What we measure

Counts the particles that carry cholesterol to the arteries. One of the best indicators of cardiovascular risk.

Main protein of HDL, the cholesterol that carries fats back to the liver.

The sum of all circulating cholesterol. Read together with LDL, HDL and the ratios.

The cholesterol that builds up in the arteries when levels are too high.

The cholesterol that clears the arteries. The higher it is, the better, within certain limits.

Balance between the cholesterol that builds up and the cholesterol that clears.

Another reading of the same balance, used in risk scores.

Blood fats linked to diet, alcohol and sugar metabolism.

Blood sugar level at the time of the sample, fasting.

Glycated haemoglobin: average blood sugar over about three months. The reference for detecting prediabetes.

Trace element involved in regulating blood sugar.

Trace element involved in regulating blood sugar.

Enzyme released when liver or muscle cells are damaged.

The most liver-specific enzyme. Rises with inflammation, fatty liver or hepatitis.

Enzyme sensitive to alcohol, medication and excess fat in the liver.

Pigment from the breakdown of red blood cells, eliminated by the liver.

Enzyme that digests sugars. Rises with pancreatitis.

Enzyme that digests fats. More specific to the pancreas than amylase.

Muscle waste removed by the kidneys. Its concentration reflects kidney filtration.

Waste from proteins, removed by the kidneys. Read together with creatinine and hydration.

Estimate of the volume of blood filtered per minute. The key figure for kidney function.

Pituitary hormone that controls the thyroid. The most sensitive marker: raised when the thyroid slows down.

Main hormone produced by the thyroid, the storage form.

Active form of the thyroid hormone, the one that acts on cells.

Needed to produce thyroid hormones.

Major antioxidant, protects the thyroid and cells.

White blood cells as a whole. Rise with infection or inflammation.

First-line white blood cells against bacteria.

White blood cells of specific immunity: viruses and immune memory.

White blood cells that clear tissues and trigger inflammation.

White blood cells involved in allergies and parasites.

Rare white blood cells, involved in allergic reactions.

Number of red blood cells, the oxygen carriers.

Protein in red blood cells that binds oxygen. Low in anaemia.

Share of the blood volume taken up by red blood cells.

Average size of red blood cells. Helps point to the type of anaemia (iron, B12, B9).

Average amount of haemoglobin per red blood cell.

Average concentration of haemoglobin in red blood cells.

Variation in red blood cell size. Rises early in deficiencies.

Clotting cells. Too low, risk of bleeding; too high, inflammation.

Inflammation protein. The most widely used marker to detect ongoing inflammation.

Antinuclear antibodies: a first lead for an autoimmune disease, including some causes of hair loss.

Supports immunity and iron transport.

Indicator of immune and oxidative balance.

The body's iron reserve. The first marker to drop in an iron deficiency.

Protein that carries iron. Rises when reserves drop.

Oxygen carrier via haemoglobin.

Essential for the production of red blood cells and for the nervous system. Deficiency is common in vegetarians and after the age of 50.

Crucial for cell division and pregnancy. Read together with B12 and homocysteine.

Involved in more than 100 enzyme reactions, including the production of neurotransmitters.

Major antioxidant, supports immunity and collagen synthesis.

Contributes to calcium absorption and to immunity. In winter, more than one adult in two is below the threshold in Switzerland.

Essential for vision, skin and immunity.

Protects cell membranes against oxidative stress.

Essential for bone, muscle and nerve health.

Plays a role in muscle relaxation, stress and cellular energy.

Supports wound healing, immunity and the health of skin and hair.

Vitamin B8, involved in the keratin of hair and nails.

Part of bone structure and energy metabolism.

Essential for muscle contraction and heart rhythm.

Regulates cell hydration and blood pressure.

Contributes to the health of connective tissue, skin and joints.

Involved in detoxification, skin and joints.

Part of tissue synthesis and bone metabolism.

Supports bone and joint health.

Component of vitamin B12, involved in blood formation.

Contributes to cellular detoxification.

Present in trace amounts, regulates mood at very low doses.

Antioxidant, stimulates oxygenation and immunity.

Involved in the strength of teeth and bones.

Balance between calcium and magnesium, essential for bone and nerve health.

Ratio of calcium to phosphorus, involved in bone mineralisation.

Balance between potassium and sodium, a determining factor for blood pressure.

Main oestrogen. Varies with the cycle, drops at menopause.

Hormone of the second half of the cycle. Confirms ovulation.

Hormone that stimulates the ovaries. Rises as menopause approaches.

Also present in women: energy, libido, muscle mass.

The main male hormone. Energy, libido, muscle, mood.

Protein that binds testosterone. Helps estimate active testosterone.

Precursor of sex hormones, produced by the adrenal glands.

Pituitary hormone that controls testosterone production.

In excess, it lowers testosterone and libido.

Protein that carries part of the testosterone.

Marker of low-grade chronic inflammation, used to estimate biological age.

In excess, it damages blood vessels and the brain. It can be corrected with B vitamins.

Cardiovascular and cognitive protection. Reflects your diet over the last three months.

Cellular energy molecule that declines with age. Measured from two drops of blood.

Stress hormone. When chronically high, it wears the body down and causes hair loss.

Neurotoxic, banned in paints; watch out for contaminated water.

Neurotoxic, found in fish and old dental amalgams.

Toxic to the kidneys and bones, found in tobacco.

Highly toxic metalloid, found in water or certain foods.

Light metal that is potentially neurotoxic at high doses.

Can cause allergic and digestive reactions.

Present in some industries, toxic at high exposure.

Used in medicine; accumulation should be monitored.

Can affect the nervous system with prolonged exposure.

Toxic to the lungs with chronic inhalation.

Can build up in the body at high doses.

Used in chemotherapy and industry, low toxicity at low doses.

Toxic to nerves, formerly used in pesticides.

Rare radioactive metal, found in certain rocks.

Used in MRI scans with a contrast agent, eliminated by the kidneys.

Screening for the human immunodeficiency virus.

Screening for infection, chronic or resolved, and for vaccine immunity.

Screening for an infection that is often silent for years.

Serological screening for the infection.

The most common sexually transmitted infection, often without symptoms.

Serology for the HSV-1 and HSV-2 viruses.

Food and respiratory allergens analysed at molecular level, from a single blood test.

Digestion, inflammation and permeability of the gut lining.

Diversity and balance of gut bacteria.

Testing for intestinal parasites.