Nutritional Health Screen
What is the nutritional and digestive health blood test?
Good nutrition underpins energy, immunity, metabolism, hormonal balance and long-term health — yet nutritional deficiencies are common, frequently missed and rarely investigated in a standard GP appointment. This panel takes a targeted look at how well your body is absorbing and utilising key nutrients, while also assessing metabolic function and two of the most common gut-related conditions that can disrupt absorption.
It is particularly useful for people following restricted or specialised diets, those with ongoing digestive symptoms, anyone experiencing persistent fatigue or poor energy that hasn’t been explained, and people who want to understand their nutritional baseline before making significant dietary changes.
What this panel measures
The panel covers four areas: nutritional status, metabolic and blood sugar markers, digestive and absorption health, and core organ function. Together they give a detailed picture of how well your body is fuelled and whether anything is interfering with nutrient absorption.
| Test | What it checks | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Full blood count (FBC) | Red cells, white cells, platelets, haemoglobin | Identifies anaemia, immune issues and general health baseline. Red cell size helps distinguish between iron, B12 and folate deficiency. |
| Iron & ferritin (TIBC) | Serum iron, ferritin, total iron binding capacity, transferrin saturation | Low ferritin causes fatigue, hair loss and poor concentration even when haemoglobin is normal. One of the most frequently missed nutritional deficiencies, particularly in women and vegetarians. |
| Vitamin B12 & folate | B12 and folate serum levels | Deficiency causes fatigue, nerve symptoms, mood changes and anaemia. B12 deficiency is particularly common in vegans, vegetarians and those on metformin or acid-suppressing medications. |
| Vitamin D (25-OH) | 25-hydroxyvitamin D level (nmol/L) | Deficiency is extremely common in the UK and causes fatigue, low mood, muscle weakness and poor immune function. Optimal levels matter beyond simply avoiding deficiency. |
| Zinc | Serum zinc level | Zinc is essential for immune function, wound healing, hormonal balance and taste perception. Deficiency is common in those with restricted diets, gut conditions or high alcohol intake. |
| Magnesium | Serum magnesium level | Magnesium deficiency causes muscle cramps, poor sleep, fatigue and anxiety. Common in those with poor diet, high stress levels or conditions affecting gut absorption. |
| Calcium | Serum calcium level | Important for bone health, muscle and nerve function. Low calcium can indicate vitamin D deficiency, parathyroid problems or malabsorption. |
| Fasting glucose | Blood glucose level after fasting | Screens for diabetes and impaired fasting glucose. More sensitive than a random glucose test. |
| Fasting insulin | Insulin level after fasting | Identifies insulin resistance — where the body produces insulin but cells don’t respond properly. A key early marker of metabolic dysfunction often missed when glucose alone is tested. |
| HbA1c | Average blood glucose over 3 months (mmol/mol) | Screens for pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes. More reliable than a single fasting glucose reading. |
| Lipid profile (cholesterol) | Total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides | Cardiovascular risk assessment and a useful marker of metabolic health. Elevated triglycerides can reflect poor blood sugar control and high carbohydrate intake. |
| Liver function (LFTs) | ALT, AST, ALP, albumin, bilirubin | Albumin reflects nutritional protein status. Elevated liver enzymes can indicate fatty liver disease, often associated with metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance. |
| Kidney function (U&Es) | Creatinine, eGFR, urea, electrolytes | Important baseline and relevant to medication and supplement planning. Kidney function affects the metabolism of several nutrients and medications. |
| CRP (inflammation) | C-reactive protein | Elevated CRP indicates systemic inflammation, which can impair nutrient absorption and metabolism and is associated with insulin resistance. |
| Coeliac screen (tTG-IgA) | Tissue transglutaminase IgA antibody | First-line blood test for coeliac disease — an autoimmune condition causing gut damage and widespread nutritional deficiencies. Often undiagnosed for years. Note: requires you to be eating gluten for accuracy. |
| H. pylori (stool antigen) | Helicobacter pylori stool antigen (HpSA) | H. pylori is a bacterial gut infection that impairs nutrient absorption, causes gastritis and ulcers, and is strongly linked to stomach cancer. The stool antigen test is the most accurate non-invasive method of detection. A stool sample is collected at home before your appointment — no additional visit needed. |
Who is this panel for?
This panel is particularly suited to people with a specific nutritional or digestive concern, rather than those looking for a general annual health MOT. If you want a broad health overview, the health screening appointment may be more appropriate.
- Persistent fatigue not explained by general screening
- Vegan or vegetarian diet
- Digestive symptoms — bloating, pain, loose stools
- Suspected or confirmed coeliac disease
- Poor exercise recovery or muscle weakness
- Frequent infections or slow healing
- Hair thinning or loss
- Brain fog or poor concentration
- History of H. pylori or gastric ulcer
- Insulin resistance or metabolic syndrome concerns
- Following a calorie-restricted or elimination diet
- Post-bariatric surgery nutritional monitoring
Pricing and what’s included
The £25 blood draw appointment fee is paid at the time of booking. The remaining balance is collected in clinic before your blood draw. All prices are fixed — there are no hidden charges. Results are emailed to you the next working day with a plain-English clinical commentary. If anything needs urgent attention, we will contact you the same day.
Frequently asked questions
How is this different from the lifestyle review or health screening appointment?
This is a blood test panel only — there is no face-to-face clinical appointment included. Results are emailed to you with commentary. The lifestyle review (£85) and health screening (£100) are clinician-led appointments that include physical measurements, a consultation and a written personal plan — with blood tests available additionally at no draw fee. This panel suits people who want targeted nutritional and digestive blood testing without a full consultation, or who want to add these specific markers to an existing care plan.
What is the H. pylori stool test and how does it work?
H. pylori is a very common bacterial gut infection that causes gastritis, ulcers and impairs nutrient absorption. The stool antigen test (HpSA) is the most accurate non-invasive method of detection and the one recommended by NICE guidelines. You collect a small stool sample at home using a kit provided at booking, then bring it with you to your blood draw appointment — there is no separate visit needed.
Do I need to be eating gluten before the coeliac test?
Yes — the tTG-IgA antibody test for coeliac disease requires you to be eating gluten-containing foods regularly (at least one or two portions per day for 6 weeks before testing) for an accurate result. If you have already cut out gluten, the test may produce a false negative. Let us know at booking if you are currently gluten-free and we can advise on the best approach.
What does fasting insulin tell me that glucose doesn’t?
Fasting glucose shows your blood sugar level at a single point in time. Fasting insulin shows how much insulin your body is producing to maintain that glucose level. If insulin is high but glucose is still normal, it suggests your body is working harder than it should — a sign of insulin resistance, which often precedes pre-diabetes by years. Testing both together gives a much earlier and more complete picture of metabolic health.
Can I have this test if I’m vegetarian or vegan?
Yes — and this panel is particularly well suited to vegetarians and vegans. B12 deficiency is very common in people who don’t eat animal products, and zinc, iron and vitamin D deficiency are also more prevalent. The panel covers all of these in detail, along with coeliac screening and metabolic markers that are relevant regardless of diet.
When will I get my results?
Most results are returned the next working day. The H. pylori stool antigen result may take 2–3 working days. Your results are emailed to you with a plain-English explanation of each marker. If anything requires urgent attention, we will contact you the same day.
Can I share these results with my GP?
Yes — results are provided in a clear format that any clinician can read. You are welcome to share them with your NHS GP or any specialist. If you would like a covering summary letter, just let us know at the time of booking.
Related services at Tamar Health
Book your nutritional health blood test
£144 all-inclusive. Results next working day. No referral needed. Free parking at our Estover clinic, Plymouth.
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