Cholesterol, known as a lipid, is a fatty substance which is found in the blood. It plays an essential role in how cells in the body from providing energy to producing hormones. However, too much cholesterol in the blood (hyperlipidemia) can have a serious effect on your health as it increases your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. This test measures all the various types of cholesterol in your blood.

LDL (or ‘bad’) cholesterol deposits on your artery walls and hardens over time. This narrows the arteries and increases your risk of heart disease.

On the other hand, HDL (or ‘good’) cholesterol can help stop this narrowing by taking bad cholesterol and depositing it through the liver. So therefore, healthy cholesterol levels would consist of low levels of LDL cholesterol and high level of HDL cholesterol.

Triglycerides are the main source of fat in the body but high levels in the blood can raise the risk of heart disease.

Urea is the principal nitrogenous waste product of metabolism and is generated from protein breakdown. It is eliminated from the body almost exclusively by the kidneys in urine and has had clinical application in the assessment of kidney (renal) function.

Creatinine is a chemical waste molecule that is generated from muscle metabolism. Measurement of this is an indicator of the levels of other waste products in the body. Creatinine is an accurate marker of kidney function.  Elevated creatinine can be caused by high intake of animal protein, taking creatine supplements and vigorous exercise but can also indicate that the kidneys are not working properly. Low creatinine can be caused by a low protein diet, reduced muscle mass or sometime that the kidneys are simply functioning efficiently.

Uric acid is produced by the breakdown of purines. Purines are nitrogen-containing compounds found in the cells of the body. As cells get old and die, they break down, releasing purines into the blood. A high uric acid level is known as hyperuricemia. This can lead to a disease called gout that causes painful joints that accumulate urate crystals. It can also make your blood and urine too acidic. 

eGFR is short for estimated glomerular filtration rate. Your eGFR is a number based on your blood test for creatinine, a waste product in your blood. It tells how well your kidneys are working.