ICAM-1 blood test in Chiswick

What the test measures

Intercellular cell adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) is a protein found on the surface of endothelial cells, which line the blood vessels, and on some immune cells. When inflammation is present, cells produce more ICAM-1, which helps white blood cells attach to the vessel wall and move into surrounding tissue. A soluble form circulates in the blood and is what this test measures.

ICAM-1 has been studied as a sign of vessel lining activation in inflammation and circulation research. It is an emerging, specialist marker, not part of routine NHS testing, and it has limited use as a stand-alone screen. It adds most value when read with established markers such as cholesterol, blood pressure and hs-CRP.

The price includes the blood sample taken at our Chiswick clinic, analysis at the Randox accredited laboratory, a practitioner review of your result with you, and a GP feedback report on request.

Who it is for

• Your practitioner has suggested an additional blood vessel marker to add detail to your heart health results.
• You have an inflammatory condition and want to explore how it relates to circulation.
• You are reviewing several vessel-related markers together.
• You want a baseline value to compare over time.

Understanding your result

Your report shows your ICAM-1 value and the laboratory reference range. Higher levels suggest increased activation of the vessel lining or the immune system, which can be seen with infection, inflammatory and autoimmune conditions, smoking, raised blood sugar and other factors. Because so many things affect it, ICAM-1 cannot tell you your personal risk of heart disease.

Your practitioner will look at your value together with your history and established risk factors. A level outside the range is a prompt for discussion, not a diagnosis, and decisions about heart health rest on validated assessments with your GP.

Preparing for your test

No fasting is needed for ICAM-1 alone. Aim to test when you have been free of infections for a couple of weeks, and let us know about any inflammatory condition or immune-modifying medicine. If you are having cholesterol or glucose at the same time, we will tell you about fasting when you book.

ICAM-1 is one of the blood vessel markers in Omnia Signature. For an established starting point on heart risk, see Heart Health. You can also browse every blood test and price in Chiswick.

Questions

How much is an ICAM-1 test in Chiswick?

An ICAM-1 blood test at Omnia Lifestyle costs £109. The price covers your sample in Chiswick, analysis at an accredited laboratory, a practitioner review and a GP feedback report on request.

Is ICAM-1 a routine heart test?

No. It is a specialist research-based marker. Cholesterol, blood pressure and other established factors are the basis of heart risk assessment.

How is ICAM-1 different from E-selectin?

Both are adhesion molecules linked with the vessel lining. ICAM-1 is found on vessel cells and some immune cells, while E-selectin comes mainly from activated vessel lining. They are sometimes read together.

What can raise ICAM-1?

Infections, inflammatory and autoimmune conditions, smoking and raised blood sugar are among the factors that can increase it.