Reference Library
Biomarkers
Explained
Your blood test results, decoded. Search any biomarker below to understand what it measures, what your levels mean, and why it matters.
112 biomarkers
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Get your blood tested →Cholesterol Panel
LDL, HDL & ApoB
Understanding the different types of cholesterol and what your ratio means for heart health.
Lipoprotein Particles
ApoB & particle numbers
Why the number of lipoprotein particles matters more than cholesterol concentration alone.
ApoB
Apolipoprotein B
The single best predictor of cardiovascular risk - and why your standard lipid panel might miss it.
Lp(a)
Lipoprotein(a)
The genetic cholesterol marker most doctors don't routinely test - and why it matters.
Triglycerides
Blood fat marker
What elevated triglycerides signal about your metabolic health and cardiovascular risk.
HbA1c
Glycated haemoglobin
Your 3-month average blood sugar - the gold standard for detecting pre-diabetes and diabetes.
Insulin Resistance
Fasting insulin & HOMA-IR
What your blood tests reveal about insulin resistance - before it shows up on a standard glucose test.
Testosterone
Total & free testosterone
Understanding testosterone levels in both men and women - what's optimal and what affects it.
Cortisol
Stress hormone
What your cortisol levels reveal about your stress response, sleep quality, and adrenal function.
Thyroid Panel
TSH, T3 & T4
How to read your thyroid results and what they mean for your energy, weight, and metabolism.
CRP
C-Reactive Protein
The body's key inflammation signal - what elevated CRP means and how to bring it down.
Inflammation Markers
CRP, ESR & more
Which blood tests reveal inflammation in your body - and what each one is actually measuring.
Homocysteine
Cardiovascular & brain health
High homocysteine is linked to heart disease and cognitive decline - and it's often completely fixable.
GGT
Gamma-glutamyl transferase
A sensitive liver marker that flags oxidative stress, alcohol use, and early liver stress before symptoms appear.
Creatinine
Kidney function marker
How creatinine and eGFR reveal the health of your kidneys - and what causes levels to rise.
Vitamin B12
Cobalamin
Why B12 deficiency is more common than you think and what low levels mean for your brain and energy.
Vitamin D
25-hydroxyvitamin D
The vitamin most Australians are deficient in - and what your blood levels actually mean for immunity and mood.
Omega-3 Index
EPA & DHA levels
Most people are low in omega-3. This test measures your levels and the impact on heart and brain health.
Ferritin vs Iron
Iron storage markers
The difference between serum iron and ferritin - and why ferritin is the more important number to watch.
Low Ferritin
Iron deficiency
What low ferritin means for your energy, hair, and performance - and when to act on it.
Zinc
Serum zinc level
An essential trace mineral that supports immune function, wound healing, and testosterone production - deficiency is surprisingly common.
Copper
Serum copper level
A trace mineral essential for enzyme activity, iron absorption, and nerve function - both deficiency and excess can cause harm.
Magnesium
Serum magnesium level
Involved in over 300 enzymatic reactions - low magnesium affects sleep, muscle function, heart rhythm, and energy production.
Calcium
Serum calcium level
The most abundant mineral in the body - measured in blood to assess bone health, parathyroid function, and cardiovascular risk.
Calcium Corrected
Albumin-adjusted calcium
An adjusted calcium reading that accounts for albumin levels, giving a more accurate picture of true calcium status in the blood.
Phosphate
Serum phosphate level
Works alongside calcium for bone strength and energy production - abnormal levels often signal kidney or parathyroid problems.
Potassium
Serum potassium (electrolyte)
A critical electrolyte that regulates heart rhythm and muscle contractions - levels outside the normal range can be life-threatening.
Chloride
Serum chloride (electrolyte)
An electrolyte that helps maintain fluid balance and acid-base equilibrium - often measured as part of a comprehensive metabolic panel.
Haemoglobin
Hb - oxygen-carrying protein
The protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen around the body - low haemoglobin is the hallmark of anaemia and causes fatigue.
Red Cell Count
RBC - erythrocyte count
The total number of red blood cells per volume of blood - used alongside haemoglobin to diagnose anaemia or polycythaemia.
Platelet Count
PLT - clotting cell count
Measures the number of clotting cells in your blood - low platelets increase bleeding risk while high levels can indicate inflammation or bone marrow issues.
Mean Platelet Volume
MPV - platelet size marker
Reflects the average size of platelets - elevated MPV can indicate increased platelet activity and is linked to cardiovascular and inflammatory conditions.
Haematocrit (PCV)
Packed cell volume %
The percentage of blood volume made up of red blood cells - a key indicator for anaemia, dehydration, and overall blood health.
MCV
Mean Corpuscular Volume
Measures the average size of red blood cells - abnormal values help identify the type of anaemia, whether from iron deficiency, B12, or folate.
MCH
Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin
The average amount of haemoglobin per red blood cell - low MCH typically points to iron deficiency, while high MCH suggests B12 or folate deficiency.
MCHC
Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Concentration
The concentration of haemoglobin within red blood cells - an elevated MCHC can indicate hereditary spherocytosis or other red cell disorders.
Red Cell Distribution Width
RDW - red cell size variability
Measures the variation in red blood cell sizes - a high RDW suggests mixed nutritional deficiencies or early anaemia before other markers change.
Peripheral Blood Film
Blood smear morphology
A microscopic examination of blood cells that can reveal abnormal shapes, sizes, and types not captured by routine automated counts.
Total White Cell Count
WBC - leukocyte count
The total count of immune cells in your blood - elevated levels signal infection or inflammation, while low levels may indicate immune suppression.
Neutrophils
Neutrophil count
The most abundant white blood cells and your first line of defence against bacterial infections - counts rise with acute infection and stress.
Lymphocytes
Lymphocyte count
Immune cells that coordinate your body's response to viral infections and produce antibodies - abnormal counts can indicate viral illness or immune disorders.
Monocytes
Monocyte count
Large white blood cells involved in fighting chronic infections and clearing cellular debris - persistently elevated counts can point to ongoing inflammation.
Eosinophils
Eosinophil count
White blood cells that rise in response to allergies, asthma, and parasitic infections - elevated counts are a useful clue to allergic or eosinophilic conditions.
Basophils
Basophil count
The rarest white blood cells, involved in allergic reactions - elevated basophils may indicate allergic disease, hypothyroidism, or certain blood disorders.
ESR
Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate
A simple test measuring how quickly red blood cells settle - a non-specific but reliable marker of inflammation, infection, or autoimmune disease activity.
Albumin
Serum albumin level
The most abundant protein in blood, made by the liver - low albumin signals poor nutrition, liver disease, or chronic illness.
ALP
Alkaline Phosphatase
An enzyme found in the liver, bile ducts, and bone - elevated levels can indicate liver disease, bile duct obstruction, or bone disorders.
ALT
Alanine Aminotransferase
The most liver-specific enzyme marker - elevated ALT is a key signal of liver cell damage from fatty liver, hepatitis, or medication toxicity.
AST
Aspartate Aminotransferase
An enzyme released when liver or muscle cells are damaged - used alongside ALT to assess liver health and rule out heart or muscle injury.
Bilirubin - Total
Total serum bilirubin
A waste product from the breakdown of red blood cells - elevated total bilirubin causes jaundice and can indicate liver disease or haemolysis.
Bilirubin Direct
Conjugated bilirubin
The processed form of bilirubin that the liver has conjugated - elevated direct bilirubin points specifically to liver disease or bile duct obstruction.
Bilirubin Indirect
Unconjugated bilirubin
The unprocessed fraction of bilirubin circulating in blood - high indirect bilirubin suggests haemolytic anaemia or benign conditions like Gilbert's syndrome.
Globulin
Serum globulin proteins
A group of proteins that includes antibodies and clotting factors - elevated globulin can indicate chronic inflammation, liver disease, or immune disorders.
Total Protein
Serum total protein level
The combined measure of albumin and globulin - reflects overall nutritional status and liver and kidney function.
Urea
Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
A waste product from protein metabolism filtered by the kidneys - elevated urea indicates impaired kidney function or high protein intake.
Uric Acid
Serum urate level
The end product of purine metabolism - chronically high uric acid causes gout, kidney stones, and is linked to metabolic syndrome.
LDH
Lactate Dehydrogenase
An enzyme released when cells are damaged anywhere in the body - elevated LDH is a non-specific marker used to detect tissue injury, haemolysis, or cancer.
A/G Ratio
Albumin-to-Globulin Ratio
The ratio of albumin to globulin proteins - a low ratio can indicate chronic liver disease, immune disorders, or malnutrition.
Anion Gap
Calculated electrolyte balance
A calculated value from electrolytes that detects abnormal acid-base balance - a high anion gap signals metabolic acidosis from causes like kidney failure or diabetic ketoacidosis.
CO2 (Bicarbonate)
Serum bicarbonate level
Measures the main buffer that regulates the body's acid-base balance - abnormal bicarbonate levels indicate respiratory or metabolic pH disturbances.
Lipase
Pancreatic lipase enzyme
An enzyme produced by the pancreas to digest fats - significantly elevated lipase is the primary marker for acute and chronic pancreatitis.
eGFR
Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate
The gold-standard estimate of kidney filtration capacity - used to stage chronic kidney disease and monitor kidney health over time.
Cystatin-C
Cystatin C kidney marker
A more sensitive marker of kidney filtration than creatinine - detects early kidney dysfunction before creatinine levels rise, unaffected by muscle mass.
Fasting Glucose
Blood glucose (fasted)
Blood sugar measured after an overnight fast - the first-line test for detecting pre-diabetes and diabetes, and assessing baseline metabolic health.
HDL Cholesterol
High-Density Lipoprotein
The so-called "good" cholesterol that transports fats away from arteries to the liver - higher levels are protective against cardiovascular disease.
LDL Cholesterol
Low-Density Lipoprotein
The primary cholesterol carrier in blood and the main driver of arterial plaque buildup - a key target for cardiovascular risk reduction.
Total Cholesterol
Serum total cholesterol
The sum of all cholesterol fractions in the blood - useful as a screening number but best interpreted alongside HDL, LDL, and triglycerides.
Trig/HDL Ratio
Triglyceride-to-HDL ratio
One of the best simple proxies for insulin resistance and cardiovascular risk - a high ratio signals metabolic dysfunction even when other markers look normal.
HDL/LDL Ratio
HDL-to-LDL ratio
The balance between protective and atherogenic cholesterol fractions - used as a complementary cardiovascular risk indicator alongside absolute LDL levels.
Apo A1
Apolipoprotein A1
The main protein component of HDL particles - a direct measure of your cardioprotective cholesterol carrier that may predict risk better than HDL concentration alone.
ApoA1/B Ratio
Apolipoprotein A1-to-B ratio
The ratio of cardioprotective to atherogenic lipoprotein particles - considered one of the strongest predictors of cardiovascular disease risk.
hsCRP
High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein
A highly sensitive measure of systemic inflammation - low-level elevations predict cardiovascular disease risk years before symptoms appear.
IL-6
Interleukin-6
An inflammatory cytokine that drives the acute phase response - chronically elevated IL-6 is linked to cardiovascular disease, cancer, and metabolic syndrome.
Fibrinogen
Clotting and inflammation protein
A protein essential for blood clotting and an acute phase reactant - elevated fibrinogen signals chronic inflammation and increases cardiovascular and thrombosis risk.
RF Factor
Rheumatoid Factor
An autoantibody associated with rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune conditions - used alongside symptoms and anti-CCP to aid diagnosis.
Anti-CCP
Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide
A highly specific antibody marker for rheumatoid arthritis - often detectable years before joint symptoms appear, enabling early diagnosis and treatment.
MMA
Methylmalonic Acid
A sensitive marker of functional B12 deficiency that rises before serum B12 drops - elevated MMA confirms true cellular B12 insufficiency affecting nerve function.
DHEA-S
Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate
An adrenal hormone that declines with age and serves as a precursor to sex hormones - low DHEA-S is associated with fatigue, reduced libido, and accelerated ageing.
SHBG
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin
The protein that binds and transports testosterone and oestrogen - high SHBG reduces the amount of free, biologically active sex hormone available to tissues.
Free Testosterone
Unbound bioavailable testosterone
The fraction of testosterone not bound to SHBG - often a more clinically meaningful measure than total testosterone for assessing symptoms of deficiency.
FSH
Follicle Stimulating Hormone
A pituitary hormone that drives egg maturation in women and sperm production in men - elevated FSH in women is a key indicator of declining ovarian reserve or menopause.
LH
Luteinising Hormone
The pituitary hormone that triggers ovulation in women and testosterone production in men - essential for assessing fertility and reproductive function.
Oestradiol
E2 - primary oestrogen
The dominant form of oestrogen in women of reproductive age - critical for bone density, mood, fertility, and cardiovascular protection, declining sharply at menopause.
Progesterone
Serum progesterone level
The hormone that dominates the second half of the menstrual cycle and supports early pregnancy - low progesterone can indicate anovulation or luteal phase deficiency.
Prolactin
Serum prolactin level
The pituitary hormone responsible for milk production - elevated prolactin outside of pregnancy can suppress fertility and cause irregular periods in women and low testosterone in men.
AMH
Anti-Müllerian Hormone
The best single measure of a woman's remaining egg supply - used to assess ovarian reserve, time fertility planning, and predict IVF response.
FAI
Free Androgen Index
A calculated ratio of total testosterone to SHBG - a widely used indicator of androgen availability, particularly for assessing PCOS and androgen excess in women.
IGF-1
Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1
The primary mediator of growth hormone's effects - a key marker of growth hormone status in both children and adults, and increasingly used in longevity medicine.
Growth Hormone
Serum GH level
The pituitary hormone that drives tissue growth, muscle maintenance, and fat metabolism - deficiency in adults causes fatigue, body composition changes, and reduced quality of life.
Parathyroid Hormone (PTH)
PTH - calcium regulator
The hormone that tightly controls blood calcium levels by regulating bone resorption and kidney calcium handling - abnormal PTH underpins many calcium and bone disorders.
FT3
Free Triiodothyronine
The active form of thyroid hormone that drives metabolism in every cell - low FT3 causes hypothyroid symptoms even when TSH appears normal.
FT4
Free Thyroxine
The main hormone secreted by the thyroid gland - FT4 is converted to active FT3 in tissues, and its level reflects the raw output of thyroid function.
Reverse T3
rT3 - inactive thyroid metabolite
An inactive form of thyroid hormone that can block FT3 receptors - elevated reverse T3 from chronic stress or illness may explain hypothyroid symptoms despite normal TSH and FT4.
PSA
Prostate Specific Antigen
A protein produced by prostate cells - elevated PSA prompts further investigation for prostate cancer, enlargement, or inflammation, and is a key men's health screening tool.
CA-125
Cancer Antigen 125
A protein marker elevated in ovarian cancer - used to monitor treatment response and detect recurrence, though it can also rise in benign conditions like endometriosis.
Folate
Vitamin B9 - folic acid
Essential for DNA synthesis and red blood cell formation - low folate causes megaloblastic anaemia and is critical for neural tube development in early pregnancy.
Active B12
Holotranscobalamin (HoloTC)
The biologically active fraction of B12 that cells can actually use - a more sensitive early marker of B12 deficiency than standard serum B12 testing.
1,25-Dihydroxy Vitamin D3
Calcitriol - active vitamin D
The fully activated form of vitamin D that regulates calcium absorption - measured when kidney disease, granulomatous conditions, or vitamin D metabolism disorders are suspected.
CoQ10
Coenzyme Q10 (ubiquinol)
A vital antioxidant for mitochondrial energy production - levels decline with age and statin use, making it important for anyone experiencing unexplained fatigue or muscle symptoms.
NAD+/NADH Ratio
Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide
A measure of cellular energy metabolism and redox balance - declining NAD+ is a hallmark of ageing and is a central target in longevity research.
Omega-3 Index (EFA)
EPA + DHA as % of red cell membranes
The percentage of EPA and DHA in red blood cell membranes - a validated measure of long-term omega-3 status and a predictor of heart disease and cognitive health risk.
Omega-3/6 Ratio
Omega-3 to omega-6 balance
The balance between anti-inflammatory omega-3s and pro-inflammatory omega-6s - most Western diets are highly skewed toward omega-6, driving chronic inflammation.
Omega-3
EPA & DHA fatty acids
Measures the absolute level of omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) in the blood - essential for reducing cardiovascular risk, supporting brain function, and controlling inflammation.
Omega-6
Omega-6 fatty acids level
Measures the level of omega-6 fatty acids, which compete with omega-3s - excess omega-6 from processed seed oils is a driver of chronic low-grade inflammation.
Iron
Serum iron level
The amount of iron circulating in the bloodstream at the time of testing - best interpreted alongside ferritin and TIBC to understand total iron status.
Iron Saturation
Transferrin saturation (TSAT)
The percentage of transferrin (iron-carrier protein) that is loaded with iron - low saturation confirms iron deficiency, while very high saturation raises concern for iron overload (haemochromatosis).
TIBC
Total Iron Binding Capacity
Measures the maximum amount of iron the blood can carry via transferrin - elevated TIBC indicates the body is hungry for more iron, consistent with iron deficiency anaemia.
Prothrombin Time
PT / INR - clotting speed test
Measures how long blood takes to clot via the extrinsic pathway - used to monitor warfarin therapy, assess bleeding risk, and evaluate liver function.
IgA
Immunoglobulin A
The antibody that guards mucosal surfaces like the gut and respiratory tract - low IgA is associated with recurrent infections and is required before accurate coeliac antibody testing.
Mercury
Blood mercury level
A neurotoxic heavy metal that accumulates from high fish consumption and environmental exposure - elevated blood mercury can impair cognitive function, immune health, and the nervous system.
MTHFR Genotyping
Methylation gene variant test
Tests for common variants in the MTHFR gene that reduce the ability to process folate and recycle homocysteine - relevant for cardiovascular risk, pregnancy planning, and methylation support.
pTau
Phosphorylated tau - brain marker
An emerging blood biomarker for Alzheimer's disease - elevated phosphorylated tau reflects tau tangle pathology in the brain and is being validated as an early detection tool for neurodegeneration.
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