Laboratory Testing in Psychiatry: What I Check and Why

Psychiatric symptoms do not always originate in the brain alone. Medical conditions, nutritional deficiencies, hormonal disorders, and metabolic abnormalities can all contribute to depression, anxiety, fatigue, cognitive changes, and mood disturbances.

For this reason, laboratory testing is sometimes an important part of a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation.

Depending on an individual’s symptoms and medical history, laboratory studies may include thyroid function, vitamin B12, folate, vitamin D, iron studies, complete blood count, comprehensive metabolic panel, HbA1c, fasting glucose, lipid profile, or other targeted tests. When patients take certain psychiatric medications, periodic monitoring of kidney function, liver function, blood counts, or metabolic health may also be recommended.

Laboratory testing is not necessary for every patient, nor can it diagnose most psychiatric disorders. Instead, it helps identify medical conditions that may contribute to symptoms or influence treatment decisions.

Final Thoughts

Good psychiatric care considers both mental and physical health. When clinically appropriate, laboratory testing provides valuable information that helps ensure treatment addresses the whole person—not just the symptoms.