biomarkers.txt (21329B)
1 Biomarkers 2 3 ================================= 4 Heart & Circulation 5 ================================= 6 7 LDL Cholesterol 8 ---------------------------------------------------------------- 9 LDL cholesterol, often called "bad" cholesterol, can build up in the arteries and raise the risk of heart disease. A healthy diet, regular exercise, and medical guidance can help control LDL levels. Monitoring LDL supports better heart health and long-term wellbeing. 10 11 Non-HDL Cholesterol 12 ---------------------------------------------------------------- 13 Non-HDL cholesterol includes all the types of cholesterol that can build up in the arteries, like LDL and VLDL. It gives a full picture of your risk for heart disease and stroke. Keeping non-HDL levels healthy with diet and lifestyle changes is important for protecting heart health. 14 15 HDL Cholesterol 16 ---------------------------------------------------------------- 17 HDL cholesterol, often called "good" cholesterol, helps remove excess cholesterol from the blood and carries it to the liver for removal. Higher HDL levels can lower the risk of heart disease and stroke. Supporting healthy HDL levels through diet, exercise, and lifestyle helps protect heart health. 18 19 Total Cholesterol 20 ---------------------------------------------------------------- 21 Cholesterol is a fat-like substance needed to build cells and make hormones. High cholesterol can cause plaque buildup in the arteries, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke. Keeping cholesterol in a healthy range helps protect heart health. Monitoring levels supports early action and better wellbeing. 22 23 Apolipoprotein B 24 ---------------------------------------------------------------- 25 Apolipoprotein B (ApoB) is the main protein component of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and other “bad cholesterol” particles that carry cholesterol through the bloodstream. Unlike LDL cholesterol, which measures the amount of cholesterol, ApoB measures the actual number of cholesterol-carrying particles. Each of these particles can contribute to plaque build-up in arteries, so higher ApoB levels can mean higher cardiovascular risk. 26 27 Apolipoprotein A1 28 ---------------------------------------------------------------- 29 Apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1) is the main protein component of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), often called “good cholesterol.” HDL acts like a cleanup crew for your bloodstream — it collects excess cholesterol from the blood and artery walls and transports it to the liver, where it can be broken down and removed. This process helps keep arteries clear and supports heart health. Low ApoA1 levels may signal reduced HDL function and a higher risk of heart disease, while higher levels are generally protective but can sometimes reflect other metabolic changes. 30 31 Apolipoprotein B:A1 ratio 32 ---------------------------------------------------------------- 33 The ApoB:ApoA1 ratio reflects the balance between cholesterol particles that can contribute to artery-clogging plaque (proatherogenic) and those that help clear cholesterol from the bloodstream (antiatherogenic). ApoB counts the “bad” particles, while ApoA1 measures the “good” ones. Research shows this ratio can be a strong predictor of heart disease risk. A higher ratio suggests more particles contributing to plaque build-up compared to those removing it, increasing cardiovascular risk. 34 35 TC: HDL Ratio 36 ---------------------------------------------------------------- 37 The TC:HDL ratio compares your total cholesterol to your "good" HDL cholesterol. A lower ratio means a healthier balance and a lower risk of heart disease. Managing this ratio through diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes helps protect long-term heart health. 38 39 Tryglycerides 40 ---------------------------------------------------------------- 41 Triglycerides are a type of fat in your blood used for energy. Maintaining optimal levels helps keep your arteries healthy, reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke. By adopting a healthy diet, regular exercise, and effective weight management, you can control triglyceride levels and enhance your cardiovascular health. Regular monitoring empowers you to stay proactive about your heart health and make positive lifestyle changes for overall wellbeing. 42 43 ================================ 44 Inflamation & Recovery 45 ================================ 46 47 Uric Acid 48 ---------------------------------------------------------------- 49 Uric acid is a waste product your body produces during normal processes and when digesting certain foods. It is normally removed by the kidneys through urine. High uric acid levels can cause gout or kidney stones, while low levels may signal other health issues. Monitoring uric acid supports metabolic health and risk management. 50 51 Creatine Kinase 52 ---------------------------------------------------------------- 53 Creatine kinase (CK) is an enzyme found in the heart, brain, and muscles that helps produce energy in cells. High CK levels can signal muscle damage, heart problems, or other health issues. Monitoring CK helps assess muscle and heart health. 54 55 C-Reactive Protein 56 ---------------------------------------------------------------- 57 C-reactive protein (CRP) is a substance made by the liver in response to inflammation. Higher CRP levels can indicate infection, chronic inflammation, or other health issues. Monitoring CRP helps detect and manage inflammatory conditions early. 58 59 =============================== 60 Vitamins & Minerals 61 =============================== 62 63 Active Vitamin B12 64 ---------------------------------------------------------------- 65 Vitamin B12 is a nutrient the body cannot make and must get from food like meat, fish, eggs, and dairy, or from supplements. Only a small amount of vitamin B12 in the body is active and usable. Measuring active vitamin B12 is a more accurate way to detect early deficiency and is increasingly used in lab tests. 66 67 Zinc 68 ---------------------------------------------------------------- 69 Zinc is a mineral that supports the immune system, helps make DNA, and aids cell growth and repair. It also affects taste and smell. Low zinc levels can weaken immunity and slow healing. Monitoring zinc helps maintain overall health and recovery. 70 71 Copper 72 ---------------------------------------------------------------- 73 Copper is a mineral that helps the body use iron, supports brain function, and is needed to make red blood cells. It also helps keep the heart and immune system healthy. Imbalances can lead to neurological problems or anemia. Monitoring copper levels helps protect important body functions. 74 75 Vitamin D 76 ---------------------------------------------------------------- 77 Vitamin D helps maintain strong bones, a healthy immune system, and overall bodily function. It comes from sunlight, food, or supplements. Supplementation is especially important during months with less sunlight, for those who spend more time indoors, or for individuals with darker skin. 78 79 Folate 80 ---------------------------------------------------------------- 81 Folate, or vitamin B9, is important for making DNA, forming red blood cells, and supporting cell growth. For women, it is especially important during pregnancy to help prevent birth defects. Low folate levels can cause anemia and other health issues. Monitoring folate helps maintain good nutrition and overall health. 82 83 Magnesium Serum 84 ---------------------------------------------------------------- 85 Magnesium is a mineral that supports muscle and nerve function, bone strength, and energy production. It also helps regulate blood pressure and the immune system. Low or high magnesium levels can affect overall health. Monitoring magnesium helps maintain balance and prevent deficiencies. 86 87 =============================== 88 Blood Sugar Balance 89 =============================== 90 91 Haemoglobin A1c 92 ---------------------------------------------------------------- 93 Haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) reflects your average blood sugar level over the past 2–3 months. It measures how much sugar is attached to red blood cells. High HbA1c levels can be a sign of poor blood sugar control and increase the risk of diabetes complications. Monitoring HbA1c helps protect heart, kidney, and nerve health. 94 95 =============================== 96 Liver & Detox 97 =============================== 98 99 Total Bilirubin 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------- 101 Total bilirubin measures the amount of bilirubin in the blood, a substance produced during the normal breakdown of red blood cells. Bilirubin is processed by the liver and prepared for elimination through bile. Measuring total bilirubin helps assess red blood cell turnover, liver processing capacity, and bile flow, providing insight into overall liver and metabolic function. 102 103 What a high result means 104 Higher bilirubin levels may reflect slowed liver processing, increased red blood cell breakdown, impaired bile flow, or inherited variations such as Gilbert's syndrome , many of which are benign and asymptomatic. 105 106 What a low result means 107 Lower bilirubin levels are common and generally carry no clinical concern, indicating efficient processing and elimination. 108 109 Y-Glutamyl Transferase 110 ---------------------------------------------------------------- 111 Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) is an enzyme that helps the liver process substances and move amino acids. High GGT levels can signal liver problems, bile duct issues, or heavy alcohol use. GGT levels are usually higher in men and tend to rise with age in women. Monitoring GGT helps track liver health and catch problems early. 112 113 Total Protein 114 ---------------------------------------------------------------- 115 Total protein measures the amount of albumin and globulins in the blood, offering a snapshot of protein balance and overall health. Low levels can point to liver or kidney problems, malnutrition, or other issues, while high levels may suggest chronic inflammation or infection. Monitoring total protein supports early detection and better health management. 116 117 Alanine Aminotransferase 118 ---------------------------------------------------------------- 119 Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) is an enzyme found mainly in the liver that helps process proteins. High ALT levels can signal liver inflammation or damage from conditions like hepatitis or fatty liver disease. Monitoring ALT is important for checking liver health and tracking treatment progress. 120 121 Albumin 122 ---------------------------------------------------------------- 123 Albumin is a protein made by the liver that helps keep fluid in the blood vessels and regulates blood volume and pressure. It also carries hormones, vitamins, and medications through the blood. Low albumin levels can indicate liver disease, kidney problems, or malnutrition. Monitoring albumin supports liver, kidney, and overall protein health. 124 125 Alkaline Phosphatase 126 ---------------------------------------------------------------- 127 Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is an enzyme found in the liver, bones, kidneys, and bile ducts. It helps break down proteins and supports phosphate metabolism. High ALP levels can signal liver problems or bone disorders. Monitoring ALP helps assess liver and bone health and guide early intervention. 128 129 =============================== 130 Kidneys & Hydration 131 =============================== 132 133 Blood Urea Nitrogen 134 ---------------------------------------------------------------- 135 BUN reflects how your body processes and clears urea, a natural waste product created when protein is broken down. Urea is produced by the liver and carried in the blood to the kidneys, where it is filtered and removed from the body. Measuring BUN helps provide insight into hydration status, protein intake, and how efficiently the kidneys are working. 136 137 What a high result means 138 Higher BUN levels may suggest that your body is slightly dehydrated, concentrating the waste in your bloodstream. They may also reflect increased protein intake, corticosteroid use, digestive blood loss, or a temporary reduction in kidney filtration, for example, during illness or after strenuous exertion. 139 140 What a low result means 141 Lower BUN levels may reflect low dietary protein intake, pregnancy, fluid overload, or reduced production by the liver. 142 143 144 Creatinine 145 ---------------------------------------------------------------- 146 Creatinine is a waste product made when muscles use energy. It enters the bloodstream and is filtered out by the kidneys. High creatinine levels can be a sign of kidney problems. Monitoring creatinine helps track kidney health and catch potential issues early. 147 148 Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate 149 ---------------------------------------------------------------- 150 Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) indicates how effectively the kidneys filter waste from the blood. It is derived from serum creatinine levels, age, gender, and ethnicity, and provides a measure of kidney function. A healthy eGFR means good kidney function, while a low eGFR can signal kidney problems. Monitoring eGFR helps catch issues early and protect kidney health. 151 152 ================================ 153 Hormones & Energy 154 ================================ 155 156 Lutenizing Hormone 157 ---------------------------------------------------------------- 158 LH works alongside FSH to support ovarian function. It helps signal key ovarian processes, including ovulation and progesterone production, and its levels adjust in response to feedback from oestrogen and progesterone. This feedback loop helps regulate hormonal balance across different life stages. 159 160 What a high result means 161 Higher LH levels are commonly seen when ovarian responsiveness is reduced, such as during perimenopause or menopause, or in certain endocrine patterns characterised by increased LH secretion. 162 163 What a low result means 164 Lower LH typically reflects central suppression by the hypothalamus or pituitary, often influenced by factors such as stress, illness, low energy availability, or higher circulating sex hormone levels. 165 166 167 Oestradiol 168 ---------------------------------------------------------------- 169 Oestradiol is the primary and most biologically active form of oestrogen, supporting bone density, cardiovascular and metabolic health, brain function, and mood regulation. Measuring oestradiol helps assess hormonal balance and provides insight into how oestrogen is influencing overall physiological function. 170 171 What a high result means 172 Higher oestradiol levels may be seen during pregnancy, with hormone therapy, or with increased hormone production by the ovaries or adrenal glands. Elevated oestradiol may also occur when liver clearance is slowed. 173 174 What a low result means 175 Lower oestradiol levels typically occur during perimenopause and menopause, with primary ovarian insufficiency, or when brain signalling to the ovaries is reduced. Levels may also drop with low energy availability, significant physiological stress, or sustained high exercise load. 176 177 178 Free Triiodothyronine 179 ---------------------------------------------------------------- 180 FT3 reflects the unbound, active thyroid hormone (T3) that directly influences metabolic activity, including energy production, body temperature regulation, heart rate, and mental clarity. T3 levels depend both on how much T4 the thyroid produces and how efficiently the body converts T4 into T3. 181 182 What a high result means 183 Higher FT3 reflects increased thyroid hormone activity, which may be seen in hyperthyroid states, thyroid hormone over-replacement, or periods of increased conversion. 184 185 What a low result means 186 Lower FT3 often reflects reduced conversion of T4 to T3, which can occur with calorie restriction, chronic illness, stress, inflammation, or hypothyroidism. Because this conversion process is energy- and nutrient-dependent, FT3 is particularly sensitive to lifestyle factors and recovery capacity. 187 188 189 Progesterone 190 ---------------------------------------------------------------- 191 Progesterone is a hormone that supports reproductive tissue health and helps balance the effects of oestrogen. It also plays a role in regulating sleep, mood, and nervous system stability. Progesterone levels change in response to hormonal signals and vary across different life stages, and measuring progesterone helps provide insight into overall hormonal balance. 192 193 What a high result means 194 Higher progesterone levels are expected during certain hormonal states, such as the second half of the menstrual cycle. They can also be seen with progesterone-containing hormone therapies, or less commonly when progesterone production is increased by the ovaries or adrenal glands. 195 196 What a low result means 197 Lower progesterone levels may reflect reduced ovarian progesterone production, altered ovulatory signalling, or suppression related to stress or low energy availability. 198 199 200 Follicle-Stimulating Hormone 201 ---------------------------------------------------------------- 202 FSH is released by the pituitary gland and helps regulate ovarian activity across different life stages. Its levels rise or fall depending on how the ovaries respond to hormonal signals, making it a useful marker of hormonal balance and overall ovarian function. 203 204 What a high result means 205 Higher levels typically occur when reproductive organs are less responsive to pituitary signalling, commonly during perimenopause or menopause, or in cases of primary ovarian insufficiency. 206 207 What a low result means 208 Lower FSH often reflects suppression at the brain level due to stress, undernutrition, overexercise, illness, or elevated circulating sex hormones providing negative feedback that slows FSH release. 209 210 211 Free Thyroxine 212 ---------------------------------------------------------------- 213 FT4 measures the amount of unbound thyroxine (T4) circulating in the blood and available to tissues. T4 is the main hormone produced by the thyroid gland, which helps regulate metabolism, energy production, body temperature, and how efficiently cells use fuel. Measuring FT4 helps assess thyroid hormone production and provides important context alongside other thyroid markers to understand overall thyroid function. 214 215 What a high result means 216 Higher FT4 indicates increased circulating thyroid hormone. This may be due to hyperthyroidism, thyroiditis, or exogenous thyroid hormone use such as levothyroxine. 217 218 What a low result means 219 Lower FT4 suggests reduced thyroid hormone production, providing meaningful insight into hypothyroid states, especially when levels fall alongside elevated TSH. 220 221 222 Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone 223 ---------------------------------------------------------------- 224 TSH is produced by the pituitary gland and regulates thyroid hormone production. When circulating thyroid hormones fall, TSH rises to stimulate production; when hormones rise, TSH falls to slow the system down. Measuring TSH helps us understand this feedback loop and whether the thyroid is being asked to work harder or ease off. 225 226 What a high result means 227 Higher TSH typically indicates reduced thyroid hormone output, prompting the brain to send stronger signals. This may reflect early or established hypothyroid patterns, autoimmune thyroid disease, iodine deficiency, or medication effects. 228 229 What a low result means 230 Lower TSH suggests increased thyroid hormone activity or pituitary signalling suppression. This may occur in hyperthyroidism, during thyroid hormone overtreatment, or transiently with non-thyroidal illness or physiological stress. 231 232 233 ================================ 234 Iron & Oxygen 235 ================================ 236 237 Ferritin 238 ---------------------------------------------------------------- 239 Ferritin is the body's main iron storage protein, releasing iron 240 when needed for red blood cell production, energy metabolism, 241 and tissue repair. A serum iron test shows how much iron is 242 present in the bloodstream at a given moment, whereas ferritin 243 reflects the body's iron reserves available for use over time. 244 245 What a high result means 246 Higher ferritin more commonly reflects inflammation or metabolic 247 stress rather than iron excess. Liver health, metabolic syndrome, 248 infection, and autoimmune activity can raise ferritin. In fewer 249 cases, high ferritin may indicate tissue iron overload. 250 251 What a low result means 252 Lower ferritin indicates depleted iron stores and is the earliest 253 and most specific marker of iron deficiency. This may result from 254 inadequate intake, menstrual loss, gastrointestinal bleeding, 255 or increased demands such as athletic training or pregnancy. 256 257 258 Iron 259 ---------------------------------------------------------------- 260 Serum iron measures the amount of iron circulating in the blood, 261 which is used for red blood cell production, energy metabolism, 262 and many cellular processes. Because serum iron levels can 263 fluctuate throughout the day and are influenced by recent food 264 intake, testing serum iron alongside ferritin provides a more 265 complete picture of iron status by reflecting both short-term 266 availability and longer-term iron stores. 267 268 What a high result means 269 Higher serum iron levels may reflect supplementation, increased release of iron from stores, or reduced incorporation of iron into red blood cells. Elevated levels can also accompany liver conditions or inherited iron-handling conditions. 270 271 What a low result means 272 Lower serum iron levels suggest reduced iron availability, which may result from inadequate intake or absorption, menstrual losses, low vitamin C intake, or chronic inflammatory states reducing iron mobilisation.