Understanding your health through blood tests
Keeping an eye on your health doesn’t have to be complicated—a simple blood test can offer valuable insights into what’s going on inside your body. From detecting potential issues early to helping you make informed lifestyle choices; blood tests are a powerful tool for staying on top of your well-being.
Whether you’re feeling more tired than usual, noticing changes in your weight, or just want some peace of mind, our Advanced Health Check can highlight key markers that could give you a clearer picture of your body and what it may need.
What does a Superdrug Advanced Health Check include?
Our comprehensive Health Check covers eight key areas, providing valuable insights into your overall health:
· Liver function – Assessing key enzymes and proteins to check for liver health.
· Cholesterol levels – Evaluating heart health and risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
· Diabetes risk – Checking long-term blood sugar levels.
· Iron levels – Screening for iron deficiency and anaemia.
· Vitamin levels – Measuring essential vitamins like B12, D, and folate.
· Full blood count – Examining red and white blood cells for signs of infections or deficiencies.
· CRP (high sensitivity).
Using 37 health markers, our tests compare your results to a ‘normal’ result – the range that 95% of healthy individuals fit into. Your age, gender, and other factors like pre-existing conditions can influence results, which is why we ask you to fill out a health questionnaire during your Health Check. This allows our clinicians to provide practical advice on your next steps—so you can make confident, informed decisions about your health.
Breaking down the key health markers
From liver function to cholesterol levels, our Health Check provides insights that empower you to make informed choices. Here’s a breakdown of the essential health markers we check—and why they matter.
Liver Function Test
Your liver helps detox your body, support digestion, and keeps your metabolism running smoothly. But when it’s not working as it should, you might feel more tired than usual, have digestive issues, or even notice changes in your skin. Our blood test checks essential liver markers such as:
· Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP)
· Alanine Transferase (ALT)
· Globulin (GLOB)
· Total protein (PROT)
· Gamma GT
· Bilirubin
· Albumin
Cholesterol Check
Cholesterol is essential for cell function, but an imbalance can increase the risk of heart disease. We test:
· Triglycerides
· Total Cholesterol
· HDL (good) Cholesterol
· LDL (bad) Cholesterol
· Non-LDL Cholesterol
· Free Thyroxine (FT4)
· Cholesterol Ratio
Keeping cholesterol levels in check can help lower your risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Diabetes risk
Type 2 diabetes is becoming increasingly common, and early detection is key. We use HbA1c testing to assess your average blood sugar levels over the past three months. If results are elevated, it may indicate prediabetes or diabetes, which can often be managed through lifestyle changes.
Iron levels and anaemia screening
Low iron can lead to anaemia, causing symptoms like tiredness, dizziness, and shortness of breath. If left untreated, iron-deficiency anaemia can lead to increased risk of infections, pregnancy complications and heart conditions. We test the following health markers that tell us if you’re at risk of, or suffering from, iron-deficiency anaemia:
· Iron levels
· Ferritin (iron storage)
· Serum iron
· Transferrin saturation (iron absorption)
· Unsaturated iron binding capacity
· Total iron binding capacity (blood capacity to carry iron)
Vitamin Deficiencies
Vitamins like B12, D, and folate (Vitamin B9) are your body’s power players—keeping your energy up, your bones strong, and your immune system in check. But if your levels are low, you might feel more tired than usual, experience muscle weakness, or get sick more often. Our blood test helps spot any deficiencies, so you can identify any supplements to take if needed.
To make sure your vitamin levels are optimal, we check:
· Folate (B9)
· Active B12
· 25(O)H Vitamin D
Full Blood Count (FBC)
Analysing your full blood count is an efficient way to screen for a wide range of infections, deficiencies and diseases. This blood test evaluates your red and white blood cells to detect infections, anaemia, and other conditions. Key markers include:
· Basophils
· Eosinophils
· Neutrophils
· Haemoglobin
· Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin
· Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV)
· Platelet Count
· Red Blood Cell Count (RBC)
· Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW)
· White Blood cell count
Signs of inflammation
Inflammation is your body’s way of responding to potential threats—whether it’s an infection, toxins, an injury, or even autoimmune conditions. While some inflammation is a natural part of healing, ongoing or excessive inflammation can be a sign that something isn’t quite right.
Our Health Check test looks at key markers to detect signs of inflammation in your body, including:
· C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
· White Blood Cell Levels
· Neutrophil Count
Why get an Advanced Health Check?
Regular health checks can help you:
· Detect potential health issues early
· Monitor long-term health trends
· Understand how lifestyle choices impact your well-being
· Get personalised medical advice based on your results
Our Advanced Health Check gives you more than just numbers—it includes expert advice from experienced doctors to help you understand what your results mean for your unique health situation. Whether you’re experiencing unexplained symptoms or simply want a clearer picture of your well-being, a blood test can provide valuable insights. Superdrug Health Clinics offer convenient, professional testing with expert guidance, so you can take control of your health with confidence.
Book your Superdrug Health Check today and take a proactive step toward better health!