The LifePrint blog
Essentials panel
A broad look at the systems that matter most: blood count, cholesterol, blood sugar, kidney, liver, thyroid, iron stores, vitamin D, and inflammation. Everything else builds on this.
The full blood count: what your haemoglobin, MCV, white cells and platelets reveal
The full blood count is one of the oldest and most useful tests in medicine. Here is what each part measures and what it can point to.
Read article →Your kidney results: creatinine, eGFR and urea explained
Creatinine, eGFR and urea together give a first look at how well your kidneys filter your blood. Here is how to read them, and why one low eGFR is not a diagnosis.
Read article →Liver enzymes: what a raised ALT, AST or GGT usually means
Mildly raised liver enzymes are very common, and most often point to fatty liver, alcohol or a medicine. Here is how to make sense of them and what usually happens next.
Read article →Sodium and potassium: why electrolytes matter and what shifts them
Sodium and potassium keep your nerves, muscles and heart working properly. Most small changes are harmless, but some need a doctor the same day.
Read article →Your first blood test: what the Essentials panel covers and why it is the right starting point
If you have never had a broad blood test, start with a baseline. Essentials looks at the systems that matter most, in one fasting morning draw.
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