Metabolic Health – Home
£120.00
Your overall metabolic health affects your energy levels, weight management, heart function and even your lifespan. Many issues, like high cholesterol or chronic inflammation, develop silently. The Metabolic Health home blood test helps to uncover potential risks early. With these valuable insights, you can take action before problems develop.
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UKAS Accredited Labs
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CE Marked Tests
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Clinically Designed
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Why choose a Metabolic Health blood test?
Your overall metabolic health affects your energy levels, weight management, heart function and even your lifespan.
Many issues, like high cholesterol or chronic inflammation, develop silently. This test looks at health markers to help uncover potential risks early. With these valuable insights, you can take action before problems develop. With this test you can:
- Spot potential risks early, identifying cardiovascular and metabolic changes before symptoms develop.
- Support personalised lifestyle choices, by using your results to guide diet, exercise and evidence-based interventions.
- Track progress over time, by monitoring improvements with clear, objective data.
Understanding your numbers helps you make informed decisions about your long-term health.
If you have active symptoms, please also contact your GP in the first instance. This test is a complement to clinical care, not a substitute for it.
Why choose a Metabolic Health blood test?
Your overall metabolic health affects your energy levels, weight management, heart function and even your lifespan.
Many issues, like high cholesterol or chronic inflammation, develop silently. This test looks at health markers to help uncover potential risks early. With these valuable insights, you can take action before problems develop. With this test you can:
- Spot potential risks early, identifying cardiovascular and metabolic changes before symptoms develop.
- Support personalised lifestyle choices, by using your results to guide diet, exercise and evidence-based interventions.
- Track progress over time, by monitoring improvements with clear, objective data.
Understanding your numbers helps you make informed decisions about your long-term health.
If you have active symptoms, please also contact your GP in the first instance. This test is a complement to clinical care, not a substitute for it.
What does it measure?
This comprehensive panel assesses key metabolic and cardiovascular markers, and provides an overview of your cholesterol profile and heart health through a personalised risk profile. This means you can take early action to reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease and metabolic conditions (e.g. metabolic syndrome) through informed lifestyle changes and appropriate follow-up with a healthcare professional.
- Cholesterol & lipids, and advanced lipid markers - These markers provide deeper insights into inherited risks and how cholesterol behaves in your body.
- Inflammation & cardiovascular risk - Looks to identify low levels of inflammation, which is linked to overall heart health.
- Triglycerides - Checks the level of fats in your blood, indicating how your body stores and uses energy.
What does it measure?
This comprehensive panel assesses key metabolic and cardiovascular markers, and provides an overview of your cholesterol profile and heart health through a personalised risk profile. This means you can take early action to reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease and metabolic conditions (e.g. metabolic syndrome) through informed lifestyle changes and appropriate follow-up with a healthcare professional.
- Cholesterol & lipids, and advanced lipid markers - These markers provide deeper insights into inherited risks and how cholesterol behaves in your body.
- Inflammation & cardiovascular risk - Looks to identify low levels of inflammation, which is linked to overall heart health.
- Triglycerides - Checks the level of fats in your blood, indicating how your body stores and uses energy.
Who is this test for?
This test can be particularly helpful if you:
- Have a family history of heart disease
- Are monitoring your cholesterol levels
- Want a deeper understanding of your metabolic health
- Are focused on weight management or fitness or health goals
Who is this test for?
This test can be particularly helpful if you:
- Have a family history of heart disease
- Are monitoring your cholesterol levels
- Want a deeper understanding of your metabolic health
- Are focused on weight management or fitness or health goals
What this test checks
Total Cholesterol
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.
HDL Cholesterol
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.
LDL Cholesterol
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.
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.
Total Cholesterol/HDL Cholesterol Ratio
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.
Apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA-I)
Apolipoproteins bind to fats to help transport them around the body. High levels of apolipoprotein A-1 mean you also have high levels of HDL or ‘good’ cholesterol. This means you are less likely to develop cardiovascular disease.
HDL helps remove excess cholesterol from your body. Your apolipoprotein A-1 level reflects how effective HDL in your body is at removing excess cholesterol.
Apolipoprotein B (ApoB)
Apolipoproteins bind to fats to transport them around the body. High levels of apolipoprotein B mean you also have high levels of LDL or ’bad’ cholesterol. This means you are more likely to develop cardiovascular disease.
Levels of LDL cholesterol can be approximated by measuring your total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides. However, measuring apolipoprotein B provides a more accurate measurement of your LDL cholesterol because for every particle of apolipoprotein B, there is always one particle of LDL cholesterol.
Apolipoprotein B/A-I Ratio (ApoB/ApoA-I)
Apolipoprotein B levels provide a more accurate measurement of how much ‘bad’ or LDL cholesterol is in your body. Apolipoprotein A-I levels provide more information about how your ‘good’ or HDL cholesterol is contributing to your cardiovascular health.
The apolipoprotein B/A-I ratio, therefore, is a good measure of your risk of developing cardiovascular disease — a high ratio means you are more likely to develop cardiovascular disease.
High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP)
C-reactive protein is made by your liver in response to inflammation in your body.
Raised C-reactive protein levels show that you have a health condition that is causing inflammation. A high-sensitivity C-reactive protein blood test can detect lower amounts of C-reactive protein than a standard C-reactive protein blood test.
This is useful for detecting low levels of inflammation, which increase your risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
How the test works
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1. Simple At Home TestingCollect your sample at home using our premium Tasso device, designed to make the process simpler and more comfortable. Clear instructions are included in your kit. Watch our video to see how it works.
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2. Easy ReturnActivate your kit before sending it back. Place your sample in the prepaid packaging provided and drop it off at your local post office. For best results, post your kit before noon on the same day you collect your sample.
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3. Fast, Clear ResultsOnce your sample reaches our trusted lab partner, testing begins right away. We aim to deliver your results within three working days.
Your questions answered
What is the difference between HDL and LDL cholesterol?
HDL is often called ‘good cholesterol’ because it helps remove excess cholesterol from your body by transporting it to your liver. LDL is often called ‘bad cholesterol’ because when levels are too high, it can clog up your arteries and increase your risk of heart disease.
How does the Hb1Ac test check for diabetes risk?
This test checks how much of a protein called haemoglobin in your red blood cells 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.
What happens if my blood test results are abnormal?
All results are reviewed by our Lead GP before being released to you. If anything requires urgent clinical attention such as a significantly abnormal haemoglobin, white cell count, potassium or sodium, we will contact you directly to arrange a complimentary follow-up call at no extra charge.
Other findings including an elevated qFIT, a raised PSA, elevated calprotectin, abnormal kidney or liver function, or iron levels outside the normal range vary in their significance depending on the degree of abnormality, your symptoms and your personal medical history. Some may require prompt attention; others will need follow-up but without the same urgency. Because context matters, our Lead GP reviews every result individually rather than in isolation. Where a result needs prompt action, we will contact you directly. Where follow-up is needed but not urgent, your report will include clear guidance on the recommended next step whether that is a GP appointment, a repeat test, or further investigation.
No result is released without clinical review, and no abnormal finding is left without a clear recommended pathway. If you have any questions about your results at any point, our clinical team is here to help.
Do I need to fast before a blood test?
Some markers included in this test are best measured using a fasting sample. To help ensure the most accurate results, please fast for 8–12 hours before your appointment or before collecting your sample. During this time, do not eat or drink anything except water.
What are apolipoproteins?
These proteins transport fats around your body. Apolipoprotein A1 attaches to HDL (‘good’) cholesterol while apolipoprotein B attaches to LDL (‘bad’) cholesterol. Measuring apolipoprotein levels provides a more accurate view of how many cholesterol particles are in your blood.
What are triglycerides?
Triglycerides are a type of fat that is different from cholesterol. Your body gets triglycerides from the fats that you eat. They are also made by your liver using excess calories, usually from sugars and carbohydrates. Triglycerides contribute to your risk of cardiovascular disease, independent of cholesterol.
What is a metabolic blood test?
A metabolic blood test checks how your body generates and uses energy, which affects how well your organs work, your energy levels and your weight. It measures markers of your metabolism, such as fats and blood sugar.
Does this test check blood sugar levels?
This test checks your long-term blood sugar levels, that is, your blood sugar levels over the last 2–3 months. It does this by measuring how much haemoglobin — a protein in your red blood cells — is sugar-coated (glycated haemoglobin). This happens when your blood sugar levels are persistently high.
How do you test for diabetes or prediabetes?
You can test for diabetes or prediabetes by measuring levels of Hb1Ac in the blood. Hb1Ac refers to sugar-coated haemoglobin — a protein in your red blood cells. Haemoglobin becomes sugar-coated (glycated haemoglobin) if your blood sugar levels are persistently high.
As your red blood cells last for 2–3 months before they are replaced, Hb1Ac provides an accurate measurement of your blood sugar levels over the last 2–3 months. A Hb1Ac reading of 42–47 mmol/mol means you have prediabetes; anything above 47 mmol/mol means you have diabetes. This test can, therefore, tell you what your diabetes risk is.
Does this test include liver function markers?
No, this test does not include liver function markers. However, liver function markers are included in our Essential Health MOT Blood Test and 360 Health MOT Blood Test, which measures your liver enzymes to assess your liver health.
What is ALT and what does it indicate?
ALT refers to alanine aminotransferase (ALT). This is an enzyme in your liver. When your liver is damaged, ALT leaks out into your blood. ALT is, therefore, a marker for liver disease and liver damage. ALT testing is part of liver function tests, which are included in our Essential Health MOT Blood Test and 360 Health MOT Blood Test.
What happens if my blood sugar or liver markers are abnormal?
If your blood sugar or liver markers are abnormal, these will be highlighted in your results. You will be advised to speak to your NHS GP or book a private GP consultation with one of our experienced Vista Health GPs. They will explain what your results mean for you and any next steps, such as further tests.
What is the difference between the at-home and in-clinic version of this test?
The at-home version lets you collect your sample(s) yourself using the kit(s) provided. The in-clinic version includes professional sample collection, physical measurements, a Full Blood Count (FBC) and, for some tests, additional health markers.