Weight Loss Package

Cholesterol is a fatty substance that your body needs to build healthy cells, produce hormones and make vitamin D. Although cholesterol is essential for good health, having too much cholesterol in your blood can increase your risk of heart disease and stroke. Measuring total cholesterol provides an overall assessment of your cholesterol level and is interpreted alongside HDL, LDL and triglycerides to give a more complete picture of your cardiovascular health.

Often referred to as "good cholesterol", HDL helps remove excess cholesterol from your bloodstream and transports it back to the liver, where it can be broken down and removed from the body. Higher HDL levels are generally associated with a lower risk of heart disease, making this an important marker of cardiovascular health. Maintaining healthy HDL levels is often supported by regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding smoking.

LDL is commonly known as "bad cholesterol" because high levels can lead to cholesterol building up within the walls of your arteries. Over time, this can narrow the arteries and increase the risk of heart attacks, strokes and other cardiovascular diseases. Monitoring LDL cholesterol is one of the most important ways of assessing long-term cardiovascular risk and is often used to guide lifestyle changes and cholesterol-lowering treatment where appropriate.

Non-HDL cholesterol measures all of the cholesterol that may contribute to the build-up of fatty deposits within your arteries. It includes LDL cholesterol as well as several other potentially harmful cholesterol particles. Many specialists consider non-HDL cholesterol to be one of the best indicators of cardiovascular risk, particularly in people with diabetes, obesity or raised triglyceride levels.

Triglycerides are a type of fat found in your blood that your body uses as a source of energy. After eating, excess calories that are not immediately required are converted into triglycerides and stored in fat tissue. Persistently raised triglyceride levels may be associated with obesity, diabetes, excessive alcohol consumption, diets high in sugar and refined carbohydrates, and some inherited conditions. High triglyceride levels increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and, when very high, may also increase the risk of pancreatitis.

The cholesterol-to-HDL ratio compares your total cholesterol with your HDL ("good") cholesterol. Rather than looking at individual cholesterol measurements alone, this ratio provides an overall assessment of cardiovascular risk by considering both protective and harmful cholesterol. In general, a lower ratio is associated with a lower risk of heart disease, while a higher ratio may indicate an increased cardiovascular risk.

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) is produced by the pituitary gland and controls how much thyroid hormone your thyroid gland produces. It is usually the earliest marker to become abnormal when thyroid function changes, making it one of the most sensitive tests for assessing thyroid health. Raised TSH levels commonly suggest an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), while low levels may indicate an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism). As thyroid hormones regulate metabolism, energy production and many bodily functions, thyroid disorders may contribute to symptoms including fatigue, weight changes, sensitivity to temperature, mood changes, dry skin and alterations in heart rate.

Free T4 is one of the two main hormones produced by your thyroid gland and plays a central role in regulating metabolism, body temperature, energy production and growth. Measuring Free T4 alongside TSH helps determine whether your thyroid is functioning normally and assists in diagnosing both underactive and overactive thyroid conditions. Abnormal Free T4 levels should always be interpreted alongside TSH to provide the most accurate assessment of thyroid function.

Free T3 is the biologically active thyroid hormone responsible for regulating many of your body's metabolic processes. It influences energy levels, heart function, digestion, body temperature and the rate at which your body uses energy. Measuring Free T3 can provide additional information when investigating thyroid disorders, particularly when symptoms persist despite normal TSH or Free T4 levels or when hyperthyroidism is suspected.

HbA1c (glycated haemoglobin) measures your average blood glucose level over approximately the previous 2 to 3 months by assessing how much glucose has attached to your red blood cells. Unlike a single glucose reading, HbA1c provides a long-term picture of blood sugar control and is regarded as the gold standard test for diagnosing and monitoring diabetes. Raised HbA1c levels may indicate pre-diabetes or diabetes and, if left untreated, are associated with an increased risk of complications including heart disease, kidney disease, nerve damage and diabetic eye disease. Monitoring HbA1c can also help assess how well diabetes treatment and lifestyle changes are working over time.

ALT is an enzyme found primarily within liver cells. When the liver becomes inflamed or damaged, ALT is released into the bloodstream, making it one of the most sensitive markers of liver cell injury. Raised ALT levels are commonly associated with fatty liver disease, viral hepatitis, alcohol-related liver disease and certain medications.

ALP is an enzyme found mainly in the liver, bile ducts and bones. Raised ALP levels may indicate conditions affecting the liver or bile ducts, such as bile flow obstruction, but can also occur during periods of increased bone growth or in certain bone disorders.

AST is an enzyme found in the liver, heart, muscles and several other tissues. While elevated AST may indicate liver inflammation or damage, it can also rise following muscle injury, strenuous exercise or certain medical conditions affecting the heart or muscles.

GGT is an enzyme found mainly in the liver and bile ducts. It is one of the most sensitive markers of liver health and is particularly useful for identifying liver damage associated with excessive alcohol consumption. GGT levels may also be raised in people with fatty liver disease, obesity, diabetes, certain medications or disorders affecting the bile ducts.

Bilirubin is a yellow pigment produced when old red blood cells are naturally broken down. Healthy liver cells process bilirubin before it is removed from the body in bile. Elevated bilirubin levels may cause jaundice, where the skin and eyes appear yellow, and can occur due to liver disease, bile duct obstruction, inherited conditions such as Gilbert's syndrome or increased breakdown of red blood cells. Bilirubin is also responsible for the yellow and green colour changes seen as bruises heal.

Albumin is the most abundant protein produced by the liver and performs many important functions, including maintaining fluid balance within the bloodstream and transporting hormones, vitamins, fatty acids and medications throughout the body. Low albumin levels may suggest liver disease, kidney disease, inflammation, malnutrition or poor absorption of nutrients.

Total protein measures the combined amount of albumin and globulins circulating in your blood. It provides an overview of your nutritional status and can help assess liver function, kidney function and immune health.

Globulins are a group of proteins that play an essential role in your immune system by helping your body fight infection and transport important substances throughout the bloodstream. Abnormal globulin levels may occur with infections, chronic inflammation, autoimmune conditions, liver disease and certain blood disorders.

Creatinine is a waste product produced naturally by your muscles as part of normal daily activity. Healthy kidneys remove creatinine from the blood and excrete it in urine, making it one of the most widely used markers of kidney function. Raised creatinine levels may indicate reduced kidney function, although levels can also be influenced by muscle mass, dehydration, certain medications and recent strenuous exercise. Measuring creatinine alongside eGFR provides a more complete assessment of kidney health.

eGFR estimates how efficiently your kidneys filter waste products and excess fluid from your blood. It is calculated using your creatinine level together with factors such as your age and sex. eGFR is one of the most important indicators of kidney function and is commonly used to detect and monitor chronic kidney disease. A persistently reduced eGFR may suggest impaired kidney function and should always be interpreted alongside your clinical history and other blood test results.

Urea is a waste product formed when your body breaks down protein. It is transported in the bloodstream and removed by the kidneys. Measuring urea helps assess kidney function, hydration status and protein metabolism.

Sodium is an essential electrolyte that helps regulate fluid balance, blood pressure, nerve signalling and muscle function. Your kidneys and hormones work together to keep sodium levels within a narrow range. Abnormal sodium levels may occur with dehydration, kidney disease, heart failure, hormonal disorders or certain medications, and can affect normal brain and muscle function.

Chloride is an electrolyte that works alongside sodium and potassium to help maintain fluid balance, blood pressure and the body's acid-base balance. Abnormal chloride levels often occur alongside changes in other electrolytes and may be associated with dehydration, kidney disease, prolonged vomiting, diarrhoea or metabolic disorders.

Vitamin D plays a vital role in maintaining healthy bones, teeth and muscles by helping your body absorb calcium and phosphate. It also supports normal immune function and contributes to muscle strength and general wellbeing. Low vitamin D levels are common in the UK and may contribute to tiredness, muscle weakness, bone pain and an increased risk of fractures. Measuring vitamin D helps identify deficiency and monitor response to supplementation.