Metabolic and cardiovascular health play a major role in energy, weight management, mood, hormonal balance, and long-term wellbeing. Many people in the UK choose advanced blood testing to understand how their body manages glucose, insulin, lipids, liver function, and essential nutrients such as Vitamin D and B12.

This comprehensive panel includes eight key tests:

• HbA1c (Glycated Haemoglobin)

• Homocysteine

• Insulin Response Test (OGTT with insulin, 0–1–2 hours)

• Lipid Profile (Total Cholesterol, HDL, non-HDL, LDL, Triglycerides)

• Liver Function Tests (ALT, AST, ALP, Bilirubin, GGT)

• Oral Glucose Tolerance Test – OGTT (0–1–2 hours)

• Vitamin B12

• Vitamin D – 25(OH) metabolite

Below is a full explanation of why these tests are important, what the results may indicate, and typical UK reference ranges.
(Ranges may vary between NHS and private labs.)

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1. HbA1c – Glycated Haemoglobin

Why HbA1c is important

HbA1c shows your average blood sugar levels over the past 2–3 months. It is one of the most reliable markers of long-term glucose regulation.

Typical UK reference ranges:

• Normal: < 42 mmol/mol (below 6.0%)

• Pre-diabetes range: 42–47 mmol/mol

• Diabetes threshold: ≥ 48 mmol/mol

What results may indicate:

• Lower HbA1c: good glucose control.

• Higher HbA1c: reduced insulin sensitivity or prolonged elevated blood sugar.

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2. Homocysteine

Why test homocysteine?

Homocysteine is an amino acid influenced by B vitamins (B6, B12, folate). Elevated levels can reflect methylation imbalance, nutritional deficiencies, or metabolic stress.

Typical UK reference range:

• 5–15 µmol/L (optimal levels often considered < 10)

Possible interpretations:

• High homocysteine: may relate to low B12/folate, inflammation or oxidative stress.

• Low homocysteine: uncommon and typically not concerning.

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3. Insulin After Glucose Load (0, 1 and 2 hours)

Why measure insulin during an OGTT?

This test shows how the pancreas responds to a 75g glucose drink. Measuring insulin at 0, 1 and 2 hours helps assess insulin sensitivity and early signs of metabolic imbalance.

Typical UK interpretation:

(Ranges vary widely. Private labs often use functional thresholds.)

• Fasting insulin: 2–10 µIU/mL

• 1-hour insulin: peak expected (varies)

• 2-hour insulin: returning toward baseline

What results may indicate:

• High insulin spikes: reduced insulin sensitivity.

• Delayed insulin response: impaired glucose regulation.

Insulin testing adds detail beyond glucose measurement alone.

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4. Lipid Profile – Cholesterol & Cardiometabolic Health

Includes:

• Total Cholesterol

• HDL

• non-HDL

• LDL

• Triglycerides

Why it is important

Lipids reflect cardiovascular health, inflammation status and metabolic efficiency.

Typical UK reference ranges:

• Total Cholesterol: < 5.0 mmol/L

• LDL Cholesterol: < 3.0 mmol/L

• HDL: > 1.0 mmol/L (men) | > 1.2 mmol/L (women)

• non-HDL: < 4.0 mmol/L

• Triglycerides: < 1.7 mmol/L

What results may mean:

• High LDL/non-HDL: associated with increased cardiovascular risk factors.

• High HDL: generally protective.

• High triglycerides: may reflect high carbohydrate intake or reduced insulin sensitivity.

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5. Liver Function Tests (ALT, AST, ALP, Bilirubin, GGT)

Why test liver markers?

The liver regulates digestion, detoxification, metabolism, and hormone processing.
These enzymes reflect liver cell function, bile flow and overall liver health.

Typical UK reference ranges:

• ALT: 7–56 U/L

• AST: 10–40 U/L

• ALP: 30–130 U/L

• Bilirubin: < 21 µmol/L

• GGT: 0–60 U/L

What results may indicate:

• Elevated ALT/AST: liver cell irritation or metabolic stress.

• High ALP or GGT: may reflect bile flow patterns.

• High bilirubin: may relate to red blood cell turnover or liver processing.

These markers are influenced by alcohol, medication, diet, and metabolic function.

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6. OGTT (Oral Glucose Tolerance Test – 75g, 0/1/2h)

Why OGTT is useful

OGTT measures how the body handles a glucose challenge. It is one of the most sensitive tests for early glucose imbalance.

Typical UK reference ranges (glucose):

• Fasting (0h): < 5.5 mmol/L

• 1 hour: < 9.0 mmol/L (varies by lab)

• 2 hours: < 7.8 mmol/L

• Impaired tolerance: 7.8–11.0 mmol/L

• Diabetes threshold: ≥ 11.1 mmol/L

Possible interpretations:

• Elevated 1-hour glucose: early sign of dysregulated glucose metabolism.

• High 2-hour glucose: impaired glucose tolerance.

Used together with insulin, this test gives a full picture of metabolic function.

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7. Vitamin B12

Why Vitamin B12 matters

Vitamin B12 supports energy, mood, nerve function and red blood cell production.

Typical UK reference range:

• 200–900 ng/L
  (Values below ~300 ng/L may show functional symptoms.)

What results may indicate:

• Low B12: may affect energy, cognition and red blood cell health.

• High B12: often from supplementation.

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8. Vitamin D (25-Hydroxy Vitamin D)

Why test Vitamin D?

Vitamin D influences immunity, hormone balance, bone health, and inflammation.

Typical UK ranges (NICE):

• Deficient: < 25 nmol/L

• Insufficient: 25–50 nmol/L

• Sufficient: > 50 nmol/L

• Optimal (functional): 75–125 nmol/L

What results may indicate:

• Low Vitamin D: common in the UK due to limited sunlight exposure.

• High Vitamin D: usually supplementation-related.

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Why this Metabolic–Cardiovascular–Nutritional Panel is Valuable

Together, these eight tests provide a detailed overview of:

• glucose regulation (OGTT + HbA1c)

• insulin response and sensitivity

• cardiovascular risk factors (lipid profile)

• liver function

• homocysteine and methylation

• Vitamin D and Vitamin B12 status

This panel is especially useful for assessing symptoms such as:

• low energy

• weight changes

• sugar crashes or cravings

• mood changes

• inflammation

• poor recovery

• hormonal imbalance

The results do not diagnose any condition on their own, but they offer essential data for guiding lifestyle changes or conversations with a healthcare professional.