Lauren Hart General Check Up

The full blood count measures red cells, white cells and platelets — foundational markers included in most health assessments. 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. Your kidneys filter waste and regulate salts in your blood. This panel measures key markers of kidney 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.

Insulin resistance is a condition where cells fail to respond to the normal actions of insulin which is produced by the pancreas. When the body produces insulin under conditions of insulin resistance, the cells in the body are resistant to the insulin and are unable to use it as effectively. This can lead to high blood sugar and pancreatic dysfunction.

TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) helps assess thyroid function, which plays a vital role in regulating metabolism, mood, energy levels, and reproductive health. Understanding your thyroid levels can provide useful information to discuss with your GP.

Vitamin D is essential for bone strength as it helps the intestines absorb calcium. Calcium and vitamin D play a critical role in developing and maintaining your overall bone health, and when you don’t get enough you increase your risk of developing osteoporosis and the incidence of stress fractures.

Vitamin B12 is an essential vitamin found in meat products and certain algae such as seaweed. It helps maintain healthy nerve cells and red blood cells and is also needed to make DNA, the genetic material in all cells. Both high and low vitamin B12 blood test levels may indicate an underlying problem. Low levels can suggest anaemia, a parasite or hyperthyroidism, whilst high levels can be a sign of liver disease, diabetes or kidney failure.

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. Iron levels are relevant to energy, blood cell health and overall wellbeing.