Tests & Biometric Markers 💉🩸🧪

A Full Blood Count (FBC) with Differential is a broad screening test which can aid in the diagnosis of a variety of conditions and diseases such as Anaemia, Leukaemia, bleeding disorders, and infections. This test is also useful in monitoring a person's reaction to treatment when a condition which affects blood cells has been diagnosed.

A FBC includes the following measurements:

• White Blood Cell Count (WBC) WBC's protect the body against infections.
• Red Blood Cell Count (RBC) RBC's carry oxygen throughout the body.
• Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW) is the variation in size of the RBC's.
• Haematocrit measures the percentage of blood made of up red blood cells.
• Haemoglobin is a protein which carries oxygen in the blood.
• Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) measures the average size of RBC's.
• Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin (MCH) measures the average amount of haemoglobin in a red blood cell.
• Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC) is the average percentage of haemoglobin in a red blood cell.
• Platelet Count measures cell fragments which are vital for proper blood clotting.
• Percentage and absolute differential counts for types of WBC's including neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils.

Includes:

• Sodium
• Potassium
• Chloride
• Bicarbonate
• Urea
• Creatinine
• eGFR

Liver function (LFT) includes:

• Total Protein
• Albumin
• Alkaline Phosphatase
• Total Bilirubin
• Gamma GT
• AST
• ALT
• Globulin

Cholesterol is a fatty substance produced naturally by your body and found in your blood. You can also get cholesterol from some foods. It is used for many different things in the body, but causes health problems when there is too much of it in the blood.

Too much cholesterol in the blood causes fatty deposits to gradually build up in blood vessels. This makes it harder for blood to flow through, which can cause a heart attack or stroke.
There are several types of cholesterol found in your body.

Low density lipoprotein (LDL) is also known as ‘bad’ cholesterol because it can add to the build-up of plaque in your arteries and increase your risk of Coronary Heart Disease (CHD).
High density lipoprotein (HDL) is also known as ‘good’ cholesterol because it helps to protect you against CHD. Triglycerides are another type of fat in the blood. There is evidence to suggest that some people with higher levels of blood triglycerides are at increased risk of CHD.

Making lifestyle changes, in particular changing some of the foods you eat, is very important to help to reduce your cholesterol and improve your heart health. You may also need to take cholesterol-lowering medicines to help you manage your cholesterol and reduce your risk of having a heart attack or stroke.

Suggested reference ranges for good health:
Total cholesterol: < 5.5
Triglycerides: < 2.0
HDL: > 1.0
LDL: <2.0

Cortisol is a hormone and affects many different functions in the body. Cortisol can help control blood sugar levels, regulate metabolism, help reduce inflammation, and assist with memory formulation. It has a controlling effect on salt and water balance and helps control blood pressure.

This test is used to measure the level of Vitamin D in the blood. Vitamin D is necessary for the proper growth and health of teeth and bones. It also helps in the healthy developments of the immune system as well as various tissues throughout the body. Vitamin D typically comes from 2 sources. D3 (cholecalciferol) is produced by the body when the skin is exposed to sunlight. For many people, D3 makes up the majority of the vitamin D in their body.

Vitamin D deficiency is typically caused by someone not getting enough sun exposure. While Vitamin D is found in some foods such as fatty fish, egg yolks, milk and cheese, the majority of people do not get sufficient vitamin D from their diet so exposure to sunlight is the primary source.

Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency can include tiredness, weakness, aches and pains and frequent infections. Conditions such as Cystic Fibrosis and Crohn Disease which interfere with the body's ability to absorb fat and fat-soluble vitamins can also cause vitamin D deficiency.

*Synonyms:

• 25 Hydroxycholecalciferol
• 25 OH Vit D
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin D3

The haemoglobin A1c test tells you your average level of blood sugar over the past 2 to 3 months. Haemoglobin is a protein found in red blood cells. It gives blood its red colour, and its job is to carry oxygen throughout your body.
The sugar in your blood is called glucose. When glucose builds up in your blood, it binds to the haemoglobin in your red blood cells. The A1c test measures how much glucose is bound.

Red blood cells live for about 3 months, so the test shows the average level of glucose in your blood for the past 3 months.

If your glucose levels have been high over recent weeks, your haemoglobin A1c test will be higher.

CRP is a blood test marker for inflammation in the body. CRP is produced in the liver and its level is measured by testing the blood. CRP is classified as an acute phase reactant, which means that its levels will rise in response to inflammation. 

The high-sensitivity CRP test measures low levels of CRP in the blood to identify low levels of inflammation that are associated with risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

ESR is an indirect measure of the degree of inflammation present in the body. It measures the rate of fall (sedimentation) of erythrocytes (red blood cells) in a tall, thin tube of blood. Results are reported as how many millimetres of clear plasma are present at the top of the column after one hour. Normally, red cells fall slowly, leaving little clear plasma. Increased blood levels of certain proteins (such as fibrinogen or immunoglobulins, which are increased in inflammation) cause the red blood cells to fall more rapidly

Growth hormone (GH), also known as somatotropin and as Human Growth Hormone [hGH or HGH] in its human form), is a peptide hormone that stimulates growth, cell reproduction, and cell regeneration in humans and other animals. It is thus important in human development.

GH is a stress hormone that raises the concentration of glucose and free fatty acids. It also stimulates production of IGF-1. Random growth hormones are highly variable, falling to low levels after meals and rising to high levels during fasting and with stress.

IGF-1 is a hormone that, along with growth hormone, helps promote normal bone and tissue growth and development. An IGF-1 test is often ordered along with GH. IGF-1 mirrors GH excesses and deficiencies, but the level in the blood is stable throughout the day, making it a useful indicator of average GH levels.

Albumin is a protein that is produced in the liver. Albumin enters the bloodstream where it helps carry vitamins, enzymes, and other important substances. Albumin also helps prevent fluids from leaking out of the bloodstream. 

Albumin is the most common type of protein making up over 60% of the total protein in the blood. It is produced by the liver and helps to transport other substances such as vitamins and enzymes throughout the blood. Low albumin levels can be caused by a number of conditions including liver disease, Cirrhosis, infection, inflammation, kidney disease, diabetes, cancer, malnutrition, hypothyroidism

Most circulating testosterone is bound to sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), which in men also is called testosterone-binding globulin. A lesser fraction is albumin bound and a small proportion exists as free hormone. Historically, only the free testosterone was thought to be the biologically active component. However, testosterone is weakly bound to serum albumin and dissociates freely in the capillary bed, thereby becoming readily available for tissue uptake.

All non-SHBG-bound testosterone is therefore considered bioavailable, or 'free' testosterone.

Sex Hormone Binding Globulin is a protein produced in the liver. It binds tightly to Testosterone, DHT and E2. These hormones are bound to SHBG and are regarded as biologically inactive. All non-SHBG-bound testosterone (FREE Testosterone) is therefore considered bio-available for tissue uptake.

This test measures Oestradiol levels in the blood. Oestradiol is one of the primary components of estrogens. Estradiol concentrations are typically highest in non-pregnant, pre-menopausal women. During menopause, as ovarian function decreases, Oestradiol levels drop significantly. Oestradiol testing can help to monitor ovarian function in women with fertility issues. It may also be useful for women undergoing hormone therapy during menopause or girls experiencing signs of early puberty.

Increased Oestradiol levels in Men can cause gynecomastia (enlargement of the breast tissue), erectile dysfunction, increased abdominal fat, loss of muscle mass and/or emotional issues. Elevated oestrogens in men may also be associated with an increase in the risk of type 2 diabetes.