—include things like genes, proteins, hormones, enzymes, and metabolites. Each one gives clues about how your body is working and whether something may be out of balance.
Doctors and researchers sometimes call this molecular testing, molecular profiling, precision diagnostics, or personalized medicine testing. All of these terms mean roughly the same thing: using biological markers to understand health at a deeper, more detailed level.
In simple terms, biomarker testing is like getting a chemistry report on your body. Instead of guessing what might be causing symptoms, biomarkers help reveal patterns related to inflammation, hormones, nutrient levels, metabolism, immune function, and more.
✨now you know
What Counts as a Biomarker?
Biomarkers can be almost anything your body produces that can be measured, including:
- Hormones (like cortisol or thyroid hormones)
- Proteins (like CRP, which shows inflammation)
- Nutrients (like vitamin D or B12)
- Enzymes
- Metabolites
- Pieces of DNA or RNA
They act like “signals” that help explain what’s happening beneath the surface.
Why Is Biomarker Testing Important?
Biomarker testing is important because it helps you understand what’s happening inside your body in a clear, measurable way. These tests look at hormones, proteins, enzymes, nutrients, and DNA fragments—tiny signals that show whether your body is working as it should or if something may be out of balance.
In healthcare, biomarkers are used to diagnose conditions, understand how a disease may progress, and select appropriate treatments. In cancer care, for example, biomarker testing helps doctors decide whether targeted therapy or immunotherapy could work, making treatment far more personalized.
But biomarker testing isn’t only for cancer. It can also help you spot things that don’t always show up in a regular checkup, like low nutrients, hormone changes, inflammation, or signs your metabolism is off. And if you’ve been feeling tired, anxious, foggy, or just “not yourself,” biomarker testing can point to patterns that help explain why.
Types of Biomarker Tests
Biomarker tests fall into two main categories: clinical and wellness. Both measure what’s happening inside your body, but clinical tests are used to diagnose or monitor disease, while wellness tests focus on optimizing health and preventing illness.
Clinical Biomarker Tests
Doctors in hospitals or cancer centers use clinical biomarker tests. They help diagnose disease, guide treatment, or assess the severity of a condition. These tests require advanced lab equipment and are not part of at-home wellness panels.
Common Clinical Biomarker Tests:
- Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS): Scans large sections of DNA to find mutations that may drive cancer or guide targeted therapy.
- Liquid Biopsy: A blood test that finds pieces of tumor DNA circulating in the bloodstream.
- Immunohistochemistry (IHC): Uses special dyes on tissue samples to detect proteins that influence treatment decisions.
- PCR Testing: Copies tiny sections of DNA to quickly identify specific, known mutations.
- FISH Testing (Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization): Uses glowing fluorescent tags to show if genes are missing, duplicated, or in the wrong place.
Wellness Biomarker Tests
Wellness biomarker tests are the kind used in everyday health panels and at-home services. These tests go beyond basic bloodwork and help you understand how your body performs, recovers, and adapts — even when symptoms aren’t obvious.
Here are 6 main types of wellness biomarkers and how they help you better understand your body:
Hormone Markers
Hormones are chemical messengers that control your energy, stress response, mood, weight, and sleep. When they’re off, you feel it. These markers can help explain fatigue, anxiety, brain fog, or unexplained shifts in mood or weight.
Common markers include:
- Cortisol (stress + recovery)
- Thyroid hormones (metabolism, energy, body temperature)
- Estrogen, progesterone, testosterone (mood, weight, cycle changes, libido)
Nutrient Markers
Nutrient levels show whether your body has the vitamins and minerals it needs to run smoothly. Low or borderline nutrient levels are common even in people who eat well.
Examples include:
- Vitamin D (immunity, mood, bone health)
- Vitamin B12 + folate (energy + brain function)
- Iron + ferritin (fatigue, hair loss, stamina)
- Magnesium (sleep, muscle relaxation, stress)
Inflammation Markers
Inflammation is your body’s “stress signal.” High levels can show up as fatigue, bloating, joint pain, skin issues, or overall burnout. These tests help spot hidden stressors your body may be fighting.
Markers include:
- CRP and hsCRP (general inflammation)
- ESR (another way of measuring inflammatory activity)
Metabolic Health Markers
These biomarkers show how your body handles sugar, fat, and energy, which play a huge role in long-term health. They help explain energy crashes, carb sensitivity, weight changes, and more.
Common markers:
- Glucose + A1C (blood sugar control)
- Insulin (how your cells respond to sugar)
- Cholesterol + triglycerides (heart + metabolic health)
- HDL, LDL, VLDL (your lipid profile)
Organ Function Markers
These tests check how well major organs are working — often before symptoms appear. These numbers can catch early issues long before they turn into problems.
Key markers include:
- Liver enzymes (ALT, AST) — show liver stress or detox capacity
- Kidney markers (creatinine, eGFR) — how well your kidneys filter waste
- Albumin + total protein — reflects nutrition, hydration, and healing
Stress + Recovery Markers
These markers look at how well your body handles daily stress and how quickly it bounces back. They help explain why you may feel wired, tired, or not sleeping deeply, even if your routine hasn’t changed.
Examples include:
- Cortisol patterns (morning vs. evening levels)
- Melatonin (sleep timing + circadian rhythm)
- HRV-related metrics (how well your nervous system recovers)
When Is Biomarker Testing Used?
Biomarker testing can be helpful in many situations, whether you’re dealing with a medical condition or just trying to understand your everyday health. These tests give doctors — and sometimes you — clearer information about what’s happening inside your body.
Here are the most common times biomarker testing is used:
🏥 Medical Care & Diagnosis
Doctors often use biomarker testing when they need more information to diagnose a condition.
Examples include:
- checking for cancer-related mutations,
- confirming a disease is present, or
- understanding why symptoms are happening.
🎯 Choosing the Right Treatment
In modern medicine especially in cancer care treatment is no longer “one-size-fits-all.” Biomarker tests can help doctors decide:
- which medications may work best,
- which treatments may not help,
- and whether targeted therapies or immunotherapy are a good match.
📈 Tracking How a Condition Is Progressing
Biomarkers can indicate whether a disease is improving, remaining stable, or worsening. This helps avoid unnecessary treatments and ensures people get the care that fits their situation.
Doctors use them to:
- monitor treatment response,
- catch early signs of recurrence,
- or adjust a treatment plan when needed.
💚 Everyday Wellness & Preventive Health
You don’t need a diagnosis to benefit from biomarker testing. Many people use wellness biomarker panels to learn more about:
- fatigue or low energy,
- mood changes,
- sleep issues,
- brain fog,
- weight changes,
- or “mystery symptoms” that don’t have a clear cause.
These tests can highlight hormone imbalances, nutrient deficiencies, inflammation, or metabolic issues that may not be apparent during routine checkups.
👨👩👧 Family or Inherited Risk
Some biomarker tests look at inherited markers (germline biomarkers) that run in families. These tests do not diagnose a disease, but they help people understand their risk and make informed choices.
Doctors may recommend these tests if:
- certain conditions show up in multiple relatives,
- Someone has a strong personal history of a disease,
- Or they want to know if preventive steps are needed.
💪 Understanding Stress & Recovery
Wellness-focused biomarker tests are also used to help people understand how their bodies respond to stress, workouts, or changing routines. This information is valuable if you feel burnt out or not bouncing back like you used to.
These tests may show:
- high cortisol levels,
- sleep-related changes,
- or recovery issues.
5 Things Biomarker Testing Can Tell You
Biomarker testing can reveal a lot about how your body is functioning, whether you’re managing a medical condition or trying to understand everyday health concerns. The results help connect the dots between symptoms, underlying patterns, and what your body may need.
1. Understanding What’s Really Going On
Biomarkers can help identify the presence of a disease or confirm what doctors suspect. In medical settings, they may detect cancer-related mutations, hormone disorders, autoimmune activity, or signs of infection. In wellness testing, specific markers can highlight nutrient deficiencies, thyroid issues, inflammation, or metabolic imbalances that might explain symptoms such as fatigue or mood changes.
2. What Your Results Say About the Future
Some biomarkers help predict how a condition may behave over time. For example, specific cancer markers can show whether a tumor is likely to grow quickly or respond well to treatment. In wellness testing, ongoing patterns in inflammation, stress hormones, or metabolic markers can help you understand whether your current habits are supporting long-term health.
3. How Biomarkers Guide the Best Next Step
Biomarker testing plays a significant role in personalized medicine. In clinical settings, specific markers help doctors decide which treatment is most likely to work, such as whether someone may respond to immunotherapy or targeted therapy. In wellness testing, results can guide lifestyle changes, supplement needs, or conversations with your primary care doctor.
4. Tracking Your Progress Over Time
Biomarkers can show whether a condition is improving, stable, or worsening. Doctors use them to track recovery, treatment response, or early signs of recurrence. Wellness panels can help you monitor trends in hormones, inflammation, and metabolic health, so you can see how your habits, stress levels, and routines affect your body over time.
5. Identifying Underlying Patterns
Sometimes symptoms don’t make sense on their own. Biomarker testing helps reveal patterns that may not show up in a standard checkup—things like chronic inflammation, low nutrient levels, hormonal swings, or stress-related problems. These insights can help you understand why you’ve been feeling “off” and what direction to explore next.
💬 Talking to Your Healthcare Provider
Biomarker testing can give you helpful insights, but it should never replace medical advice. Your results are only one piece of the puzzle, and a healthcare professional can help you understand what they actually mean for your body and your health.
It’s always a good idea to share your results with your doctor — especially if something looks unusual, if you’ve been dealing with ongoing symptoms, or if you’re thinking about making significant changes to your diet, supplements, or lifestyle. A quick conversation can help you avoid misunderstandings, rule out medical conditions, and make sure you’re following a plan that’s safe and appropriate for your needs.
Key Terms and Concepts in Biomarker Testing
These quick definitions will help you understand the terms you’ll see throughout biomarker testing and make the rest of this guide easier to follow.
Biomarker: A measurable sign in your body, such as a hormone, protein, nutrient, enzyme, or piece of DNA, that helps show how your body is functioning.
Biomarker testing: A laboratory test that measures biomarkers in blood, tissue, or other body fluids to look for patterns in health, wellness, or disease.
Laboratory test: A test performed in a certified lab using a sample such as blood, saliva, urine, or tissue. All biomarker tests require lab processing for accurate results.
Blood: A common sample used in biomarker testing. It can show levels of inflammation, hormones, nutrients, cholesterol, metabolic markers, and pieces of DNA.
Body fluids: Samples such as saliva, urine, or blood that can be tested to measure hormones, nutrients, stress markers, or DNA fragments.
Tissue: A small amount of cells collected from the body, often through a biopsy, when doctors need to examine what’s happening in a specific area closely closely.
Somatic variant: A DNA change that develops during a person’s life in certain cells. These changes are not inherited and are not passed down; they often appear in tumors.
Germline variant: A DNA change someone is born with. It is inherited from a parent and can be passed on to future children.
Carrier: A person who has an inherited genetic change that usually does not cause symptoms in them but can be passed on to their children.
Cell-free DNA (cfDNA): Small pieces of DNA that float freely in the bloodstream. They can come from tumors, pregnancy, or normal cell turnover and allow DNA testing without a tissue biopsy.
Variant Allele Frequency (VAF): A number that shows how common a specific DNA variant is in a sample by comparing variant reads to the total number of reads.
Karyotype: A visual profile of a person’s chromosomes used to identify missing, extra, or rearranged chromosome pieces.
Multiplex Ligation-dependent Probe Amplification (MLPA): A laboratory method used to find sections of DNA that are missing or duplicated, especially when gene copy number changes may be involved.
Next-generation sequencing (NGS): A technology that reads millions of DNA fragments at the same time to quickly identify genetic changes.
Whole Exome Sequencing (WES): A type of sequencing that looks at the parts of DNA that code for proteins, where many disease-related changes are found.
Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS): A broad sequencing method that reads nearly all of a person’s DNA, not just protein-coding regions.
Molecular testing: Testing that looks at molecules like DNA, RNA, or proteins to understand how cells are functioning or to detect changes linked to disease.
Molecular profiling: A detailed look at gene or protein patterns within a sample, often used to help guide cancer treatment decisions.
Polygenic Risk Score: A number that estimates a person’s genetic risk for a condition based on the combined effect of many small DNA changes.
FAQs on What Is Biomarker Testing?
It depends on the type of test. Most wellness biomarker panels return results within a few days to two weeks. Clinical tests used in hospitals, like NGS or liquid biopsies, can take longer because the lab work is more complex. Your provider or test company will usually give you a time estimate when you order the test.
Not exactly. Genetic testing looks only at your DNA — usually the part you inherit from your parents. Biomarker testing looks at many types of signals, not just DNA. It can include hormones, nutrients, proteins, enzymes, and inflammation markers, among others. Some biomarker tests do analyze DNA, but many focus on everyday health markers.
For clinical biomarker tests used in hospitals, yes, they must be ordered and interpreted by a doctor. For wellness biomarker panels, many companies let you order them directly. Even so, it’s always a good idea to share your results with your healthcare provider so you can get support if something needs follow-up.
No, biomarker tests cannot directly detect microplastics in your body. However, they can show patterns linked to environmental stressors — such as inflammation, oxidative stress, hormone changes, and specific metabolic shifts. These clues can help you understand how your body may be responding to environmental exposures, even if the test doesn’t measure them directly.
Biomarker tests are helpful, but they are not perfect. They don’t diagnose every condition, they can’t always explain symptoms, and results can change based on stress, sleep, or timing of the test. Biomarkers offer valuable clues, but they should always be considered along with your symptoms, medical history, and conversations with your doctor.
Final Thoughts on What Is Biomarker Testing?
Biomarker testing is one of the most effective ways to understand what’s happening inside your body. Whether it’s used in medical care or everyday wellness, these tests can reveal patterns that aren’t always obvious from symptoms alone. They can highlight shifts in hormones, nutrients, inflammation, and metabolism — and help you see how your body is responding to stress, lifestyle changes, or long-term habits.
While biomarker testing can give you a clearer picture of your health, it’s only part of the story. Your results are most meaningful when viewed alongside your symptoms, your history, and your doctor’s guidance. If something in your results stands out or raises questions, sharing them with a healthcare provider is always the best next step.
🗨️ Have you ever had biomarker testing done?
I’d love to hear what your experience was like — whether it gave you answers, raised new questions, or helped you understand your health more clearly. Share your experience below so others can learn from it too!
📚 References
- Benisek, A. (2025, April 5). Biomarkers: What they are and how they’re used. WebMD. Retrieved November 17, 2025, from https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/biomarkers-overview
- Matynia, A. (2022, February 9). Practical look at liquid biopsy [PDF slides]. University of Utah School of Medicine, ARUP Laboratories. Retrieved November 17, 2025, from https://arup.utah.edu/media/matynia-liquid-pcap22/lecture-slides.pdf
- Hartmann, D. (2025, October 21). Biomarker. In Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved November 17, 2025, from https://www.britannica.com/science/biomarker
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. (n.d.). Biomarkers. Retrieved November 17, 2025, from https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/science/biomarkers
- WebMD. (n.d.). Biomarkers: What they are and how they’re used. Retrieved November 17, 2025, from https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/biomarkers-overview
