Blood test markers in a health check
Here we explain the most common markers in a health check: what they measure, why they are taken and what a high or low value can mean. Each page also lists the health checks at Labkollen that include the marker.
Which markers are included in a health check?
A broad health check usually measures haemoglobin, iron, blood lipids, blood sugar, liver, kidneys, thyroid, inflammation and vitamins. Below you will find a separate page for each marker with common questions and answers.
Ferritin
The body's iron stores
Ferritin is the test that shows how large your body's iron stores are. It is most often taken for fatigue, hair loss, dizziness, or heavy menstruation, and is included in most broad health checks along with haemoglobin and iron status.
Included in 10 health checks
Haemoglobin (Hb)
The blood count
Haemoglobin, often called the blood value, shows how much oxygen-transporting protein there is in the blood. A low value means anaemia and is one of the most common explanations for fatigue and shortness of breath.
Included in 18 health checks
HbA1c
Long-term blood sugar
HbA1c shows your average blood sugar over the last two to three months and is used to detect elevated blood sugar, prediabetes, and diabetes. The test does not require fasting.
Included in 9 health checks
TSH
The thyroid-stimulating hormone
TSH is the first test taken when checking the thyroid. It controls thyroid production and reveals both under- and overactive function, often before clear symptoms appear.
Included in 11 health checks
Cholesterol, LDL, and HDL
Blood lipids
Blood lipids—cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides—are measured to assess the risk of cardiovascular disease. LDL is the part that builds up atherosclerosis, while HDL transports cholesterol away from the vessel walls.
Included in 6 health checks
Vitamin D (25-OH)
D vitamin status
Vitamin D 25-OH shows your vitamin D status. Deficiency is common in northern latitudes during the winter months and can contribute to fatigue, muscle weakness, and poorer bone health.
Included in 9 health checks
Vitamin B12 (cobalamin)
B12 status
Cobalamin (vitamin B12) is measured for fatigue, tingling in the hands and feet, difficulty concentrating, and anaemia. Deficiency is more common with a vegetarian or vegan diet, old age, and in certain stomach diseases.
Included in 9 health checks
ALAT (ALT)
Liver value
ALAT is a liver test that rises when liver cells are damaged. It is used to detect fatty liver, drug impact, high alcohol consumption, and virus-induced liver inflammation.
Included in 7 health checks
CRP
Inflammation marker
CRP shows whether there is ongoing inflammation or infection in the body. It is used in health checks to interpret other tests correctly and to catch inflammation that does not produce clear symptoms.
Included in 10 health checks
Creatinine and eGFR
Kidney function
Creatinine and eGFR show how well the kidneys filter the blood. eGFR is the estimated glomerular filtration rate and is the value that best describes kidney function.
Included in 11 health checks
Testosterone
Sex hormone in men and women
Testosterone is measured for fatigue, decreased sex drive, reduced muscle mass, mood swings, and when investigating hormonal balance. The test is interpreted along with SHBG, which determines how much of the hormone is available to the body.
Included in 9 health checks
PSA
Prostate marker
PSA is a blood test that reflects prostate activity and is used in the investigation of prostate issues and as part of prostate cancer diagnostics. An elevated value does not necessarily mean cancer—benign prostate enlargement and inflammation also raise PSA.
Included in 2 health checks
Magnesium
Mineral for muscles, nerves and energy
Magnesium is a blood test that measures the mineral magnesium, important for muscles, nerves, heart rhythm and energy metabolism. It is often taken for muscle cramps, palpitations, fatigue or gastrointestinal issues, and is included in several health checks as part of the broader mineral status.
Included in 11 health checks
Folate (folic acid, B9)
Vitamin B9 for blood formation and cell division
Folate, also known as folic acid or vitamin B9, shows how much of this vitamin is available for blood formation and cell division. The test is often taken for fatigue, paleness, or before and during pregnancy, and is included in several broad health checks along with B12 and the blood count.
Included in 8 health checks
Glucose (blood sugar)
Blood sugar right now
Glucose, or blood sugar, shows how much sugar is present in the blood at the moment the sample is taken. The test is usually taken as fasting glucose after at least eight hours without food, and is included in most broad health checks to detect elevated blood sugar, prediabetes and diabetes.
Included in 10 health checks
Triglycerides
The most common type of fat in the blood
Triglycerides are the most common type of fat in the blood, storing energy from food between meals. A triglycerides blood test is usually taken after fasting and is included in most broad health checks alongside cholesterol, LDL and HDL, since high levels raise the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Included in 6 health checks
Cortisol
The body's primary stress hormone
Cortisol is the adrenal glands' stress hormone and is usually measured with a morning blood test, since the level is normally at its highest shortly after waking. The test is taken when adrenal insufficiency or a marked hormonal imbalance is suspected, but a single cortisol test cannot on its own establish a diagnosis of burnout or chronic stress.
Included in 6 health checks
Frequently asked questions about markers
- Which markers are included in a health check?
- A broad health check usually measures haemoglobin, iron (ferritin), blood lipids (cholesterol), blood sugar (HbA1c), liver (ALT), kidneys (creatinine), thyroid (TSH), inflammation (CRP) and vitamins such as D and B12. The number of markers differs between tests.
- What does a value outside the reference range mean?
- The reference range shows what is common in healthy people. A value just outside it can be due to temporary factors such as infection, exercise or diet. Every result is commented on by a licensed physician who states whether the value should be followed up.
- How do I choose which markers I need?
- Start from age, sex, symptoms and what you want to know. If you are tired, iron, thyroid and haemoglobin may be most relevant; if you want to check cardiovascular risk, blood lipids and blood sugar matter most. The test guide gives suggestions based on your answers.
- Do I need to fast before the tests?
- Blood sugar and blood lipids usually require fasting for 8–10 hours for reliable values. Other markers, such as ferritin, TSH and vitamin D, are not affected by fasting. The order states whether fasting is required.
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