Nutritional Health Screen
What is the nutritional and digestive health blood test?
Good nutrition underpins energy, immunity, metabolism and long-term health – yet nutritional deficiencies are common, frequently missed and rarely investigated in a standard GP appointment. This panel takes a wide look at how well your body is absorbing and using key nutrients, alongside a full blood count, a full lipid breakdown, and screening for the two gut conditions most likely to disrupt absorption in the first place: coeliac disease and H. pylori infection.
It is a broad, single-draw panel rather than a quick single-marker test, which is reflected in the price. It suits people who want one comprehensive nutritional and digestive picture rather than booking several smaller tests separately.
What this panel measures
37 markers across six areas: a full blood count with white cell differential, iron studies, vitamins, minerals, a full lipid and metabolic picture, and gut/coeliac screening.
| Group | Markers | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Full blood count | Red Blood Count, Haemoglobin, HCT, MCV, MCHC, MCH, RDW, Platelets, White Cell Count, MPV, Neutrophils, Lymphocytes, Monocytes, Eosinophils, Basophils | Identifies anaemia and general blood health. Red cell size (MCV) helps distinguish between iron deficiency and B12/folate deficiency as the cause. |
| Iron studies | Serum Iron, Transferrin, Ferritin, Iron Binding Capacity | 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. |
| Vitamins | Vitamin B12, Serum Folate (Vitamin B9), Vitamin D 25(OH) | Deficiency in any of these causes fatigue, nerve symptoms, mood changes and poor immune function. B12 deficiency is particularly common in vegans, vegetarians and those on metformin or acid-suppressing medication. |
| Minerals | Calcium, Corrected Calcium, Magnesium | Magnesium deficiency causes muscle cramps, poor sleep and fatigue. Calcium and its albumin-corrected reading support bone and parathyroid assessment. |
| Metabolic | HbA1c, Insulin Levels, Albumin, Total Antioxidant Activity | HbA1c and Insulin together give an early picture of blood sugar handling and insulin resistance. Albumin reflects nutritional protein status. Total Antioxidant Activity is a general marker of oxidative stress. |
| Lipids | Cholesterol, Triglyceride, HDL Cholesterol, LDL Cholesterol, VLDL (calculated), TC/HDL Ratio, HDL % of total | Full cardiovascular risk breakdown, not just a total cholesterol number – shows the balance between protective and harmful cholesterol types. |
| Coeliac & gut | Tissue Transglutaminase IgA (tTG-IgA), IgA, Helicobacter pylori IgG | tTG-IgA is the first-line coeliac disease antibody test; IgA is measured alongside it because IgA deficiency can cause a false-negative coeliac result. H. pylori IgG screens for a common bacterial gut infection linked to gastritis, ulcers and poor nutrient absorption – taken from the same blood draw, no separate stool sample needed. |
Who is this panel for?
This is a broad, single-draw panel for people who want one comprehensive nutritional and digestive picture rather than several smaller tests. If you want a general annual health MOT with a clinical consultation included, the health screening appointment may suit you better.
- 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
- 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
- Wanting one wide-angle panel rather than several smaller tests
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 at no extra draw fee. This panel suits people who want one wide-angle nutritional and digestive blood test without a full consultation.
What is the H. pylori test and how does it work?
H. pylori is a common bacterial gut infection that can cause gastritis, ulcers and impair nutrient absorption. This panel screens for it with a blood antibody test (H. pylori IgG), taken from the same blood draw as everything else – there’s no separate stool sample or extra 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 in the 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.
Why is Insulin tested alongside HbA1c?
HbA1c shows your average blood sugar over the past three months. Insulin shows how hard your body is working to keep that sugar in range. If insulin is high while HbA1c still looks normal, it can be an early sign of insulin resistance, which often develops years before blood sugar itself becomes abnormal. Testing both together gives an earlier picture than either marker alone.
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 common in people who don’t eat animal products, and iron and vitamin D deficiency are also more prevalent. The panel covers all of these in detail, alongside coeliac and metabolic markers relevant regardless of diet.
When will I get my results?
Results are typically returned the next working day and 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
£168 all-inclusive. Results next working day. No referral needed. Free parking at our Estover clinic, Plymouth.
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