Specialist markers · Hub
Specialist blood markers are tests that GPs rarely order and that are often expensive as one-off tests: homocysteine, ApoE, small dense LDL, IGF-1, active B12, troponin T, ANA and more. TrueVitals Signature (£799) includes 45 of them in one panel. Ultimate (£399) includes 7 and lets you add others individually.
We call a marker specialist when it is rarely part of a routine GP or high-street panel, usually needs a specialist laboratory method or careful sample handling, and is expensive when bought on its own. These markers fill the gaps a standard panel leaves: hidden heart risk, how well vitamins are actually working, immune activity and early organ stress.
They matter most to people who already know their basic results and want answers a standard test can't give, or who want a genuinely complete baseline.
| Specialist marker | Advanced £319 | Ultimate £399 | Signature £799 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heart and lipids | |||
| Apolipoprotein A-1The main protein in HDL. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Apolipoprotein B (ApoB)Counts the particles that cause plaque; the best single lipid marker. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lipoprotein(a)Inherited heart risk factor; test once for life. | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Apolipoprotein ELipid transport protein linked to heart and brain health. | – | – | ✓ |
| Small dense LDLThe most plaque-prone LDL particles. | – | – | ✓ |
| HomocysteineAmino acid linked to heart risk and B-vitamin status. | – | +£89 | ✓ |
| Cardiac and muscle | |||
| Troponin TSensitive marker of heart-muscle strain. | – | – | ✓ |
| FABP-3Early heart-muscle injury marker. | – | – | ✓ |
| D-dimerClotting activity marker. | – | – | ✓ |
| Inflammation and immune | |||
| hs-CRPSensitive inflammation marker tied to heart risk. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Complement C3Immune complement protein. | – | – | ✓ |
| Complement C4Immune complement protein. | – | – | ✓ |
| Interleukins (5, 8, 15, 17A, 17F, 22)Six cytokines that signal immune activity. | – | – | ✓ |
| Growth factors (EGF, HB-EGF) | – | – | ✓ |
| MCP-1Inflammatory signalling protein. | – | – | ✓ |
| GM-CSFImmune-cell growth signal. | – | – | ✓ |
| Liver | |||
| GLDHLiver-cell damage enzyme. | – | – | ✓ |
| Bile acidsLiver and gallbladder function. | – | – | ✓ |
| AldolaseMuscle and liver enzyme. | – | – | ✓ |
| Kidney and electrolytes | |||
| Cystatin CKidney marker unaffected by muscle mass. | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Beta-2-microglobulin | – | – | ✓ |
| NGALEarly kidney-injury marker. | – | – | ✓ |
| Bone and minerals | |||
| Dickkopf-1 (DKK-1)Bone-turnover signal. | – | – | ✓ |
| Glucose and metabolic | |||
| InsulinReveals insulin resistance years before sugar rises. | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| C-peptideHow much insulin your pancreas is making. | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| FructosamineAverage blood sugar over 2–3 weeks. | – | – | ✓ |
| Non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) | – | – | ✓ |
| AdiponectinFat-tissue hormone linked to insulin sensitivity. | – | – | ✓ |
| Thyroid and parathyroid | |||
| Calcitonin | – | – | ✓ |
| Thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG) | – | – | ✓ |
| Hormones | |||
| IGF-1Growth hormone activity. | – | +£119 | ✓ |
| Prolactin recovery post-PEG | – | – | ✓ |
| Iron, vitamins and antioxidants | |||
| Active B12The usable form of B12. | – | +£59 | ✓ |
| Red cell folateLonger-term folate status. | – | – | ✓ |
| Glutathione reductaseAntioxidant enzyme and B2 status. | – | – | ✓ |
| Tumour markers | |||
| AFP | – | – | ✓ |
| NSE | – | – | ✓ |
| hCG | – | – | ✓ |
| Mesothelin | – | – | ✓ |
| Autoimmune, gut and infection | |||
| Antinuclear antibodies (ANA)Broad autoimmune screen. | – | – | ✓ |
| Anti-CCPSpecific rheumatoid arthritis marker. | – | – | ✓ |
| Intrinsic factor antibodiesPernicious anaemia marker. | – | – | ✓ |
| Gastric parietal cell antibodies | – | – | ✓ |
| Gastrin | – | – | ✓ |
| Epstein-Barr virus (EBNA IgG, VCA IgG, VCA IgM)Past or recent glandular fever. | – | – | ✓ |
✓ included · +£ available as an add-on to Ultimate · – not available. Prices include the clinic blood draw.
Some specialist tests are not in any panel but can be added to Ultimate on the same blood draw and read inside the same clinician-reviewed report.
| Add-on | Add to Ultimate |
|---|---|
| NT-proBNPHeart strain and heart failure risk | +£109 |
| AMHOvarian (egg) reserve, women only | +£129 |
| Omega-3/6 profileOmega-3 index, AA:EPA ratio, trans fats; results 1–3 weeks later | +£129 |
| DHTThe potent androgen behind hair loss and prostate growth | +£129 |
| Free testosterone (measured)Measured directly rather than calculated | +£79 |
| Red cell magnesiumMagnesium inside cells, more reliable than serum | +£59 |
| Red cell zincZinc inside cells | +£49 |
| Red cell copperCopper inside cells | +£79 |
| Red cell seleniumSelenium inside cells, for antioxidant and thyroid function | +£79 |
| Urine albumin/creatinine ratioEarliest sign of kidney damage | +£39 |
To add more than one, email support@truevitals.co.uk and we will set up the order. Add-ons are never sold on their own and can also be added to Advanced.
More tests is not always better: specialist markers add detail, but every extra test adds the chance of a borderline result that needs a repeat. Choose the ones that answer a question you actually have. Anything clearly abnormal is flagged in your report with plain next steps.
A private panel is a good way to get a baseline, understand a result in context and track it over time. It does not replace your GP for symptoms, and anything that needs follow-up is flagged in plain words in your report.
Full guides to individual specialist markers, including what they show and how to test them:
TrueVitals Signature includes 230 biomarkers, among them 45 specialist markers such as homocysteine, ApoE, small dense LDL, IGF-1, troponin T, ANA and anti-CCP, with a clinician-reviewed report.
Not as standard. You can add it to Ultimate for £89, or choose Signature, which includes it.
NHS testing focuses on diagnosing symptoms with tests that change immediate treatment. Many specialist markers are about risk, prevention and fine detail, so they are rarely ordered without a specific reason.
No. Add-ons are always tested alongside a panel so they can be read in context. A single number without the markers around it is often misleading.
Yes. Any valid offer we send you applies to the whole order, including add-ons.
How this page was written: by James Smillie, founder of TrueVitals, reviewed by the TrueVitals clinical review team, using NHS and laboratory reference sources. Ranges are typical values; your report uses your lab's own ranges. TrueVitals sells the panels named on this page, so we have stated plainly what this test cannot do. Last updated 5 November 2026.
Signature: 230 biomarkers including all 45 specialist markers, £799 including the draw. Or Ultimate from £399 with the add-ons you need.
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