How MIORA Works
YOUR BODY IS AN INTEGRATED SYSTEM
Your health assessment should be too. Forget isolated numbers on a lab report. True health is about how everything works together. That’s the power of the Metabolic Code, developed by Life Time’s Chief Science Officer Jim LaValle.
This advanced approach evaluates your health through 70+ key biomarkers across five key systems, or TRIADs, revealing the interconnected patterns that impact your performance and longevity.
TRIAD 1: ENERGY
This TRIAD encompasses the relationship between 3 important hormones: cortisol, insulin, and thyroid. These hormones reflect the current state of your stress levels, blood sugar regulation and metabolic health. In their most basic function, each is responsible for energy production and circulation.
When TRIAD 1 is unbalanced, a person feels fatigued, constantly fights cravings and often struggles with weight management. When TRIAD 1 is balanced, energy stabilizes, appetite regulates, and metabolism improves.
Adrenal
The adrenal glands create more than thirty different steroids and hormones critical for regulating many other systems throughout the body. The adrenals are best known for helping to modulate stress response throughout the body.
CORTISOL Cortisol regulates stress, metabolism, blood pressure, and immune response. Cortisol levels help identify adrenal dysfunction or overactivation.
DHEA DHEA is a precursor to key sex hormones and supports energy, libido, and immune health. Low levels can indicate adrenal dysfunction, lower sex hormones or create age-related decline.
SODIUM Essential for hydration, nerve function, and muscle contractions. Imbalances can point to inadequate electrolyte intake, adrenal or kidney stress and affect blood pressure.
Thyroid
The thyroid gland releases thyroid hormones that are the driving force in your metabolic rate.
THYROID-STIMULATING HORMONE (TSH) Produced by the brain to tell the thyroid how much T4 to create. High or low levels reflect under- or over-active thyroid function.
T4 FREE The storage form of thyroid hormone. It must convert to T3 to be effective - low levels may contribute to sluggish metabolism and brain fog.
T3 FREE The active form of thyroid hormone that drives metabolism and energy. Low free T3 may cause fatigue, weight gain, and cold sensitivity.
THYROID PEROXIDASE (TPO) An antibody that, when elevated, signals autoimmune thyroid dysfunction (like Hashimoto’s). It's a key marker for thyroid-related fatigue and weight issues.
Pancreas
The pancreas is best known for its critical role in blood sugar regulation.
GLUCOSE Glucose measures blood sugar control. Elevated levels can increase metabolic inflammation, signal insulin resistance or increased risk for diabetes.
HEMOGLOBIN A1C A 3-month average of your blood sugar. It helps detect insulin resistance, prediabetes and diabetes even when fasting glucose appears normal.
INSULIN Insulin helps regulate blood sugar. High fasting insulin can signal early metabolic dysfunction and lead to weight gain - even before glucose rises.
POTASSIUM Vital for muscle function, hydration, and heart rhythm. Imbalances may stem from inadequate electrolyte intake, stress, or kidney/adrenal issues.
TRIAD 2 : RESILIENCE
This TRIAD is comprised of the digestive tract, immune system, and the central nervous system. Together, these intelligent body systems make moment-to-moment decisions on absorption and assimilation, and setting critical boundaries physically, immunologically, and psychically.
When TRIAD 2 is out of balance, the person can suffer from consistent GI distress, experience frequent cold and flus and deal with brain fog. When balanced, digestion is optimized, immunity is strong and the brain is clear.
Gut
The gut is involved in the complex breakdown and absorption of food nutrients. The gut is also the primary creator of serotonin (your happy hormone) and the largest organ of the immune system.
EOSINOPHILS A type of white blood cell involved in immune response. Elevated levels can signal allergies, inflammation, or infection - often pointing to hidden stressors in the body.
CRP (C-REACTIVE PROTEIN) A powerful marker of systemic inflammation. Elevated CRP levels can signal increased risk for heart disease, chronic illness, or hidden inflammatory triggers affecting recovery and energy.
MONOCYTES Monocytes are immune cells that respond to infection and injury. Elevated percentages may indicate chronic inflammation or immune dysregulation.
VITAMIN D Crucial for mood, bone health, immune function, and hormone balance. Low Vitamin D is common - and often overlooked as a driver of fatigue, low mood, and poor immunity.
Immune
The immune system contains specialized organs and cells that are designed to defend the body against foreign invaders, including microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, even cancerous cells.
ALBUMIN A major liver-produced protein that helps maintain fluid balance and transport key nutrients. Low levels may signal inflammation, liver stress, or poor nutrition.
GLOBULIN Globulin proteins support immune function and transport hormones. Abnormal levels can reflect immune activation, chronic infections, or liver concerns
ALBUMIN/GLOBULIN RATIO This ratio reflects protein balance in the blood. A disrupted ratio may signal liver dysfunction, chronic inflammation, or immune system stress.
BASOPHILS A rare but important white blood cell type that plays a role in allergic reactions and immune system regulation. Abnormal levels may point to inflammation or histamine sensitivity. Zinc RBC (red blood cell): A cellular-level measure of zinc, crucial for immunity, hormones, and recovery. Low levels may drive fatigue, poor healing, or weak immune function.
Brain
The Brain is the central control center for all body processes. It controls cognition and memory, mood and emotions.
HOMOCYSTEINE A key marker for cardiovascular and brain health. Elevated levels may signal B-vitamin deficiencies or increased risk for heart disease, cognitive decline, and inflammation.
VITAMIN B12 Essential for brain function, red blood cell production, and energy metabolism. Low levels can cause fatigue, brain fog, and nerve issues.
TRIAD 3 : ENDURANCE
This TRIAD is comprised of the digestive tract, immune system, and the central nervous system. Together, these intelligent body systems make moment-to-moment decisions on absorption and assimilation, and setting critical boundaries physically, immunologically, and psychically.
When TRIAD 3 is out of balance, these systems are out of balance, the person can become jumbled and unpredictable. When normal, the person feels organized and secure within themselves and their environment.
Cardiovascular
Responsible for delivering oxygen, nutrients, and hormones through the heart and blood vessels. It also regulates blood pressure and cholesterol balance. Dysfunction can increase heart disease risk, impair circulation, and slow recovery.
CALCIUM Essential for bone strength, nerve signaling, and muscle contraction (specifically, within the heart). Abnormal levels may signal issues with hormones, kidney function, or vitamin D status.
CHOLESTEROL Total cholesterol gives an overview of fat levels in your blood. Elevated levels can increase cardiovascular risk - especially when paired with inflammation or insulin resistance.
HDL (HIGH-DENSITY LIPOPROTEIN) Often called “good” cholesterol, HDL helps remove excess cholesterol from the blood. Higher levels are generally protective for heart health.
LDL (LOW-DENSITY LIPOPROTEIN) Known as “bad” cholesterol, LDL can contribute to arterial plaque. Higher levels can negatively impact heart health.
TRIGLYCERIDES A type of fat in the blood that rises with poor diet, alcohol, and insulin resistance. High levels often signal metabolic dysfunction or increased cardiovascular risk.
Pulmonary
Drives oxygen intake and carbon dioxide removal to support energy and pH balance. Pulmonary dysfunction can disrupt breathing efficiency, acid-base stability, and physical performance
CARBON DIOXIDE Reflects acid-base balance in your blood. Abnormal CO2 levels may point to breathing issues, kidney dysfunction, or underlying metabolic stress.
Neurovascular
The brain and the heart are connected by the vagus nerve, which serves as the “highway” for transmitting and regulating nerve impulses from the brain to the heart.
DIASTOLIC BLOOD PRESSURE The pressure in your arteries between heartbeats. Elevated diastolic BP can signal vascular stiffness, stress, or adrenal dysfunction.
SYSTOLIC BLOOD PRESSURE The pressure during a heartbeat. High systolic BP increases cardiovascular risk and may reflect chronic stress, fluid imbalance, or kidney strain. Pulse: Your resting heart rate is a quick snapshot of cardiovascular and nervous system health. Chronically elevated pulse may reflect stress, overtraining, or poor recovery.
TRIAD 4 : DETOX
This TRIAD contains the liver, lymph, and kidneys. These bodies form a functional unit for detoxification and elimination, metabolic processing and removal, and enzymatic activities.
When TRIAD 4 is out of balance, inflammation, stagnation, and retention ensues. When Triad 4 is in harmony, there is a smooth flow of substrates and emotions.
Liver
The liver is responsible for thousands of chemical functions within the body and for detoxifying our blood from bacteria, food contaminants, chemicals, alcohol and hormones.
IRON SATURATION Reflects how much iron is bound to transport proteins. Low levels may signal iron deficiency; high levels may suggest overload or inflammation.
ALBUMIN A major blood protein that maintains fluid balance and transports hormones. Low levels may suggest liver dysfunction, inflammation, or malnutrition.
ALP (ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE) An enzyme linked to liver, bone, and bile duct health. Elevated ALP may reflect bone turnover, liver stress, or gallbladder issues.
ALT (ALANINE AMINOTRANSFERASE) A liver enzyme that rises with liver cell damage. Elevated ALT may signal inflammation from poor diet, alcohol, medications, or toxins.
AST (ASPARTATE AMINOTRANSFERASE) Another enzyme used to assess liver and muscle health. Often interpreted alongside ALT to evaluate liver function more precisely.
FERRITIN A storage form of iron. Low ferritin often causes fatigue and poor recovery, while high levels may indicate inflammation or iron overload.
HEMATOCRIT The percentage of red blood cells in your blood. Too high or low can signal anemia, dehydration, or cardiovascular risk.
HEMOGLOBIN Carries oxygen in red blood cells. Low levels can lead to fatigue, shortness of breath, or poor exercise tolerance.
IRON A vital mineral for oxygen transport and energy. Too little can cause fatigue and weakness; too much can drive oxidative stress.
TOTAL IRON BINDING CAPACITY Measures how well iron is transported in the blood. High TIBC can point to iron deficiency, while low TIBC may suggest overload or inflammation.
MCH (MEAN CORPUSCULAR HEMOGLOBIN) Measures the average amount of hemoglobin in red blood cells. Used to assess the type and cause of anemia.
MCHC (MEAN CORPUSCULAR HEMOGLOBIN CONCENTRATION) Reflects the concentration of hemoglobin in red blood cells. Abnormalities may indicate iron deficiency or chronic disease.
MCV (MEAN CORPUSCULAR VOLUME) Shows the average size of red blood cells. Too high or low may point to vitamin B12/folate deficiency or iron deficiency anemia.
MPV (MEAN PLATELET VOLUME) Indicates the size of platelets. Larger platelets may suggest increased clotting activity or inflammation.
PLATELETS Essential for blood clotting. Low levels may increase bleeding risk; high levels may indicate inflammation or chronic disease.
RBC (RED BLOOD CELL COUNT) Delivers oxygen throughout your body. Abnormal counts may signal dehydration, anemia, or chronic illness.
RDW (RED CELL DISTRIBUTION WIDTH) Measures the variation in red blood cell size. Elevated RDW often flags nutritional deficiencies or early-stage anemia.
Lymph
Lymphatic organs play a large part in our immunity and include the spleen, thymus, bone marrow and lymphoid tissue. Together they produce immune cells to help us fight infection.
WBC (WHITE BLOOD CELLS) WBCs defend against infection and stress. High or low levels may reflect immune response, inflammation, or chronic illness.
Kidney
The kidneys filter waste, toxins, and excess fluids from the blood while regulating hydration, electrolytes, blood pressure, and acid-base balance. They also play a vital role in hormone production and red blood cell formation. Dysfunction can impact recovery, energy, and cardiovascular health.
BILIRUBIN A byproduct of red blood cell breakdown. Elevated levels may signal liver dysfunction, poor detoxification, or bile flow issues.
BUN (BLOOD UREA NITROGEN) Reflects kidney function and protein metabolism. High or low values may indicate hydration issues, poor recovery, or kidney stress.
CHLORIDE An essential electrolyte for pH balance, digestion, and hydration. Abnormal levels can signal acid-base imbalance or adrenal dysfunction.
CREATININE A marker of kidney filtration and muscle metabolism. Elevated levels may point to impaired kidney function or high muscle breakdown.
GFR (GLOMERULAR FILTRATION RATE) The gold standard for kidney function. A low GFR indicates reduced filtration capacity, often due to dehydration, stress, or early kidney dysfunction.
PROTEIN Includes albumin and globulin - critical for tissue repair, immune function, and hormone transport. Low levels may reflect poor nutrition or liver stress.
TRIAD 5 : POTENCY
This TRIAD regulates reproductive function, bone density, muscle mass, mood, and metabolism through the sex hormones estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.
When TRIAD 5 is out of balance, symptoms may include low libido, fatigue, mood changes, weight gain, or irregular menstrual cycles. When in balance: hormone levels support reproductive health, emotional stability, metabolic efficiency, and overall vitality.
Testosterone
Testosterone is a steroid sex hormone produced by males and females. Testosterone is necessary for recovery, muscle growth, strength, mood, libido and bone development.
DHT (DIHYDROTESTOSTERONE) A potent form of testosterone that impacts libido, hair growth, and prostate health. Elevated levels may lead to hair loss or hormonal imbalance, while low levels can affect strength and energy.
TOTAL TESTOSTERONE Measures all circulating testosterone. Important for assessing overall hormone levels but doesn’t tell the full story without free and bioavailable levels.
TESTOSTERONE BIOAVAILABLE Includes both free and loosely bound testosterone—the portion your body can actually use. A critical marker for assessing symptoms like fatigue, decreased strength, or low sex drive.
FREE TESTOSTERONE The active form of testosterone available to tissues. Low free T may lead to fatigue, low libido, poor muscle tone, or mood issues - even if total T looks normal.
(MALE-SPECIFIC) PROLACTIN A hormone that, when elevated in men, can suppress testosterone and lead to fatigue, low libido, or mood changes.
(MALE-SPECIFIC) PSA A marker of prostate health. Elevated levels may indicate inflammation, enlargement, or early signs of cancer.
Estrogen
Estrogen is a steroid sex hormone produced by males and females. Estrogen is thought of primarily as a female hormone, but it also impacts males in smaller amounts.
ESTRADIOL The primary form of estrogen in both men and women. Imbalances can affect mood, fat distribution, libido, and bone density. Elevated in men may indicate aromatization (conversion of testosterone into estrogen).
ESTRONE A weaker form of estrogen that increases with age and fat mass. Important to monitor in hormone therapy and metabolic health, especially for women post-menopause.
SHBG (SEX HORMONE-BINDING GLOBULIN) A protein that binds testosterone and estrogen, controlling how much is available to your cells. High SHBG can block hormone access; low SHBG can signal insulin resistance.
Progesterone
Progesterone is a steroid sex hormone that works in conjunction with estrogen.
(FEMALE-SPECIFIC) PROGESTERONE SERUM Plays a key role in mood, sleep, menstrual regularity, and fertility. Low levels may cause cycle irregularities, anxiety, or estrogen dominance symptoms.
A MIORA membership is a monthly subscription that, after an initial comprehensive metabolic assessment for a one-time fee, enables members to receive access to various services (some included in the subscription fee, some at an extra cost) from licensed health care practitioners through a MIORA medical practice. Life Time provides administrative, non-clinical support to MIORA as well as services and amenities related to general wellness and fitness; Life Time does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, treatment or care.
Membership levels, types, amenities, services, programs and their associated dues, pricing, fees and/or charges may vary by location and are subject to change. Access to clubs, and certain services, programs, amenities, or areas within a club (e.g., outdoor pools, racquet courts) may be restricted, conditioned, or otherwise limited by specific terms and conditions and/or subject to a separate or supplemental fee for access or use (e.g., your access to the outdoor pool area may require a separate fee and be limited to your designated club). See club for additional terms and conditions that may apply. Always consult your physician before beginning any new exercise program.