Do the DD Metabolomic Profile (serum) for metabolic syndrome and blood sugar control markers. Or, include cardio and lipid scores too with the CardioMetabolic Profile (serum). You can order these on the shop here or direct using those links.

You can read more about blood sugar and cardio testing here. And the Heart Disease factsheet here.

There is also a validated Qrisk questionnaire which can help you assess your risk of heart attack or stroke within the next 10 years. You can access that here.

Here is a rundown from the lab of what tests like these look for – they are a world away from normal mainstream tests.

Metabolomic Profile

These are the pre-diabetes markers:

Haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) – estimates the average blood glucose concentration for the life of the red blood cell (120 days).

Glycomark (1,5-anhydroglucitol) – more specific than the usual HbA1c, this shows likely blood sugar spikes after meals during the last 2 weeks rather than over 4 months. ‘Postprandial hyperglycaemia,’ as it is termed, is associated with cardiovascular disease and the reduction of hyperglycaemic events appear to decrease macro- and microvascular complications in diabetic patients. Low 1,5-AG is also associated with renal damage.

Insulin – levels of insulin rise early in type 2 diabetes and then decrease as pancreatic beta cells lose function.

Leptin – is a hormone produced by adipocytes to provide a satiety ‘full’ signal to the hypothalamus. Elevated circulating levels of leptin are associated with high body fat and leptin resistance. High levels of this adipokine have pro-inflammatory effects and leptin accelerates arterial foam cell formation.

Adiponectin – improves insulin sensitivity and stimulates glucose uptake and hepatic fatty acid oxidation. Very low levels of this anti-inflammatory adipokine may increase the risk of heart disease and some cancers.

Leptin to Adiponectin ratio– the ratio of leptin to adiponectin appears to be a sensitive indicator for a variety of adverse health conditions.

Cystatin C, Creatinine and eGFR – renal damage is a common consequence of Metabolic Syndrome and hyperglycaemia.

The CardioMetabolic version assesses all those markers above but also evaluates risk factors for cardiovascular disease. In addition to the traditional CVD risk factors, the test includes much more clinically sensitive atherogenic lipoprotein sub-species, the primary apolipoproteins, arterial inflammation and the activity of the lipoprotein- associated phospholipase- A2 (PLAC®).

PLAC® activity is a very sensitive indicator of active atherogenesis and instability of advanced arterial plaque. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is centred around insulin resistance and atherogenic dyslipoproteinemia, and is a risk factor associated with CVD and kidney disease. The test includes cystatin C to better assess glomerular filtration, and 1,5-anhydroglucitol (Glycomark®) that is a better indicator of hyperglycemic episodes than HbA1C. The primary adipokines associated with insulin sensitivity and hepatic fatty acid metabolism are also addressed.

It’s essentially an early warning test and I wish more people would do it!

Homocysteine Test

If all you need is a homocysteine test, you can get one here - bear in mind it needs to be centrifuged.

TDL Coagulation Profile

This measures clotting markers to assess stroke and heart attack risk. It includes prothrombin, fibrinogen and APTT/KCCT. I recommend this if you have been on eg. HRT or TRT for more than a couple of years - great preventative test to assess risk.

The PULS Smart Vascular Test

This is such a useful test for those with a risk of developing heart attacks or stroke. It assesses vascular health by measuring protein biomarkers that indicate inflammation in the arterial lining that can lead to heart attacks and strokes. In other words: active problems developing. It gives a 5 year risk assessment. You can see a sample report here. Includes IL-16, Eotaxin, MCP-3, CTACK, sFas, Fas Ligand, HGF HDL, HbA1C. If something shows up, at least you know and can take steps to lower it.

Colab is a new test service in the UK and they have a really great range of specialised Cardio/Heart/Stroke tests. Check them out here, and ask me for prices. Do bear in mind their shipping charges (to get the kit to you and have samples collected from you by courier and shipped abroad) can be quite high as they use Medical Express often to make sure the sample you send is as fresh and viable as possible, which is important with their complex type tests. I'll advise you of shipping costs before I place an order just to check if I think it is high.