Full Blood count
To determine general health status and to screen for a variety of disorders, such as anaemia and infection, inflammation nutritional status and exposure to toxic substances.
Iron levels
Low iron can cause anaemia, and is usually due to long-term or heavy bleeding, pregnancy, or rapid growth (in children); rarely is it due to poor diet. A high iron level can be due to a genetic condition, extensive blood transfusions, or rarely due to ingestion of an overdose of iron (usually in children).
Ferritin, TIBC
Usually requested in the investigation of anaemias.to see how much iron your body has stored for future use. The test is done, usually with an iron test and the total iron binding capacity (TIBC).
The test may also be requested when there is suspicion that you have too much iron, for example in haemochromatosis (a disease in which too much iron is absorbed from the diet) and eleveted levels are also encountered in neoplastic disease.
Cholesterol
Total cholesterol and it’s sub groups HDL and LDL are used in evaluating heart disease risk.
These tests are useful in the assessment of healthy individuals as well as in patients who have heart disease or have other risk factors such as smoking, high blood pressure or diabetes. They are also used to monitor treatment with lipid lowering drugs.
Glucose
Blood glucose levels are also known as blood sugar.
Test is required if there are symptoms suggesting hyperglycaemia (high blood glucose) or hypoglycemia, or if you are diabetic. Also requested during pregnancy.
LH
Luteinizing hormone (LH) test, used to evaluate pituitary function, especially in terms of fertility problems.
FSH
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) test, used to evaluate pituitary function, especially in terms of fertility problems.
Prolactin (PRL)
Prolactin regulates galactorrhoea (milk production). Prolactinoma (an overgrowth of the gland that secretes prolactin) may be related to visual disturbances and headaches. Prolactin levels are also part of investigation for female and male infertility; for follow up of low testosterone in men.
TSH, T3, T4
TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone, thyrotropin) blood test which screens for and diagnoses thyroid disorders; monitors treatment of hypothyroidism/hyperthyroidism.
T3 and T4 are hormones produced by the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is found in the neck, in front of the windpipe. T3 makes up less than 10% of thyroid hormone, while T4 makes up the rest. T3, however, is about four times as strong as T4, and is thought to cause most, if not all, the effects of thyroid hormones.
Thyroid hormones help regulate metabolism and are also related to fertility.
Oestradiol
Oestrogens are related to female sex organs and characteristics development. Their levels are measured if there is unexplained abnormal menstrual cycle, abnormal or heavy bleeding, infertility problems, symptoms of menopause, or any other hormonal alterations; also they have been used to test for fetal-placental competence during early stages of pregnancy.