Glossary

Biomarker

A measurement from your blood that tells us something about your health. Think of it like a check-engine light for your body.

Reference range

The normal zone for a test result. If your number falls inside this zone, it usually means things are fine.

Precision health

Using your own unique data — blood, genes, gut — to give you health advice that fits you specifically, not just general tips.

Multi-omics

Looking at multiple layers of your biology at once — your blood, your DNA, and your gut bacteria — instead of just one piece at a time.

Longevity

How long and how well you live. Longevity science focuses on staying healthy as you age, not just living longer.

Protocol

A personalised action plan — what to eat, which supplements to take, how to exercise — based on your test results.

Health score

A single number (0–100) that summarises how your overall health looks right now based on all your test data.

Trend

How a measurement has changed over time. An upward trend in something good is great; a downward trend in something bad is also great.

Blood panel

A set of blood tests done at the same time. One blood draw can measure dozens of different things about your health.

CBC (Complete blood count)

A basic blood test that counts your red cells, white cells, and platelets. It shows if your blood is healthy and balanced.

Hemoglobin

The protein inside red blood cells that carries oxygen around your body. Low hemoglobin can make you feel tired.

Hematocrit

The percentage of your blood that is made up of red blood cells. It tells us how thick or thin your blood is.

Red blood cells (RBC)

The cells that deliver oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body. Too few can leave you feeling exhausted.

White blood cells (WBC)

Your immune system's soldiers. They fight infections. A high count can mean your body is fighting something off.

Platelets

Tiny blood cells that help your blood clot when you get a cut. Too few means you bruise easily; too many can increase clot risk.

Cholesterol

A waxy substance in your blood. Your body needs some, but too much of the wrong kind can clog your arteries over time.

LDL cholesterol

Often called "bad" cholesterol. It can build up in your artery walls. Lower is generally better.

HDL cholesterol

The "good" cholesterol. It helps clean up the bad kind from your arteries. Higher is generally better.

Triglycerides

A type of fat in your blood. Your body stores extra calories as triglycerides. High levels can increase heart risk.

ApoB

A protein found on "bad" cholesterol particles. It's a more precise way to measure how much artery-clogging stuff is in your blood.

ApoA1

A protein on "good" cholesterol particles. Higher ApoA1 is generally a good sign for heart health.

Lp(a)

A type of cholesterol particle you inherit from your parents. High Lp(a) can increase heart risk and you can't change it with diet alone.

Homocysteine

An amino acid in your blood. High levels can damage blood vessels and increase heart risk. B-vitamins help keep it in check.

Uric acid

A waste product from breaking down food. High levels can cause gout (painful joints) and may stress the heart and kidneys.

Cardiovascular

Anything related to your heart and blood vessels — the system that pumps blood around your body.

Fasting glucose

Your blood sugar level after not eating for 8–12 hours. It shows how well your body manages sugar on its own.

HbA1c

Your average blood sugar over the last 2–3 months. Think of it as a report card for blood sugar, not just a snapshot.

Insulin

A hormone that helps sugar get from your blood into your cells for energy. Too much insulin can mean your body is struggling to manage sugar.

HOMA-IR

A number that estimates how well your body responds to insulin. Higher means your cells are becoming resistant — an early warning sign.

Metabolic health

How well your body converts food into energy. Good metabolic health means your blood sugar, insulin, and fats are all in a healthy range.

Genomics

The study of your DNA — the instruction manual your body was built from. It can reveal tendencies, not certainties.

Genotype

The specific version of a gene you carry. Like having brown eyes vs blue — it's the genetic code behind a trait.

Variant

A small difference in your DNA compared to most people. Some variants matter for health; most are harmless.

APOE

A gene involved in how your body handles fats and cholesterol. Certain versions (like E4) are linked to higher Alzheimer's risk, but it's not destiny.

MTHFR

A gene that helps your body process B-vitamins (especially folate). Some versions mean you may need more folate or the active form of it.

Factor V Leiden

A gene variant that makes your blood slightly more likely to clot. Most carriers never have problems, but your doctor should know.

Pharmacogenomics

How your genes affect the way your body processes medications. Some people break down drugs faster or slower based on their DNA.

CYP enzymes (CYP2D6, CYP2C19, CYP1A2)

Liver enzymes that break down medications and caffeine. Your gene version tells us if you process these fast, normal, or slow.

Polygenic risk score

A number that adds up small effects from many genes to estimate your overall genetic risk for something (like diabetes or heart disease). It's a tendency, not a diagnosis.

Carrier

Someone who has one copy of a gene variant. Usually carriers are healthy but could pass the gene to their children.

Methylation

A chemical process your body uses to activate or deactivate genes, process toxins, and build brain chemicals. B-vitamins fuel it.

Epigenetics

Changes in how your genes behave based on your lifestyle — diet, exercise, stress, sleep. Your genes are the cards; epigenetics is how you play them.

HFE gene

A gene related to iron absorption. Certain variants can cause your body to absorb too much iron, which can build up and cause damage over time.

HLA-DQ2 / DQ8

Immune system genes linked to celiac disease. Having them doesn't mean you have celiac, but you're more likely to develop it.

BRCA

Genes involved in repairing DNA. Certain rare variants significantly increase the risk of breast and ovarian cancer. Testing is important for family planning.

Microbiome

The community of trillions of bacteria living in your gut (and mouth). They help digest food, support your immune system, and influence your mood.

Gut microbiome

The specific bacteria living in your intestines. A diverse, balanced gut is linked to better digestion, immunity, and even mental health.

Diversity index (Shannon)

A score that measures how many different types of bacteria you have. Higher diversity is generally a sign of a healthier gut.

Akkermansia muciniphila

A beneficial gut bacterium that strengthens your gut lining. Higher levels are linked to better metabolic health.

Bifidobacterium

A "good" gut bacterium that helps with digestion and fighting harmful bacteria. Found in yoghurt and fermented foods.

Faecalibacterium prausnitzii

One of the most important gut bacteria. It produces butyrate, which feeds your gut lining and reduces inflammation.

Escherichia coli (E. coli)

A bacterium that lives in everyone's gut. Most strains are harmless, but too much can signal imbalance.

Butyrate

A fatty acid made by good gut bacteria when they eat fibre. It fuels the cells lining your gut and helps reduce inflammation.

Pathobiont

A bacterium that's normally harmless but can cause problems if it grows too much or if your immune system is weakened.

Relative abundance

What percentage of your total gut bacteria a specific type makes up. It helps us see if anything is out of balance.

16S sequencing

A lab method that identifies which bacteria are in your gut sample by reading a specific piece of their DNA. Think of it as a bacterial roll-call.

Shotgun sequencing

A more detailed lab method that reads all the DNA in your gut sample — not just bacteria names but what they can do.

Oral microbiome

The bacteria living in your mouth. A balanced oral microbiome protects your teeth and gums; imbalance can cause gum disease.

Porphyromonas gingivalis

A harmful mouth bacterium strongly linked to gum disease. High levels are a red flag for periodontal health.

Streptococcus mutans

The main bacterium that causes cavities. It feeds on sugar and produces acid that eats away at tooth enamel.

Tannerella forsythia

A mouth bacterium associated with gum disease, especially in deeper gum pockets. Often found alongside P. gingivalis.

Fusobacterium nucleatum

A mouth bacterium that acts as a bridge — it helps harmful bacteria stick to your gums. Keeping it in check supports oral health.

Periodontal

Relating to the gums and the bone that holds your teeth in place. Periodontal disease means your gums and supporting structures are inflamed.

Testosterone

A hormone important for energy, muscle, mood, and libido in both men and women. Levels naturally decline with age.

Estradiol

The main form of estrogen. Important for bone health, mood, and reproductive health in both men and women.

Cortisol

Your body's stress hormone. It should be highest in the morning and drop through the day. Chronically high cortisol can disrupt sleep and immunity.

SHBG

A protein that carries hormones in your blood. High SHBG means less free testosterone and estrogen available for your body to use.

TSH (Thyroid-stimulating hormone)

A hormone that tells your thyroid gland how hard to work. High TSH can mean your thyroid is underperforming (hypothyroid).

Free T4 / Free T3

The active thyroid hormones that control your metabolism, energy, and body temperature. T4 converts into the more active T3.

Thyroid

A butterfly-shaped gland in your neck that controls how fast your body burns energy. It affects weight, mood, and energy levels.

Inflammation

Your body's response to injury or stress. Short-term inflammation heals you; long-term (chronic) inflammation quietly damages your body.

CRP / hs-CRP

A protein your liver makes when there's inflammation somewhere in your body. High-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) catches even small amounts.

ESR

A test that measures how fast your red blood cells settle in a tube. Faster settling = more inflammation somewhere in the body.

Immune system

Your body's defence network — white blood cells, antibodies, and organs that protect you from infections and disease.

ALT

A liver enzyme. When liver cells are stressed or damaged, ALT leaks into your blood. Mildly elevated levels are common and often lifestyle-related.

AST

Another liver enzyme, also found in your heart and muscles. High AST along with high ALT usually points to liver stress.

GGT

A liver enzyme sensitive to alcohol and certain medications. Often the first marker to rise when the liver is under stress.

Bilirubin

A yellow pigment made when old red blood cells break down. High bilirubin can cause yellowing of the skin (jaundice).

Creatinine

A waste product from muscle activity that your kidneys filter out. High creatinine can mean your kidneys aren't filtering well enough.

eGFR

An estimate of how well your kidneys are filtering your blood. Higher is better. Below 60 for a long time may signal kidney disease.

Urea

A waste product from protein digestion that your kidneys remove. High urea can mean your kidneys need attention or you're dehydrated.

Vitamin D

The "sunshine vitamin." Your body makes it from sunlight. It's essential for bones, immunity, and mood. Most people don't get enough.

Vitamin B12

A vitamin needed for nerve function, red blood cells, and energy. Low B12 can cause fatigue, brain fog, and tingling in hands or feet.

Folate (Vitamin B9)

A B-vitamin essential for cell growth and DNA repair. Especially important during pregnancy. Low folate can raise homocysteine.

Ferritin

A protein that stores iron in your body. Low ferritin means your iron reserves are running low, even if you don't feel anaemic yet.

Iron

A mineral your body needs to carry oxygen in your blood. Too little causes fatigue; too much can damage organs over time.

Transferrin saturation

The percentage of your iron-carrying protein that's actually loaded with iron. It helps us see if you have too little or too much iron.

Magnesium

A mineral involved in over 300 body processes — muscle function, sleep, stress response, and heart rhythm. Most people are slightly low.

Zinc

A mineral that supports your immune system, wound healing, and sense of taste and smell. You need it in small amounts every day.