FD Basic Functional Panel

The full blood count is used as a broad screening test to check for such disorders as anaemia (decrease in red blood cells or haemoglobin), infection, and many other diseases. It is actually a group of tests that examine different parts of the blood. Results from the following tests provide the broadest picture of your health.

Your kidneys filter waste from your body and regulate salts in your blood. They also produce hormones and vitamins that direct cell activities in many organs and help to control blood pressure. When the kidneys aren't working properly, waste products and fluid can build up to dangerous levels creating a life-threatening situation.

Your liver processes drugs and alcohol, filters toxic chemicals, stores vitamins and minerals, and makes bile, proteins and enzymes. This liver function test examines enzymes and other markers for evidence of damage to your liver cells or a blockage near your liver which can impair its function.

Lipids and cholesterol are fat-like substances in your blood. Some are necessary for good health, but when you have a high level of cholesterol in your blood, a lot of it ends up being deposited in the walls of your arteries and other vital organs. Lifestyle choices including diet, exercise and alcohol intake can all influence cholesterol levels and your risk of developing heart disease.

ApoA1 and ApoB give a detailed view of cholesterol balance — ApoA1 reflects protective HDL particles, while ApoB represents atherogenic LDL particles that promote plaque build-up. The ApoB/ApoA1 ratio is a strong predictor of cardiovascular risk, offering more precision than standard cholesterol tests. Lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), is a genetic marker that can elevate heart disease risk even when other lipid levels are normal. Measuring both provides early insight into hidden or inherited cardiovascular risks, guiding targeted prevention.

Calcium and vitamin D play a critical role in maintaining bone health. When you don’t get enough calcium, you increase your risk of developing osteoporosis and stress fractures. This blood test measures your total and corrected calcium levels, your vitamin D levels, and also checks for gout.

Insulin resistance can lead to difficulty losing weight, distinct abdominal fat, fatigue, bloating and sugar cravings. Identifying insulin resistance early and committing to lifestyle changes can ultimately help the progression to diabetes.

This simple iron test measures how much iron you have in your blood, as well as the amount of iron you have stored in your body. This iron test can be used to diagnose anaemia or monitor an existing iron deficiency. This iron test can also be used to investigate iron overload syndrome (haemochromatosis) which is an inherited condition where your body cannot remove excess iron.

Your thyroid gland produces hormones that regulate growth and energy expenditure. Thyroid disorders are quite common, and many people don’t have any symptoms at all. This thyroid test screens for the thyroid hormones that play a key role in regulating the body’s metabolism.

In addition to screening for the thyroid hormones that play a key role in regulating metabolism, this advanced thyroid function test detects and measures the quantity of specific thyroid autoantibodies to determine whether autoimmune disease may be impacting thyroid function.

Reverse T3 (rT3) is virtually inactive having only 1% the activity of T3 and blocks the action of T3 acting as a metabolic break. Normal metabolism of T4 requires the appropriate balance of T3 to rT3. If the proportion of rT3 dominates then it will antagonise T3 thus producing hypothyroid symptoms despite sufficient circulating levels of T4 and T3.

Thyroglobulin is used as a marker in the diagnosis and monitoring of thyroid disorders.

Active B12, folate, and vitamin B6 work together to support methylation, energy production, cognitive function, and nervous system health. These vitamins are essential for red blood cell formation, detoxification, hormone balance, and maintaining healthy mood and metabolism.

Homocysteine is an amino acid that’s regulated by the body’s methylation process, which supports detoxification, energy production, and nervous system health. If methylation is not functioning efficiently, homocysteine can build up, which may raise the risk of heart and and neurological issues.

A long-acting adrenal hormone which regulates energy production, the immune system, brain chemistry, bone formation, muscle tone and libido. DHEA-S is converted by the body into testosterone and other sex hormones.

Inadequate recovery from exercise or overtraining can result in inflammation and muscle damage. In addition to c-reactive protein and creatine kinase, this panel also measures homocysteine which is another recognised risk factor for cardiovascular disease, as well as osteoporosis and Alzheimer’s.

A high Copper to Zinc ratio is believed to cause a range of detrimental health effects including growth and mental abnormalities, increased age degeneration and increase oxidative stress and cardiovascular disease risks.

While fibrinogen levels are elevated, they may increase the risk of developing a blood clot and over time this can contribute to an increased risk for developing cardiovascular disease.

Red blood cell testing provides a measurement equivocal to intracellular levels, and is therefore more insightful than a regular serum blood test.