Cholesterol:

High cholesterol levels can cause your arteries to become blocked - leading to coronary heart disease, heart attack or stroke. Finding out about high levels of cholesterol can help you to make the positive lifestyle and dietary changes needed to improve your chances of a long and healthy life.

Total Cholesterol is a measurement of the total amount of cholesterol in the blood. This includes low-density and high-density lipoprotein cholesterols. Cholesterol is used to produce hormones for development, growth and reproduction.

High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) is a form of cholesterol which is considered ‘good’ cholesterol because it helps remove cholesterol from the heart’s arteries.

Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) is considered ‘bad’ cholesterol because it contributes to cholesterol build-up and blockage in the arteries.

Total Cholesterol: HDL Ratio is a mathematical calculation which indicates the ratio of total cholesterol versus ‘good’ (HDL) cholesterol in the blood.

Non-HDL Cholesterol is a measurement of the total amount of cholesterol in the blood excluding the ‘good’ high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL).

Triglyceride is another type of fat (not the same as cholesterol) found in the bloodstream.

HDL percentage. This is the percentage of Total Cholesterol that consists of ‘good’ (HDL) cholesterol.

Kidney Function:

Your kidneys play a vital role in keeping your body functioning including the removal of waste products, releasing hormones to regulate blood pressure and controlling the production of red blood cells. A healthy kidney function is vital to your overall health and wellbeing.

Urea is a waste product of the amino acids found in proteins. It is released into the bloodstream and the kidney filters urea out of the blood and excretes it in the urine. Urea tests are used to show how well the kidneys are working as well as an indicator for diseases affecting the kidneys and liver.

Creatinine is a waste product produced by the muscles during contraction. It can be found in the blood and urine as it is excreted by the kidneys. Creatinine tests are used as an indicator of whether the kidneys are working normally.

Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) is a measurement of glomerular function. Glomeruli are the filters in the kidney used to filter waste products from the blood. GFR tests are used to detect and monitor changes in the kidney status.

Liver Function:

The liver is responsible for many of the body's essential functions such as regulating blood sugar levels, fighting infections and detoxifying your blood. Good liver function is vital to your overall health and wellbeing.

Albumin is a protein specifically produced in the liver. Its function consists of keeping fluids in the bloodstream as well as transporting substances like hormones and vitamins throughout the body. Albumin tests can be used to help diagnose and monitor diseases of the liver and kidney.

Globulin is a protein produced in the liver by the immune system. It is important in liver function, blood clotting and fighting infections. Globulin tests can be used to diagnose conditions including liver damage or disease, kidney disease and autoimmune disorders.

Total Protein is the total amount of two proteins found in the serum of the blood, these are albumin and globulin. Albumin is needed to keep fluid in the bloodstream whereas globulin is an essential part of the immune system. Total protein tests are used as an indicator to there being a problem with albumin or globulin levels.

Alkaline Phosphate (ALP) is an enzyme found mostly in the liver and bone. ALP tests can be used to diagnose liver or bone disease.

Alanine Transaminase (ALT) is an enzyme which can be found mostly in the liver and in small amounts in the heart, kidneys and the skeletal muscle. It is released into the bloodstream during an injury to the heart, liver, kidney and skeletal muscle. ALT tests can be used to diagnose liver disease.

Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) is an enzyme produced by the liver. It is released into the bloodstream during an injury of the heart, liver and skeletal muscle. AST tests can be used to detect liver disease.

Gamma Glutamyl Transferase (GGT) is an enzyme mostly found in the liver and is also present in the gallbladder, spleen, pancreas and kidney. It is a significant enzyme used in the liver metabolism of drugs and other toxins. GGT tests can be used to detect liver disease and bile duct injury.

Total Bilirubin is a test which measures the amount of bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin can be found in bile to help digest food. It is also produced from broken down haem, which is old red blood cells that used to carry oxygen around the body. Total bilirubin tests can be used to diagnose and monitor liver diseases and certain types of anaemia.

Iron Studies:

Iron studies are a set of blood tests used to measure the amount of iron carried in the blood and stored in the bodies tissues. Iron deficiency can be the cause of a wide range of symptoms such as fatigue, chest pains and a shortness of breath.

Iron is a mineral which is needed for making red blood cells, which transports oxygen in the blood, and is important for healthy muscles, bone marrow and organ function. Iron is measured to show the amount of iron in the blood. Low levels of iron can indicate anaemia whereas high levels can indicate liver disease.

Total Iron Binding Concentration (TIBC) is the maximum amount of iron that can be transported in the blood. Iron is used for the transportation of oxygen in the blood. TIBC tests are used to determine iron status and its absorption. This can be used to help diagnose Anaemia and iron overload conditions such as Haemochromatosis. Your TIBC will be impaired if you also have existing liver disease.

Unsaturated Iron Binding Concentration (UIBC) is the amount of transferrin that is reserved for the iron transportation. Iron is used for the transportation of oxygen in the blood. UIBC tests are used to monitor treatment for iron toxicity.

Ferritin is a blood protein that is used to store iron. Iron is used for the transportation of oxygen in the blood. It is measured to understand how much iron the body stores. Ferritin test are used to diagnose anaemia and liver disease.

Transferrin is an iron-binding glycoprotein that is produced by the liver. It is used to transport iron which transports oxygen in the blood. Transferrin tests are used to determine iron status and can be used to diagnose anaemia. Transferrin saturation is the value of serum iron divided by the total iron-binding capacity of the available transferrin.

Diabetes:

Checking your levels of HbA1c is a way of confirming if you have (or are at risk of developing) diabetes. Unmanaged or undiagnosed diabetes is one of the leading causes of mortality. For anyone who already knows they have diabetes, regular HbA1c checks are essential to monitor progress.

Haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) test is used to measure the average level of blood sugar over the past two to three months and is commonly used to diagnose and monitor diabetes. The sugar is called glucose which builds up in the blood and binds to the haemoglobin in the red blood cells.

Bone:

Phosphate is a mineral involved in bone formation, energy metabolism, and cell signalling. Abnormal phosphate levels can indicate various medical conditions, such as kidney disease, hormonal disorders, or nutritional deficiencies. Testing helps identify individuals at risk of phosphate abnormalities, enabling appropriate interventions, including dietary modifications or supplementation.

Calcium is an important mineral which is found in the bones as well as circulating in the blood. It has a range of functions and is essential in bone formation and blood clotting. Calcium tests are used to diagnose and monitor conditions relating to the bone, heart and kidneys. Adjusted Calcium is also known as the corrected calcium because it factors in how much calcium is active and how much is inactive in the blood. Calcium tests are used to diagnose and monitor different conditions correlating to the bone, heart and kidneys

Urate. High levels of Urate (Uric acid) can cause gout which is a form of painful arthritis and kidney stones. The level of urate can be used to detect a risk for these conditions

Muscle Enzymes:

Creatine Kinase is an enzyme found in muscles. The Creatine kinase test can be used to diagnose and monitor muscular injuries and diseases such as muscular dystrophy.

Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), is an enzyme present in many tissue and organs in the body. Testing for LDH levels is necessary to assess cellular damage which can indicate many underlying diseases such as liver disease, heart disease or cancer. Raised LDH levels can also indicate inflammation. LDH testing is usually performed with other blood tests and helps provide more information regarding an underlying disease.