This test is a very comprehensive profile analysing 7 parameters including total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL “good”, LDL “bad” levels, and the ratios and percentages between them.Over 40% of adults have high cholesterol levels and it is a very signficant risk factor for heart attacks and strokes. The only way to find out if you have high cholesterol is through a blood test. Most high cholesterol is due to a diet high in saturated fats which are in particularly high levels in animal fats. Some cholesterol is essential but we tend to get far to much. Your genes contribute a lot to your cholesterol levels too but you will never know without taking a blood test. About 1 in 250 people have very high cholesterol levels caused by a genetic condition called familial hypercholesterolaemia. This sadly often results in many family members dying far too early of heart attacks. It can be treated and will take more than dietary changes alone, but knowing if you have it is of course essential.Knowing allows you to take control and make the changes you need to make to ensure you have the best chance of a long and health life.

The Clotting Screen – APTT, PT and INR and Fibrinogen is designed to evaluate the blood’s ability to clot properly, which is crucial for diagnosing and managing bleeding disorders and assessing overall clotting function. It includes: – **Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (APTT)**: Measures the time it takes for blood to clot, specifically evaluating the intrinsic and common pathways of the coagulation cascade. – **Fibrinogen**: Assesses the level of fibrinogen, a protein essential for blood clot formation. Low levels can indicate bleeding disorders, while high levels can be associated with clotting disorders or inflammation. – **International Normalised Ratio (INR)**: A standardized measure used to monitor the effectiveness of anticoagulant therapy and assess the extrinsic and common coagulation pathways. – **Prothrombin Time (PT)**: Measures the time it takes for blood to clot, assessing the extrinsic and common pathways of the coagulation cascade. This profile helps in diagnosing various bleeding or clotting disorders and in monitoring patients undergoing anticoagulant therapy.

Plus Profile: This profile assesses blood clotting ability, which is essential for diagnosing bleeding disorders or monitoring anticoagulant therapy. It includes: Full Blood Count (FBC) – for evaluating overall blood health, Prothrombin Time (PT) – measuring how long it takes for blood to clot, Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (APTT) – assessing the efficiency of clotting factors, and International Normalised Ratio (INR) – standardizing PT results to monitor blood-thinning therapies. Together, these tests provide a comprehensive overview of blood clotting function and are crucial in detecting clotting disorders.