Medical checks and tests for our health need to be conducted in a healthcare setting, such as x-rays or CT scans, but some can also be done at home. There are a range of these tests that people can use to discover underlying conditions or other health concerns, and each style of biomarker testing is designed to identify a different set of issues. However, some tests can investigate multiple concerns through one test. 

A General Health Profile Blood Test Kit is a type of diagnostic testing that can investigate a range of biomarkers and suggest conditions that you should be aware of, such as diabetes.

How Much is a Diagnostic Test?

The Travel Health Clinic have a range of diagnostic kits available so you can find out more about your health at home. Beginning at under £10 at the time of writing, there are various tests you can use, such as a general blood test and Covid-19 tests, to help establish your health and how you can proceed going forward. Our General Health Test Kit can analyse 27 different biomarkers in one test, ideal for those wanting to look after their health in an easy, straightforward manner.

Markers Tested in a General Health Blood Test

1) Cholesterol

High levels of cholesterol are extremely dangerous and can lead to serious health problems, including a stroke, coronary heart disease or a heart attack. This is because cholesterol can block the arteries in the body.

However, if you discover high cholesterol levels early, you can alter your lifestyle to help combat some of the health conditions that can arise. For example, walking and using stairs instead of driving and taking a lift can help, as well as choosing low-fat options when thinking about your diet.

Various biomarkers are used to test for cholesterol, such as:

• Total cholesterol
• Total cholesterol HDL ration
• Non-HDL cholesterol
• HDL percentage
• High-density lipoprotein
• Low-density lipoprotein
• Triglyceride

If you are concerned about the amount of cholesterol in your body, the Travel Health Clinic have a Cholesterol Test Kit that you can use to help determine your cholesterol levels. Using this test can help you to establish whether or not you need to alter your lifestyle to prevent health problems in the future.

2) Iron Testing

Iron tests are designed to establish how much iron is in your blood and tissues in the body. If your test shows a low count of iron, this could suggest you have iron deficiency, which can cause chest pains, fatigue and shortness of breath. 

The biomarkers for iron testing are:

• Iron
• Transferrin saturation
• Tital iron binding concentration
• Unsaturated iron binding concentration

Treating iron deficiency effectively can allow you to have an easier and happier lifestyle, especially if you are currently suffering from shortness of breath. A low iron count can also be a symptom of thyroid disease, meaning you should think about using a Thyroid Test Kit to check for underlying health conditions if you are suffering from iron deficiency.

3) Kidney Function

The kidneys are vital to the health and well-being of a person as they remove waste products from the body. They also control the production of red blood cells and release hormones to regulate blood pressure. Therefore, if they don’t work properly they can cause serious issues, such as kidney disease.

When using a test for kidney function, the biomarkers involved are:

• Urea
• Glomerular filtration rate
• Creatinine

If you receive results that indicate a problem with your kidneys, you must be aware that taking some prescription or over-the-counter medications, such as pain medications,  can cause more damage. These medicines include antibiotics, naproxen, aspirin, anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, antacids, diabetes medications and herbal supplements. Speak with a medical professional about what to do in this instance.

4) Liver Function

The liver has various important uses within the body, such as the detoxification of the blood, the regulation of blood sugar levels and the fighting of infections. It is therefore essential that the liver works properly. If it doesn’t, this can mean your blood becomes full of toxins, which can cause major health issues.

When testing your liver function, the following markers are used:

• Albumin
• Alkaline phosphate
• Alanine transaminase
• Asparte aminotransferase
• Gamma-glutamyl transferase
• Globulin
• Tital bilirubin
• Total protein

If you are suffering from liver disease and your liver doesn’t function as it should, your GP will suggest that you receive a range of vaccinations, including the Hepatitis A vaccine and Hepatitis B vaccine, to help protect you against diseases. Some of the other vaccines they can recommend are the flu, zoster, HPV, pneumococcal, varicella and MMR vaccinations, depending on your age and what injections you have previously received.

For those wondering how to check their liver function at home, the General Health Test Kit can help you to establish whether there is an underlying health condition. Your sample will be tested and your results will be sent to you via a secure link, making it a great way to test your liver in the UK.

5) Muscle and Bone Health

Bone health checks are important to ensure our bones are healthy and are working as they should, and they can be conducted through blood tests because they can detect and diagnose certain bone diseases. The amount of calcium in your diet can be measured through the calcium levels in your blood, and other biomarkers can be used to test for other conditions. For example, tumours, inflammations and metabolic diseases can be found in this way, and these conditions can impact the quality of your bones.

Diagnostic test kits can be used to test for a variety of conditions and health issues, and they can help you to keep your body functioning and healthy from the comfort of your own home. The Travel Health Clinic have an array of diagnostic kits available so you can keep track of your health and ensure your body works as it should. Find out more about our diagnostic kits and look after your body today!