Carnivore Diet Lab Results: Complete 2025 Guide to Health Marker Improvements
The Carnivore Diet is gaining significant popularity among individuals seeking alternative nutritional approaches. This animal-based eating plan consists exclusively of meat, eggs, seafood, and other animal products, completely eliminating plant foods from one's diet. Many who adopt this lifestyle report improvements in various health markers, though these changes can sometimes surprise both patients and their physicians.
Laboratory results often reflect substantial shifts after just three months on a strict Carnivore Diet. Blood work may show improvements in anemia markers due to increased iron and B12 intake, while liver and kidney function tests frequently trend toward normal ranges. Metabolic indicators like blood glucose, triglycerides, and HDL cholesterol typically move in favorable directions. For those tracking hormonal health, testosterone and DHEA levels often adjust toward optimal ranges, and inflammatory markers like CRP commonly decrease.
Key Takeaways
The Carnivore Diet consists exclusively of animal products and may significantly alter standard laboratory results within three months.
Many individuals experience improvements in anemia markers, liver function, and blood sugar levels while following this dietary approach.
Laboratory testing before starting and after three months on the diet provides valuable information about individual metabolic responses.
Understanding the Carnivore Diet
What Is This Eating Approach?
The carnivore diet consists exclusively of animal-derived foods. Adherents consume meat, eggs, seafood, crustaceans, shellfish, and sometimes insects. These foods should be prepared without breading and cooked only in animal fats rather than vegetable or seed oils.
The basic principle is simple: if it once had a heartbeat or came from something that did, it's acceptable on this diet. This includes anything that "runs, creeps, crawls, flies, jumps, swims, or slithers."
Cooking and Preparation Guidelines
When following a carnivore diet, preparation methods are straightforward but specific:
Cooking fats: Use only animal-derived fats (tallow, lard, butter)
Avoid: Breading, plant oils, vegetable seasonings
Cooking methods: Grilling, roasting, pan-frying, and smoking are all acceptable
Food should be cooked to safe temperatures while preserving nutrient content. Many practitioners prefer various degrees of doneness for different meats based on personal preference and digestibility.
How It May Help Blood Disorders
The carnivore diet can positively impact various types of anemia due to its rich nutritional profile. This eating approach provides abundant amounts of:
Iron (for microcytic anemia)
Vitamin B12 (for macrocytic anemia)
Folate (for macrocytic anemia)
Within approximately three months of strict adherence, many people experience significant improvements in their anemia markers. These improvements can be measured through blood tests showing changes in hematocrit and hemoglobin values.
For optimal assessment, individuals should obtain baseline blood tests before starting the diet and follow-up tests after three months of consistent adherence to track these changes.
Effects on Laboratory Results
Blood Count Analysis
The carnivore diet often produces notable improvements in blood count parameters. Individuals with pre-existing anemia frequently experience significant increases in hemoglobin and hematocrit values after several months on this animal-based eating plan. This improvement likely stems from the diet's rich content of iron, vitamin B12, and folate—nutrients essential for healthy red blood cell formation. For optimal assessment, baseline testing before starting the diet, followed by retesting after three months of strict adherence, provides the most accurate picture of these changes.
Metabolic Function Assessment
Metabolic panel results often show positive trends after adopting a carnivore diet. Liver function markers like AST and ALT typically move toward normal ranges, particularly beneficial for those with previous fatty liver concerns. Individuals with chronic kidney disease may notice improvements in creatinine levels and estimated glomerular filtration rates. Blood glucose values generally decrease, especially in those with previously elevated readings. A comprehensive metabolic panel is preferred over basic testing to capture the full spectrum of these changes.
Urine Composition Testing
Urinalysis results commonly show ketones present in the urine of carnivore diet followers. While this finding might concern healthcare providers unfamiliar with low-carbohydrate nutrition, ketones indicate the body has entered ketosis—a metabolic state many researchers now consider beneficial. The carnivore diet, being essentially zero-carbohydrate, typically maintains ketosis throughout most of the day, similar to ketogenic and "ketovore" approaches.
Cholesterol and Lipid Measurements
The carnivore diet typically influences lipid profiles in predictable patterns. Triglyceride levels generally decrease when previously elevated, while HDL cholesterol ("good cholesterol") tends to increase—both positive changes related to carbohydrate restriction. Total and LDL cholesterol responses vary by individual: approximately one-third experience decreases, one-third see no significant change, and one-third show increases. A small percentage (around 1%) may experience substantial elevations that might concern healthcare providers, potentially indicating lean mass hyper-responder status.
Glycated Hemoglobin Assessment
Hemoglobin A1C levels, which reflect cellular glycation and tissue damage, typically decrease on a carnivore diet. This improvement is particularly dramatic for individuals with pre-diabetes or diabetes (both Type 1 and Type 2). Long-term carnivore dieters often achieve A1C values between 4.8-5.2%, indicating significantly improved glucose metabolism and reduced glycation damage. These improvements generally become more pronounced with continued adherence to the diet.
Insulin Function Testing
Fasting insulin levels represent a crucial but often overlooked metabolic marker. Most adults in modern societies have elevated insulin levels, though this goes undetected because the test isn't routinely ordered. After three months on a carnivore diet, most individuals experience significant reductions in fasting insulin, moving closer to optimal levels (below 10 μIU/mL). This reduction in hyperinsulinemia may provide protection against numerous chronic conditions associated with insulin resistance.
Male Hormone Evaluation
Testosterone levels in men typically show marked improvement on a carnivore diet. After three months, total testosterone readings often increase by 50-350 points from baseline. This hormonal optimization occurs without supplementation, suggesting the diet addresses underlying factors affecting testosterone production. Women without hormonal disorders may experience slight increases in testosterone, which can be beneficial for overall health.
Adrenal Hormone Measurement
DHEA levels generally show modest increases in most individuals following a carnivore diet for several months. This adrenal hormone plays important roles in overall health and hormonal balance. Interestingly, the diet affects women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) differently, often normalizing their previously elevated DHEA values while simultaneously reducing abnormally high testosterone levels.
Inflammation Marker Analysis
C-reactive protein, a primary indicator of systemic inflammation, typically decreases significantly on a carnivore diet. This reduction is particularly noticeable in individuals who begin with elevated CRP values. The anti-inflammatory effect becomes evident within approximately three months of strict adherence to the diet, suggesting the elimination of plant-based foods may reduce inflammatory triggers for many people.
Dietary Effects
Ketone Presence in Urine Analysis
Urine analysis after adopting a meat-based eating pattern typically reveals the presence of ketones. This finding indicates the body has entered ketosis, a metabolic state where fat becomes the primary fuel source instead of carbohydrates. Medical professionals increasingly recognize ketosis as a healthy physiological condition rather than a concerning abnormality.
The exclusive consumption of animal products naturally maintains ketosis throughout most of the day. This occurs because this eating approach contains minimal carbohydrates, forcing the body to utilize fat for energy production. Doctors who aren't familiar with low-carbohydrate nutrition might express concern about ketones in urine tests, mistakenly associating them with dehydration or medical problems rather than recognizing them as indicators of altered metabolism.
Health Condition Improvements
Blood work often shows remarkable improvements in numerous health markers after three months of following an animal-based nutrition plan. Individuals with previously elevated liver enzymes (AST and ALT) typically see these values trending toward normal ranges, indicating liver function improvement. Similarly, those with compromised kidney function may observe better creatinine levels and improved estimated glomerular filtration rates.
Blood glucose regulation benefits significantly from this approach:
Fasting blood sugar levels decrease
Hemoglobin A1c values often reduce to 4.8-5.2% range
Fasting insulin levels drop substantially
Lipid profiles also undergo positive changes for many people:
Parameter Typical Change Triglycerides Decrease HDL cholesterol Increase Total/LDL cholesterol Varies by individual
Complete blood count improvements are common as well. The diet's richness in iron, B12, and folate often resolves anemia conditions within months. Inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein typically decrease toward normal ranges, indicating reduced systemic inflammation.
Hormonal benefits include testosterone increases in men (50-350 point increase) and normalized hormone levels in women with conditions like PCOS. DHEA levels tend to increase slightly in healthy individuals while normalizing in those with previously imbalanced levels.
Hormone Considerations for Different Groups
How Testosterone Changes in Men
For men adopting a carnivore diet, significant positive changes in testosterone levels typically occur within the first few months. Clinical observations show total testosterone increases ranging from 50 to 350 points after just 3 months of following a strict animal-based eating pattern.
This hormonal improvement happens without medication or supplements—simply through dietary changes alone. Many men report enhanced energy levels, improved mood, and better physical performance as their testosterone normalizes.
Female Hormonal Adaptations
Women generally experience more subtle but equally beneficial hormonal adjustments when following a carnivore approach. Most women with previously normal hormone profiles will see a slight increase in testosterone and DHEA levels, which can support overall metabolic health and energy.
This mild hormonal optimization often helps with:
Energy regulation
Mood stability
Exercise recovery
Metabolic function
Blood work typically shows these changes within 3 months of consistent adherence to the carnivore pattern.
Managing PCOS-Related Hormone Imbalances
The carnivore diet appears to have particularly promising effects for women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Unlike women with normal hormone profiles, those with PCOS typically experience a beneficial decrease in previously elevated testosterone and DHEA levels.
This counterintuitive response helps explain why many women with PCOS report symptom improvement on carnivore diets. Key clinical markers often normalize:
Hormone Typical PCOS Level Change on Carnivore Testosterone Elevated Decreases toward normal DHEA Elevated Decreases toward normal Insulin Significantly elevated Substantial reduction
The blood sugar and insulin management aspects of the carnivore diet appear particularly beneficial for addressing the underlying metabolic dysfunction common in PCOS. Most women see measurable improvements in these markers within the first 3 months.
Further Health Insights
Blood pH Effects
The carnivore diet has surprising effects on blood pH levels that many people don't anticipate. When transitioning to a meat-based diet, the body's acid-base balance undergoes changes as it adjusts to processing primarily animal proteins. Despite concerns about acidity, the body maintains remarkable homeostasis through compensatory mechanisms.
The kidneys play a crucial role in regulating pH during dietary transitions. They adjust their filtration and reabsorption processes to maintain optimal blood pH levels between 7.35-7.45. This adaptation happens gradually over several weeks as the body becomes more efficient at processing animal proteins.
Dietary Transition Recommendations
Moving to a carnivore diet requires careful planning to minimize adjustment difficulties. Start with a two-week transition period rather than making an abrupt switch, gradually reducing plant foods while increasing animal protein intake.
First 14 Days:
Week 1: Eliminate grains, sugars, and processed foods
Week 2: Reduce remaining plant foods while increasing meat consumption
The initial weeks may bring temporary side effects as the body adapts. Common experiences include:
Initial fatigue (typically resolves within 7-10 days)
Digestive adjustments (may last 2-3 weeks)
Changes in thirst and mineral needs
Laboratory monitoring proves valuable during transition. Having baseline bloodwork done before starting carnivore provides comparative data, with follow-up testing recommended after three months to track metabolic improvements and make any necessary adjustments to your approach.
A Doctor's Insights
Dr. Ken Berry's Medical Observations
Dr. Ken Berry brings over 22 years of family medicine experience to his assessment of the carnivore diet's effects on laboratory results. Having analyzed more than 100,000 lab panels throughout his career, he offers a unique clinical perspective on how this animal-based eating approach impacts various health markers.
The carnivore diet consists exclusively of animal products including meat, eggs, seafood, crustaceans, shellfish, and even insects—all prepared without breading and cooked only in animal fats. This diet eliminates all plant foods completely.
According to Dr. Berry, patients with anemia often see significant improvements in their hemoglobin and hematocrit values after several months on the carnivore diet. This improvement occurs because the diet provides abundant iron, B12, and folate—three nutrients commonly deficient in people with anemia.
For liver function, the carnivore diet frequently helps normalize elevated AST and ALT values, particularly in those with fatty liver disease. Similarly, individuals with chronic kidney disease may notice improvements in their creatinine levels and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).
Blood sugar regulation also tends to improve, with fasting glucose levels decreasing over time. A urinalysis while following the carnivore diet will typically show ketones in the urine, indicating nutritional ketosis—a metabolic state Dr. Berry considers beneficial rather than problematic.
The diet's impact on lipid panels varies considerably:
Response Group Total Cholesterol & LDL Response Percentage of People Group 1 Decrease ~33% Group 2 No significant change ~33% Group 3 Increase ~33% Group 4 Significant increase ~1%
Regardless of total cholesterol changes, most people experience a favorable shift in their triglyceride-to-HDL ratio, with triglycerides decreasing and HDL increasing.
Hemoglobin A1c levels typically decrease on the carnivore diet, with many long-term adherents achieving values between 4.8% and 5.2%. Dr. Berry emphasizes the importance of measuring fasting insulin, which he notes is often elevated in most adults but drops significantly after three months on the carnivore diet.
For men, total testosterone levels commonly increase between 50-350 points after just three months. Women without PCOS may experience slight increases in testosterone and DHEA, while women with PCOS often see a normalization of previously elevated levels of these hormones.
Finally, Dr. Berry observes that C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of inflammation, typically decreases toward normal ranges for most individuals following the carnivore approach.
