Do I need to fast for the Discovery Health Screen?

The lab does not require it, but we recommend fasting, with water only for 8 to 12 hours, because the screen includes glucose, insulin and HOMA-IR, which are easier to interpret fasted. Eating makes little difference to cholesterol results. If you cannot fast, tell us when you last ate.

How is the Discovery Health Screen different from Advanced Screen Plus?

Discovery adds a wider set of tumour markers, a FIB-4 liver scarring score, a urine albumin:creatinine ratio and thyroxine-binding globulin. Advanced Screen Plus instead includes a coeliac antibody test, an IgE allergy test and adiponectin.

Why does the Discovery Health Screen have male and female versions?

Some markers only apply to one sex, such as PSA for men and CA 125 and CA 15-3 for women, and some hormone tests differ. We use the right version for you.

Discovery Health Screen Blood Test at Jace Medical

Health screens

Private blood test

Discovery Health Screen Blood Test

An extensive health screen for a detailed overview across a wide range of body systems.

85 biomarkers
Fasting recommended

£409Includes sample collection

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We confirm your appointment and any preparation, such as fasting, before you attend.

What’s included

85 biomarkers in this test.

Some markers differ for men and women. The clinic team selects the correct version when your sample is ordered.

Fasting recommended before this test

Heart & cholesterol11

Cholesterol and other fats in the blood that are linked to heart health.

Apolipoprotein A-I
Apolipoprotein B
Apolipoprotein B / A-I Ratio
Apolipoprotein E
HDL
LDL
Lipoprotein (a)
Small LDL Cholesterol
Total Cholesterol
Total Cholesterol / HDL Cholesterol Ratio
Triglycerides

Blood sugar & diabetes4

How your body manages sugar, including your average level over recent months.

C-peptide
Glucose
Insulin
HbA1c

Liver7

Enzymes and proteins that show how well your liver is working.

Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT)
Albumin
Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP)
Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST)
Gamma-Glutamyltransferase (GGT)
Total Bilirubin
FIB-4 (Calculation)

Kidneys7

How well your kidneys filter waste from your blood.

Creatinine
Cystatin C
Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR)
Microalbumin / Creatinine Ratio
Urea
Uric Acid
Urinalysis

Body salts & minerals6

Electrolytes and minerals that help your nerves, muscles and heart work properly.

Calcium (adjusted)
Chloride
Magnesium
Phosphate
Potassium
Sodium

Iron & anaemia5

Your iron levels and stores, a common cause of tiredness when low.

Ferritin
Iron
Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC)
Transferrin
Transferrin Saturation

Vitamins3

Key vitamins for energy, nerves, bones and healthy blood.

Folic acid
Vitamin B12
Vitamin D

Blood count1

Your red cells, white cells and platelets.

Full Blood Count

Thyroid6

How well your thyroid is working, and antibodies linked to thyroid conditions.

Anti-Thyroglobulin Antibody (Anti-Tg)
Anti-Thyroid Peroxidase Antibody (Anti-TPO)
Free Thyroxine (FT4)
Free Tri-iodothyronine (FT3)
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
Thyroxine-Binding Globulin

Hormones & fertility10

Reproductive, stress and adrenal hormones.

Follicle Stimulating Hormone
Free Androgen Index
Luteinising Hormone
Oestradiol
Progesterone
Prolactin
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG)
Testosterone
Beta Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin (bHCG)
Free Testosterone

Inflammation & immunity12

Signs of inflammation in the body and how your immune system is working.

Antistreptolysin O (ASO)
Complement Component 3 (C3)
Complement Component 4 (C4)
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hsCRP)
Immunoglobulin A (IgA)
Immunoglobulin E (IgE)
Immunoglobulin G (IgG)
Immunoglobulin M (IgM)
Rheumatoid Factor (RF)
Total Antioxidant Status
Monocyte Chemotactic Protein-1 (MCP-1)

Muscle & bone2

Markers of muscle damage and the hormone that controls calcium in your bones.

Creatine Kinase
Parathyroid Hormone (PTH)

Digestion & pancreas3

Pancreas function, coeliac disease screening, gut inflammation and H. pylori, a common stomach infection.

H. pylori Antibody
Lipase
Pancreatic Amylase

Cancer markers8

Markers doctors use alongside other checks. A raised result does not mean cancer, and a normal result does not rule it out.

Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP)
Cancer Antigen 125 (CA 125)
Cancer Antigen 15-3 (CA 15-3)
Cancer Antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9)
Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA)
Neuron Specific Enolase (NSE)
Total Prostate Specific Antigen (TPSA)
Prostate Cancer Risk Score

About this test

Is the Discovery Health Screen Blood Test right for you?

Who it’s for

You want a detailed overview of many body systems at once, including heart, metabolism, liver, kidneys, hormones, immunity and nutrition.
You have a family history of heart disease, diabetes or thyroid problems and want a wide range of related markers checked together.
You have ongoing, non-specific symptoms such as tiredness and want a broad set of results to discuss with our doctor or your GP.
You have weighed up the pros and cons of tumour marker tests, including PSA for men, and want them included.

What it can show

Heart and metabolic markers include a full cholesterol profile with apolipoproteins, small LDL and lipoprotein(a), plus glucose, HbA1c, insulin and C-peptide. Together they can help show your risk of heart disease and how your body handles sugar.
Liver tests with a FIB-4 score (an estimate of liver scarring from your age, liver enzymes and platelets), kidney tests including cystatin C and a urine albumin:creatinine ratio, and pancreas enzymes (amylase and lipase) show how these organs are working.
A full blood count, iron studies, vitamin B12, folate, vitamin D, magnesium, adjusted calcium, phosphate and PTH cover anaemia, nutrition and the minerals and hormones involved in bone health.
Thyroid tests (with antibodies and thyroxine-binding globulin), sex hormones and prolactin, immune and inflammation markers (immunoglobulins, complement, rheumatoid factor, ASO and CRP), an H. pylori antibody test, uric acid and creatine kinase add detail on hormones, immunity, joints and muscles.
It also includes tumour markers: AFP, beta hCG, CA 19-9, CEA and NSE for everyone, CA 125 and CA 15-3 for women, and PSA with a prostate risk score for men. These are not cancer screening tests and give the reviewing doctor extra information only. Total antioxidant status is also reported, but it is not used in NHS or NICE guidance and is background information only.

What it can’t tell you

Tumour markers are not screening tests for cancer on their own. Many non-cancer conditions can raise them, such as pregnancy, endometriosis or pancreatitis, and some cancers do not raise any marker, so a normal result does not rule cancer out.
A raised tumour marker can cause worry and lead to further tests, such as scans, that turn out to be unnecessary. PSA testing in particular is an informed choice, because it can miss cancer and can lead to tests and treatment you may not need.
Testing many markers at once makes it more likely that at least one result falls just outside the normal range without meaning anything is wrong. The doctor’s review of your results notes which ones matter and which may simply need repeating.
Hormone, vitamin D, uric acid and creatine kinase results can vary with the time of day, menstrual cycle, season, a recent gout flare or hard exercise.
Results need to be interpreted alongside your symptoms and medical history. Diagnosis and treatment of any condition are made with your GP or specialist.

Before your test

The lab does not require a fasting sample, but we recommend one: glucose, insulin and HOMA-IR are easier to interpret when you have not eaten. If you can, have nothing except water for 8 to 12 hours beforehand, and tell us when you last ate. Avoid eating meat in the 12 hours before your test, as NICE advises for kidney (eGFR) tests.
Book a morning appointment, ideally before 11am, as testosterone is highest in the morning. Women should tell us the first day of their last period, whether they could be pregnant, and any hormonal contraception or HRT.
Biotin (vitamin B7), found in some hair, skin and nail supplements, can affect some hormone and thyroid results. Tell us if you take it, and if you take a high dose (5mg or more a day), stop it for a week before your test if it is safe to do so. Avoid strenuous exercise beforehand, as it raises creatine kinase, and tell us if you take vitamin B12 supplements.
Men: for 48 hours before your test, avoid ejaculation and vigorous exercise, including cycling, as these can raise PSA. If you have had a urine infection, wait 4 to 6 weeks after it has cleared before testing.

Your results

Usually within a couple of working days. We email your results once a doctor has reviewed them.

How it works

From booking to results in three steps.

Step 1
Request your test
Send a booking request online or call us. We confirm your clinic, appointment time and any preparation.
Step 2
Visit the clinic
A short appointment for professional sample collection at Greysteel or Letterkenny. No GP referral needed.
Step 3
Receive your results
Usually within a couple of working days, emailed to you once a doctor has reviewed them.

Common questions

Questions about this test.

No. It includes several tumour markers, but these are not reliable enough to screen for cancer: raised levels often have other causes and a normal result does not rule cancer out. If you have symptoms that worry you, see your GP whatever your results show.