Maintaining a healthy weight involves both art and science
When it comes to weight loss, one size doesn't fit all. Your metabolism and dietary needs are influenced by a number of factors including:
- how your body uses insulin to optimise your blood sugar and energy levels
- how your thyroid function regulates your energy expenditure
- how well your liver metabolises fat
Issues with your body's metabolic pathways can not only sabotage your weight loss goals but can also contribute to a broader range of chronic health issues. The Metabolic Weight Loss Check combines insights from these blood markers with a teleconsultation with our experienced dietitian to help you understand your results and discuss personalised strategies for optimising your nutrition and supporting your weight loss journey.
Meet Lindi Collett, B.Dietetics
Lindi Collett is an experienced dietitian with over 15 years in the health, wellness, and nutrition field. She has a special interest in nutrigenomics, chronic disease management, weight control, gut health and intolerances. With a holistic and patient-centred approach, she has supported clients locally and internationally through both in-person and online consultations.
Lindi's knowledge of nutrigenomics enables her to integrate genetic insights with current biomarkers, helping clients achieve optimal health outcomes based on their unique genetic makeup. She has a passion for breaking down complex concepts and making them easy for clients to understand, empowering them to take confident steps toward better health.
Lindi is committed to guiding her clients with practical, sustainable strategies that simplify the journey toward achieving their health goals and improving their quality of life.
What we test
Metabolic
Insulin resistance can lead to difficulty losing weight, distinct abdominal fat, fatigue, bloating and sugar cravings. Identifying insulin resistance early and committing to lifestyle changes can ultimately help the progression to diabetes.
If you have diabetes your body doesn't process glucose effectively.
A hormone produced by the pancreas that helps to control blood glucose levels and plays a role in controlling the levels of carbohydrates and fats stored in the body.
The HOMA-IR score is a calculation used to assess insulin resistance. A higher score indicates a greater degree of insulin resistance, and is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
HbA1c measures the average blood sugar level over the past 2-3 months. The higher the percentage, the higher the average blood sugar level has been over the past 2-3 months.
HbA1c can be expressed as a percentage (DCCT unit) or as a value in mmol/mol (IFCC unit).
Thyroid Function
Your thyroid gland produces hormones that regulate growth and energy expenditure. Thyroid disorders are quite common, and many people don’t have any symptoms at all. This thyroid test screens for the thyroid hormones that play a key role in regulating the body’s metabolism.
Communicates with the thyroid gland to produce T3 and T4 which regulate metabolic functions. High TSH thyroid test levels indicates an underactive thyroid, and low levels an overactive thyroid.
Measures the thyroxine that is freely circulating and able to regulate metabolism. High FT4 thyroid test levels indicate an overactive thyroid, and low levels an underactive thyroid.
Measures the triiodothyronine that is freely circulating. High FT3 thyroid test levels indicate an overactive thyroid, and low levels an underactive thyroid.
Adrenocortex Function (serum)
Cortisol and DHEA-S play important roles in regulating physiological processes in the body. Cortisol has a catabolic effect which mobilises the body’s nutritional resources for fuel. DHEA-S has an opposing anabolic effect and converts food into living tissue. In order to achieve your fitness goals cortisol and DHEA-S must be in proper balance.
The cortisol test measures 'the stress hormone' cortisol which mobilises the body’s nutritional resources in stressful situations. Prolonged elevation of cortisol can cause fatigue, immune dysfunction, and impact sex hormones.
A long-acting adrenal hormone which regulates energy production, the immune system, brain chemistry, bone formation, muscle tone and libido. DHEA-S is converted by the body into testosterone and other sex hormones.
Hormones
Hormonal imbalances can hinder weight loss efforts - understanding your oestrogen and testosterone levels may provide further insights.
Too much oestradiol (oestrogen) is linked to acne, constipation, loss of sex drive, depression, weight gain, PMS, period pain, and thyroid dysfunction. The effects of low oestradiol are evident in menopause and include mood swings, vaginal dryness, hot flashes, night sweats and osteoporosis.
Testosterone is an anabolic hormone responsible for bone and muscle strength, as well as mood, energy and sexual function.
Most testosterone is strongly bound to sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). This test measures the proportion of unbound testosterone which is available to the body's tissues.
SHBG is a protein that binds tightly to testosterone and oestradiol. Changes in SHBG can affect the amount of hormone available for use by the body's tissues.
Cholesterol
Lipids and cholesterol are fat-like substances in your blood. Some are necessary for good health, but when you have a high level of cholesterol in your blood, a lot of it ends up being deposited in the walls of your arteries and other vital organs. Lifestyle choices including diet, exercise and alcohol intake can all influence cholesterol levels and your risk of developing heart disease.
Total cholesterol includes both HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol. Cholesterol is essential for many processes in the body, including the formation of cell membranes, the production of hormones, and the metabolism of vitamin D.
LDL cholesterol is often referred to as "bad" cholesterol, as it can contribute to the development of atherosclerosis, a condition where plaque builds up in the arteries and can increase the risk of heart disease.
HDL cholesterol is often referred to as "good" cholesterol, as it helps remove excess cholesterol from the bloodstream and can protect against the development of heart disease.
Triglycerides are the main storage form of fatty acids in the body and a source of energy. High levels of triglycerides are associated with cardiovascular disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome.
Non-HDL cholesterol is considered an effective lipid measurement for assessing cardiovascular disease risk as it is believed to reflect levels of 'bad' cholesterol.
Liver Function (LFTs)
Your liver processes drugs and alcohol, filters toxic chemicals, stores vitamins and minerals, and makes bile, proteins and enzymes. This liver function test examines enzymes and other markers for evidence of damage to your liver cells or a blockage near your liver which can impair its function.
Bilirubin tests are use to screen for or to detect and monitor liver disorders or haemolytic anaemia.
Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is an enzyme located mainly in the liver and the bones. High levels can indicate liver disease.
Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) is an enzyme created mainly by the liver and the heart. High levels can indicate damage to your liver caused by alcohol, drugs or hepatitis.
Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) is an enzyme mainly produced by the liver. A good indicator of liver damage caused by alcohol, drugs or hepatitis.
Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) is a liver enzyme which can be used to diagnose alcohol abuse as it is typically raised in long term drinkers.
Albumin is a protein which keeps fluid from leaking out of blood vessels, nourishes tissues, and carries hormones, vitamins, drugs, and ions like calcium throughout the body. Low levels can indicate malnutrition or other health problems.
A measure of all of the proteins in the plasma portion of your blood. Proteins are important building blocks of all cells and tissues - they are important for body growth and health.
Any of a group of simple proteins found in the blood.
High sensitivity CRP (hsCRP)
The hsCRP test is a highly sensitive quantification of CRP, a protein released into the blood by the liver during inflammation, and has been associated with the presence of heart disease.
A high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) test measures low levels of CRP and may be used to help evaluate an individual for risk of cardiovascular disease
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is essential for bone strength as it helps the intestines absorb calcium. Calcium and vitamin D play a critical role in developing and maintaining your overall bone health, and when you don’t get enough you increase your risk of developing osteoporosis and the incidence of stress fractures.
Although called a vitamin, vitamin D (25-OHD) is actually a steroid hormone which is activated by sunshine on the skin. It is essential for bone strength as it helps the intestines absorb calcium.
Test instructions
Fast from all food and drink (other than water) for at least 8 hours, and no more than 12 hours prior to your test.
Download and print your pathology form from your i-screen dashboard.
Take your form to one of our affiliated collection centres to have your sample taken.
We'll be in touch to schedule your teleconsult.
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