Your blood knows things your body hasn't told you yet
A single blood test contains more health information than years of guesswork. We read it, explain it, and tell you exactly what to do — in a language that makes sense.
Blood is your body's internal report card
Every time your heart beats, your blood is collecting and delivering data — oxygen levels, hormone concentrations, inflammation signals, nutrient status, immune activity. It is the most information-dense fluid your body produces.
A blood test is simply a way of reading that data. The problem is that most people receive their results as a list of numbers with no explanation. Clearup changes that — we translate every number into a clear picture of what's happening inside you and what, specifically, you can do about it.
You don't need a medical degree to understand your blood. You need the right tool.
What a blood test reveals that nothing else can
Early warning — years before symptoms
Conditions like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and thyroid dysfunction show up in blood markers 5–15 years before symptoms appear. A blood test gives you the chance to act while the window is still wide open.
The truth behind your symptoms
Fatigue, brain fog, low mood, poor sleep — blood markers cut through the guessing and point directly to the biological reason. Iron deficiency and vitamin D deficiency are two of the most common and most missed.
Proof that what you're doing is working
Diet changes, supplements, lifestyle interventions — without blood data you're guessing whether any of it is making a difference. Retesting every 90 days turns your health journey into a measurable experiment.
Standard ranges weren't built for everyone
Most NHS reference ranges are derived from studies that historically underrepresented Black and South Asian populations. This means markers that appear “normal” may not reflect optimal health for your specific biology and heritage.
Clearup's biomarker selection was shaped with these realities in mind. We prioritise the markers where diaspora communities show statistically higher rates of deficiency or risk — not to be different, but because the data demands it.
Vitamin D deficiency in UK Black adults
Compared to 31% in the general UK population. Dark skin requires significantly more sun exposure to synthesise adequate vitamin D.
Higher hypertension risk in Black British adults
Yet blood pressure-related markers are rarely checked proactively before crisis point.
Iron deficiency anaemia in West African women
The most common nutritional deficiency globally, and the most commonly missed on standard check-ups.
Higher type 2 diabetes risk in South Asian adults
HbA1c and fasting glucose become critical early detection markers for this community specifically.
Six pillars of our biomarker selection
Every marker we track belongs to one of six body systems — chosen because each is highly actionable, commonly deficient in our target population, or an early indicator of preventable conditions.
Cardiometabolic Health
Heart disease and diabetes share common early markers. We track lipid panels, blood sugar control, and inflammation signals that can identify cardiovascular risk a decade before symptoms appear.
Nutritional & Micronutrient Status
The most common and most reversible cause of fatigue, poor immunity, and low mood. Deficiencies here are endemic in diaspora communities in the UK — and almost entirely fixable through food.
Hormonal Balance
Hormones regulate energy, mood, metabolism, libido, and stress response. Subtle imbalances — particularly in thyroid function — often go undiagnosed for years while profoundly affecting daily quality of life.
Liver, Kidney & Blood Function
Your detoxification and filtration systems reflect how your body handles diet, medication, and lifestyle load. Subtle changes often precede serious conditions by years — giving time to course-correct.
Inflammation & Immunity
Chronic low-grade inflammation underlies ageing, joint pain, cardiovascular disease, and poor recovery. Immune markers reveal how hard your body is fighting — and whether that fight is appropriate.
Full Blood Count
The complete picture of your blood's cellular health. Essential for detecting anaemia — the most common blood disorder globally — which disproportionately affects women of African heritage.
Every marker, explained
Markers with an amber dot have particular relevance for Black and diaspora communities based on published epidemiological research.
Cardiometabolic
Total Cholesterol
The overall level of cholesterol. Elevated levels increase cardiovascular risk, but the ratio of HDL to LDL is more clinically meaningful than total alone.
Cardiometabolic
LDL Cholesterol
LDL particles can deposit in artery walls and contribute to plaque formation. The primary driver of atherosclerosis and a key cardiovascular risk indicator.
Cardiometabolic
HDL Cholesterol
Transports excess cholesterol back to the liver. Higher HDL is protective. Low HDL is an independent cardiovascular risk factor.
Cardiometabolic
Triglycerides
Blood fats derived from dietary fat and sugar. Elevated triglycerides are strongly associated with metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risk.
Cardiometabolic
HbA1c
A 3-month average of blood sugar control — the gold standard for detecting pre-diabetes. South Asian and Black adults develop type 2 diabetes at lower BMI thresholds, making early detection critical.
Diaspora priorityCardiometabolic
Fasting Glucose
A snapshot of blood sugar at rest. Used alongside HbA1c to detect impaired fasting glucose — a reversible pre-diabetic state that responds well to dietary intervention.
Diaspora priorityCardiometabolic
hs-CRP
High-sensitivity C-reactive protein — a precise measure of systemic inflammation. Elevated hs-CRP doubles cardiovascular risk independent of cholesterol levels.
Nutritional
Ferritin
The primary storage form of iron. Low ferritin is the earliest sign of iron depletion — often present months before anaemia develops. Particularly prevalent in West African heritage communities.
Diaspora priorityNutritional
Vitamin D (25-OH)
Deficiency is associated with immune dysfunction, fatigue, bone loss, and mood disorders. Over 75% of UK Black adults are deficient due to reduced skin synthesis in low-sunlight climates.
Diaspora priorityNutritional
Vitamin B12
Essential for nerve function, red blood cell production, and DNA synthesis. Particularly common in people who follow plant-based diets or take metformin.
Nutritional
Folate
Critical for cell division and DNA repair. Deficiency during pregnancy causes neural tube defects. Also linked to elevated homocysteine, an independent cardiovascular risk factor.
Nutritional
Serum Iron
The amount of iron currently circulating in blood. Used alongside ferritin and TIBC to give a full picture of iron status.
Nutritional
TIBC
Total Iron Binding Capacity. Elevated TIBC alongside low ferritin is a classic pattern of iron deficiency anaemia.
Nutritional
Magnesium
Involved in over 300 enzymatic reactions. Deficiency presents as muscle cramps, anxiety, poor sleep, and fatigue. Often missed on standard panels.
Hormonal
TSH
The master regulator of thyroid function. Elevated TSH indicates hypothyroidism — causing fatigue, weight gain, and depression. Affects 1 in 20 adults, predominantly women.
Hormonal
Free T4
The main hormone produced by the thyroid. Free T4 levels help differentiate between primary thyroid dysfunction and pituitary causes when TSH is abnormal.
Hormonal
Free T3
The active form of thyroid hormone. Some people have normal T4 but poor T4→T3 conversion, resulting in persistent symptoms despite 'normal' TSH.
Hormonal
Testosterone (Total)
Critical for energy, muscle mass, libido, and mood in both men and women. Low testosterone in men is associated with fatigue, depression, and reduced physical performance.
Hormonal
SHBG
Binds testosterone and oestrogen, reducing their bioavailability. High SHBG can cause low-testosterone symptoms even when total testosterone appears normal.
Hormonal
Oestradiol
The primary oestrogen. Relevant for women across all life stages — from menstrual irregularities to perimenopause — and for men where elevated levels cause mood changes.
Hormonal
Cortisol (AM)
The primary stress hormone. Chronically elevated or suppressed cortisol reflects HPA axis dysfunction — the biological signature of burnout.
Liver & Kidney
ALT
A liver enzyme that leaks into the bloodstream when liver cells are damaged. Elevated ALT is the primary early marker of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Liver & Kidney
AST
Another liver enzyme. An elevated AST:ALT ratio can help distinguish between different types of liver stress, including alcohol-related damage.
Liver & Kidney
GGT
Sensitive to alcohol intake and bile duct stress. Often the first liver marker to rise with regular alcohol consumption.
Liver & Kidney
Creatinine
A waste product filtered by the kidneys. Elevated creatinine indicates reduced kidney filtration — an early warning of chronic kidney disease, significantly more prevalent in Black adults.
Liver & Kidney
eGFR
Measures how efficiently your kidneys filter waste. Black adults have a 2–3× higher prevalence of chronic kidney disease and often present at more advanced stages due to under-screening.
Diaspora priorityLiver & Kidney
Uric Acid
A byproduct of purine metabolism. Elevated uric acid causes gout and is associated with kidney stones, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome.
Liver & Kidney
Total Bilirubin
A breakdown product of red blood cells processed by the liver. Elevated bilirubin can indicate haemolysis, liver dysfunction, or bile duct obstruction.
Inflammation & Immunity
hs-CRP (inflammation)
The most sensitive blood marker of systemic inflammation. Associated with cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, depression, and accelerated biological ageing.
Inflammation & Immunity
ESR
A general marker of inflammatory activity. Less specific than CRP but useful for detecting inflammatory conditions and monitoring disease activity over time.
Inflammation & Immunity
White Blood Cell Count
The total count of immune cells. Elevated WBC suggests active infection or inflammation. Persistently low WBC can indicate immunosuppression.
Inflammation & Immunity
Neutrophils
Frontline immune cells that respond to bacterial infection. Low neutrophils is more common in people of African heritage — a benign variant called benign ethnic neutropenia.
Inflammation & Immunity
Lymphocytes
Immune cells responsible for targeted responses to viruses. Low lymphocytes can indicate viral suppression or chronic stress on the immune system.
Full Blood Count
Haemoglobin
The protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. Low haemoglobin defines anaemia — affecting 1.6 billion people, disproportionately women of reproductive age in African and South Asian communities.
Diaspora priorityFull Blood Count
Red Blood Cell Count
The total number of red blood cells. Low RBC alongside low haemoglobin confirms anaemia. High RBC can indicate dehydration or polycythaemia.
Full Blood Count
Haematocrit
The proportion of blood volume occupied by red blood cells. A useful indicator of blood density and oxygen-carrying capacity.
Full Blood Count
MCV
The average size of red blood cells. Low MCV indicates iron deficiency or thalassaemia trait — common in people of Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and African heritage.
Full Blood Count
MCH
The average amount of haemoglobin per red blood cell. Low MCH with low MCV is the classic iron deficiency pattern.
Full Blood Count
Platelet Count
The number of clotting cells. Both high and low platelet counts have clinical significance — from bleeding risk to thrombotic conditions and inflammatory states.
You already have the results.
Now get the explanation.
Enter your blood test results from any UK lab or GP visit. Clearup reads all 35 markers and tells you exactly what's going on — for free.
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