Fitness Performance & Recovery Test

A widely used cardiovascular risk indicator. Lower is generally better. The ratio shifts with diet, training, weight changes and consistent aerobic exercise.

The total amount of cholesterol circulating in your blood, including both protective (HDL) and less-protective (LDL) types. On its own it tells you very little, which is why we always read it alongside HDL, LDL and the ratio below.

Total cholesterol minus HDL. Captures every cholesterol type that can contribute to artery build-up in one figure, which is why many clinicians now prefer it as a single risk indicator.

The cholesterol that picks up excess from your arteries and returns it to your liver. Higher HDL is generally protective. It's influenced by exercise, alcohol intake, and the types of fat in your diet.

A form of fat your body uses for energy. Levels are heavily influenced by recent meals (which is why we ask you to fast), alcohol, carbohydrate intake and overall body composition.

The cholesterol most associated with build-up in artery walls when it sits high for years. Diet (especially saturated fat), genetics, body composition and activity level all influence LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein).

A marker your liver releases when there's inflammation anywhere in the body. High CRP can reflect short-term inflammation (a recent illness, intense training, an injury) or longer-term, low-grade inflammation linked to lifestyle, sleep and stress.

Your average blood sugar level over the past 8-12 weeks, expressed as a percentage. Often called your "glucose memory" because, unlike a single glucose reading, it can't be gamed by a recent meal or fast.

The same measurement in mmol/mol, the unit the NHS and UK clinicians use. We show both so you can compare to NHS or older test results easily.

Your main stress and energy hormone, produced by your adrenal glands. It follows a strong daily rhythm: highest in the morning (which is why we ask for a morning sample) and lowest at night. Affected by sleep, training, work stress and caffeine.

Your body's stored iron, the long-term iron savings account. Low ferritin is the earliest sign of iron deficiency, often appearing before iron itself drops or anaemia develops. Common in women with heavy periods, athletes, and people on plant-based diets.

The vitamin your body makes from sunlight and gets from food. Affects bones, muscles, mood, and immune function. UK adults often run low in winter months.

Essential for energy production, nerve function, and red blood cell formation. Found almost exclusively in animal products, so vegans and vegetarians need to supplement. Low B12 can present as fatigue, brain fog or tingling.

An enzyme released when muscle is damaged. Levels routinely spike for 24-72 hours after heavy training, hard cardio, or any unusually intense session. We ask you to avoid heavy training before testing for this reason.

The principal male sex hormone, also important in women at lower levels. Influences muscle mass, libido, mood, energy and bone density. Levels naturally peak in the morning, which is why we ask for a morning sample.

The pituitary signal that tells your thyroid how hard to work. Counter-intuitively, high TSH usually means your thyroid is under-active (the brain is shouting at it), and low TSH often means it's over-active.