Annual Health Test

High cholesterol often has no visible symptoms but is a hidden risk factor for heart disease and strokes. There are different types of cholesterol that play different roles in your body, so we report 5 different markers of cholesterol plus triglycerides:

Total Cholesterol: The overall amount of cholesterol in your blood, including both “good” and “bad” cholesterols.

HDL Cholesterol: High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is also known as “good” cholesterol. If this is high, it can lower your risk of heart problems or a stroke.

Non-HDL Cholesterol: An indicator of “bad” cholesterol. If this is high, it increases your risk of heart problems or a stroke.

LDL Cholesterol: Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is a “bad” cholesterol. If this is high, it increases your risk of heart problems or a stroke.

Triglycerides: A fatty substance similar to “bad” cholesterol.

HDL to Cholesterol %:  This is useful information for a GP in determining your risk of heart problems or stroke. The main aim is to focus on lowering your “bad” cholesterols and triglycerides and increasing your “good” HDL cholesterol.

The rate of Type 2 Diabetes diagnoses has more than doubled in the past 15 years. Obesity and a sedentary lifestyle are major risk factors for diabetes.

We measure HbA1c (glycated haemoglobin) which reflects your average blood glucose (sugar) levels over the past three months. This provides an accurate indication and early detection of pre-diabetes and diabetes.

The liver is responsible for functions vital to life. The liver primarily processes nutrients from foods, removes toxins from the body and builds proteins. It breaks down fats, it converts glucose into energy stores and produces hormones. It also helps the body fight off infections. We measure 8 different markers of liver function:

Albumin: a protein that is made in your liver. It helps to transport nutrients and hormones, as well as helps to grow and repair tissues in your body.

Globulin: a group of proteins made in your liver. Globulins play an important role in liver function, blood clotting and fighting infections.

Total protein: your albumin and globulin levels combined.

Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT): A protein enzyme that is only found in your liver, so it’s a good indicator of your liver status. A high ALT level can be a sign of liver damage.

Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP): Another enzyme mainly found in your liver, but some is also made in your bones, intestines, pancreas, and kidneys.

Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST): A protein enzyme found mainly in the liver. Another name for the AST enzyme is serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT). Damage to liver cells can cause the release of extra AST into the blood though, leading to higher levels of the enzyme.

Gamma-glutamyl Transferase (GGT): A protein enzyme found mainly in the liver. A high GGT can indicate damage to the liver or bile ducts.

Bilirubin: a yellow pigment. High bilirubin levels can be a sign that your liver is damaged. Sometimes high levels can be caused by Gilbert’s syndrome which is a harmless inherited disorder.

Inflammation can indicate damage or deterioration in your body that you may not be aware of. We often think of inflammation as redness and/or swelling that’s visible on the skin, but you can also get internal inflammation with no visible warning signs.

We measure hs-CRP (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein) which is the most important marker for inflammation. High hs-CRP is a risk marker for heart disease, stroke, and a number of chronic conditions. It is also raised if you have an infection.

Vitamin D is needed by the body for both physical and mental health but is best known for making sure that bones and muscles (including your heart) are strong and growing properly. It also helps regulate the immune system. Vitamin D deficiency is related to conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and certain cancers. The development or worsening of mental health conditions, such as depression and low mood has also been linked to inadequate levels of vitamin D.

We measure your Vitamin D levels to identify whether you have a vitamin D deficiency.

Vitamin B12 has many roles in your body. It is important for red blood cell production and helps your nervous system to function properly. It is also linked to health benefits, including boosting your energy, improving your memory, and helping to prevent heart disease.

We measure your Active Vitamin B12 levels to identify whether you might have a vitamin B12 deficiency.

Folate is one of the B-vitamins and has many functions in the body. It is vital for the formation of red blood cells, energy levels and contributes to the normal function of the immune system. Your body can’t build up a store of folate so you can become deficient in a matter of weeks. It’s important to continuously get enough from your diet or from supplements.

We measure your Folate levels to identify whether you might have a folate deficiency.

Iron deficiency is when there’s not enough iron in your body. Iron is an essential mineral for your body. Iron is needed to produce red blood cells, which are important for:

• a healthy immune system
• mental function
• muscle strength and energy

We measure 5 different markers of iron deficiency:

Iron: Within red blood cells, iron plays a crucial role as a component of a protein known as haemoglobin. Haemoglobin serves as the carrier for oxygen within your bloodstream, facilitating the transport of oxygen from your lungs to all the cells in your body, ensuring their proper functioning. Since your body cannot produce iron on its own, obtaining it from your diet is essential. Maintaining the right balance of iron in your body is of utmost importance. Low iron levels can lead to the development of anaemia, while excessive iron intake can be toxic.

Ferritin: A most useful indicator of iron deficiency, as iron stored as ferritin can be decreased before any other blood iron levels are low. The test can also indicate if blood iron stores are too high.

Unsaturated Iron-Binding Capacity (UIBC):  The amount of transferrin (a protein found in the blood that plays a crucial role in the transport of iron throughout the body) that is not currently carrying iron. Elevated UIBC levels can indicate a deficiency of iron in the body, while low levels may suggest excess iron.

Total Iron-Binding Capacity (TIBC): A measurement that assesses the maximum amount of iron that can be bound to transferrin in the blood. It provides information about iron-related conditions with higher TIBC values typically seen in cases of iron deficiency and lower values in cases of iron excess.

Transferrin Saturation: Transferrin saturation is a parameter that assesses the percentage of transferrin in the blood that is currently carrying iron. It is a valuable indicator of how efficiently the body is utilising the available iron stores, with lower values indicating potential iron deficiency and higher values suggesting a surplus of iron in the body.

A full blood count (FBC) offers several advantages in assessing overall health. It provides valuable information about the composition of blood, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. The FBC consists of a versatile and informative range of tests that may aid the early detection of a wide range of health issues. The full blood count includes results for 15 different markers:

Haemoglobin: A key parameter measured to assess the oxygen-carrying capacity of red blood cells. Haemoglobin is a protein within red blood cells that binds to oxygen from the lungs and transports it throughout the body.

Red Cell Count: Measures the number of red blood cells in a given volume of blood. This parameter is useful to give an indication of oxygen-carrying capacity and overall blood health.

Haematocrit (HCT): Represents the percentage of the total blood volume occupied by red blood cells. Haematocrit levels provide valuable information about the blood’s oxygen-carrying capacity.

Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV): Quantifies the average volume or size of red blood cells in a blood sample.

Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin (MCH): Measures the average amount of haemoglobin present in a single red blood cell. It provides insights into the amount of haemoglobin each red blood cell carries. MCH is a valuable tool for understanding the quality of red blood cells.

Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC): Measures the average concentration of haemoglobin in a red blood cell. It is valuable for assessing haemoglobin density within each cell MCHC also provides essential information about the quality of red blood cells.

Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW): Measures the variation in the size of red blood cells. It provides insights into the degree of variability in red blood cell size within a blood sample. RDW is a useful parameter and can help identify whether red blood cells are uniform in size (low RDW) or have a wide range of sizes (high RDW).

Platelet Count: Measures the number of platelets in a given volume of blood. Platelets play a crucial role in blood clotting and haemostasis.

Mean Platelet Volume (MPV): Measures the average size of platelets in a blood sample. It is a valuable indicator of platelet production and activity in the body. High MPV levels may suggest increased platelet production, while low levels may indicate decreased production or increased platelet destruction.

White Cell Count: Measures the total number of white blood cells (leukocytes) present in a specific volume of blood. White blood cells are essential for the body’s immune response and defence against infections.

Neutrophil Count: Measures the number of neutrophils, a type of white blood cell, in a blood sample. Neutrophils are essential for the body’s defence against bacterial infections.

Lymphocyte Count: Measures the number of lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell, in a blood sample. Lymphocytes play a crucial role in the immune system, particularly in fighting viral infections and coordinating immune responses.

Monocyte Count: Measures the number of monocytes, a type of white blood cell, in a blood sample. Monocytes are instrumental in immune defence, as they help combat infections, clear cellular debris, and contribute to the body’s inflammatory response.

Eosinophil Count: Measures the number of eosinophils, a type of white blood cell, in a blood sample. Eosinophils play a significant role in the immune system, particularly in responding to allergic reactions, parasitic infections, and certain inflammatory conditions.

Basophil Count: Measures the number of basophils, a type of white blood cell, in a blood sample. Basophils are involved in allergic and inflammatory responses.

After ordering your Annual Health Test online, you will be asked to confirm the address where you’d like your phlebotomist appointment to take place. A local qualified phlebotomist will then call you to arrange a suitable date and time. You will be required to verify your identity (via a form of photo identification) before your phlebotomist can take your blood sample.

The healthcare provider will arrive equipped with the necessary supplies, including a sterile needle, collection tube, and a tourniquet. They will cleanse the intended needle insertion area, typically inside the elbow or the back of the hand, using an antiseptic solution.

Application of Tourniquet: To facilitate vein identification, the provider will gently apply a tourniquet to your arm.

Locating the Vein: Once a suitable vein is located, the healthcare provider may gently tap the area to encourage vein dilation. In some cases, they may ask you to make a fist to aid in vein visibility.

Needle Insertion: Using a sterile needle, the provider will insert it into the vein. You may experience a brief pinch or prick during this process. The needle is connected to a collection tube, which will gradually fill with blood as it is drawn from the vein.

Blood Collection: The blood flows into the collection tube due to the vacuum pressure within it. Different tube types may be used as various tests require specific tubes.

Needle Removal: After obtaining the necessary amount of blood, the healthcare provider will remove the needle. They will apply gentle pressure to the puncture site using a sterile cotton ball or gauze to stop any bleeding. A plaster may also be applied over the site.

Labelling: Each blood collection tube is carefully labelled with your information and the specific tests to be conducted.

Post-Procedure Care: You may be instructed to keep the cotton ball or plaster in place for a brief period to ensure bleeding has ceased. Additionally, it is advisable to refrain from strenuous arm movements immediately following the blood draw.

Venous blood draws are commonly used for blood collection, and the collected blood is sent to a laboratory for testing. The procedure is relatively quick and generally safe, with minimal discomfort for most individuals.

A phlebotomist is a healthcare professional who specialises in the collection of blood samples for various purposes, including medical testing, diagnosis, research, and blood donation. Phlebotomists play a crucial role in the healthcare system by ensuring the safe and efficient collection of blood from patients.

Phlebotomists undergo extensive training and education to acquire the necessary skills and knowledge for their role. Here are some common qualifications and requirements for phlebotomists in the UK:

Education and Training: Phlebotomists often complete a formal phlebotomy training program, which may be offered by colleges, universities, or healthcare institutions. These programs cover topics such as anatomy, physiology, infection control, venipuncture techniques, and patient communication.

Certification: While not always required, some phlebotomists choose to become certified through organisations like the National Association of Phlebotomists (NAP). Certification can demonstrate competency and enhance job prospects.

On-the-Job Training: Many phlebotomists gain practical experience and training on the job. They may start as healthcare assistants or healthcare support workers and receive training in phlebotomy as part of their role.

Registration: Some phlebotomists may choose to register with a professional organisation, such as the NAP, to access resources, stay updated on best practices, and demonstrate their commitment to the field.

Taking an Annual Health Test can serve several important purposes:

Early Detection of Health Issues: An annual blood test may help detect health issues or abnormalities in their early stages. For example, by detecting changes in full blood cell (FBC) counts early, healthcare providers such as GPs and Specialists can then use your results to identify conditions such as anaemia, infections, blood disorders, and certain chronic and other diseases before they become more serious.

Health Maintenance: Testing can help you establish a baseline for your own blood marker levels. This baseline can be used for comparison over time to track any significant changes that may require further investigation or treatment from a GP or Specialist.

Overall Health Assessment: An annual blood test is a valuable tool for assessing overall health and well-being.

Prevention and Health Promotion: By identifying potential health concerns early, annual blood tests can support preventive measures and health promotion Guidance on lifestyle changes and interventions to improve your health are provided with the results.

Personalised Healthcare: An annual blood test provides you with insight about your own health and, if required, allows your healthcare provider, GP or Specialist to tailor their recommendations and interventions to your specific health needs. It can help them identify risk factors and develop a personalised healthcare plan.