Women’s Health Blood Tests in Leicester

Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) is an enzyme found mainly in the liver. Elevated ALT levels in the blood suggest liver damage or inflammation, often due to conditions like hepatitis, fatty liver disease, or alcohol-related liver injury. It’s a key marker in liver function tests.

The Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) measures how well the kidneys filter waste from the blood. It’s calculated using creatinine levels, age, sex, and race. A low eGFR indicates impaired kidney function or chronic kidney disease.

Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) is an enzyme found in the liver, bones, and other tissues. Elevated ALP can indicate liver or bone disorders, such as bile duct blockage, liver disease, or bone growth and disease. It’s part of routine liver function and bone health tests.

Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) is an enzyme found in the liver, heart, and muscles. Elevated AST levels can indicate liver damage, heart disease, or muscle injury. It’s often measured with ALT to assess liver health and detect inflammation or injury.

Bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻) is a key component of the body’s acid-base balance, helping to maintain pH stability. It’s measured in blood tests to assess metabolic function. Abnormal levels may indicate acidosis, alkalosis, kidney issues, or respiratory disorders.

Bilirubin is a yellow pigment formed from the breakdown of red blood cells. It’s processed by the liver and excreted in bile. Elevated bilirubin can cause jaundice and may indicate liver disease, bile duct obstruction, or hemolysis.

Calcium is essential for bone health, muscle contraction, nerve function, and blood clotting. Blood calcium levels help assess parathyroid function, kidney health, and bone disorders. Abnormal levels can indicate issues like osteoporosis, kidney disease, or hormonal imbalances.

Chloride is an essential electrolyte that helps maintain fluid balance, acid-base balance, and proper nerve and muscle function. Abnormal blood chloride levels can indicate dehydration, kidney problems, or acid-base imbalances.

Creatine Kinase (CK) is an enzyme found in muscles and the brain. Elevated CK levels in blood indicate muscle damage, injury, or stress, including heart attacks, muscle diseases, or intense exercise. It helps diagnose and monitor muscle-related conditions.

Creatinine is a waste product from muscle metabolism filtered by the kidneys. Blood creatinine levels assess kidney function—high levels suggest impaired filtration or kidney disease, while normal levels indicate healthy renal function.

Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) measures how quickly red blood cells settle in a test tube. A faster rate indicates inflammation or infection in the body. It’s a non-specific marker used to detect and monitor inflammatory conditions.

The Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) estimates how well the kidneys filter waste from blood. Calculated using creatinine, age, sex, and race, a low eGFR indicates impaired kidney function or chronic kidney disease.

Ferritin is a protein that stores iron in the body. Measuring ferritin levels helps assess iron stores—low levels indicate iron deficiency, while high levels may suggest inflammation or iron overload conditions.

Folate (Vitamin B9) is essential for DNA synthesis and red blood cell formation. Low folate levels can cause anaemia and birth defects. Testing helps diagnose deficiencies and monitor nutritional status.

Free Thyroxine (FT4) measures the active, unbound form of the thyroid hormone T4 in the blood. It helps assess thyroid function—high levels suggest hyperthyroidism, while low levels indicate hypothyroidism.

Full Blood Count with 5-part Differential (FBC) measures the number and types of blood cells—red cells, white cells (five types), and platelets. It helps diagnose anaemia, infections, blood disorders, and monitor overall health.

Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase (GGT) is an enzyme mainly found in the liver. Elevated levels suggest liver or bile duct damage, alcohol use, or bile obstruction. It’s used to evaluate liver function and detect liver disease.

Globulin is a group of blood proteins involved in immune function, transport, and blood clotting. Abnormal levels can indicate infections, liver disease, or immune disorders. Measuring globulin helps assess overall health and immune status.

Glycated Haemoglobin (HbA1c) reflects average blood glucose over 2-3 months. It’s used to diagnose and monitor diabetes control, with higher levels indicating poorer blood sugar management.

High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is the “good” cholesterol that helps remove excess cholesterol from the bloodstream, reducing heart disease risk. Higher HDL levels are protective, while low levels increase cardiovascular risk.

High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (HS-CRP) detects low levels of inflammation in the body. Elevated HS-CRP indicates increased risk of cardiovascular disease and can be used to monitor chronic inflammatory conditions.

Iron is a vital mineral essential for oxygen transport in red blood cells. Measuring blood iron helps diagnose anaemia, iron deficiency, or overload. Low iron suggests deficiency; high iron may indicate excess or certain diseases.

Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) is an enzyme found in many tissues. Elevated LDH levels in blood indicate tissue damage, infection, or disease, like liver disease, cancer, or hemolysis. It’s a general marker of cell injury.

Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is the “bad” cholesterol that can build up in artery walls, increasing heart disease risk. High LDL levels are linked to atherosclerosis and cardiovascular problems. Lowering LDL reduces heart attack and stroke risk.

Non-High-Density Lipoprotein (Non-HDL) cholesterol includes all “bad” cholesterol types like LDL and VLDL. It better predicts heart disease risk than LDL alone. High Non-HDL levels indicate increased risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular events.

Non-High-Density Lipoprotein (Non-HDL) cholesterol includes all “bad” cholesterol types like LDL and VLDL. It better predicts heart disease risk than LDL alone. High Non-HDL levels indicate increased risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular events.

Potassium is a vital electrolyte that regulates nerve signals, muscle contractions, and heart rhythm. Abnormal blood potassium—too high (hyperkalemia) or too low (hypokalemia)—can cause serious cardiac and muscular issues.

Sodium is a key electrolyte that maintains fluid balance, nerve function, and muscle contractions. Abnormal sodium levels—too high (hypernatremia) or too low (hyponatremia)—can cause dehydration, confusion, seizures, or other serious health problems.

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) is produced by the pituitary gland and regulates thyroid hormone production. High TSH suggests hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), while low TSH indicates hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid). It’s the primary test to assess thyroid function.

Total cholesterol measures all cholesterol types in blood, including LDL, HDL, and others. High total cholesterol increases risk of heart disease and stroke, while low levels are generally healthier. It helps assess cardiovascular health.

Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC) measures the blood’s ability to bind and transport iron. High TIBC suggests iron deficiency, while low levels may indicate iron overload or chronic disease. It helps assess iron status alongside serum iron and ferritin.

Total Protein measures the combined amount of albumin and globulin in blood. It helps assess nutritional status, liver and kidney function, and detect infections or immune disorders. Abnormal levels may indicate various health issues.

Triglycerides are blood fats used for energy storage. High levels increase the risk of heart disease and pancreatitis. Measuring triglycerides helps assess cardiovascular risk and metabolic health.

Urea is a waste product formed from protein breakdown, filtered by the kidneys. Elevated blood urea indicates kidney dysfunction, dehydration, or high protein intake, while low levels may suggest liver disease or malnutrition.

Uric acid is a waste product from purine metabolism, normally excreted by the kidneys. High levels can cause gout and kidney stones, while low levels may indicate certain metabolic disorders. It helps assess risk of gout and kidney function.

Vitamin B12 is essential for nerve function, red blood cell production, and DNA synthesis. Low levels can cause anaemia and neurological issues. Testing helps diagnose deficiencies and monitor treatment.

Vitamin D is vital for bone health, calcium absorption, and immune function. Deficiency can lead to bone disorders like rickets or osteoporosis. Blood tests measure vitamin D levels to assess status and guide supplementation.