This ongoing blood test helps you keep track of how your body is responding throughout your GLP-1 journey. These medications can support weight loss and improve metabolic health, but over time they may also affect nutrient levels, and inflammation — which is why ongoing monitoring matters.
This panel checks your fasting glucose, insulin, HbA1c, organ health, lipids, plus added tests for vitamin B12, folate, thyroid function, and CRP (inflammation). It’s ideal for monitoring results every 3 to 6 months to make sure everything is on track, side effects are caught early, and your health is heading in the right direction.
Check out our blog to see how blood testing can support safer, more effective use of GLP-1 medications and help you track your progress along the way.
Insulin resistance can lead to difficulty losing weight, distinct abdominal fat, fatigue, bloating and sugar cravings. Identifying insulin resistance early and committing to lifestyle changes can ultimately help the progression to diabetes.
If you have diabetes your body doesn’t process glucose effectively.
A hormone produced by the pancreas that helps to control blood glucose levels and plays a role in controlling the levels of carbohydrates and fats stored in the body.
The HOMA-IR score is a calculation used to assess insulin resistance. A higher score indicates a greater degree of insulin resistance, and is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
HbA1c measures the average blood sugar level over the past 2-3 months. The higher the percentage, the higher the average blood sugar level has been over the past 2-3 months.
HbA1c can be expressed as a percentage (DCCT unit) or as a value in mmol/mol (IFCC unit).
Lipids and cholesterol are fat-like substances in your blood. Some are necessary for good health, but when you have a high level of cholesterol in your blood, a lot of it ends up being deposited in the walls of your arteries and other vital organs. Lifestyle choices including diet, exercise and alcohol intake can all influence cholesterol levels and your risk of developing heart disease.
This cholesterol test measures:
Total cholesterol includes both HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol. Cholesterol is essential for many processes in the body, including the formation of cell membranes, the production of hormones, and the metabolism of vitamin D.
LDL cholesterol is often referred to as “bad” cholesterol, as it can contribute to the development of atherosclerosis, a condition where plaque builds up in the arteries and can increase the risk of heart disease.
HDL cholesterol is often referred to as “good” cholesterol, as it helps remove excess cholesterol from the bloodstream and can protect against the development of heart disease.
Triglycerides are the main storage form of fatty acids in the body and a source of energy. High levels of triglycerides are associated with cardiovascular disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome.
Non-HDL cholesterol is considered an effective lipid measurement for assessing cardiovascular disease risk as it is believed to reflect levels of ‘bad’ cholesterol.
Your liver processes drugs and alcohol, filters toxic chemicals, stores vitamins and minerals, and makes bile, proteins and enzymes. This liver function test examines enzymes and other markers for evidence of damage to your liver cells or a blockage near your liver which can impair its function.
This liver function test measures:
Bilirubin tests are use to screen for or to detect and monitor liver disorders or haemolytic anaemia.
Where the direct bilirubin is elevated, this can indicate some kind of blockage of the liver or bile duct.
Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is an enzyme located mainly in the liver and the bones. High levels can indicate liver disease.
Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) is an enzyme created mainly by the liver and the heart. High levels can indicate damage to your liver caused by alcohol, drugs or hepatitis.
Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) is an enzyme mainly produced by the liver. A good indicator of liver damage caused by alcohol, drugs or hepatitis.
Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) is a liver enzyme which plays a key role in the metabolism of glutathione and the transport of amino acids. Elevated GGT levels can indicate liver dysfunction, bile duct issues, or excessive alcohol use.
Albumin is a protein which keeps fluid from leaking out of blood vessels, nourishes tissues, and carries hormones, vitamins, drugs, and ions like calcium throughout the body. Low levels can indicate malnutrition or other health problems.
Any of a group of simple proteins found in the blood.
A measure of all of the proteins in the plasma portion of your blood. Proteins are important building blocks of all cells and tissues – they are important for body growth and health.
Your kidneys filter waste from your body and regulate salts in your blood. They also produce hormones and vitamins that direct cell activities in many organs and help to control blood pressure. When the kidneys aren’t working properly, waste products and fluid can build up to dangerous levels creating a life-threatening situation.
Sodium is important for maintaining fluid balance in the body and for proper nerve and muscle function.
Potassium is important for nerve and muscle function, including regulating heart rhythm, and is also involved in fluid balance.
Chloride is important for maintaining fluid balance and for the proper functioning of the digestive system.
Higher than normal levels suggests trouble maintaining pH balance either by failing to remove carbon dioxide or because of an electrolyte imbalance. Elevations may be seen with severe vomiting, chronic lung problems and some hormonal disorders. Low levels may be seen with chronic diarrhoea, diabetic ketoacidosis and kidney failure.
A high concentration of this waste product can indicate dehydration or that your kidneys aren’t working properly.
A waste molecule generated from muscle metabolism, and an accurate marker of kidney function.
The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) measures how well your kidneys filter the wastes from your blood and is the best overall measure of kidney function.
Found almost entirely in meat and animal food products. Cobalamin helps maintain healthy nerve cells and red blood cells and is also needed to make DNA.
Found naturally in food, such as green leafy vegetables. Folate (vitamin B9) plays a role in DNA creation and is important for the production of red blood cells.
The hsCRP test is a highly sensitive quantification of CRP, a protein released into the blood by the liver during inflammation, and has been associated with the presence of heart disease.
This blood test measures:
A high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) test measures low levels of CRP and may be used to help evaluate an individual for risk of cardiovascular disease
Your thyroid gland produces hormones that regulate growth and energy expenditure. Thyroid disorders are quite common, and many people don’t have any symptoms at all. This thyroid test screens for the thyroid hormones that play a key role in regulating the body’s metabolism.
This thyroid test measures:
Communicates with the thyroid gland to produce T3 and T4 which regulate metabolic functions. High TSH thyroid test levels indicates an underactive thyroid, and low levels an overactive thyroid.
Measures the thyroxine that is freely circulating and able to regulate metabolism. High FT4 thyroid test levels indicate an overactive thyroid, and low levels an underactive thyroid.
Measures the triiodothyronine that is freely circulating. High FT3 thyroid test levels indicate an overactive thyroid, and low levels an underactive thyroid.
Fast from all food and drink (other than water) for at least 8 hours, and no more than 12 hours prior to your test.
Download and print your pathology form from your i-screen dashboard.
Take your form to one of our affiliated collection centres to have your sample taken – no need for an appointment.
