Nourish Labs: Standard Operating Procedures

The attached PDFs provide standardized guidance on how Registered Dietitians can confidently use lab results within scope to guide nutrition care, identify potential risk patterns, and support patient outcomes.

Guidance is available for:

• Basic Cardiometabolic Panel

• Heart Health Panel (includes advanced cardiovascular markers such as Lipoprotein(a), hs-CRP, and ApoB)

• Hormone Health Panel (thyroid, adrenal, and sex hormone markers)

  • Note: Hormonal panels for female patients should ideally be drawn on days 2-5 of the menstrual cycle (with day 1 being the first day of menstruation). This window offers the most useful baseline for assessing hormonal status and identifying patients approaching menopause. If labs are drawn outside this window, document the cycle day to support accurate interpretation.

  • Note on oral contraceptives: Patients taking oral birth control pills (OCPs) should be counseled that their results will largely reflect their medication rather than their underlying hormonal function. Results during the placebo week may shift slightly but will not return to true baseline. RDs should note OCP use when discussing lab timing with patients and set expectations accordingly.

These documents focus on practical care protocols, nutrition implications, and appropriate referral to primary care when medical interpretation or diagnosis is required.

All laboratory orders are signed by Nourish’s lab ordering partner. Nourish Registered Dietitians only suggest panels and provide nutrition education based on results. Patients are recommended to review lab results with their primary care provider for formal interpretation and diagnosis.