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.

A blood test is used to find out the level of waste products in your blood and calculate what’s called your estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).

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.

Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional problem in Australia. It slows your body’s production of haemoglobin, which your red blood cells need to pick up oxygen from your lungs and carry it to every cell in your body. If you have a shortage of iron you experience symptoms of anaemia, which include feeling breathless after little exercise, feeling tired, heart palpitations and looking pale.

Blood glucose is generated from carbohydrates and to use this fuel for energy your body needs insulin. With type 2 diabetes the cells either ignore the insulin or the body doesn't produce enough of it. Glucose then builds up leading to problems with the heart, kidneys, eyes, nerves, and blood vessels.

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.

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.

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.

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) can be categorised into subfractions, which range from LDL-1 through to LDL-7 based on their size and density. Among these subfractions, LDL-1 and LDL-2 are thought to be less atherogenic than LDL-3 to LDL-7, meaning they may have a lower tendency to contribute to the development of atherosclerosis. This is due to the fact that LDL-1 and LDL-2 are larger and more buoyant than LDL-3 to LDL-7, which reduces their likelihood of penetrating the arterial wall and contributing to plaque formation.

IDL is a transitional lipoprotein that is eventually converted to LDL. Elevated levels of IDL in the blood can contribute to the buildup of plaque in the arteries, just like LDL.

Research indicates that higher quantities of smaller, denser LDL3-7 particles are linked to inflammation and pose a greater risk of causing atherosclerosis compared to fewer, larger and more buoyant LDL1-2 particles. LDL3-7 particles are smaller and denser, and are more likely to permeate the arterial wall and participate in the formation of plaque.