Lab offering

Start with Labs

Advanced testing to uncover root causes of health concerns.
66+ biomarkers analyzed. 45 min consultation to review your results. Written summary and recommendations.

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How it Works

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Complete brief onboarding

Get labs drawn

Visit a local lab to complete your lab work using health insurance (NY, NJ, CA). For other states or if you don’t want to use insurance, we can set you up with lab testing through our partner lab Vibrant America (cost of the comprehensive lab panel is $300, with an option for a local lab draw or at-home draw).

Meet with our clinician

to review the results and receive your personalized care plan.

“Start with Labs was transformative for me. It was quick and simple, and Dr. Lewis started me on a plan that improved my energy, mood, and premenstrual symptoms.”

Elizabeth S., Brooklyn

Biomarkers tested

We analyze key indicators affecting your mental wellbeing, using optimal ranges—not just standard “normal” values.

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  • Stress Hormones
  • Sex Hormones
  • Thyroid Comprehensive
  • Autoimmune
  • Inflammation
  • Metabolic
  • Blood Sugar
  • Detoxification
  • Cardiovascular
  • Liver
  • Kidneys
  • Electrolytes
  • Blood Counts
  • Homocysteine
  • B12
  • Vitamin D
  • Magnesium
  • Iron
  • Ferritin
  • Iron Binding Capacity
  • Iron % Saturation
  • Folate

Expert Interpretation & Care Plan

Your 45-minute consultation includes:

  • Clear explanation of your results
  • Personalized treatment recommendations
  • Follow-up recommendations

Lab Testing Options and Pricing

Beata Lewis

Insurance Option

Visit a local lab to complete your lab work using health insurance (NY, NJ, CA). Lab tests are billed through your insurance. Your copay will depend on your insurance plan and deductible.

Beata Lewis

Without Insurance

For other states or if you don’t want to use insurance, we provide lab testing through Vibrant America Lab. (The cost of the lab panel is $300, and Vibrant America provides at-home or local lab draw options.)

Start with Labs fee includes your 45-minute results review with our clinical team.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is there an expected copay for labwork?

The tests are billed through your insurance. The size of your copay depends on your plan and deductible. We also provide an option for not using health insurance (lab cost $300).

How long until my consultation after labs?

We schedule your consultation ten days after your lab visit to ensure all results are processed.

How do I complete my lab testing if I’m not in NY, NJ, or CA?

We provide a link to purchase the lab kit through our partner, Vibrant America ($300). They’ll ship the kit directly to you and help facilitate your blood draw through their phlebotomist finder service at your home or at a lab site. Results are sent directly to our clinical team for your consultation.

Can I become a member after my consultation?

Yes! You’ll have access to the concierge membership for 30 days after the labs and can apply your payment toward membership.

What makes this different from other lab offerings?

We focus specifically on mental health biomarkers with functional medicine interpretation, providing actionable recommendations.

Why do you test so many things when I just want help with my mental health?

Your brain doesn’t exist in a bubble—it’s connected to everything happening in your body. Low iron can make you feel anxious and exhausted. Thyroid problems can mimic depression perfectly. Blood sugar swings can trigger panic attacks. We test comprehensively because mental health symptoms often have physical roots that get missed when doctors only look at your mind.

How is this different from what my regular doctor orders?

Most doctors run basic panels that miss the bigger picture. They might check your thyroid but skip the antibodies that show autoimmune issues. They’ll test B12 but not the other B vitamins that work together. Our panel is designed specifically to catch the physical imbalances that show up as anxiety, depression, brain fog, and mood swings.

What if my previous labs were ``normal``?

“Normal” lab ranges are based on sick populations, not optimal health. You can be within the normal range and still feel terrible. We look for optimal ranges—the levels where people actually feel good and think clearly. Plus, we test things most doctors never check, like inflammation markers and nutrient levels.

How long until I get results?

You’ll have your results within 5-7 business days, along with a detailed report that explains what everything means in plain English. No more wondering what those numbers actually mean for how you feel.

Do I need to fast for these labs?

Yes, please fast for 10-12 hours before your blood draw (water is fine). This gives us the most accurate picture of your blood sugar, lipids, and other markers.

What happens after I get my results?

You’ll receive a comprehensive report explaining your results and how they connect to your symptoms. If you’d like to work with one of our clinicians to address any imbalances, we can discuss treatment options during a consultation.

How is this basic lab package different from the Discover Assessment and Labs with Dr. Lewis package?

This lab package covers approximately 25% of what we test in our comprehensive functional medicine workup, focusing on the most common causes of mental health symptoms. Our comprehensive assessment includes extensive panels for gut health, leaky gut, microbiome analysis, detailed hormone metabolism, toxin exposure, methylation pathways, nutrient absorption, and advanced inflammatory markers. The comprehensive package is designed for root-cause deep dives, while Just the Labs package gives you the essential foundation to get started.

Should I start with the basic labs or go straight to the Discover comprehensive assessment?

This basic package is perfect if you want to start with the fundamentals or test the waters before diving deeper. However, if you have complex physical and mental health symptoms, have been struggling for years, or want the complete root-cause investigation from the start, the Discover Assessment and Labs with Dr. Lewis might be your best option. The good news? If you choose to upgrade to the full assessment and lab package with Dr. Lewis later, we’ll apply the full cost of Just the Labs toward Discover Assessment and Labs. Think of this as your entry point with full credit toward the deeper work.

Personalized data-driven approach to mental health.
Book Your Lab Consultation Today

How Your Lab Results Connect to Mental Health

Lab Category What We Test Abnormal Results = Symptoms Mental Health Connection
Iron Panel Iron, Ferritin, TIBC, Iron Saturation Too Low: Fatigue, anxiety, restless legs, brain fog, difficulty concentrating Too High: Rare, but can cause liver problems Iron deficiency anemia increases psychiatric disorder risk by 52%; iron supplementation reduces this risk⁶
B Vitamins B12, Folate Too Low: Depression, anxiety, memory problems, fatigue, irritability Too High: Generally well-tolerated B12 deficiency can mimic depression and dementia¹³
Thyroid TSH, T3, T4, Reverse T3, Antibodies Too Low (Hypo): Depression, brain fog, fatigue, anxiety, weight gain Too High (Hyper): Anxiety, panic, insomnia, racing thoughts, irritability Subclinical hypothyroidism occurs in 4-40% of patients with depression⁹
Vitamin D 25-OH Vitamin D Too Low: Depression, anxiety, seasonal mood changes, fatigue Too High: Rare with normal intake Vitamin D supplementation shows modest benefit for depression, especially with adequate baseline levels³
Blood Sugar Glucose, HbA1c, Insulin Too Low: Brain fog, anxiety between meals, fatigue Too High: Mood swings, anxiety, panic attacks, brain fog Blood sugar dysregulation affects neurotransmitter function and mood stability¹⁶
Stress Hormones Cortisol, DHEA Too Low: Depression, fatigue, brain fog, low motivation Too High: Anxiety, insomnia, racing thoughts, panic Chronic stress hormones impair cognitive function and mood regulation¹¹
Sex Hormones Estrogen, Progesterone, Testosterone Abnormalities: Depression, anxiety, brain fog, mood swings, low motivation, irritability, insomnia, other Sex hormones influence neurotransmitter systems and stress responses¹
Inflammation CRP, ESR Elevated levels: Depression, brain fog, fatigue, mood instability, other Elevated CRP found in depression patients independent of other health factors¹⁷
Magnesium Serum/RBC Magnesium Too Low: Anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia, muscle tension, irritability Too High: Rare with normal intake Magnesium supplementation shows promise for reducing anxiety and stress symptoms⁵
Lipids Cholesterol, HDL, LDL, Triglycerides Abnormal levels: Can affect mood stability and cognitive function Cholesterol abnormalities associated with mood disorders¹⁵
Homocysteine Homocysteine Elevated levels: Depression, anxiety, cognitive decline, brain fog Elevated homocysteine linked to reduced neurotransmitter production⁸
Liver ALT, AST, GGT, Albumin Abnormal liver function: Can affect mood, cognition, and energy levels Liver function abnormalities more frequent in depression patients¹⁹
Kidneys Creatinine, BUN, eGFR, Cystatin C Impaired kidney function: Can cause fatigue, confusion, and mood changes Renal dysfunction more common in psychiatric populations¹⁹
Electrolytes Sodium, Potassium, Chloride Imbalanced levels: Confusion, fatigue, muscle weakness, mood changes Electrolyte imbalances directly affect nerve and brain function
Blood Counts CBC with Differential Abnormal counts: Fatigue, weakness, poor concentration, increased infection risk Anemia and hematologic abnormalities more frequent in depression¹⁹

Reference List

  1. Albert, K., et al. (2015). Estrogen, stress, and depression: cognitive and biological interactions. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 11, 399-423.
  2. Anderson, E.L., et al. (2017). American Association for Emergency Psychiatry Task Force on Medical Clearance of Adults Part I: Introduction, Review and Evidence-Based Guidelines. The Western Journal of Emergency Medicine, 18(2), 235-242.
  3. Anglin, R.E., et al. (2013). Vitamin D deficiency and depression in adults: systematic review and meta-analysis. British Journal of Psychiatry, 202(2), 100-107.
  4. Beard, J. (2003). Iron deficiency alters brain development and functioning. Journal of Nutrition, 133(5), 1468S-1472S.
  5. Boyle, N.B., et al. (2017). The effects of magnesium supplementation on subjective anxiety and stress. Nutrients, 9(5), 429.
  6. Chen, Y., et al. (2020). Psychiatric disorders risk in patients with iron deficiency anemia and association with iron supplementation medications: a nationwide database analysis. BMC Psychiatry, 20(1), 216.
  7. Ettleson, M.D., et al. (2022). Brain fog in hypothyroidism: understanding the patient’s perspective. Endocrine Practice, 28(3), 257-264.
  8. Folstein, M., et al. (2007). The homocysteine hypothesis of depression. American Journal of Psychiatry, 164(6), 861-867.
  9. Hage, M.P., & Azar, S.T. (2012). The link between thyroid function and depression. Journal of Thyroid Research, 2012, 590648.
  10. Iwata, M., et al. (2023). Clinical laboratory data in Japan: a comparative study of patients with psychiatric disorders and the general population. Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, 19, 2061-2068.
  11. Lupien, S.J., et al. (2018). The effects of stress and stress hormones on human cognition. Brain and Cognition, 65(3), 209-237.
  12. Miller, A.H., & Raison, C.L. (2016). The role of inflammation in depression. JAMA Psychiatry, 73(1), 31-38.
  13. Morris, M.S. (2012). The role of B vitamins in preventing and treating cognitive impairment and decline. Advances in Nutrition, 3(6), 801-812.
  14. Nazarian, D.J., et al. (2017). Clinical Policy: Critical Issues in the Diagnosis And Management of the Adult Psychiatric Patient In the Emergency Department. Annals of Emergency Medicine, 69(4), 480-498.
  15. Papakostas, G.I., et al. (2004). Serum cholesterol in treatment-resistant depression. Neuropsychobiology, 50(4), 245-249.
  16. Penckofer, S., et al. (2017). The psychoneuroimmunology of depression: the role of glucose dysregulation. Nursing Research, 66(1), 1-15.
  17. Pitharouli, M.C., et al. (2021). Elevated C-reactive protein in patients with depression, independent of genetic, health, and psychosocial factors: Results from the UK Biobank. American Journal of Psychiatry, 178(6), 522-529.
  18. Tarleton, E.K., et al. (2017). Role of magnesium supplementation in the treatment of depression: A randomized clinical trial. PLoS One, 12(6), e0180067.
  19. Wainberg, M., et al. (2021). Clinical laboratory tests and five-year incidence of major depressive disorder: a prospective cohort study of 433,890 participants from the UK Biobank. Translational Psychiatry, 11(1), 380.
  20. Wang, R., et al. (2023). The effect of vitamin D supplementation on primary depression: A meta-analysis. Journal of Affective Disorders, 344, 277-283.
  21. Bode, H., et al. (2021). Association of hypothyroidism and clinical depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Psychiatry, 78(12), 1375-1383.
  22. Jirakran, K., et al. (2025). Increased atherogenicity in mood disorders: a systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 169, 106005.
  23. Siegmann, E.M., et al. (2018). Association of depression and anxiety disorders with autoimmune thyroiditis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Psychiatry, 75(6), 577-584.
  24. Tkachev, A., et al. (2023). Lipid alteration signature in the blood plasma of individuals with schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder. JAMA Psychiatry, 80(3), 250-259.
  25. Zhang, H., et al. (2023). Cerebral iron deficiency may induce depression through downregulation of the hippocampal glucocorticoid-glucocorticoid receptor signaling pathway. Journal of Affective Disorders, 332, 125-135.
  26. Zhong, X., et al. (2024). Association between dyslipidemia and depression: a cross-sectional analysis of NHANES data from 2007 to 2018. BMC Psychiatry, 24(1), 893.

Personalized data-driven approach to mental health.
Book Your Lab Consultation Today

Just the Labs Intake Form

This educational lab package helps you understand the connection between your physical health and how you feel.
This does not establish a patient-provider relationship.

Your lab package request
has been received!

Thank you for choosing our comprehensive lab testing approach. You’ll receive a confirmation email shortly with next steps, and our team will reach out within 24 hours to set up your lab draw and answer any questions.
Get ready to finally understand what your body has been trying to tell you!

Disclaimer
The information provided on this website is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.