About this episode
In this episode, Dr. Chris Magryta and Dr. Erik Lundquist to discuss their new course, Advanced Blood Labs 201 —a masterclass in interpreting metabolic and immune biomarkers for proactive, data-informed clinical care. They explore how early identification of metabolic dysfunction and immune dysregulation can improve long-term health outcomes through advanced yet accessible diagnostics. The discussion covers biomarkers such as C-peptide, adiponectin, leptin, fructosamine, LDH, GGT, and glutathione , along with emerging immune markers like SII and SIRI . Listeners will learn how to integrate these insights into practice for earlier, more precise intervention in both children and adults. You’ll Learn Why early biomarker detection matters for identifying metabolic and immune imbalances before symptoms develop How to interpret C-peptide, adiponectin, leptin, fructosamine, LDH, and GGT for a clearer picture of metabolic and oxidative stress What advanced immune markers—cytokines, NK cells, T-cells, SII, and SIRI—reveal about inflammation and immune activation How to use affordable tests like a CBC to gain immunometabolic insights Why trend tracking and pattern recognition offer more clinical value than single lab snapshots How oxidative stress and mitochondrial biomarkers can guide chronic disease prevention and management About the Guests Dr. Chris Magryta is a pediatrician at Salisbury Pediatrics and host of Women and Children First . His work centers on identifying the root causes of pediatric chronic illness through biomarker analysis, nutrition, and early intervention. Dr. Erik Lundquist is the founder of Temecula Center for Integrative Medicine and host of The Root Cause Business of Medicine Podcast. He specializes in integrative and functional medicine, teaching clinicians to bridge evidence-based practice with systems biology. Together, they lead the Blood Labs 101 and Advanced Blood Labs 201 courses—comprehensive programs helping practitioners translate complex biomarker data into actionable insights. Labs Mentioned C-peptide Fructosamine Adiponectin Leptin LDH (Lactate Dehydrogenase) GGT (Gamma-Glutamyl Transpeptidase) 8-Hydroxy-D-Guanine MPO (Myeloperoxidase) CBC (Complete Blood Count) Supplements Mentioned Glutathione (discussed for educational purposes only; not intended as a treatment recommendation) Courses Mentioned Advanced Blood Labs 201 November 2025 Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction and course overview 02:03 – Early biomarker detection and childhood metabolic health 04:07 – Evolution from Blood Labs 101 to 201 08:27 – Understanding C-peptide and insulin activity 11:08 – Fructosamine and short-term glucose trends 13:24 – Adiponectin and leptin in inflammation and metabolism 15:20 – Oxidative stress, LDH, glutathione, and DNA damage 17:20 – GGT and antioxidant balance 20:54 – Cytokines, NK cells, and the SIRI index 26:07 – Monocytes and immune pattern recognition 32:41 – Why each clinician chose medicine 50:52 – Personal growth and lessons beyond the clinic 54:00 – Final reflections Learn More Dr. Chris Magryta’s Podcast: Women and Children First Dr. Erik Lundquist’s Podcast: The Root Cause Business of Medicine Course Information: Advanced Blood Labs 201 at rupahealth.com Sponsor: Fullscript – Free platform for whole person care, lab ordering, and supplement management Frequently Asked Questions About Pediatric and Adult Biomarkers What is C-peptide and why might it be important to measure in both children and adults? C-peptide is released with insulin from pancreatic β-cells and reflects endogenous insulin production and β-cell function. Elevated C-peptide may indicate insulin resistance, while low levels can signify β-cell exhaustion. It can be a key tool for identifying early metabolic dysfunction in both pediatric and adult patients early in disease progression ( American Diabetes Association, Diabetes Care , 2025 ). How does adiponectin relate to inflammation and metabolism across ages? Adiponectin regulates glucose and lipid metabolism and has anti-inflammatory properties. Low adiponectin levels are linked to insulin resistance and chronic inflammation in children and adults ( Nature Reviews Immunology, 2024 ) and respond positively to healthy lifestyle interventions ( The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 2008 ). What does leptin resistance imply in pediatric and adult patients? Leptin helps to regulate appetite and energy balance. When cells become resistant to leptin, metabolism and inflammatory control are impaired. Elevated leptin with low adiponectin can correlate with metabolic syndrome and obesity risk across age groups ( Nature Reviews Immunology, 2024 ). How do SII and SIRI biomarkers relate to immune dysregulation? The Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index (SII) and Systemic Inflammation Response Index (SIRI) use platelet, neutrophil, lymphocyte, and monocyte counts from a CBC to reflect immune activation and inflammation balance. Elevated SII or SIRI can indicate systemic inflammation or immune imbalance. Recent pediatric studies found these indices correlate with insulin resistance and metabolic status in adolescents ( Frontiers in Endocrinology, 2024 ). Can oxidative stress markers like LDH and GGT help to assess long-term health? These markers can reflect the body’s oxidative stress burden and antioxidant capacity. Elevated LDH or GGT may suggest increased oxidative load and reduced resilience, potentially influencing mitochondrial and metabolic health ( Artery Research, 2024 ). What is the role of fructosamine in blood sugar evaluation for children and adults? Fructosamine can provide a two- to three-week snapshot of blood glucose control, offering faster feedback than HbA1c. It’s useful in both adults and children for monitoring short-term glycemic changes ( BMJ Open, 2015 ) and for pediatric patients with variable glucose control ( Diabetes Care, 1991 ). Are these biomarkers clinically useful in pediatrics, or only in adults? The guests describe that these biomarkers can be relevant across ages. Early metabolic and immune imbalances often begin in childhood, and monitoring markers like C-peptide, adiponectin, leptin, and SII/SIRI can help identify at-risk children ( Frontiers in Endocrinology, 2024 ). References Connecting the Spots: Serial Home C-Peptide Measurements for Assessing β-Cell Function. Diabetes Care , American Diabetes Association, 2025. https://diabetesjournals.org/care/article/48/9/1472/163233/Connecting-the-Spots-Serial-Home-C-peptide Adiponectin as a Key Regulator of Inflammation and Metabolism. Nature Reviews Immunology , 2024. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41577-024-01103-8 Changes in Adiponectin and the Leptin/Adiponectin Ratio During Lifestyle Intervention and Association With Metabolic Improvement in Obese Children. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism , Vol. 93, Issue 8, 2008. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18492759/ Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index (SII) and Systemic Inflammation Response Index (SIRI) as Markers of Metabolic Risk in Adolescents. Frontiers in Endocrinology , 2024. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/endocrinology/articles/10.3389/fendo.2024.1426404/full Oxidative Stress Biomarkers and Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Cardiometabolic Health. Artery Research , 2024. https://arteryresearch.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1007/s44200-024-00062-8 Evaluation of Fructosamine as a Short-Term Glycemic Marker in Diabetes. BMJ Open , 2015. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/5/5/e007689 Use of Fructosamine Test in Diabetic Children. Diabetes Care , Vol. 14, Issue 7, 1991. https://diabetesjournals.org/care/article/14/7/578/17573/Use-of-Fructosamine-Test-in-Diabetic-Children Disclaimer: The views expressed on this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and don’t necessarily reflect those of Fullscript or any affiliated organizations. This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to be medical advice. 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