GLP-1 Extended Health Review

Fasting Glucose: Measures blood sugar levels after fasting. Used to track whether glucose control is improving during treatment.

Fasting Insulin: Reflects insulin production at rest. Monitoring changes in fasting insulin during treatment can indicate whether insulin resistance is improving.

HOMA-IR Score: A calculated estimate of insulin resistance derived from fasting glucose and insulin. Useful for tracking metabolic improvement over time.

HbA1c: Reflects average blood glucose over the past two to three months. A key marker for monitoring glucose control during GLP-1 therapy.

Total Cholesterol: A broad measure of cardiovascular risk tracked alongside other lipid markers to assess treatment-related changes.

LDL Cholesterol: The cholesterol fraction most associated with cardiovascular risk. Monitored during treatment to track any lipid changes.

HDL Cholesterol: The protective cholesterol fraction. An increase in HDL during treatment is a positive metabolic indicator.

Triglycerides: Elevated triglycerides are common in people with insulin resistance and often improve with GLP-1 therapy. Tracked to monitor metabolic response.

Non-HDL Cholesterol: A more complete measure of cardiovascular risk than LDL alone, calculated by subtracting HDL from total cholesterol.

Bilirubin: A waste product from red blood cell breakdown. Monitored as part of ongoing liver health assessment during treatment.

Direct Bilirubin: Provides more specific information about liver and bile duct function when total bilirubin is elevated.

ALP (Alkaline Phosphatase): A liver and bone enzyme. Ongoing monitoring detects any treatment-related changes in liver health.

AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase): A marker of liver cell integrity. Assessed alongside ALT to identify any liver stress during treatment.

ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase): One of the most sensitive markers of liver cell damage. Important to monitor during medication use.

GGT (Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase): Sensitive to liver stress and medication effects. Tracked as part of routine liver function monitoring.

Albumin: Produced by the liver and reflects both liver function and nutritional status. Monitored during treatment as appetite changes may affect protein intake.

Globulin: Assessed alongside albumin to characterise liver function and identify inflammatory patterns.

Total Protein: A combined measure of albumin and globulin providing a broad assessment of liver function and nutritional status.

Sodium: An essential electrolyte for fluid balance and blood pressure regulation. Monitored as part of ongoing kidney and metabolic health assessment.

Potassium: Critical for heart rhythm and muscle function. Abnormal levels can have significant cardiac implications.

Chloride: Works alongside sodium to maintain fluid and acid-base balance. Assessed as part of a complete electrolyte profile.

Bicarbonate: Reflects the kidneys’ ability to regulate blood pH. A marker of metabolic and renal health.

Urea: A kidney-filtered waste product. Elevated levels can indicate reduced kidney function or changes in dietary protein intake.

Creatinine: One of the most reliable markers of kidney function. Monitored during treatment to detect any renal changes.

eGFR (Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate): The best overall indicator of kidney filtration capacity. Tracked to identify any early decline in kidney function.

TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone): The most sensitive indicator of thyroid function. Included given the known interaction between GLP-1 receptors and thyroid tissue. Abnormal TSH can affect metabolism, energy, and weight regulation.

FT4 (Free Thyroxine): The primary hormone produced by the thyroid. Assessed alongside TSH to provide a more complete picture of thyroid function.

FT3 (Free Triiodothyronine): The active form of thyroid hormone with a direct effect on cellular metabolism. Measured alongside FT4 and TSH to assess how well the body is converting thyroid hormones.

High Sensitivity CRP (hsCRP): A sensitive marker of low-grade systemic inflammation. Tracking hsCRP during therapy helps identify whether inflammation is improving in line with metabolic changes or flagging early concerns.

Vitamin B12: Essential for nerve function, red blood cell production, and DNA synthesis. Deficiency can develop gradually during periods of reduced food intake and is associated with fatigue, cognitive changes, and neurological symptoms.

Folate: A B vitamin essential for cell division, DNA repair, and red blood cell formation. Low folate is associated with anaemia and fatigue. Dietary intake may decline in people with significantly reduced appetite during GLP-1 therapy.

Vitamin D (25-OH): Regulates calcium and phosphate balance, supports immune function, and plays a role in muscle health and mood. Deficiency is common across Australia and is assessed here as part of a complete nutritional review.

Ferritin: The body’s primary iron storage protein. Low ferritin is one of the earliest signs of iron depletion, often appearing before anaemia develops. A sensitive marker of iron status during periods of reduced dietary intake.

Iron: Measures the amount of circulating iron in the blood. Assessed alongside ferritin and other iron markers to provide a complete picture of iron status.

Transferrin: The protein that transports iron through the blood. Elevated transferrin can indicate iron deficiency, as the body produces more of it when iron stores are low.

Transferrin Saturation: The percentage of transferrin that is currently carrying iron. A low saturation percentage indicates insufficient iron available for red blood cell production.

TIBC (Total Iron Binding Capacity): Measures the blood’s capacity to bind iron via transferrin. Elevated TIBC is a common finding in iron deficiency and helps confirm the pattern seen in other iron markers.

Haemoglobin: The protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. Low haemoglobin is the defining feature of anaemia and can result from iron, B12, or folate deficiency.

White Cell Count: Measures the total number of immune cells in the blood. Provides a broad indicator of immune function and can flag infection, inflammation, or other systemic conditions.

Platelet Count: Platelets are involved in blood clotting. Abnormal platelet counts can indicate a range of conditions from nutritional deficiency to bone marrow or systemic disease.

Red Cell Count: The number of red blood cells per volume of blood. Assessed alongside haemoglobin and other markers to characterise the type and severity of anaemia if present.

MCV (Mean Corpuscular Volume): The average size of red blood cells. Abnormal MCV helps distinguish between different types of anaemia, for example, large cells suggesting B12 or folate deficiency versus small cells suggesting iron deficiency.

MCH (Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin): The average amount of haemoglobin per red blood cell. Used alongside MCV to characterise red cell abnormalities.

MCHC (Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Concentration): The average concentration of haemoglobin within red blood cells. A low MCHC suggests the cells are not carrying as much oxygen as they should, often in the context of iron deficiency anaemia.

Neutrophils: The most common white blood cell type and the first line of defence against bacterial infection. Abnormal neutrophil counts can indicate infection, inflammation, or immune dysfunction.

Lymphocytes: White blood cells central to immune response and viral defence. Low lymphocyte counts can indicate immune suppression or certain deficiencies.

Monocytes: Immune cells involved in fighting infection and clearing cellular debris. Elevated monocytes can signal chronic infection or inflammation.

Eosinophils: White blood cells associated with allergic responses and parasitic infection. Elevated eosinophils can indicate allergy, inflammation, or other immune conditions.

Basophils: The least common white blood cell type, involved in inflammatory and allergic responses. Assessed as part of a complete differential count.