What is Bluecrest’s Blood Health Profile?

You can't see what's happening inside your body, but your blood can tell you a remarkable amount. A single sample holds clues about everything from your energy levels to how well your immune system is coping.

Our Blood Health Profile is designed to read those clues – picking up early signs of underlying issues, often long before you'd notice anything yourself.

It’s important to note that our Blood Health Profile is not a diagnostic test, but rather a valuable screening tool that can guide further investigation if needed.

When should you consider a Blood Health Profile?

While this test is a valuable part of a routine health assessment, it may be particularly beneficial if you’re experiencing symptoms such as:

• Persistent tiredness or fatigue
• Loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss
• Increased thirst
• Pale skin
• Shortness of breath
• Tinnitus
• Heavy periods
• Bruising
• Asthma or allergies
• Frequent infections

These symptoms can often be linked to underlying blood or immune system imbalances, making early testing especially useful.

What does the Blood Health Profile look at?

The Blood Health Profile looks at several essential components of your blood, each playing a unique role in maintaining your health.

Haemoglobin

Haemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells responsible for carrying oxygen around your body, it also gives red blood cells their colour.

• Low levels could indicate anaemia or blood loss.
• High levels can be linked to dehydration, high altitude living, smoking, heart and lung diseases, or due to increased production by the bone marrow.

Levels of haemoglobin vary with age and sex and can be affected by acute or chronic medical conditions.

Red Blood Cell Count (RBC)

Red blood cells are made in the bone marrow and contain haemoglobin, the protein that transports oxygen in the blood.

• Low red blood cell counts may indicate conditions such as anaemia or vitamin B12, or folate deficiency.
• High red blood cell counts may be caused by factors such as smoking, congenital heart disease, or dehydration.

Red blood cell counts vary by sex and generally decrease with age.

Mean Cell Haemoglobin (MCH)

MCH is the average amount of haemoglobin within a single red blood cell.

• Low MCH results can sometimes indicate iron deficiency.
• High levels can sometimes result from B12 or Folate deficiencies, as well as in some cases, liver damage.

Mean Cell Volume (MCV)

MCV measures the average size of your red blood cells.

• Low MCV can indicate iron deficiency or thalassaemia.
• High MCV may suggest vitamin B12 or folate deficiency, alcohol excess, or thyroid problems.

Platelet Count

Platelets are small cell fragments, made in your bone marrow, which help your blood to clot.

• Low levels may lead to easy bruising or bleeding and could be linked to immune disorders or medicines.
• High levels may indicate inflammation, infection, or bone marrow-related conditions such as primary (or essential) thrombocytosis, so we now recommend you discuss this with your GP.

White Blood Cell Count (WBC)

White blood cells are essential for immune defence. They include several different types, each with a specific role:

Neutrophils

Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell in the blood, and they primarily defend the body against bacterial infections.

• Low levels may be linked to nutrient deficiencies (vitamin B12 or folate), or certain medical conditions.
• High levels can indicate infections, malignancies and connective tissue disorders (for example rheumatoid arthritis or gout).

Lymphocytes

Lymphocytes are key to the production of antibodies and the destruction of unneeded or harmful cells.

• Low levels may occur due to viral infections, medications (especially steroids), haematological disorders, kidney or liver disorders, and connective tissue diseases (for example, rheumatoid arthritis).
• High levels are often associated with viral illnesses, vigorous exercise, splenectomy, or haematological disorders.

Monocytes

Monocytes are the largest type of white blood cell, which help to fight infection in your body.

• Abnormal levels can occur when your body is fighting an infection or due to haematological diseases.

Eosinophils

Eosinophils are often associated with hypersensitivity (allergic) and inflammatory reactions, and help to combat parasitic infections.

• Raised levels are commonly seen in asthma, hay fever, or allergic reactions.

Basophils

Basophils are involved in allergic and inflammatory responses within the immune system.

What could our Blood Health Profile reveal?

By analysing these markers, the Blood Health Profile can flag potential concerns such as:

• Anaemia: This is where you have fewer red blood cells than normal, or less haemoglobin in each red blood cell, it can be caused by multiple factors.
• Polycythaemia: This shows abnormally high red blood cell levels that can be caused by various health conditions.
• Leukopenia: This shows a low white blood cell count, which can be caused by a range of conditions.
• High white cell count: This is often a sign of infection, but it can also be an indication of an allergy or, in some cases, a blood disorder.
• Thrombocytopenia: This is a low platelet count, which can be caused by various conditions, but often makes people bleed or bruise easily.
• Thrombocythaemia: This is a high platelet count, caused by disorders that affect the cells in bone marrow that make platelets.

Why it matters

Many of these conditions can develop gradually, often without obvious symptoms in the early stages. Our Blood Health Profile provides an opportunity to detect subtle changes early, offering reassurance or prompting timely follow-up with your GP if needed.

Ultimately, this test is about empowering you with knowledge – so you can make informed decisions about your health and wellbeing.

Want to find out insights about your health? Book your health assessment today!

To book your health assessment, click here

For Vitality customers, book here.

For Benenden customers, book here.

Need help? You can reach out to our corporate team on 0808 168 9219