The General Comprehensive Test is a broad, multi-system blood panel. One venous sample covers your blood count, cholesterol with apolipoproteins A1 and B, a five-part thyroid panel including antibodies, sex and adrenal hormones, glucose and insulin, iron studies, minerals, liver, kidney, muscle and pancreatic enzymes, key vitamins, homocysteine and CRP.
It suits adults who want a wide baseline, or whose clinician has suggested several of these checks. More results do not automatically mean better decisions; each is read against your history and the laboratory's reference range.
What is measured
- Blood: full blood count
- Cholesterol: total, HDL, LDL and non-HDL cholesterol; ApoA1; ApoB
- Thyroid: TSH, free T4, free T3, TPO and thyroglobulin antibodies
- Hormones: testosterone, oestradiol, progesterone, SHBG, DHEA-S, LH, FSH, prolactin; total PSA (relevant only if you have a prostate)
- Blood sugar: HbA1c, glucose, insulin
- Iron and vitamins: iron, TIBC, transferrin saturation, ferritin, vitamin D, vitamin B12, folate, homocysteine
- Minerals: calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium, chloride
- Liver and kidney: ALP, ALT, AST, GGT, bilirubin, total protein, albumin, globulin; urea, creatinine, eGFR
- Muscle and pancreas: creatine kinase, LDH, amylase, lipase
- Inflammation: CRP
Useful for
- A broad personal baseline to compare with future results
- Reviewing several body systems when symptoms such as tiredness are non-specific, alongside your GP's assessment
Sample: venous blood, taken in the morning after an overnight fast. Biomarkers: 54 named tests, with the full blood count reporting several further values. Price includes: laboratory analysis and report with reference ranges; interpretation is optional.
General Comprehensive Test
All values are measured unless marked as calculated.
Blood and inflammation
- Full blood count (several parameters set by the laboratory): haemoglobin, red cell count and indices, white cells and platelets.
- CRP: acute-phase marker of infection and inflammation.
Cholesterol
- Total and HDL cholesterol: the values used in NHS risk scores.
- LDL cholesterol (calculated or direct, depending on the laboratory) and non-HDL cholesterol (calculated: total minus HDL): cholesterol in atherogenic particles.
- Apolipoprotein A1 and apolipoprotein B: the main HDL protein, and a guide to atherogenic particle number.
Thyroid
- TSH, free T4 and free T3: pituitary signal and thyroid hormones.
- TPO and thyroglobulin antibodies: markers of thyroid autoimmunity.
Hormones
- Testosterone, oestradiol and progesterone: the main sex hormones; progesterone mid-luteal helps confirm ovulation.
- LH and FSH: pituitary hormones controlling the ovaries and testes.
- SHBG: binding protein affecting free hormone levels.
- DHEA-S: adrenal androgen precursor.
- Prolactin: pituitary hormone; raised by stress, some medicines and pituitary conditions.
- Total PSA: prostate protein; meaningful only for people with a prostate.
Blood sugar
- HbA1c: average glucose over two to three months.
- Glucose and insulin: fasting snapshots, read together.
Iron, vitamins and homocysteine
- Iron and ferritin: circulating iron and iron stores.
- TIBC (measured or derived from transferrin) and transferrin saturation (calculated): iron transport capacity and how much is in use.
- Vitamin D (25-hydroxyvitamin D), vitamin B12 and folate: vitamin status.
- Homocysteine: amino acid linked to B12, folate and kidney function.
Minerals and electrolytes
- Calcium (an albumin-adjusted value may also be reported) and phosphorus (measured as phosphate): bone mineral balance.
- Magnesium, sodium, potassium and chloride: nerve, muscle and fluid balance.
Liver and kidney
- ALT, AST, ALP and GGT: liver cell and bile duct enzymes.
- Bilirubin, total protein and albumin: liver processing and protein production; globulin is calculated as total protein minus albumin.
- Urea and creatinine: waste products cleared by the kidneys; eGFR is calculated from creatinine.
Muscle and pancreas
- Creatine kinase and LDH: muscle and general tissue enzymes.
- Amylase and lipase: pancreatic digestive enzymes.
Calculated values: non-HDL cholesterol, globulin, eGFR and transferrin saturation; LDL cholesterol and TIBC may also be calculated.
Blood and inflammation
The full blood count characterises red cells, white cells and platelets. CRP, made by the liver, rises within hours of infection or inflammation and falls quickly; it is sensitive but non-specific.
Cholesterol and apolipoproteins
Each LDL and other atherogenic particle carries one molecule of apolipoprotein B, so ApoB reflects particle number rather than cholesterol content. The 2019 ESC/EAS guideline describes ApoB as a preferred measure for refining cardiovascular risk, particularly with diabetes, raised triglycerides or very low LDL. ApoA1 is the main protein of HDL. NHS risk assessment uses QRISK3 with total and HDL cholesterol (NICE NG238); ApoB is not part of that routine assessment.
Thyroid
TSH from the pituitary drives the thyroid to release T4, which tissues convert to the more active T3. NICE NG145 uses TSH as the first-line test, adding free T4 and T3 when it is abnormal. TPO and thyroglobulin antibodies show thyroid autoimmunity; they are common in people with normal thyroid function and are associated with a higher chance of later underactivity.
Hormones
LH and FSH from the pituitary regulate the ovaries and testes, which make oestradiol, progesterone and testosterone; SHBG binds these hormones and influences how much is free. DHEA-S comes mainly from the adrenal glands and declines with age. PSA, made by the prostate, rises with enlargement, inflammation and infection as well as cancer.
Glucose, iron and vitamins
HbA1c reflects average glucose over about two to three months; fasting glucose and insulin are single snapshots. Most guidelines do not recommend insulin for routinely assessing insulin resistance, so it is supporting information here. Ferritin reflects iron stores but also rises with inflammation, while serum iron, TIBC and transferrin saturation describe iron transport. B12 and folate support red cell production, and homocysteine tends to rise when they are low or kidney function is reduced.
Minerals, organs and enzymes
Calcium and phosphate are regulated by parathyroid hormone and vitamin D; sodium, potassium and chloride reflect fluid balance. ALT and AST come from liver cells (AST also from muscle), ALP and GGT from the bile ducts (ALP also from bone). eGFR estimates kidney filtration from creatinine, age and sex. Creatine kinase comes mainly from muscle, LDH from many tissues, and amylase and lipase from the pancreas.
Your report shows each result beside the laboratory's reference range. Most ranges cover the central 95% of a healthy reference group, so across more than 50 tests one or two borderline flags are common in healthy people. Ranges differ between laboratories, and hormone ranges depend on sex, age, cycle phase, menopause, pregnancy, contraception and HRT.
Common explanations that are not disease
- Strenuous exercise raises creatine kinase, AST and LDH; a difficult or delayed sample raises potassium and LDH.
- A recent infection raises CRP and ferritin and changes white cells.
- Eating beforehand raises glucose, insulin and homocysteine.
- High-dose biotin can cause falsely high or low thyroid and hormone results (NICE NG145).
- Stress, including the blood test itself, can raise prolactin.
- Ejaculation, cycling or vigorous exercise in the previous 48 hours can raise PSA.
- HbA1c is less reliable with altered red cell turnover, such as anaemia or recent blood loss, or an abnormal haemoglobin type (NICE NG28).
Recognised UK thresholds
- HbA1c: 48 mmol/mol or above is the diagnostic threshold for type 2 diabetes, confirmed by a repeat test if you have no symptoms; 42 to 47 mmol/mol indicates non-diabetic hyperglycaemia.
- Vitamin D: below 25 nmol/L is defined as deficiency.
- Cholesterol: NICE NG238 advises specialist assessment when total cholesterol is above 9.0 mmol/L or non-HDL cholesterol above 7.5 mmol/L.
- Thyroid: NICE NG145 bases decisions on mild thyroid changes on tests repeated about three months apart.
A result outside the range is a prompt for review, not a diagnosis. Where a result needs medical attention, we advise you to see your GP and, with your consent, Juvenology can write to them. Symptoms should never wait for a test result.
The blood count, kidney and liver tests, HbA1c, thyroid function and cholesterol are long-established tests in UK practice, and measuring them together gives a joined-up picture: a low ferritin read beside haemoglobin, or a raised AST compared with creatine kinase to see whether muscle is the source. More specialised markers, such as ApoB, thyroid antibodies, homocysteine and insulin, add detail but are used less often for routine decisions. The panel can be a sensible starting point for a baseline or for checks your GP has suggested, but it does not replace a medical assessment of symptoms.
May be helpful for
- Adults who want a broad baseline and are prepared to discuss borderline results with a clinician.
- People whose GP has suggested several of these tests and who prefer one appointment.
Probably not the right choice if
- You have new or worrying symptoms such as chest pain, breathlessness, unexplained weight loss or bleeding: see your GP, call NHS 111 or, in an emergency, 999.
- You are pregnant: many ranges change, and antenatal tests are arranged by your maternity team.
- You already have NHS monitoring for a condition or medicine: keep those tests.
- You want a cancer check: PSA is not a reliable screening test on its own and is not offered routinely on the NHS to people without symptoms, apart from specific higher-risk groups.
Established clinical use. Cholesterol, HbA1c and kidney function are part of standard NHS cardiovascular and diabetes risk assessment, and finding a problem early allows it to be managed with your GP.
Population associations. Higher ApoB is associated with higher cardiovascular risk. Higher homocysteine is associated with heart attack and stroke, yet lowering it with B vitamins has not been shown to reduce that risk, so the link does not establish cause. DHEA-S falls with age; a lower result describes that pattern, not how well you are ageing.
Unproven ideas. No blood panel can measure biological age or predict lifespan, and this test does not attempt to.
- Fasting and timing: attend in the morning, ideally before 11am when testosterone is highest, after an overnight fast with water only. We confirm the exact instructions when you book. If you take diabetes medicines, ask your diabetes team before fasting.
- Menstrual cycle: oestradiol, LH and FSH are usually read early in the cycle (days 2 to 5), while progesterone confirms ovulation about seven days before an expected period. One sample cannot suit both, so tell us your cycle day and your main question.
- PSA: for 48 hours before, avoid ejaculation, anal sex, cycling and exercise that leaves you breathless. After a urine infection, wait four to six weeks from when it cleared.
- Exercise and alcohol: avoid strenuous exercise for 48 hours and heavy drinking in the days before.
- Biotin: tell us if you take biotin or a hair, skin and nail supplement. If it was prescribed, ask your prescriber before pausing it.
- Medicines: keep taking prescribed medicines and list them when booking, including contraception, HRT, thyroid medicine and statins. Ask your prescriber whether to take thyroid hormone before or after the test.
- Illness and pregnancy: consider rebooking if you have an infection (NICE advises against thyroid testing during acute illness), and tell us if you are or may be pregnant.
Choose how your sample is taken when you book. We confirm the collection option, any collection fee and the expected turnaround time before you book.
- Juvenology Clinic, Maidstone (82 King Street, Maidstone ME14 1BH): Available.
- Partner collection location, including London: Available on request. We confirm availability for your postcode before you book.
- Postal home finger-prick kit: Not available for this test.
Sample: Venous blood samples (serum, plus whole blood for the full blood count and HbA1c; tube types confirmed by the laboratory)
Collection notes: Morning appointment, ideally before 11am, after an overnight fast (water only); exact fasting time confirmed at booking. Tell us your menstrual cycle day if relevant. Avoid ejaculation, cycling and vigorous exercise for 48 hours (PSA, CK). Not available as a home finger-prick kit: the panel needs several venous tubes, and glucose, potassium, homocysteine and LDH can change during postage.
The price of this test covers laboratory analysis and the laboratory's results report. The report lists each result beside the laboratory's reference range.
Beyond the blood test: optional support, priced separately
- Personalised written interpretation report: £50
- General consultation: £50
- Results consultation (results discussion and follow-up advice): £100
- Personalised programme: from £150, after we assess whether a programme suits you
Consultations are with Marina, an NMC-registered nurse with an Executive MSc in Longevity from the Geneva College of Longevity Science. She explains what your results show and how they relate to lifestyle. No prescription service is offered with these tests.
If a result suggests you need medical follow-up, we will recommend that you see your GP and, with your consent, can provide a letter to take with you. A blood test cannot rule out every condition. If you have symptoms, speak to your GP or NHS 111, and call 999 in an emergency.
Do I need to fast?
Yes. An overnight fast with water only lets glucose, insulin and homocysteine be read as fasting values. Book a morning appointment.
Is interpretation of my results included?
The price covers laboratory analysis and the laboratory's report, showing each result beside its reference range. Interpretation is optional: a personalised written report costs £50 and a results consultation £100. Marina Kostadinova-Yankova, an NMC-registered nurse, provides these; she does not diagnose or prescribe, and will advise you to see your GP where a result needs medical attention.
Does the PSA result apply to me?
Only if you have a prostate. A raised PSA is often caused by enlargement or inflammation, and a normal PSA does not rule out cancer. The NHS advises discussing the benefits and risks before testing. If you have urinary symptoms, see your GP whatever your result.
Several results are just outside the range. What does that mean?
With more than 50 tests, a few borderline results are expected even in healthy people. They are judged against your other results and history and are sometimes simply repeated. Discuss any markedly abnormal result with your GP promptly.
How does this differ from the Ultimate Longevity Blood Test?
This test adds thyroid antibodies, progesterone, PSA, insulin, glucose, TIBC, transferrin saturation, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, chloride, LDH, creatine kinase, amylase and lipase. The Ultimate Longevity Blood Test instead includes active B12, zinc, cortisol and lipoprotein(a).
Can I use a home finger-prick kit?
No. The panel needs several venous tubes, and glucose, potassium, homocysteine and LDH can change while a sample is in the post.
- Cardiovascular disease: risk assessment and reduction, including lipid modification (NG238). National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), 2023. https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng238
- Mach F, Baigent C, Catapano AL, et al. 2019 ESC/EAS Guidelines for the management of dyslipidaemias: lipid modification to reduce cardiovascular risk. European Heart Journal, 2020;41(1):111–188. https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/41/1/111/5556353
- Thyroid disease: assessment and management (NG145). NICE, 2019 (updated 2023). https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng145
- Type 2 diabetes in adults: management (NG28). NICE, 2015 (with later updates). https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng28
- PSA test. NHS website, reviewed 2024. https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/psa-test/
- Newsome PN, Cramb R, Davison SM, et al. Guidelines on the management of abnormal liver blood tests. Gut, 2018;67(1):6–19. https://gut.bmj.com/content/67/1/6
- Insulin. Lab Tests Online UK, Association for Laboratory Medicine. https://labtestsonline.org.uk/tests/insulin
- Homocysteine. Lab Tests Online UK, Association for Laboratory Medicine. https://labtestsonline.org.uk/tests/homocysteine
