Health screening tests explained
What each test in our health screening packages measures, why it matters, and which packages include it. Your doctor will go through every result with you at your consultation.
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Before your screening: fast for at least 6 hours. Sips of water are fine.
Body measurements and vital signs
Height, weight and BMI
What it measures: Body mass index compares your weight with your height.
Why it matters: A quick screen for being under- or overweight, both of which affect long-term health.
Waist and hip circumference
What it measures: The size of your waist, and its ratio to your hips.
Why it matters: Fat carried around the waist is more closely linked to heart disease and diabetes than weight alone.
Body fat
What it measures: The share of your body weight that is fat.
Why it matters: Two people with the same BMI can have very different body fat; this gives a clearer picture.
Blood pressure
What it measures: The pressure of blood against your artery walls as the heart beats and rests.
Why it matters: High blood pressure usually has no symptoms but raises the risk of stroke, heart attack and kidney disease.
Oxygen saturation
What it measures: How much oxygen your blood is carrying, measured with a clip on your finger.
Why it matters: Low levels can point to lung or heart problems.
Heart and circulation
12-lead resting ECG
What it measures: The heart's electrical activity, recorded through stickers on your chest, arms and legs while you lie still.
Why it matters: Can pick up irregular heart rhythms, signs of past heart strain and other changes that need a closer look.
Total cholesterol
What it measures: All the cholesterol carried in your blood.
Why it matters: A starting point for judging heart and stroke risk, read together with HDL and LDL.
LDL cholesterol
What it measures: The “bad” cholesterol that can build up in artery walls.
Why it matters: Higher LDL is one of the main drivers of heart attacks and strokes, and is a common target for treatment.
HDL cholesterol
What it measures: The “good” cholesterol that helps carry cholesterol away from the arteries.
Why it matters: Higher HDL is generally linked to lower heart risk.
Cholesterol/HDL ratio
What it measures: Total cholesterol divided by HDL.
Why it matters: A single number that helps summarise heart risk from your cholesterol profile.
Triglycerides
What it measures: A type of fat in the blood that comes largely from food and is stored for energy.
Why it matters: High levels are linked to heart disease, and often to diet, alcohol, weight and blood sugar.
Blood sugar and metabolism
Glucose
What it measures: The amount of sugar in your blood at the time of the test.
Why it matters: Raised levels can point to prediabetes or diabetes.
HbA1c
What it measures: Your average blood sugar over the past 2 to 3 months.
Why it matters: Not affected by a single meal, so it gives a steadier picture; used to diagnose and monitor diabetes.
eAG (estimated average glucose)
What it measures: Your HbA1c converted into the same units as an everyday glucose reading.
Why it matters: Makes HbA1c easier to compare with home glucose readings.
Uric acid
What it measures: A waste product made when the body breaks down purines, found in some foods and drinks.
Why it matters: High levels can cause gout and kidney stones, and are often linked to metabolic health.
Kidneys
Urea
What it measures: A waste product from protein breakdown, cleared by the kidneys.
Why it matters: Raised levels can mean the kidneys aren't filtering well, or that you're dehydrated.
Creatinine
What it measures: A waste product from normal muscle activity, cleared by the kidneys.
Why it matters: One of the main markers of kidney function.
eGFR
What it measures: An estimate of how well your kidneys filter blood, calculated from creatinine, age and sex.
Why it matters: Used to detect and stage chronic kidney disease.
Sodium, potassium, chloride and bicarbonate
What it measures: Key salts (electrolytes) in the blood.
Why it matters: They control fluid balance, nerves and muscles, including the heart; abnormal levels can point to kidney, hormone or medication issues.
Urine microalbumin/creatinine ratio
What it measures: Small amounts of protein (albumin) leaking into the urine.
Why it matters: One of the earliest signs of kidney damage, especially in people with diabetes or high blood pressure.
Liver
ALT (SGPT)
What it measures: An enzyme found mainly in liver cells.
Why it matters: Released into the blood when liver cells are irritated or damaged, for example by fatty liver, alcohol, medication or hepatitis.
AST (SGOT)
What it measures: An enzyme found in the liver, heart and muscles.
Why it matters: Read alongside ALT to help work out the cause of liver or muscle injury.
GGT
What it measures: An enzyme in the liver and bile ducts.
Why it matters: Often raised with alcohol use, some medications and bile duct problems.
Alkaline phosphatase (ALP)
What it measures: An enzyme found mainly in the liver and bones.
Why it matters: Raised levels can point to bile duct or bone conditions.
Bilirubin
What it measures: A yellow pigment made when old red blood cells are broken down, then cleared by the liver.
Why it matters: High levels can cause yellowing of the skin and eyes and point to liver, bile duct or blood conditions; mild rises are often harmless (Gilbert's syndrome).
Total protein, albumin, globulin and A/G ratio
What it measures: The main proteins in your blood, largely made by the liver.
Why it matters: Reflect liver function, nutrition and the immune system.
Blood count, thyroid, bones and joints
Full blood count
What it measures: Your red cells, white cells, platelets and haemoglobin.
Why it matters: Can reveal anaemia, infection, inflammation and some blood disorders.
ESR
What it measures: How quickly red blood cells settle in a tube.
Why it matters: A general sign of inflammation in the body; it doesn't show where the inflammation is.
TSH
What it measures: Thyroid-stimulating hormone, the brain's signal to the thyroid gland.
Why it matters: The most sensitive first test for an underactive or overactive thyroid, which can affect energy, weight, mood and heart rate.
Free T4
What it measures: The main hormone made by the thyroid.
Why it matters: Read with TSH to confirm whether the thyroid is working too much or too little.
Calcium
What it measures: The calcium level in your blood.
Why it matters: Important for bones, muscles and nerves; abnormal levels can point to parathyroid, kidney or bone conditions.
Phosphate
What it measures: A mineral that works with calcium to build bones.
Why it matters: Abnormal levels can reflect kidney, bone or hormone problems.
Rheumatoid factor
What it measures: An antibody often found in rheumatoid arthritis.
Why it matters: Helps assess joint pain and stiffness; it can also be raised in people without arthritis, so it's read with symptoms.
Infections
Hepatitis B surface antigen
What it measures: A protein from the hepatitis B virus.
Why it matters: A positive result means a current hepatitis B infection, which can damage the liver over time and is often silent.
Hepatitis B surface antibody
What it measures: Your protection against hepatitis B, from vaccination or past infection.
Why it matters: Shows whether you're protected or would benefit from vaccination.
Hepatitis A IgG
What it measures: Antibodies showing past hepatitis A infection or vaccination.
Why it matters: Shows whether you're already immune or should consider vaccination, for example before travel.
Syphilis screen (VDRL / RPR)
What it measures: Antibodies produced in response to syphilis infection.
Why it matters: Syphilis can be silent for years and is fully treatable when found.
Syphilis confirmation (TP antibody, TPPA)
What it measures: Antibodies specific to the bacterium that causes syphilis.
Why it matters: Used with VDRL/RPR to confirm a result and tell current from past infection.
Cancer markers and screening tests
Cancer markers are proteins that can be raised in some cancers, but also in many harmless conditions. A normal result does not rule out cancer, and a raised result does not mean you have cancer. Your doctor will explain your result and whether any follow-up is needed.
AFP (alpha-fetoprotein)
What it measures: A protein that can be raised in some liver and testicular cancers.
Why it matters: Most useful for people at higher risk of liver cancer, such as those with hepatitis B.
CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen)
What it measures: A protein that can be raised in bowel and some other cancers.
Why it matters: Can prompt further checks; it is also raised by smoking and some non-cancer conditions.
PSA (men)
What it measures: Prostate-specific antigen, made by the prostate gland.
Why it matters: Can be raised in prostate cancer, but also in an enlarged or inflamed prostate.
CA125 (women)
What it measures: A protein that can be raised in ovarian cancer.
Why it matters: Also raised by periods, endometriosis and other harmless causes, so it is always read with care.
Stool occult blood
What it measures: Hidden traces of blood in a stool sample.
Why it matters: A recognised screening test for bowel cancer and polyps; a positive result usually leads to a colonoscopy.
Urine FEME
What it measures: A full urine examination for blood, protein, sugar and signs of infection.
Why it matters: Can pick up urinary infections, kidney problems and diabetes.
Eyes
Visual acuity
What it measures: How clearly you see at a distance, using a letter chart.
Why it matters: Picks up short-sightedness and other vision changes that may need glasses or an eye review.
Colour vision
What it measures: Your ability to tell colours apart, using a book of coloured dot patterns.
Why it matters: Identifies colour vision deficiency, which matters for some jobs and for driving.
Eye pressure (tonometry)
What it measures: The pressure of fluid inside your eye.
Why it matters: Raised eye pressure is a key risk factor for glaucoma, which can damage sight without early symptoms.
Imaging
Chest X-ray
What it measures: A picture of your lungs, heart and chest.
Why it matters: Can show lung infections, scarring, an enlarged heart and some lung growths.
Breast ultrasound (women)
What it measures: Sound-wave images of the breast tissue.
Why it matters: Helps find lumps and cysts and tell solid from fluid-filled; it adds to, and doesn't replace, a mammogram.
Prostate ultrasound (men)
What it measures: Sound-wave images of the prostate gland.
Why it matters: Checks the prostate's size and structure, which can explain urinary symptoms.
Abdominal ultrasound
What it measures: Sound-wave images of the liver, gallbladder, kidneys, pancreas and spleen.
Why it matters: Can find fatty liver, gallstones, kidney stones, cysts and other changes.
Pelvic ultrasound (women)
What it measures: Sound-wave images of the womb and ovaries.
Why it matters: Can find fibroids, ovarian cysts and other changes.
Testicular ultrasound (men)
What it measures: Sound-wave images of the testes.
Why it matters: Checks for lumps, swelling and other changes.
Bone mineral density
What it measures: The strength and density of your bones, usually at the hip and spine.
Why it matters: Detects thinning bones (osteopenia and osteoporosis) before a fracture happens.
Horizon longevity markers
These markers are included in the Horizon panel only. Horizon also includes body measurements, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, a 12-lead ECG and the core blood tests above (blood count, cholesterol, diabetes, kidney, liver, thyroid, bone and joint, hepatitis, cancer markers, urine and stool).
ApoB (apolipoprotein B)
What it measures: The number of cholesterol-carrying particles that can enter artery walls.
Why it matters: Often a better guide to heart risk than LDL alone, especially when triglycerides are high.
ApoA1 and ApoB/ApoA1 ratio
What it measures: The main protein in HDL, and its balance against ApoB.
Why it matters: The ratio summarises the balance between harmful and protective cholesterol particles.
Lipoprotein(a)
What it measures: A mostly inherited type of cholesterol particle.
Why it matters: Raises heart and stroke risk regardless of lifestyle; usually needs checking only once in a lifetime.
Homocysteine
What it measures: An amino acid in the blood, linked to B vitamins.
Why it matters: High levels are associated with heart and blood vessel disease and can reflect low B12 or folate.
hs-CRP
What it measures: A sensitive marker of low-level inflammation.
Why it matters: Long-term low-grade inflammation is linked to heart disease; read together with cholesterol.
hs-Troponin I
What it measures: A protein released when heart muscle is strained or damaged.
Why it matters: Very small amounts can help assess future heart risk.
Insulin (fasting)
What it measures: The hormone that moves sugar from the blood into cells.
Why it matters: High insulin with normal glucose can be an early sign of insulin resistance, years before diabetes.
Magnesium
What it measures: A mineral used in muscle, nerve and heart function and energy production.
Why it matters: Low levels can cause cramps, fatigue and irregular heartbeat.
Iron, TIBC, iron saturation and transferrin
What it measures: How much iron is in your blood and how well it is being carried.
Why it matters: Helps find iron deficiency or iron overload.
Ferritin
What it measures: Your body's iron stores.
Why it matters: Low ferritin is the earliest sign of iron deficiency, a common cause of tiredness; high levels can reflect inflammation or iron overload.
Vitamin D
What it measures: Your vitamin D level.
Why it matters: Important for bones, muscles and immunity; low levels are common even in sunny Singapore.
Vitamin B12 and folate
What it measures: Two B vitamins needed to make healthy red blood cells and nerves.
Why it matters: Low levels can cause anaemia, tiredness and nerve symptoms; common with some diets and medications.
Testosterone (men)
What it measures: The main male sex hormone.
Why it matters: Low levels can affect energy, mood, libido, muscle and bone.
Estradiol (women)
What it measures: The main female sex hormone.
Why it matters: Helps assess menstrual changes, fertility and menopause.
Hepatitis C antibody (anti-HCV)
What it measures: Antibodies showing past or current hepatitis C infection.
Why it matters: Hepatitis C is often silent and can damage the liver, but is curable with treatment.
CA19-9
What it measures: A protein that can be raised in pancreatic and some other digestive cancers.
Why it matters: Can prompt further checks; also raised by gallstones, pancreatitis and other non-cancer conditions. It cannot diagnose cancer on its own.
EBV (NPC screen)
What it measures: Antibodies to the Epstein-Barr virus linked to nasopharyngeal cancer.
Why it matters: Nasopharyngeal cancer is more common in people of Southern Chinese descent; this helps decide who needs a nose and throat examination.
GastroClear (gastric cancer blood test)
What it measures: A panel of microRNAs (small genetic signals released by cells) in the blood that are linked to stomach cancer.
Why it matters: A Singapore-developed screening test that helps decide who needs an endoscopy. A raised result is followed up with an endoscopy; it does not diagnose cancer on its own.
H. pylori
What it measures: Infection with H. pylori, a common stomach bacterium.
Why it matters: Causes gastritis and stomach ulcers and raises the risk of stomach cancer; it is treatable.
Consultations
Doctor consultation
What it measures: A review of your results with our doctor.
Why it matters: Turns numbers into a plan: what's normal for you, what needs watching, and any next steps.
Physiotherapist consultation
What it measures: An assessment of posture, movement and any aches or old injuries.
Why it matters: Catches movement problems early and gives you exercises to stay active.
Every result is reviewed with you by our doctor, who will explain what it means for you and any next steps. These explanations are general information and not a substitute for medical advice.
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