Will you being doing any other tests on my blood sample?

As well as testing your blood sample for cholesterol and glycated haemoglobin, we are now carrying out seven additional tests:

1. Triglycerides – triglyceride levels are associated with cardiovascular disease, and are also important to help us work out how much low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is in your blood.  LDL is the ‘bad’ type of cholesterol
2. C-reactive protein (CRP)– this is a measure of inflammation in the body, and can help predict the risk of developing diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer, as well as mental health issues.
3. Insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1)– IGF-1 allows researchers to look at how some people develop resistance to insulin. Insulin resistance is one of the driving factors that leads to type 2 diabetes.
4. Cytomegalovirus (CMV)– this is a herpes virus that is often symptomless. It has been linked to diabetes and cardiovascular disease, as well as cognitive decline and psychological distress.
5. Ferritin– this is a measure of iron in the blood, allowing researchers to look at anaemia.   Anaemia is associated with a number of health outcomes, as well as poor nutrition.
6. Red blood cell count (RBC)– this can be used to investigate a number of blood-related conditions, including anaemia, as well as vitamin deficiency or kidney issues.
7. Haemoglobin– haemoglobin is the substance which carries oxygen around the body. It is also important for maintaining the shape of red blood cells. Abnormally shaped red blood cells can affect the function of the cell, and the flow of blood through blood vessels.

The additional tests have been chosen because they are important for predicting future health outcomes. They are also measured in a number of other studies, which means researchers will be able to make comparisons across different birth cohorts, to see how things change or stay the same across generations.

We are not able to provide you with feedback of results for any of these additional tests.