Prostate PSA Test (Cost £25)

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a protein produced by the epithelial cells of the prostate gland, aiding in sperm motility and ejaculate fluidity. While small amounts of PSA are typically present in the blood of men with a healthy prostate, elevated levels may indicate prostate pathologies, age-related changes, or post-procedure effects such as rectal examinations or prostate biopsies.

Monitoring PSA levels is instrumental in assessing prostate health, as early detection of abnormalities, including cancer, can be lifesaving. Given that an enlarged prostate can remain asymptomatic for extended periods, diligent PSA testing plays a crucial role in timely diagnosis and intervention.

The PSA test is an immunochromatographic assay, which detects the biomarker using monoclonal gold conjugate antibodies embedded in a test strip. The test is extremely sensitive and has an overall accuracy of just over 92%. It uses the same principle as Covid lateral flow tests. The actual test involves a small blood sample from a finger prick, the results are ready in 5 minutes.

The PSA test is intended for men with no symptoms, aged over 45, wishing to check their prostate, or men with urinary tract symptoms such as difficulty urinating.

Vitamin D (Cost £25)

Vitamin D is found in foods such as milk, fish, eggs and meat, it’s also known as the sunshine vitamin because it’s made in the skin when exposed to sunlight. Vitamin D is stored in the liver and fatty tissues and reserves typically last several months. Vitamin D is needed to help calcium absorption in the gut, without it we cannot absorb calcium hence our bones, blood clotting and muscles are affected. Unlike other vitamins it is dangerous to take too much Vitamin D as it can be toxic. So check your Vitamin D levels to see if they need supplementing. 

Thyroid (Cost £25)

The thyroid gland in the neck secretes the hormone, thyroxine, which stimulates your metabolic rate. If your thyroid is underactive and doesn’t produce enough thyroxine it can make you feel tired and lethargic, it can also lead to weight gain as your body isn’t burning enough fuel on a day-to-day basis. Check your thyroid using our simple, 5-minute test.

Iron (Cost £25)

Iron is part of the haemoglobin molecule, its function is to carry oxygen around the body. Oxygen is needed by tissues such as muscles to perform aerobic respiration, which is how cells get their energy. A lack of iron means there is less haemoglobin so blood can’t carry as much oxygen, and the cells can’t release enough energy. This explains why sufferers of this condition, anaemia, are often tired and lethargic. The actual test involves a small blood sample from a finger prick, the results are ready in 5 minutes.

Ferritin (Cost £25)

Ferritin is a protein found in the bloodstream, its function is to carry and store iron which is needed to make haemoglobin. This molecule is responsible for carrying oxygen inside the red blood cells. Free iron is toxic to cells so it is carried in the blood in combination with ferritin which takes the iron to wherever it’s needed in the body.  it provides a useful workup for the study of iron-deficiency anaemia. The actual test involves a small blood sample from a finger prick, the results are ready in 5 minutes.