In this episode of The Root Cause Medicine Podcast, Dr. Kate Kresge interviews Dr. Chris Magryta and Dr. Erik Lundquist about Advanced Blood Labs 201—a course designed to help clinicians interpret metabolic and immune biomarkers across pediatric and adult populations. They explain how to use tests like C-peptide, adiponectin, leptin, and glutathione to identify early metabolic stress, and explore immune indices such as SII (Systemic Immune Inflammation Index) and SIRI (Systemic Inflammation Response Index) to uncover inflammation trends in both children and adults.
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
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 is it important 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’s a key tool for identifying early metabolic dysfunction in both pediatric and adult patients (
American Diabetes Association, Diabetes Care, 2025).
How does adiponectin relate to inflammation and metabolism across ages?
What does leptin resistance imply in pediatric and adult patients?
Leptin regulates 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 reveal 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, GGT, or glutathione help assess long-term health?
These markers reflect the body’s oxidative stress burden and antioxidant capacity. Elevated LDH or GGT and low glutathione 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 provides 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 before chronic disease develops (
Frontiers in Endocrinology, 2024).
Disclaimer: The information discussed in this episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The views expressed are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect those of Fullscript, Rupa Health, or affiliated organizations. Always consult your licensed healthcare provider before making changes to your health regimen.
