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Inflammation and metabolic dysfunction drive most preventable disease. Eight markers. Complete picture. Actionable results.
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Target the two most important drivers of preventable disease: chronic inflammation and metabolic dysfunction.
If you could test only two physiological processes to assess your long-term disease risk, inflammation and metabolic health would be the clear choices. Chronic low-grade inflammation underpins cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, dementia, and many cancers. Metabolic dysfunction — particularly insulin resistance and impaired glucose regulation — is the most prevalent and modifiable driver of premature chronic disease in the Western population. This focused panel tests eight markers that capture both processes with clinical precision: hs-CRP and homocysteine for inflammation and methylation status, fasting glucose, HbA1c, fasting insulin, and HOMA-IR for metabolic health, and triglycerides and HDL cholesterol because the triglyceride-to-HDL ratio is one of the most sensitive easily available proxies for insulin resistance. Together these eight markers give an accessible, actionable snapshot of two of the most powerful determinants of how you age. Every result is reviewed by a GMC-registered physician.
Understand what each marker measures, why it matters, and what the science says — not just a list of numbers.
This panel is designed for adults who want a comprehensive, evidence-based picture of their metabolic health — not a GP referral panel.
Adults who want a focused, affordable annual metabolic and inflammatory baseline
People with a family history of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, or inflammatory conditions
Anyone who has made dietary changes (low-carbohydrate, time-restricted eating, Mediterranean diet) and wants to measure the effect
Individuals with fatigue, brain fog, or weight gain wanting to rule out insulin resistance
People with abdominal obesity who have not been metabolically assessed
Fasting insulin and HOMA-IR are calculated estimates of insulin resistance and are most accurate when the fast has been strictly observed for 10 hours. Any recent eating, even small snacks, significantly elevates both insulin and glucose. Homocysteine rises with dehydration and renal impairment independently of B-vitamin status; hydration and kidney function should be considered in interpretation. hs-CRP is elevated by any active infection, recent injury, or inflammatory illness; do not test when you are unwell. The triglyceride-to-HDL ratio is a useful surrogate for insulin resistance but is not a direct measurement of insulin sensitivity and has limitations in certain ethnic populations. This panel does not include liver function, kidney function, or full haematology.
From order to physician-reviewed report in as little as three working days.
Home fingerstick kit delivered within 2 working days.
Water permitted. Essential for fasting insulin and glucose accuracy.
Pre-paid Royal Mail envelope included.
Physician commentary in 3 to 5 working days.
Three options designed to fit your schedule, location, and preference — all producing a laboratory-standard sample.
Adults 18+ in mainland UK. Not suitable if you have had a transfusion in the last 3 months.
Order anytime; kit dispatched within 24 hours Mon–Fri.
Allow 24–48 hours for sample transit on top of lab processing time.
Adults 18+ within 20 miles of a serviced city centre.
Mon–Sun, 06:00–20:00. Next-day booking typical.
Sample reaches the lab within 24 hours of collection.
Adults 16+ with photo ID. Paediatric draws by appointment at selected sites.
Mon–Fri, with Saturday hours at most metropolitan locations.
Samples processed same-day at the receiving clinic.
Every test is processed in a UKAS ISO 15189-accredited laboratory, overseen by GMC-registered physicians, and governed by UK GDPR. No overseas processing, no offshore data.
Follow these guidelines to ensure accurate, reproducible results. Most markers are sensitive to recent food, exercise, and sleep.
Can't find your answer? Our clinical support team is available Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm.
Contact supportInsulin resistance is a state in which cells — particularly in the liver, muscle, and fat tissue — become less responsive to insulin’s signal to take up glucose from the blood. The pancreas compensates by secreting more insulin, which maintains blood glucose within the normal range initially but at the cost of chronically elevated insulin levels. Elevated insulin drives fat storage, particularly visceral fat around the organs, promotes inflammation, raises triglycerides, lowers HDL, and accelerates cardiovascular disease. This state typically precedes type 2 diabetes by ten to twenty years and is largely reversible with dietary and lifestyle changes when caught early.
The triglyceride-to-HDL cholesterol ratio is calculated by dividing your fasting triglyceride result by your HDL result, both in mmol/L. A ratio below 0.9 is considered optimal; above 1.5 is associated with elevated cardiovascular risk and is a reasonable surrogate marker for insulin resistance and the presence of small dense LDL particles. In individuals with insulin resistance, the liver produces more triglycerides (as VLDL) and HDL production is simultaneously suppressed, producing this characteristic pattern. This ratio is particularly useful as a practical, low-cost screening tool that is more informative than total cholesterol alone.
Yes, significantly. hs-CRP is responsive to several modifiable lifestyle factors. Regular aerobic exercise consistently lowers hs-CRP, as does weight loss (particularly loss of visceral fat). An anti-inflammatory dietary pattern — emphasising vegetables, legumes, oily fish, olive oil, and whole grains while reducing ultra-processed foods, refined carbohydrates, and trans fats — is associated with lower CRP in multiple large prospective studies. Improved sleep quality and duration, smoking cessation, and stress management through practices such as mindfulness also contribute meaningfully to CRP reduction. Retesting after three to four months of committed lifestyle change documents the biological response.
Fasting glucose reflects your blood sugar at a single moment in time, which can vary significantly with recent food intake, stress, and hydration. HbA1c measures the percentage of haemoglobin that has been glycated (bound to glucose) over the preceding two to three months, giving a stable and reliable index of average blood glucose exposure that is not affected by the most recent meal. HbA1c is therefore the preferred diagnostic test for prediabetes and diabetes monitoring. It is slightly less sensitive than a glucose tolerance test for catching very early glucose dysregulation, which is why this panel includes fasting insulin and glucose alongside it.
Reference ranges define the population distribution, not optimal levels. Many individuals within the ‘normal’ range for HbA1c (below 42 mmol/mol) or fasting glucose (below 5.6 mmol/L) may still have fasting insulin levels that indicate insulin resistance. The physician commentary contextualises your results within the emerging longevity evidence base, which often uses tighter optimal targets than standard clinical reference ranges. Being within range today does not mean the trajectory is favourable; the goal is to understand where you currently sit and whether interventions are needed.
