Explore our comprehensive guide to biomarkers. Learn what each blood test measures, what your results mean, and when you should consider getting tested.
This blood test measures IgE antibodies against aspen pollen (Populus species) to determine if your early spring symptoms are caused by aspen allergy.
This blood test measures IgE antibodies against birch pollen to confirm whether your spring allergy symptoms are caused by a birch pollen allergy.
This blood test measures IgE antibodies against cat dander proteins (Fel d 1) to determine whether you have an allergic reaction to cats.
This blood test measures IgE antibodies to Japanese cedar pollen (Cry j 1) to determine if your immune system reacts to cedar pollen.
This blood test measures IgE antibodies against cod proteins, especially parvalbumin, to determine if you have a fish allergy.
This blood test measures IgE antibodies against cow dander (epidermal particles) to detect allergic sensitisation to cattle.
This blood test measures IgE antibodies against cow's milk proteins to determine whether you have a milk protein allergy.
This blood test measures diamine oxidase (DAO) enzyme levels to determine whether your body can effectively break down histamine from food.
This blood test measures IgG antibodies to deamidated gliadin, a modified form of gluten, to support the diagnosis of coeliac disease.
This blood test measures IgE antibodies to doggrass (hundäxing/couch grass) pollen to identify whether your immune system reacts to this common grass allergen.
This blood test measures IgE antibodies against egg white proteins to determine whether you have an egg allergy.
This blood test measures IgE antibodies against goose feathers to determine if you have an allergy to feather down used in bedding and clothing.
This blood test measures IgE antibodies against grass pollen to confirm whether your summer allergy symptoms are due to grass pollen sensitivity.
This blood test measures IgE antibodies against hazel pollen to confirm whether your winter or early spring symptoms are caused by a hazel pollen allergy.
This blood test measures IgE antibodies against horse dander proteins to determine if your symptoms are caused by a horse allergy.
This genetic test determines whether you carry the gene variant for lactase persistence, helping to confirm or rule out primary lactose intolerance.
This blood test measures IgE antibodies against mustard seed proteins to determine if you have a mustard allergy.
This blood test measures IgE antibodies against oak pollen to determine if your late spring symptoms are caused by oak pollen allergy.
This blood test measures IgE antibodies against peanut proteins to determine if you have a peanut allergy and estimate sensitivity.
This blood test measures IgE antibodies against ragweed pollen to confirm whether your late summer symptoms are caused by a ragweed allergy.
This blood test measures IgE antibodies against soy proteins to determine whether your immune system reacts allergically to soy.
This blood test detects anti-tissue transglutaminase (anti-tTG) antibodies, the most sensitive and specific blood marker for coeliac disease.
This blood test measures IgE antibodies against wheat proteins to determine if your immune system reacts allergically to wheat.
This blood test measures IgE antibodies against willow pollen to determine if your early spring symptoms are caused by a willow pollen allergy.
Basophils are the least common white blood cells, playing an important role in allergic reactions, inflammation, and immune regulation.
Eosinophils are a type of white blood cell involved in allergic responses, parasitic infections, and inflammatory conditions.
The EPK test measures the number of red blood cells per liter of blood to assess oxygen-carrying capacity and detect blood disorders.
Erythrocytes are red blood cells that carry oxygen throughout the body. Measuring their count helps detect anemia, polycythemia, and other blood disorders.
Erythropoietin (EPO) is a hormone produced by the kidneys that controls the production of red blood cells in the bone marrow.
The EVF blood test measures erythrocyte volume fraction (hematocrit) to assess the proportion of red blood cells in your blood.
Hematocrit measures the percentage of your blood volume that is made up of red blood cells, providing a quick snapshot of blood health.
Hemoglobin is the iron-rich protein inside red blood cells that transports oxygen from the lungs to every tissue in the body.
Leukocytes are white blood cells that defend the body against infections, inflammation, and disease. Their count reveals the state of your immune system.
The lymphocyte blood test measures the level of lymphocytes, key immune cells that protect against viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens.
MCH measures the average amount of hemoglobin in a single red blood cell and helps classify types of anemia.
MCV measures the average size of your red blood cells and is a key marker for classifying different types of anemia.
Monocytes are large white blood cells that play a key role in fighting chronic infections, removing damaged cells, and regulating inflammation.
Neutrophils are the most common white blood cells and serve as the body's first responders against bacterial and fungal infections.
Platelets are small cell fragments in the blood that help form clots to stop bleeding. Their count reveals clotting ability and bleeding risk.
The RDW test measures how much your red blood cells vary in size, helping classify different types of anemia and blood disorders.
The reticulocyte test measures immature red blood cells to assess bone marrow function and the body's response to anemia treatment.
ACTH is made in the pituitary gland and stimulates the adrenal glands to produce cortisol. It is measured alongside cortisol to work out where in the chain a problem lies.
AMH is the closest thing to a fertility crystal ball. It tells you roughly how many eggs you have left — and unlike most hormones, you can test it any day of the month.
Cortisol is your body's built-in alarm system. It's supposed to spike when you need it and calm down when you don't. Problems start when it forgets to switch off.
DHEAS is produced almost entirely by the adrenal glands and is a precursor to testosterone and oestrogen. The test shows how much androgen the adrenal glands are producing.
Estrogen does way more than regulate your cycle. It protects your bones, your heart, and your brain — and yes, men need it too.
Standard estrogen tests can't see the full picture when levels are very low. This one can. Built for men and clinical cases where every picomole counts.
FSH is the hormone that kicks off egg development in women and sperm production in men. When it's out of range, fertility is often the first thing affected.
hCG is the hormone your body produces the moment pregnancy begins. A blood test can detect it days before a home test — and track how things are progressing.
IGF-1 reflects your growth hormone activity without the guesswork. It drives cell renewal, tissue repair, and muscle maintenance — and it naturally declines with age.
LH is the hormone that pulls the trigger on ovulation. In men, it tells the testes to produce testosterone. Small hormone, massive job.
If estrogen is the accelerator, progesterone is the brake. It keeps your cycle balanced, supports pregnancy, and calms your nervous system. When it drops, you feel it.
Prolactin is famous for milk production, but it also has a say in your fertility, your cycle, and your sex drive. When it creeps up without reason, it's worth investigating.
PSA is a protein made by your prostate. Elevated levels don't automatically mean cancer — but they do mean it's worth paying attention.
SHBG controls how much testosterone and estrogen your body can actually use. Normal testosterone on paper but feeling off? SHBG might be the missing puzzle piece.
Growth hormone orchestrates everything from muscle building and fat burning to cell regeneration. It peaks while you sleep and declines with every passing decade.
Testosterone powers muscle growth, fat burning, libido, and mental sharpness. It's not just a 'man's hormone' — women need it in the right amount too.
ANA stands for antinuclear antibodies, which are directed against the body's own cell nuclei. The test is used when symptoms already suggest an autoimmune condition. It is not a general screening test: a positive result is common in healthy people.
CCP antibodies are remarkably specific for rheumatoid arthritis — and here's the wild part: they can show up years before you feel a thing.
Ceruloplasmin carries about 95% of the copper in your blood. When it's off, your copper balance — and everything that depends on it — goes with it.
CRP is a protein the liver produces during inflammation. The high-sensitivity version measures low levels accurately and is used to assess long-term, low-grade inflammation.
Haptoglobin is the protein that swoops in when red blood cells break down, binding the loose haemoglobin before it can cause damage. Cleanup crew, basically.
IgA is the antibody that protects the mucous membranes of the gut, airways and sinuses. Measuring it shows whether the immune system produces enough, and it is needed to interpret coeliac testing correctly.
IgE is the antibody behind allergic reactions. When it's high, your body is overreacting to something — pollen, food, dust, you name it.
IgG is the most abundant antibody in blood and carries long-term immunity after infection or vaccination. Measuring total IgG shows whether the immune system produces enough.
While CRP catches the fire, orosomucoid catches the smoke. This protein is your best bet for spotting the chronic, low-grade inflammation that other tests miss.
Procalcitonin rises specifically during bacterial infections. When you need to know whether it's bacteria or a virus causing trouble, this is the test.
Rheumatoid factor is an autoantibody — your immune system accidentally attacking your own tissue. It's a key clue in the rheumatoid arthritis puzzle.
Alpha-1-antitrypsin is a protein your liver makes to protect your lungs from damage. When levels are low, your lungs are left without their shield.
ESR measures how quickly red blood cells settle in a tube over one hour. A faster rate indicates inflammation, but the test does not show where it is or what is causing it.
The Apo A/Apo B ratio compares protective HDL-related protein to atherogenic LDL-related protein, providing one of the most reliable indicators of cardiovascular risk.
Apolipoprotein A1 is the primary protein component of HDL (good) cholesterol and plays a key role in protecting against cardiovascular disease.
Apolipoprotein B is a protein found on LDL and other atherogenic particles, making it a powerful predictor of cardiovascular disease risk.
Fibrinogen is a protein essential for blood clot formation and an inflammatory biomarker associated with cardiovascular disease risk.
HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol helps transport LDL cholesterol back to the liver for removal, playing a protective role in cardiovascular health.
Homocysteine is a sulphur-containing amino acid linked to cardiovascular disease, stroke, cognitive impairment, and B-vitamin deficiencies when elevated.
LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol carries cholesterol to your arteries and is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke when elevated.
Lipoprotein(a) is a genetically determined lipoprotein that transports cholesterol and can significantly increase cardiovascular disease risk, even with a normal lipid profile.
NT-ProBNP is a hormone released when the heart is under stress. It is one of the most reliable blood tests for early detection of heart failure.
Total cholesterol measures the overall amount of cholesterol circulating in your blood, including LDL, HDL, and VLDL components.
Triglycerides are blood fats that serve as a major energy source. Elevated levels are a risk factor for metabolic syndrome, diabetes, fatty liver, and cardiovascular disease.
Troponin is a protein released into the blood when the heart muscle is damaged. It is one of the most reliable markers for detecting heart attacks and cardiac injury.
Bicarbonate (HCO3-) is the body's primary buffering compound, helping neutralise excess acid and maintain stable blood pH.
Calcium is one of the most abundant minerals in the body, vital for cell signalling, nerve transmission, muscle contraction, and heart function.
Chloride is a major electrolyte that helps regulate fluid distribution between cells and maintain the body's acid-base equilibrium.
Creatinine is a waste product of muscle metabolism used to assess kidney function. Abnormal levels may signal impaired filtration.
Cystatin C is a protein filtered by the kidneys and serves as a sensitive indicator of renal function, less influenced by age, sex, or muscle mass than creatinine.
The eGFR cystatin C test calculates your estimated glomerular filtration rate using cystatin C, providing a reliable assessment of kidney filtration capacity.
Ionized calcium is the biologically active fraction of calcium that directly influences muscle contractions, nerve signalling, and bone health.
Parathyroid hormone (PTH) regulates calcium and phosphate levels in the body by acting on the bones, kidneys, and intestines.
Potassium is a key electrolyte essential for heart rhythm, muscle contraction, and nerve signalling. Imbalances can have serious health consequences.
Sodium is a major electrolyte that regulates fluid balance, nerve impulses, and muscle function. Abnormal levels can indicate dehydration, kidney issues, or hormonal disorders.
Urea is a nitrogen-containing waste product formed in the liver from protein breakdown and cleared by the kidneys. It reflects both kidney and liver function.
Uric acid is produced when the body breaks down purines from food and cell turnover. Excess uric acid can crystallise in joints, causing gout, or affect the kidneys.
The essential fatty acids test measures the omega-3 index, a clinically validated marker of EPA and DHA in red blood cells. It is an established risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
Ferritin reflects the amount of iron stored in the body. It is the earliest marker to fall in iron deficiency, often before haemoglobin changes and before anaemia develops.
Folate (vitamin B9) is a water-soluble vitamin essential for DNA synthesis, red blood cell formation and healthy fetal development. Deficiency can lead to anaemia and birth defects.
Methylmalonic acid (MMA) rises when vitamin B12 is deficient and is considered the gold standard for confirming early or mild B12 deficiency at the cellular level.
Serum iron measures the amount of iron circulating in your blood. Together with ferritin and transferrin, it provides a comprehensive picture of your iron status.
Transferrin is the main protein that binds to iron and transports it through the bloodstream. It is an essential part of any iron panel for diagnosing deficiency or overload.
Transferrin saturation percentage estimates how many of transferrin's iron-binding sites are occupied. It is a key calculated marker for diagnosing iron deficiency and iron overload.
Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin critical for nerve function, red blood cell formation and DNA synthesis. Deficiency is common and can cause lasting neurological damage if untreated.
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin essential for bone formation, immune defence, and muscle, heart and brain function. Deficiency is widespread, especially in northern latitudes.
S-Calcitonin measures the level of calcitonin, a hormone produced by the C cells of the thyroid gland, used primarily in the evaluation of medullary thyroid carcinoma.
Free T3 (triiodothyronine) is the unbound, biologically active form of the T3 thyroid hormone that directly influences metabolism, energy, and body temperature.
Free T4 (thyroxine) is the unbound form of the primary hormone produced by the thyroid gland and serves as a key indicator of thyroid output.
Thyroglobulin antibodies (anti-TG) target thyroglobulin, a key protein in thyroid hormone storage, and help diagnose autoimmune thyroid conditions.
Total T3 measures all triiodothyronine in the blood, both protein-bound and free, providing an overview of T3 production and thyroid gland activity.
Total T4 measures the entire amount of thyroxine in the blood, including both bound and free fractions, reflecting overall thyroid hormone production.
TPO antibodies (anti-TPO) target the enzyme thyroid peroxidase and are the most common marker for autoimmune thyroid conditions such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
TRak measures TSH receptor antibodies (thyrotropin receptor antibodies) and is the primary test for diagnosing Graves' disease, the leading cause of hyperthyroidism.
TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) is the primary screening marker for thyroid function, produced by the pituitary gland to regulate the thyroid hormones T4 and T3.
S-ACE measures angiotensin-converting enzyme in the blood, a key marker for sarcoidosis and other inflammatory granulomatous conditions.
A blood group test reveals whether you are type A, B, AB, or O and whether you are Rh positive or negative.
Creatine kinase (CK) is an enzyme released into the blood when muscle tissue is damaged, making it a key marker for muscle injury and disease.
Lactate dehydrogenase (LD) is an enzyme found in nearly all cells. Elevated levels indicate tissue damage somewhere in the body.
Lipase is a pancreatic enzyme that breaks down dietary fats. Elevated levels are a sensitive indicator of pancreatic inflammation.
Pancreas amylase is a digestive enzyme produced by the pancreas that helps break down carbohydrates. Abnormal levels may signal pancreatic or metabolic issues.
This test measures paracetamol (acetaminophen) levels in the blood to assess whether the drug poses a risk to the liver.
Pepsinogen A is a stomach-produced precursor to the digestive enzyme pepsin. Testing it helps evaluate gastric mucosa health and stomach cancer risk.
PEth (phosphatidylethanol) is a direct biomarker that reflects alcohol consumption over the past 2-4 weeks with high sensitivity and specificity.
A blood test that picks up IgM and IgG antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi — the sneaky little bacterium behind Lyme disease.
A blood test that detects IgM and IgG antibodies to EBV — the virus behind glandular fever (a.k.a. mono, a.k.a. the kissing disease).
A stool test that catches Helicobacter pylori red-handed — the spiral-shaped troublemaker behind stomach ulcers and gastritis.
A blood test that detects IgG antibodies to herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 — even if you've never had a visible outbreak.
A genetic blood test that looks for HLA-B27 — an immune system variant linked to certain autoimmune and inflammatory conditions.
A PCR throat swab that catches Mycoplasma pneumoniae — the stealthy bacterium behind that persistent cough and atypical pneumonia.
A blood test measuring IgM and IgG antibodies to Treponema pallidum — the bacterium behind syphilis.
A blood test that detects IgM and IgG antibodies to the TBE virus — telling you whether you have an active infection or are protected by vaccination.
Albumin is the most abundant protein in your blood and your liver makes every bit of it. Low levels can signal liver trouble, kidney issues, or poor nutrition.
ALP is an enzyme that pops up all over your body -- liver, kidneys, gut, bones. When it's elevated, the detective work begins: is it liver or bone?
ALT is your liver's way of waving a red flag. When liver cells take a hit, they leak this enzyme into your blood. Catching it early is everything.
AST is an enzyme with a side hustle. It lives in the liver, but also in the heart and muscles. That makes it a broader signal -- useful, but best read in context.
Bilirubin is the yellow pigment your body makes when it recycles old red blood cells. When it builds up, your liver might be asking for help.
CDT doesn't lie. It's the gold standard for detecting sustained heavy drinking over weeks to months. Other substances can't fake it out.
GGT tells it like it is. This liver enzyme tracks alcohol impact, liver stress, and -- surprise -- even cardiovascular risk. It's more useful than most people realise.
Alpha-1-fetoprotein (AFP) is a protein your body uses as a tumour marker for liver cancer and certain testicular cancers. When levels climb in adults, it can point to malignancy or liver disease.
CA 125 is a protein tumour marker mainly linked to ovarian cancer. It plays a key role in diagnosis, treatment monitoring, and catching recurrences early.
CA 15-3 is a tumour marker measured in blood, primarily used to monitor breast cancer progression, treatment effectiveness, and recurrence.
CEA is a protein used mainly to follow treatment and watch for recurrence in bowel cancer. It is not used to detect cancer in people without symptoms.
Myoglobin is an oxygen-binding protein in your heart and skeletal muscles. When it spikes in the blood, it is one of the earliest signs of heart attack or severe muscle injury.
NSE (neuron-specific enolase) is an enzyme used as a tumour marker for small cell lung cancer and neuroendocrine tumours. It also flags nerve cell damage in neurological conditions.
The Stockholm3 test is an advanced blood test that combines PSA, protein biomarkers, genetic markers, and clinical data to give you a personalised prostate cancer risk score.
Arsenic is a toxic metalloid. A blood test measures exposure to inorganic arsenic, which can accumulate through contaminated water, certain foods, and industrial environments.
Copper is an essential trace element involved in energy production, iron metabolism, nervous system function, and connective tissue formation.
Lead is a toxic heavy metal with no useful biological function. Even low-level exposure can cause serious harm to the nervous system, kidneys, and blood cell production.
Magnesium is an essential mineral involved in over 300 biochemical reactions, including nerve function, muscle contraction, and heart rhythm regulation.
Selenium is an essential trace element that supports antioxidant defence, thyroid hormone regulation, immune function, and fertility.
Zinc is an essential mineral and antioxidant involved in immune defence, wound healing, cell formation, and testosterone production.
Fasting blood glucose shows how much sugar is in your blood after at least ten hours without food. It is used to detect insulin resistance, pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes.
C-peptide is released in the same amount as insulin when the pancreas makes it. The test therefore shows how much insulin your body produces itself.
HbA1c shows your average blood glucose over the past two to three months. It is used to detect diabetes and pre-diabetes, and to follow diabetes treatment.
Leptin is the hormone that is supposed to tell your brain you are full. When it stops working, willpower is not the problem — your hormones are.