The core markers and what they tell you
Full blood count. Red cells, white cells and platelets. Picks up anaemia, which is common and often unnoticed, and can flag infection or immune activity.
Kidney function. Creatinine and eGFR show how well the kidneys are filtering. Early kidney problems have no symptoms, and the test is quick and cheap.
Liver function. Enzymes and bilirubin that rise with alcohol, medication, viral infection and fatty liver, which is increasingly common in people who drink little.
Lipid profile. Total, LDL and HDL cholesterol and triglycerides, the main modifiable risk factors for heart disease and stroke.
HbA1c. The average blood sugar over the previous three months. It identifies diabetes and, more usefully, the pre-diabetic range where changes to diet and activity make the most difference. No fasting required.
Thyroid function. TSH and free T4. An underactive or overactive thyroid causes tiredness, weight change, mood change and temperature sensitivity, and is easily treated once found.
Vitamin D, B12, folate and ferritin. The deficiencies most likely to explain tiredness, low mood, poor concentration and hair or skin changes, and among the easiest to correct.
What to add and when
CRP as a general marker of inflammation. Hormone panels where symptoms suggest them: testosterone in men with fatigue or low libido, a female hormone panel around perimenopause. PSA is a discussion rather than a default, because it raises as many questions as it answers. Coeliac antibodies if there are digestive symptoms. Beyond that, adding markers for the sake of a longer list rarely changes what you would do.
How often
For someone well with no risk factors, a baseline followed by a repeat every one to two years is reasonable. Anyone tracking a change, correcting a deficiency or managing a known condition retests sooner, usually three to six months after a change.
Reading the results
A result outside the reference range is a prompt, not a diagnosis. Context matters: a raised liver enzyme after a weekend of drinking, a low ferritin during a heavy period, a high CRP with a cold. The value of a health check is in the interpretation and the follow-up plan.
At Omnia
Our Randox health screen panels at the Chiswick clinic are built around this core set, and we go through every result with you so the check ends with a plan rather than a PDF.