Ultimate 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.

A hBA1C test is used to determine the amount of glucose in the blood, this is often used as a in screening for prediabetes or diabetes.

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.

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.

Triglycerides are form of dietary fat that circulate in the blood. After eating your body will convert excess calories into triglycerides which are then carried to cells to be stored as fat. The triglycerides are released to be used as energy.

Raised levels of triglycerides are a potential risk factor for peripheral vascular disease which effects the blood vessels which supply your arms and legs as well as organs below the stomach as well as microvascular disease, affecting the tiny blood vessels around the heart.

Cholesterol is a waxy substance which is made in the body by the liver but is also found in some foods. It plays a vital role in how every cell works and is also needed to make Vitamin D, some hormones and bile for digestion. However, too much cholesterol in the blood can increase your risk of getting heart and circulatory diseases.

Cholesterol is made up of both good (HDL) and bad (LDL) cholesterol so it is important to investigate a raised cholesterol result to determine the cause. High levels of HDL cholesterol can cause a raised cholesterol result but may actually be protective against heart disease.

High density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol removes cholesterol from the bloodstream and carries it to the liver where it is broken down and removed from the body in bile. High density lipoprotein is a good cholesterol.

Higher levels are believed to be protective against heart disease, while low levels are associated with increased risk of a heart attack.

Low density lipoprotein (LDL) transports cholesterol, triglycerides and other fats to various tissues throughout the body. Too much low density lipoprotein cholesterol, known as bad cholesterol can cause fatty deposits to accumulate on artery walls, which can potentially lead to a heart disease and artherosclerosis.

Measuring your non-HDL cholesterol levels gives a better assessment of the risk for heart disease than measuring only LDL. This is especially true if you have high triglycerides. Your non-HDL cholesterol level is found by subtracting your HDL cholesterol from your total cholesterol.

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone is produced in the pituitary gland and stimulates the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3).

High levels of TSH indicate an underactive thyroid while low levels indicate an overactive thyroid. In primary pituitary failure, a low TSH will be associated with an underactive thyroid.

Thyroxine (T4) is one of two hormones produced by the thyroid gland. Most T4 is bound to carrier proteins in the blood – this test measures the level of T4 which is free, or unbound, circulating in your blood.

High levels of free thyroxine can indicate an overactive thyroid while low levels can indicate an underactive thyroid.

Triiodothyronine (T3) is one of two thyroid hormones produced by the thyroid gland. Most T3 is bound to protein in the blood. It helps to regulate metabolism. Free T3 measures the level of T3 that is free, or unbound to protein.

Testosterone is a male sex hormone which is produced in the testicles of men It is also produced in much smaller amounts, in the ovaries of women. Testosterone is responsible for your bone and muscle strength, mood, energy and sexual function.

Testosterone levels lower as you become older it is unusual to find naturally elevated levels in men. Low testosterone is more common than raised.

Raised testosterone for women can result in male characteristics such as body hair, greater bulk, a deeper voice and acne of which are all symptoms of polycystic ovaries, a condition in which elevated testosterone is commonly seen.

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.

Prolactin is a hormone which is made in the pituitary gland and plays a role in reproductive health. Its main purpose is to stimulate milk production after birth and in pregnant and breastfeeding women prolactin levels will soar.

Raised levels in a woman who is neither pregnant or breastfeeding can signal fertility problems as well as irregular periods.

Higher levels in men can cause reduced sex drive, erectile dysfunction, and lack of energy and fertility problems.

Follicle Stimulating Hormone is produced in the pituitary gland and is important for women in the production of eggs by the ovaries and for men in the production of sperm. Levels of FSH rise in women as egg production declines, therefore raised FSH often coincides with the onset of the menopause and is a measure of ovarian reserve.

Elevated FSH in women indicates reduced egg supply whereas low levels can signal that you are not ovulating or are pregnant.

Levels of FSH in men rise with age, but can also indicate testicular damage and reduced sperm production. Low levels of FSH are detected when men are not producing sperm

Luteinising Hormone (LH) is produced by the pituitary gland and is important for male and female fertility. In women it governs the menstrual cycle, peaking before ovulation. In men it stimulates the production of testosterone.

Raised LH in women can signal that you are not ovulating, that you are menopausal or that your hormones are not in balance (as with polycystic ovaries).

Raised LH in men can signal that the testes are not producing enough testosterone.

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