Essential Health MOT+ – Clinic

FBC stands for Full Blood Count. This blood test measures the number of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets in your blood. It also checks the size of your platelets and red blood cells, the amount of haemoglobin in your red blood cells and the volume of blood containing red blood cells.

A blood test for HbA1c checks how much of a protein in your red blood cells called haemoglobin is sugar-coated. This happens when your blood sugar levels are persistently high. As red blood cells are replaced every 2-3 months, the test indicates whether your blood sugar levels have been too high for several months. 

The HbA1c test is, therefore, used to test for diabetes and prediabetes - prediabetes means you are at high risk of developing diabetes. 

Total cholesterol refers to the amount of all types of cholesterol in your blood. This includes HDL or ‘good’ cholesterol and LDL or ‘bad’ cholesterol.

Cholesterol is used to build cells and make hormones. However, high levels of LDL cholesterol can cause fatty deposits to build up on the insides of your arteries and lead to cardiovascular disease. 

LDL stands for low-density lipoprotein. The LDL protein attaches to cholesterol to transport it to cells around your body. LDL cholesterol is commonly called ‘bad’ cholesterol. This is because it is more likely to build up along the insides of your arteries, causing them to narrow. In general, higher levels of LDL cholesterol mean you are more likely to develop cardiovascular disease.

HDL stands for high-density lipoprotein. HDL cholesterol is commonly called ‘good’ cholesterol. This is because the protein HDL helps remove excess cholesterol from your body by transporting it to your liver, where it is broken down. In general, higher levels of HDL cholesterol mean you are less likely to develop cardiovascular disease.

This ratio refers to the amount of HDL or ‘good’ cholesterol you have in your blood relative to the total amount of cholesterol in your blood. It is an important factor in calculating your risk of developing cardiovascular disease because it considers how much of your total cholesterol is good cholesterol. 

Triglycerides refer to a type of fat that your body uses as an energy source. High levels of triglycerides in your blood can cause fatty deposits to build up on the insides of your arteries and lead to cardiovascular disease. 

HDL cholesterol is considered ‘good’ cholesterol as the protein HDL helps remove excess cholesterol from your body. Your non-HDL cholesterol refers to all other types of cholesterol in your blood, which are considered ‘bad’ as they are more likely to build up on the insides of your arteries. 

Your non-HDL cholesterol includes LDL cholesterol and VLDL cholesterol. A high non-HDL cholesterol level suggests a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. 

Iron attaches to your red blood cells to allow them to carry oxygen around your body. A blood test for iron measures the amount of iron in the cell-free part of your blood (serum). It can help diagnose a variety of conditions that affect your iron levels, including iron-deficiency anaemia, liver disease and thalassemia. 

TIBC refers to the ability of your red blood cells to attach to iron — this allows them to carry oxygen around your body. It is calculated by measuring the amount of iron in your blood serum and the amount of a protein called transferrin that is not attached to iron. TIBC can help investigate anaemia and other conditions that affect your iron levels. 

Transferrin is a protein that attaches to and transports iron around the body. It delivers iron to developing red blood cells, which need iron to carry oxygen. A transferrin saturation blood test (Tsat) measures how much iron is attached to transferrin. A low Tsat score can be caused by iron-deficiency anaemia, while a high Tsat score can be caused by haemochromatosis. 

This enzyme is tested for as part of a liver function test to check the health of your liver. ALT is made by your liver. High levels in your blood suggest that your liver has been damaged, causing ALT to leak out into your bloodstream.

This enzyme is tested for as part of a liver function test to check the health of your liver. ALP is made by your liver and bile ducts, where it is mainly found. High levels in your blood suggest that your liver or bile ducts have been damaged, causing ALP to leak out into your bloodstream.

This enzyme is tested for as part of a liver function test to check the health of your liver. GGT is made by your liver and bile ducts, where it is mainly found. High levels in your blood suggest that your liver or bile ducts have been damaged, causing GGT to leak out into your bloodstream. 

Albumin is made by your liver and is a vital part of your blood that helps prevent blood from leaking out of blood vessels. Liver damage can cause reduced albumin levels. An albumin blood test is often part of a liver function test to check the health of your liver.

Creatinine is a waste product made by your muscles. It is cleared from your body by your kidneys. A blood test for creatinine helps check the health of your kidneys – raised levels suggest kidney damage

The eGFR is a measure of how well your kidneys are working. It is calculated using a blood test for the waste product creatinine, which is removed from your body by your kidneys. This measurement is put into an equation that also considers your age, gender and ethnicity. A low eGFR value means your kidneys are not working as well as expected. 

Vitamin D helps your gut absorb calcium, which you need for healthy bones, teeth, muscles and nerves. A blood test for vitamin D can help investigate bone pain and muscle weakness, as well as conditions that reduce vitamin D levels.

Thyroid-stimulating hormone or TSH is a hormone that promotes the production of thyroid hormones by your thyroid gland.

A blood test for TSH can, therefore, check the health of your thyroid gland, specifically whether it is making the right amount of thyroid hormones.