Inner Beauty Blood Test

An alkaline phosphatase level test (ALP test) measures the amount of alkaline phosphatase enzyme in your bloodstream

AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase) is an enzyme found mainly in the liver, heart, and muscles. When these tissues are damaged, AST can leak into the bloodstream. Measuring AST helps assess liver health and can also indicate muscle injury or other conditions affecting these organs.

Alanine transferase (ALT) is an enzyme which is produced by the liver and can indicate liver damage caused by alcohol, drugs or viruses (hepatitis). Small amounts of ALT are normal, but raised levels may indicate that your liver is inflamed.

Elevated levels of ALT can also be caused by recent vigorous exercise.

Creatine kinase (CK) is an enzyme chiefly found in the brain, skeletal muscles, and heart. An elevated level of creatine kinase is seen in heart attacks, when the heart muscle is damaged, or in conditions that produce damage to the skeletal muscles or brain.

The level of Creatine Kinase in the blood is measured to assess muscle damage – it can rise very quickly after muscle trauma, but will begin to lower as the damage is repaired. If Creatine Kinase continues to rise it indicates that muscle damage is not being repaired.

Gamma-glytamyl transpeptidase (GGT) is an enzyme which is found in hepatocytes and biliary epithelial cells. GGT may be high in liver disease. Gamma GT is also used to diagnose alcohol abuse as it is raised in 75% of long term drinkers.

Total Protein shows us the sum of albumin and globulin. It is more important to know which protein fraction is higher or lower than what the measure of total protein is.

Albumin is mostly made in your liver and helps to keep the blood from leaking out of blood vessels. It also helps carry medicines through the blood and is important for tissue growth and healing.

Lower albumin levels may be an indication of a liver disease and can also be an indication of chronic ill-health, malnutrition and inflammation. It can also occur in kidney conditions such as nephrotic syndrome and diabetes.

higher levels are usually caused by dehydration.

Globulin is made up of different proteins and is made by the liver and the immune system. Certain globulins will bind with haemoglobin while others globulins will carry iron in the blood and help fight infection.

C-Reactive Protein (CRP) is an inflammation marker

it does not identify where the inflammation is located. High Sensitivity CRP (CRP-hs) is a test which is used to detect low-level inflammation which is thought to damage blood vessels which can lead to a heart attack or stroke.

A cortisol test is done to measure the level of the hormone cortisol in the blood, which may indicate problems with the adrenal glands or pituitary gland

The test measures the volume of iron within your blood with the aim of diagnosing iron deficiency anaemia or iron overload syndrome (haemochromatosis).

The symptoms of too little or too much iron can be very similar I.e fatigue, muscle weakness, moodiness and difficulty concentrating.

Ferritin is a protein which stores iron in your cells for your body to use later. Measuring ferritin levels gives us a good indication of the amount of iron stored in your body.

Low levels of ferritin can indicate anaemia which can be caused by excessive or chronic bleeding, poor absorption of iron or too little iron in the diet.

Raised ferritin levels can indicate iron overload syndrome (haemochromatosis) or any kind of liver damage. It is also a marker of infection and inflammation.

Oestradiol is a female steroid hormone that is produced in the ovaries of women and in the testes of men however in a much lesser extent. It is responsible for the female reproductive system as well as the growth of breast tissue and bone thickness. Oestradiol levels lower with age, culminating in the menopause when the ovaries stop producing eggs.

Raised oestadiolin women can cause acne, constipation loss of sex drive and depression it can also increase the risk of uterine and breast cancer.

Oestradiol can also be raised in men due to excess fat or in relation to testosterone levels which have declined with age. Raised oestadiol in men can cause the growth of breast tissue aswell as the loss of libido and infertility.

Lower levels of oestradiol in women can least to osteoporosis, problems with the menstrual cycle and fertility as well as fatigue and depression.

Testosterone, oestrogen and dihydrotestosterone are all bound to sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) which means that they are unavailable to your cells. Measuring the levels of SHBG in the blood gives important information about your levels of free or unbound hormones which are biologically active and available for use.

DHEAS is the sulphated form of DHEA, a hormone which delinnes gradually from the age of 30. It is produced by the adrenal glands and is responsible for male characteristics in both men and women.

A raised result in women may contribute to hirsuitism (excess hair) as well as male body characteristics. It can also be raised in polycystic ovary syndrome.

In both sexes raised DHEAS may indicate Cushing’s disease (when the body produces too much cortisol) as well as a possible adrenal tumour.

Low levels of DHEAS may indicate adrenal dysfunction and could contribute to a low libido, fertility problems and, in women, osteoporosis.

Progesterone is a steroid hormone produced in the adrenal glands and the corpus luteum.

Its purpose is to prepare the body for and support a pregnancy. Its levels will increase in the second half of the menstrual cycle.

Levels are often measured to assess whether ovulation is occurring for women or to diagnose the cause of abnormal bleeding.

A cortisol test is done to measure the level of the hormone cortisol in the blood, which may indicate problems with the adrenal glands or pituitary gland

Vitamin D is actually a hormone which is activated by sunshine on your skin. Many people in the UK do not produce enough Vitamin D, especially in the winter months with fewer daylight hours Vitamin D is essential for bone strength as it helps your intestines absorb calcium.

However, it is thought that vitamin D also plays an important role in immune function, as well as in many chronic diseases and mental health.

In winter months, if your levels are found to be low, you may wish to take a supplement.

Folate (Vitamin B9) is a vital B-vitamin needed for making red blood cells, repairing DNA, and supporting cell growth. Adequate folate helps prevent certain types of anemia and is especially important for energy production, brain function, and healthy pregnancy.

Vitamin B12 is part of the B complex of vitamins

The body is unable to make them itself and so instead must take them in through the diet

It contributes to your red blood cells metabolism and organ function

Magnesium is a mineral that  Supports energy, muscle function, hydration, and healthy skin cell repair.