Long Covid Profile

Age restriction on blood tests

We're unable to offer blood tests for those under the age of 18 unless it is part of a routine GP appointment and the clinician believes it suitable.

What biomarkers are tested in the Long Covid Profile Test?

The Long COVID Profile assesses biomarkers such as liver health profile, iron status profile, blood count, TSH, pancreatic health, heart health profile, CRP, D-dimer, vitamin D, CK, CK-MB, myoglobin, kidney health, and glucose levels.

• Creatine Kinase (CK): An enzyme found in various tissues, particularly in muscles. It helps assess muscle damage or injury. The biomarker indicates CK levels, aiding in diagnosing and monitoring muscle disorders, heart attacks, and physical exertion-related muscle damage.
• Creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB): An enzyme found primarily in the heart muscles. It helps diagnose and monitor heart damage, specifically myocardial infarction (heart attack). The biomarker indicates CK-MB levels, aiding in detecting and assessing cardiac injury or stress on the heart.
• C-reactive protein (CRP): This biomarker measures the level of inflammation in the body. Elevated levels of CRP can indicate an underlying inflammatory condition that may contribute to fatigue.
• D-dimer: A biomarker that measures the presence of blood clot breakdown products. Indicating abnormal clotting activity helps diagnose or rule out conditions like deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE).

Full Blood Count

• Basophils: A white blood cell that plays a role in the body's immune response to allergies.
• Eosinophils: A white blood cell that plays a role in the body's immune response to allergies and parasitic infections.
• Haematocrit: The proportion of red blood cells in the blood can indicate whether a person is anaemic or dehydrated.
• Haemoglobin: The protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body.
• Lymphocytes: A white blood cell that plays a key role in the body's immune system, fighting viral infections and cancers.
• MCH: The average amount of haemoglobin in each red blood cell.
• MCHC: The average concentration of haemoglobin in each red blood cell.
• MCV: The average size of red blood cells, which can help diagnose specific types of anaemia.
• Monocytes: A white blood cell that plays a role in the immune system by engulfing and digesting foreign particles, such as bacteria and viruses.
• MPV: The average size of platelets in the blood can indicate whether a person is at risk of bleeding or clotting disorders.
• Neutrophils: A white blood cell that fights bacterial infections.
• Platelet count: The total number of platelets in the blood responsible for clotting and preventing bleeding.
• RDW: The variation in the size of red blood cells can help diagnose specific types of anaemia.
• Red cell count: A count of red blood cells in the blood, indicating whether a person is anaemic.
• White cell count: A count of the total number of white blood cells in the blood, which can indicate infection or inflammation in the body.
• Glucose: Vital energy source for the body. Raised glucose levels can detect insulin resistance.
• Heart health profile
• HDL and LDL cholesterol: HDL (good) and LDL (bad) cholesterol are measured to assess cholesterol levels.
• Triglycerides: a measure of the actual fat in your blood.
• CRP-hs: a marker for inflammation in the body.
• Lipoprotein (a) or Lp(a): a genetic variation of LDL cholesterol that is a significant risk factor for the early development of fatty deposits in arteries.
• Apolipoproteins A to E: proteins that attach to fats in our blood. High levels of ApoA are protective against heart disease. In contrast, high levels of ApoB represent a higher risk of heart disease. ApoE test evaluates genetic susceptibility to Alzheimer's disease.
• High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP): A biomarker used to measure inflammation levels in the body. It aids in assessing the risk of cardiovascular disease and provides valuable information for preventive strategies.

Full Iron status

• Ferritin: A biomarker reflecting iron levels in the body. The test measures ferritin levels to diagnose iron deficiency or excess, monitor treatment, and evaluate conditions like anaemia and liver disease.
• Haemoglobin: Measures the protein responsible for carrying oxygen in the red blood cells. Low haemoglobin levels can indicate anaemia, which may be related to iron deficiency.
• Serum Iron: Measures the amount of iron in the blood.
• Total Iron-Binding Capacity (TIBC): Measures the blood's ability to bind iron. The test helps diagnose and monitor conditions related to iron metabolism and anaemia. TIBC reflects the body's iron-carrying capacity, aiding in evaluating iron deficiency or overload.
• Transferrin saturation (TSAT): Measures the amount of iron bound to transferrin in the blood. This test assesses iron metabolism and helps diagnose iron deficiency or overload. TSAT provides insights into iron status and guides treatment decisions.
• Transferrin: A protein that transports iron in the blood. Transferrin test measures its levels to assess iron status and diagnose conditions like anaemia. It helps evaluate iron deficiency and monitor response to treatment.
• High-density lipoprotein (HDL): Known as "good cholesterol" that removes cholesterol and transports it to the liver, where it is processed and removed from the body as bile.
• Low-density lipoprotein (LDL): Or "bad cholesterol," constitutes most of the body's cholesterol. Though essential for health, too much can increase the risk of heart disease.
• Non-HDL cholesterol: Contains all "bad" types of cholesterol but not the "good" HDL cholesterol. High levels put you at risk of heart disease.
• Total Cholesterol: Measures the total amount of cholesterol in your blood, including HDL (good) and LDL (bad) cholesterol.
• Triglycerides: A type of fat used by the body for energy. High levels of triglycerides can increase the risk of heart disease.
• Very Low-Density Lipoprotein (VLDL) Cholesterol: VLDL cholesterol is a type of cholesterol that carries triglycerides in the blood.

Kidney health

• Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN): A measure of urea nitrogen in the blood. It helps assess kidney function and hydration status. The biomarker indicates BUN levels, aiding in diagnosing kidney and liver diseases, dehydration, and evaluating kidney function.
• Creatinine: A waste product produced by muscles from creatine. It helps assess kidney function and muscle health. The biomarker indicates creatinine levels, aiding in detecting and monitoring kidney diseases and evaluating renal function.
• Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR): A calculation of kidney function by measuring the rate at which the kidneys filter blood. The biomarker assesses renal function, helps diagnose and monitor kidney disease, and guides medication dosing.
• Phosphorus: An essential mineral involved in energy production, DNA synthesis, and bone formation. The biomarker indicates phosphorus levels, assisting in diagnosing and monitoring conditions related to bone health, kidney function, and metabolic disorders.
• Serum Calcium: By measuring calcium levels in the blood, the test helps assess bone health, nerve function, and muscle contraction. The biomarker indicates serum calcium levels, aiding in diagnosing calcium-related disorders, such as osteoporosis, kidney disease, and parathyroid disorders.
• Serum Electrolytes: Minerals in the blood that help maintain fluid balance, nerve function, and muscle contraction. The biomarker indicates electrolyte levels (sodium, potassium, chloride) and aids in assessing hydration status and kidney function and identifying electrolyte imbalances.
• Urine Microalbumin: Measuring small amounts of albumin in the urine helps detect early kidney damage in conditions like diabetes. The biomarker indicates microalbumin levels, aiding in monitoring kidney health and identifying kidney disease at an early stage.
• Urine Protein: The biomarker indicates protein levels in urine, aiding in diagnosing and monitoring kidney disorders, such as glomerulonephritis or kidney damage caused by diabetes or hypertension.

Liver health profile

• Alanine transferase (ALT): An enzyme in the liver that is elevated in people with liver disease, heavy drinkers, and those taking certain medications.
• Albumin: A protein the liver produces that helps transport substances in the blood. Low levels can indicate liver damage or disease.
• Alkaline phosphatase (ALP): An enzyme found in the liver and bone. Elevated levels can indicate liver disease or bone-related conditions.
• Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST): An enzyme found in various organs, primarily the liver and heart. The AST test measures its levels in the blood, helping to diagnose liver damage or diseases.
• Bilirubin: A yellowish pigment produced during the breakdown of red blood cells. High levels can indicate liver disease or a blocked bile duct.
• Ferritin: A biomarker reflecting iron levels in the body. The test measures ferritin levels to diagnose iron deficiency or excess, monitor treatment, and evaluate conditions like anaemia and liver disease.
• Gamma-GT (GGT): An enzyme in the liver that is elevated in people with liver disease, heavy drinkers, and those taking certain medications.
• Myoglobin: A protein found in muscles that stores oxygen. It aids in oxygen transport and storage within muscle tissues. The biomarker indicates myoglobin levels, assisting in diagnosing muscle damage, such as heart attacks or skeletal muscle injuries.
• Pancreatic health
• Amylase: An enzyme that breaks down starch into sugars. It aids in digestion by facilitating carbohydrate metabolism. The biomarker measures amylase levels, helping diagnose pancreatic disorders like pancreatitis and evaluating pancreatic function.
• Bilirubin: A yellowish pigment produced during the breakdown of red blood cells. High levels can indicate liver disease or a blocked bile duct.
• C-peptide: A biomarker measured by a test to evaluate insulin production. It helps diagnose and monitor diabetes, distinguishing between type 1 and type 2, and aiding in treatment decisions.
• CA 19-9: A biomarker for certain pancreatic and gastrointestinal cancers. It measures levels of a glycoprotein called carbohydrate antigen 19-9. Elevated CA 19-9 levels can indicate the presence and progression of these cancers, aiding in diagnosis and monitoring treatment response.

Full Blood Count

• Lipase: An enzyme that breaks down fats into fatty acids and glycerol. It aids in digestion and nutrient absorption. The biomarker measures lipase levels and helps diagnose pancreatitis and other pancreatic disorders affecting fat digestion.
• Liver enzymes (AST, ALT, ALP): Proteins produced by the liver. They help assess liver function and indicate liver damage or disease. Elevated levels of these enzymes suggest liver dysfunction, which can indirectly impact pancreatic health and indicate conditions like hepatitis, cirrhosis, or drug-induced liver injury.
• Pancreatic enzymes (trypsinogen, elastase): Produced by the pancreas and aid in digestion. The biomarkers indicate enzyme levels, assisting in diagnosing pancreatic diseases, assessing exocrine pancreatic function, and monitoring treatment response in conditions like pancreatitis and malabsorption.
• Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) - This biomarker measures the level of TSH produced by the pituitary gland. It stimulates the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones. Abnormal levels of TSH can indicate thyroid disease, which can cause fatigue.
• Vitamin D: A vital fat-soluble vitamin that supports bone, muscle, and immune system health. Our bodies can produce most of the Vitamin D they need through exposure to sunlight. Still, we can also obtain it from specific foods and supplements.