What we test
We measure 10 metabolic markers across four systems from a needle-free blood test at home. Your baseline first, then a retest every 6 months.
What does the HeMed blood test measure?
The HeMed blood test measures 10 markers across four systems. Cardiovascular risk: total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides and the cholesterol ratio. Liver function: ALT, AST and GGT.
Diabetes risk: HbA1c. Thyroid function: TSH. You take it at home with a needle-free device, and a clinician reviews every result.
Your first test sets your baseline; a retest every 6 months shows what has changed.
Around half
Around half of UK adults have cholesterol above national guidelines. High cholesterol does not usually cause symptoms: you can only find out from a blood test. [1] [2]
Total cholesterol
The overall amount of cholesterol in your blood: the headline number for heart health.
LDL cholesterol
The carrier cholesterol that can build up in artery walls. Lower is generally better.
HDL cholesterol
The clean-up cholesterol that helps move excess cholesterol away. Higher is generally better.
Triglycerides
The fats your body stores and burns for energy. High levels are linked to a higher risk of heart and circulatory disease.
Cholesterol ratio
Your total cholesterol divided by your HDL cholesterol: a single number used in UK heart-risk calculators.
Liver function [6]
ALT
Alanine aminotransferase: an enzyme that leaks into the blood when liver cells are under strain.
AST
Aspartate aminotransferase: a second liver enzyme, read alongside ALT for a fuller picture.
GGT
Gamma-glutamyl transferase: an enzyme that rises with liver stress, including from alcohol.
Diabetes risk [4]
Almost1.3 million
An estimated6.9 million
Almost 1.3 million people in the UK could be living with type 2 diabetes without a diagnosis, and an estimated 6.9 million are at increased risk based on their blood sugar levels. [3]
HbA1c
Your average blood sugar over roughly the past three months.
Thyroid function [5]
TSH
Thyroid-stimulating hormone: the signalling hormone that tells your thyroid how hard to work.
Understand your markers: What does a men's health blood test check for?; High cholesterol in men: warning signs you should not ignore; Metabolic syndrome in men: symptoms, causes and what to do about it; Prediabetes in men: what an HbA1c of 42 to 47 means and what to do next; or browse all articles on blood markers.
Know your numbers. Change them. See the difference.
HeMed starts with a blood test. Take the eligibility check and see if HeMed is right for you.
Page updated 27 October 2026.
Terms used on this page
- Metabolic markers
- Blood measurements, like blood sugar, cholesterol and liver enzymes, that show how your body processes energy.
- Triglycerides
- The fats your body stores and burns for energy. High levels are linked to a higher risk of heart and circulatory disease.
- HbA1c
- Your average blood sugar over roughly the past three months.
Sources (7)
- British Heart Foundation, "UK Cardiovascular Disease Factsheet", July 2026 edition: "around half of adults in the UK are living with cholesterol levels above national guidelines". bhf.org.uk (PDF). Accessed 22 September 2026.
- NHS, "High cholesterol" (page last reviewed 13 March 2026): "High cholesterol does not usually cause symptoms. You can only find out if you have it from a blood test." nhs.uk/conditions/high-cholesterol. Accessed 22 September 2026.
- Diabetes UK, "Diabetes statistics" (undiagnosed type 2 diabetes and people at increased risk in the UK). diabetes.org.uk. Accessed 22 September 2026.
- NHS England Digital, Health Survey for England 2024, "Adults' health": "HbA1c reflects average blood sugar levels over the previous two to three months". digital.nhs.uk. Accessed 22 September 2026.
- NHS, "Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism): symptoms" (page last reviewed 28 April 2025): common symptoms include "putting on weight"; diagnosis is by a blood test. nhs.uk. Accessed 22 September 2026.
- Association for Laboratory Medicine, Lab Tests Online UK, "Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) test": a blood test measuring "the liver enzyme ALT", used "to detect and monitor liver damage or inflammation". labtestsonline.org.uk. Accessed 22 September 2026.
- Association for Laboratory Medicine, Lab Tests Online UK, "Lipid profile" (the cholesterol to HDL ratio and its use in the QRISK calculators). labtestsonline.org.uk. Accessed 1 October 2026.
Numbered markers in the page text link to these entries. Statistics describe populations, not any one person’s results.