VANA Health Blood Screen: Comprehensive Blood Test Analysis for Optimal Health

VANA HEALTH BLOOD SCREEN

The full blood count is a broad screening test that checks for disorders such as anaemia, infection, and many other diseases. It includes several tests that examine different parts of the blood to provide a comprehensive picture of your health.

• Red Blood Cell Count: Measures oxygen-carrying capacity. High counts increase heart attack or stroke risk; low counts suggest oxygen deficiency.
• Haemoglobin: Indicates blood’s oxygen-carrying ability. High levels can indicate lung disease; low levels suggest anaemia.
• Haematocrit: Measures the percentage of red blood cells in the blood. Elevated levels increase heart attack or stroke risk.
• MCV (Mean Corpuscular Volume): Measures the average size of red blood cells. High MCV indicates vitamin B12 or folate deficiency anaemia; low MCV suggests iron deficiency anaemia.
• MCH (Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin): Calculates the average amount of haemoglobin per red blood cell. Large cells have higher MCH; small cells have lower MCH.
• MCHC (Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Concentration): Measures the average concentration of haemoglobin in red cells. Low MCHC indicates iron deficiency anaemia.
• RDW (Red Cell Distribution Width): Calculates variation in red blood cell size. High RDW may indicate anaemia, liver disease, or vitamin deficiencies.
• White Blood Cell Count: Indicates immune response. High counts suggest infection or stress; low counts can result from vitamin deficiencies, liver disease, or immune disorders.
• Eosinophils: Increase in response to allergies, skin inflammation, and parasitic infections.
• Monocytes: Increase with infection and inflammation; decrease can indicate bone marrow issues.
• Lymphocytes: Increase with bacterial/viral infections or certain cancers; decrease can occur with steroids, stress, lupus, or HIV.
• Neutrophils: Increase with bacterial infections and inflammation; decrease can result from severe infections or other conditions.
• Basophils: Increase with leukaemia, chronic inflammation, and food hypersensitivity.
• Platelet Count: Indicates clotting ability. High counts suggest thrombosis risk; low counts can lead to easy bruising.

Cholesterol

Measures levels of lipids and cholesterol in your blood, essential for evaluating heart disease risk.

• Total Cholesterol: Includes HDL and LDL. Essential for cell membranes, hormone production, and vitamin D metabolism.
• LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein): “Bad” cholesterol, contributing to atherosclerosis and heart disease risk.
• HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein): “Good” cholesterol, helps remove excess cholesterol and protect against heart disease.
• Triglycerides: Main storage form of fatty acids, high levels are linked to cardiovascular disease and metabolic issues.
• Non-HDL Cholesterol: Reflects levels of ‘bad’ cholesterol, useful for assessing cardiovascular risk.

Metabolic

Tests related to blood sugar and diabetes management.

• Fasting Glucose: Indicates how well your body processes glucose.
• HbA1c (DCCT): Measures average blood sugar level over 2-3 months. High percentages indicate poorly controlled blood sugar.
• HbA1c (IFCC): Another unit for expressing HbA1c levels, providing the same information.

Liver Function (LFTs)

Tests that assess liver health by measuring enzyme levels and other markers.

• Bilirubin: Screens for liver disorders or haemolytic anaemia.
• ALP (Alkaline Phosphatase): High levels indicate liver or bone disease.
• AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase): High levels suggest liver damage from alcohol, drugs, or hepatitis.
• ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase): Indicates liver damage similar to AST.
• GGT (Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase): Diagnoses alcohol abuse and liver disease.
• Albumin: A protein indicating nutritional status and liver function.
• Total Protein: Measures all proteins in plasma, important for growth and health.
• Globulin: Simple proteins in the blood, part of the total protein measure.

Kidney Function

Tests that evaluate how well your kidneys filter waste and maintain balance in your body.

• Sodium: Important for fluid balance and nerve/muscle function.
• Potassium: Regulates heart rhythm and fluid balance.
• Chloride: Maintains fluid balance and digestive system function.
• Bicarbonate: Indicates pH balance; high levels suggest pH imbalance, low levels can result from chronic diarrhoea or kidney failure.
• Urea: Waste product indicating kidney function.
• Creatinine: Waste molecule reflecting kidney function.
• eGFR (Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate): Measures kidney filtration efficiency, crucial for assessing kidney health.

Female Hormone Panel

Tests that measure hormone levels affecting various aspects of women’s health.

• Oestradiol: High levels linked to acne, depression, weight gain; low levels cause menopause symptoms.
• Prolactin: High levels can interfere with ovulation and progesterone production.
• Testosterone: High levels common in PCOS, leading to irregular periods and excess hair.
• Free Testosterone: Measures unbound testosterone available to tissues.
• SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin): A protein that binds to testosterone and oestradiol, affecting their availability.

Thyroid Function

Tests that screen for hormones regulating growth and metabolism.

• TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone): High levels indicate underactive thyroid, low levels indicate overactive thyroid.
• FT4 (Free Thyroxine): Measures thyroxine regulating metabolism; high levels indicate overactive thyroid, low levels indicate underactive thyroid.
• FT3 (Free Triiodothyronine): Measures triiodothyronine, with similar implications as FT4.

Thyroid Antibodies

Advanced thyroid tests detecting specific autoantibodies indicating autoimmune disease impact on thyroid function.

• TPOAb (Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies): Indicates tissue destruction such as Hashimoto’s disease.
• TGAb (Thyroglobulin Antibodies): Positive in Hashimoto’s and Graves’ disease, indicating immune system attacks on the thyroid.

Iron Studies

Tests that assess iron levels and related proteins to detect deficiencies or overload.

• Iron: Essential for red blood cell formation.
• Transferrin: Iron-binding protein; high levels indicate deficiency.
• Transferrin Saturation: Low levels indicate deficiency, high levels suggest overload.
• Ferritin: Indicates iron stores in the body; low levels suggest deficiency, leading to anaemia.

Inflammation

Tests that measure markers of inflammation, indicating various health risks.

• Homocysteine: Amino acid indicating cardiovascular disease risk.
• Creatine Kinase: Enzyme released from damaged muscle cells, indicating muscle injury or overtraining.
• High Sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP): Measures low levels of CRP, evaluating cardiovascular disease risk.
• Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH): Enzyme indicating cell damage and overall health.

Bone Health

Tests assessing levels of minerals critical for bone strength and health.

• Vitamin D: Steroid hormone essential for bone strength and calcium absorption.
• Calcium: Important for bones, muscle function, nerve function, and blood clotting.
• Calcium (corrected): Adjusted for serum albumin levels, providing an accurate measure of biologically active calcium.
• Phosphate: Essential for bones and cellular processes.
• Magnesium: Works with calcium for strong bones; deficiency increases osteoporosis risk.