Heart & Metabolic Health Check

High Sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP): A sensitive marker of systemic inflammation associated with early cardiovascular risk, metabolic dysfunction, and chronic disease. More precise than standard CRP and capable of detecting low-level inflammation that standard testing would miss.

Homocysteine: An amino acid that, when elevated, is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and cognitive decline. Levels are influenced by B-vitamin status, genetics, and kidney function, and can be elevated silently without obvious symptoms.

Apolipoprotein B (ApoB): Measures the number of atherogenic particles in the blood and is considered one of the most accurate predictors of cardiovascular risk available. More precise than standard LDL cholesterol alone and an essential marker for anyone wanting a complete picture of heart disease risk.

Apolipoprotein A (ApoA-1): The primary protein component of HDL (good cholesterol). Higher levels are associated with better cardiovascular protection, and when assessed alongside ApoB, provides a powerful ratio for evaluating long-term arterial disease risk.

Fasting Insulin: Measures insulin levels in a fasted state to assess how hard the pancreas is working to manage blood sugar. Elevated fasting insulin is one of the earliest signs of insulin resistance, often present years before changes appear in glucose or HbA1c.

HbA1c: Reflects your average blood sugar levels over the past 2 to 3 months and is used to assess long-term glucose control, diabetes risk, and the cumulative metabolic burden on the cardiovascular system.

Lipid Studies (Total Cholesterol, HDL, LDL, Triglycerides): Evaluates cholesterol and fat levels in the blood to assess cardiovascular health and long-term heart disease risk. Forms the foundation of any cardiovascular risk assessment and provides essential context for interpreting ApoB and ApoA-1.

Fasting Glucose: Measures your blood sugar level at the time of collection. When assessed alongside fasting insulin and HbA1c, it completes the glycaemic picture and allows for accurate calculation of insulin resistance via HOMA-IR.

HOMA-IR: A calculated index derived from fasting glucose and fasting insulin that quantifies insulin resistance. Provides a clear, single-number picture of how effectively your body is responding to insulin, making it one of the most actionable markers in a metabolic health panel.

Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)]: An independent and largely genetically determined cardiovascular risk factor that standard lipid panels do not capture. Lp(a) is not meaningfully altered by lifestyle changes, making it important to know as a fixed component of your personal cardiovascular risk profile.

Kidney Function (EUC/eGFR): Measures waste products and electrolytes to assess kidney health and fluid balance. Kidney function is a significant amplifier of cardiovascular risk and also directly affects the interpretation of homocysteine levels.

Liver Function Tests (LFTs): Assess enzymes and markers that reflect liver health. Metabolic dysfunction and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease are closely linked to insulin resistance and cardiovascular risk, making liver function a relevant and informative inclusion in this panel.

Uric Acid: Measures uric acid levels in the blood. Elevated uric acid is associated with insulin resistance, hypertension, and increased cardiovascular risk, and can be influenced by diet, metabolic health, and kidney function.

TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone): A key indicator of thyroid function. Thyroid dysfunction directly impacts cholesterol levels, blood pressure, metabolic rate, and cardiovascular risk, making TSH an important supporting marker in any comprehensive heart and metabolic health assessment.