Advanced General Health Profile Blood Test

Total Biomarkers: 56

Red Blood Cells
Haemoglobin: The iron-rich protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to tissues; low levels typically indicate anaemia.
Haematocrit: A measure of the percentage of your blood volume that consists of red blood cells.
Red Cell Count: The total number of red blood cells circulating in the blood, essential for oxygen transport.
MCV: Mean Corpuscular Volume measures the average size of your red blood cells.
MCH: Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin calculates the average amount of haemoglobin found inside a single red blood cell.
MCHC: Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Concentration measures the density of haemoglobin within a given volume of red blood cells.
RDW: Red Cell Distribution Width measures the variation in red blood cell size and volume.

White Blood Cells
White Cell Count: The total number of white blood cells, used to identify infection, inflammation, or immune system issues.
Neutrophils: The most abundant type of white blood cell, primarily responsible for fighting bacterial infections.
Lymphocytes: White blood cells that play a key role in the immune response, fighting viruses and producing antibodies.
Monocytes: Large white blood cells that help remove dead or damaged tissue and destroy bacteria.
Eosinophils: White blood cells involved in fighting parasitic infections and allergic reactions.
Basophils: The rarest white blood cells, involved in allergic responses and inflammation.

Clotting Status
Platelet Count: Measures the number of platelets in the blood, which are essential for blood clotting and wound healing.
MPV: Mean Platelet Volume measures the average size of your platelets, indicating the rate of platelet production.

Kidney Health
Urea: A waste product formed in the liver from protein breakdown, which is then filtered out by the kidneys.
Creatinine: A chemical waste product from muscle metabolism, used as a key indicator of kidney function.
eGFR: Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate estimates how well the kidneys are filtering waste from the blood based on creatinine, age, and sex.

Liver Health
Bilirubin: A yellow pigment produced by the breakdown of red blood cells; high levels can indicate liver or bile duct issues.
ALP: Alkaline Phosphatase is an enzyme related to the liver and bones; elevated levels can signal bile duct obstruction.
ALT: Alanine Aminotransferase is a liver enzyme released into the bloodstream when liver cells are damaged.
GGT: Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase is an enzyme that serves as a marker for liver damage, bile duct problems, or alcohol use.

Proteins
Total Protein: Measures the total amount of albumin and globulin in the blood, reflecting nutritional status and organ health.
Albumin: The most abundant protein in the blood, essential for maintaining blood volume and transporting substances.
Globulin: A group of proteins including antibodies and enzymes that are vital for immune function.
SHBG: Sex Hormone Binding Globulin is a protein that binds tightly to testosterone and oestradiol, regulating their bioavailability in the body.

Diabetes
HbA1c: Glycated haemoglobin, which provides an average of blood sugar levels over the past 2 to 3 months.

Cholesterol Status
Total Cholesterol: The sum of all cholesterol types in the blood.
LDL Cholesterol: Low-Density Lipoprotein, or "bad" cholesterol, which can accumulate in arteries and increase heart disease risk.
Non HDL Cholesterol: Represents all potentially atherogenic (clogging) cholesterol particles (Total Cholesterol minus HDL).
HDL Cholesterol: High-Density Lipoprotein, or "good" cholesterol, helps remove other forms of cholesterol from the bloodstream.
Total Cholesterol : HDL: A risk ratio comparing total cholesterol to HDL; a lower ratio generally indicates lower heart disease risk.
Triglycerides: The most common type of fat in the body, which stores excess energy from your diet.

Inflammation
CRP HS: High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein is a marker of inflammation in the body, often used to assess cardiovascular risk.

Gout Risk
Uric Acid: A waste product from the breakdown of purines; high levels can lead to crystal formation in joints (gout).

Iron Status
Iron: Measures the amount of iron circulating in the blood.
TIBC: Total Iron Binding Capacity measures the blood's capacity to bind iron with transferrin.
Transferrin Saturation: Indicates the percentage of iron-binding sites on transferrin that are occupied by iron.
Ferritin: The primary protein that stores iron inside cells; the best indicator of total body iron stores.

Vitamins
Folate - Serum: Also known as Vitamin B9, it is crucial for red blood cell formation and healthy cell growth.
Vitamin B12 - Active: Measures the biologically active form of B12 available for the body to use.
Vitamin D: Essential for calcium absorption, bone health, and immune system function.

Thyroid Hormones
TSH: Thyroid Stimulating Hormone, produced by the pituitary gland to regulate the thyroid's hormone production.
Free T3: Triiodothyronine, the active thyroid hormone that exerts the most metabolic effect.
Free Thyroxine: Also known as Free T4, the primary hormone produced by the thyroid gland, converted into T3 by the body.

Hormones
FSH: Follicle Stimulating Hormone stimulates the production of sperm in men and egg maturation in women.
LH: Luteinising Hormone triggers the release of testosterone in men and ovulation in women.
Oestradiol: The primary form of oestrogen, critical for bone health, reproductive function, and hormonal balance.
Testosterone: The primary male sex hormone, essential for muscle mass, bone density, libido, and mood.
Free Testosterone - Calc.: An estimate of the unbound testosterone available for the body to use, calculated from total testosterone, SHBG, and albumin.
Testosterone : Cortisol: A ratio used to assess the body's balance between anabolic (building) and catabolic (breaking down) states, often used to check for overtraining or stress.
Prolactin: A hormone produced by the pituitary gland; high levels can suppress testosterone production and affect sexual function.

Adrenal Hormones
DHEA Sulphate: Dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate is an adrenal hormone that acts as a precursor for making other sex hormones like testosterone and oestrogen.
Cortisol: The primary stress hormone produced by the adrenal glands, responsible for regulating metabolism, immune response, and the body's reaction to stress.

Autoimmunity
Thyroglobulin Antibodies: Antibodies that attack thyroglobulin, a protein used by the thyroid to produce hormones; indicates an autoimmune response.
Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies: Antibodies that attack the enzyme thyroid peroxidase; the most common marker for autoimmune thyroid diseases like Hashimoto's.

Prepare for your test by following these instructions.

Sample collection and timing
Take your sample between 6am and 10am.
Take this test when any symptoms of short-term illness have settled.
Avoid vigorous exercise or sexual activity for 48 hours beforehand – both can raise your prolactin level.
If you have an unusual sleep pattern, your cortisol results may be unreliable. If you must test, do so within 2 hours of waking and inform us in the supporting information.
Avoid nipple stimulation or heavy meals before taking the test, as these can increase prolactin levels.

Periods and contraception
Take this test two to five days after the start of your period, ideally on day three if you're taking this test to learn more about your fertility.
It can be taken any time if you do not have periods.
Hormonal contraception can affect the results of this test.
Taking a break from this and waiting for your periods to restart before your blood test will give more accurate results.

Fasting and hydration
Avoid fatty foods for eight hours before your test, you do not need to fast.
Stay well hydrated before your test.

Medications and supplements
Corticosteroid medication can affect this test, ask your doctor whether to stop before testing.
Take your sample at least 24 hours after any vitamin or mineral supplements.
Do not take biotin supplements for two days before this test, discuss this with your doctor if it is prescribed.
Do not take vitamin B12 for two weeks prior to this test.
If your B12 is prescribed ask your doctor whether to stop.
If you take levothyroxine or desiccated thyroid extract (DTE), take your blood test before your dose for the most accurate thyroid function results.
If you have to take your blood test later in the day, aim to leave at least six hours between taking levothyroxine medication and your blood draw (or 12 hours after DTE/T3 medication).
Please also let us know in the supporting information if you take amiodarone or lithium, as these can also affect your results.