2024 health trends - the UK's most abnormal biomarkers
Where do you sit on the nation’s most abnormal biomarkers list?
Blood tests are an essential tool in understanding our health, revealing what’s happening beneath the surface. They can help us perform at our best and highlight areas of our health that need more attention so we can lower the chance of chronic disease. They alert us to risk factors, sometimes before we feel any symptoms.
As key trends emerge, they can also provide a snapshot of how modern life impacts our bodies. But which biomarker is most likely to be out of range if you have a blood test?
Well - we can now tell you, out of thousands of Medichecks customers, which markers were top of the abnormal table in 2024.
10 surprising findings of 2024
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Cholesterol: hearty levels for men and women
If you’ve ever worried about your cholesterol levels, you certainly aren't alone. Last year, the focus on heart health was all about taking action to prevent, detect, and manage cardiovascular disease. Defibrillators kept appearing all over the country. We also learned more about heart-healthy eating, such as the Mediterranean diet.
So, what did our blood tests say?
Cholesterol (both total and LDL) came top of the table for the biomarker most likely to return an abnormal result for men and women. A slightly raised total cholesterol isn't always a big concern, especially if you have good levels of HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol). However, doctors worry more about high levels of LDL cholesterol or non-HDL cholesterol, known as bad cholesterol.
Drilling further into our data, we found that women, on average, had slightly higher levels of total cholesterol than men. And the problem becomes more pronounced with age - especially in women.
Over three-quarters of women over 50 had raised total cholesterol levels. This surge is partly attributed to menopause, which impacts hormone levels and how cholesterol is processed in the body. For men, the risks of heart disease are more widely known, and it's a topic close to a lot of people - regardless of their sex.
Cholesterol findings in 2024:
- 45.5% of men and 53.0% of women had elevated total cholesterol levels
- Over three-quarters (75.3%) of women aged 50 and above had raised total cholesterol levels
- 47.1% of men and 43.8% of women had raised LDL levels
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Hormonal surprises in young adults
One of the most unexpected findings of 2024 relates to prolactin, a hormone linked to lactation and reproductive health. Over two in five (42.8%) men aged 18–25 had abnormal prolactin levels, with most of those levels raised.
So what's going on? Common causes include stress, some medications (like antidepressants or steroids), and lifestyle factors such as drinking alcohol. Interestingly, prolactin levels can also spike temporarily after physical activities like intercourse or nipple stimulation, adding a unique layer of complexity to interpreting results.
Tumours of the pituitary gland in the brain (prolactinomas) can release excess prolactin, but these are rare, especially when prolactin levels are below 2000 μg/L. Elevated prolactin levels are far more commonly caused by other factors.
In young women, abnormalities in luteinising hormone (LH) were also striking, with 20.0% of women aged 18–25 showing abnormal levels, the majority being raised results. Again, stress could be a culprit here.
Common causes of abnormal LH include:
- Hormonal contraceptives — contraceptives often suppress the mid-cycle LH peak
- Stress, excessive exercise, or having a very low body mass index (BMI)
- Changes in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis
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Cortisol: the stress hormone
It’s no secret that stress is a defining feature of modern life, and it’s showing up in blood tests. But who would you guess is more stressed out, men or women?
In 2024, women were almost twice as likely than men to have raised cortisol levels (10.38 vs 6.96%). People often dub cortisol the stress hormone because it gets produced in response to stress. Yet, it's actually really important in regulating metabolism, blood sugar, and the immune system.
Cortisol is good for us in small amounts. It helps us change how we use and store energy in our bodies. However, if your cortisol levels are consistently high, you may develop unwanted symptoms.
Elevated cortisol levels are linked to:
- Weight gain
- Insomnia
- Even reduced immunity
Interestingly, women’s hormonal changes and contraceptive use may also contribute to these elevated levels. With rising awareness around mental health, cortisol testing is becoming increasingly popular to understand the physiological impact of stress.
If you're looking at ways to reduce stress in your life, have a look at our blog: 5 ways to lower cortisol naturally.
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Blood sugar in older adults
As we age, maintaining healthy blood sugar levels becomes more challenging. In 2024, the over-60 age group had the poorest blood sugar control, with 18.4% of men and 15.4% of women showing abnormal HbA1c levels.
HbA1c measures long-term blood sugar control and is a key marker for diabetes risk. Poor results in this group could stem from a combination of factors: reduced physical activity, age-related metabolic changes, and dietary habits.
A higher HbA1c level can put you at greater risk of complications of diabetes, including:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Kidney disease
- Neuropathy (nerve damage)
- Retinopathy (damage to the retina at the back of the eye)
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Iron deficiency in young women
Iron deficiency remains a persistent issue, particularly for young women.
Transferrin saturation ranked among the top ten abnormal biomarkers for both men and women. That's a measure of how much iron is bound to a protein that carries iron in the body.
Additionally, over 18.6% of women aged 18–30 had abnormal ferritin levels, a biomarker that indicates iron storage in the body. Heavy menstrual cycles, vegetarian or vegan diets, and inadequate iron intake are often culprits in this age group.
Iron deficiency can lead to anaemia - when the body doesn't have enough haemoglobin or healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen effectively.
Symptoms of low iron [2]:
- Tiredness and lack of energy
- Shortness of breath
- More noticeable or abnormal heartbeats (heart palpitations)
- Pale skin
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More than one in five men had low testosterone
Low testosterone (low T) continues to be a key health issue for men, particularly as they age.
Calculated free testosterone and total testosterone both appeared in the men's top ten list for most abnormal biomarkers. In fact, more than one in five men (20.5%) had low levels of less than 12 nmol/L.
A testosterone level below the healthy range can lead to symptoms like reduced energy, libido, and mood changes. Low T is often underdiagnosed due to its gradual onset and the overlap of symptoms with other conditions. Awareness campaigns and targeted testing are helping men take charge of their hormonal health.
Find out more about healthy testosterone levels in our blog: what is a normal testosterone level for your age.?
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Liver markers more likely to be abnormal for men
Liver health biomarkers didn't reach our top ten, but we still saw some major trends. Last year, men were more than twice as likely (24.2%) as women (10.2%) to have high levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), a biomarker connected to liver health.
Common causes of raised ALT in men:
- Alcohol consumption
- Higher rates of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
- Metabolic syndrome
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Lp(a) and ApoB: hidden cardiovascular risks
At the beginning of 2024, we launched our brand-new Optimal Health Blood Test. We saw huge demand for this test as more people started looking to optimise their health for the future.
This advanced test includes advanced heart biomarkers such as Lp(a) and apoB. Many customers are choosing this test. Because of this, we have gathered interesting data on hidden cardiovascular markers.
These markers are getting attention because they can often give more accurate insight into heart disease risk than traditional lipid panels. This makes them important for managing heart health proactively.
- 21.9% of customers tested had an Lp(a) level placing them in a moderate risk category (>90 nmol/L).
- 33.8% had raised apoB levels (>1.1 g/L), with 5.0% showing extremely high levels (>1.5 g/L), which may suggest familial hypercholesterolaemia (a genetic condition that causes too much bad cholesterol in the blood).
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Prostate health awareness is growing
The impact of public figures on health awareness was evident in 2024. Following Sir Chris Hoy’s prostate cancer diagnosis, sales of PSA blood tests rose by 142% in October compared to average monthly sales.
Among men over 50, 8.8% had raised PSA results for their age, underscoring the importance of monitoring prostate health. However, PSA results aren’t completely accurate. There’s a risk of false positives, which may cause unnecessary worry, and false negatives, which could miss cases requiring further investigation.
While PSA testing is a helpful tool, it’s part of a broader diagnostic process, and further advancements in cancer screening are on the horizon.
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Thyroid antibodies rise for women
Thyroid disorders remain a health challenge in the UK, affecting both men and women (though women are far more likely to develop a thyroid condition). In 2024, abnormal thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibodies featured in the women's top ten list.
TPO antibodies are produced by the immune system when it mistakenly attacks thyroid peroxidase, an enzyme found in thyroid cells. TPO antibodies can help identify autoimmune diseases, like Hashimoto's thyroiditis and Graves' disease.
Learn more about thyroid antibodies in our blog: all you need to know about thyroid antibodies.
The top ten abnormal biomarkers for men and women
The results are in: here's the table of the top ten abnormal biomarkers for men and women in 2024.
Biomarker key, why are they important?
A measure of overall cholesterol levels in the blood, combining both HDL and LDL. High levels increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Often known as ‘bad cholesterol’, it contributes to plaque build-up in arteries, increasing heart disease risk.
Includes all harmful cholesterol types. It’s a broader, more accurate marker of cardiovascular risk than LDL cholesterol.
An important indicator of how iron is carried in your blood. Low levels may signal deficiency, while high levels can indicate iron overload.
A critical form of oestrogen for bone health, reproductive health, and hormonal balance. It's essential for both sexes, especially during ageing.
A key hormone for energy, mood, and muscle health in men and women. Imbalances can affect physical and reproductive health.
Measures the active, unbound testosterone in the bloodstream. It’s especially relevant for assessing low testosterone in men and hormonal balance in women.
Helps identify autoimmune thyroid conditions such as Hashimoto’s, which can impact metabolism, weight, and mood.
A hormone involved in reproductive health. Elevated levels can cause fertility or menstrual issues in women and indicate pituitary problems in men.
Regulates reproductive functions in both sexes, including sperm production in men and egg production in women.
Works closely with FSH to regulate ovulation in women and testosterone production in men.
Roundup of 2024's most abnormal biomarkers
Blood test trends in 2024 paint a picture of a population grappling with the effects of modern life — rising stress levels, sedentary lifestyles, and dietary challenges. While many biomarkers reflect preventable issues, others highlight the importance of early detection and awareness.
Regular blood testing remains one of the most effective ways to monitor and improve overall health. Whether it’s keeping cholesterol in check, addressing vitamin deficiencies, or managing stress, the actions we take based on our test results can lead to healthier, longer lives.
As we move ahead, these insights remind us to focus on health. We should address preventable risks and enjoy the benefits of personalised care.
*The data presented is based on Medichecks customer results from 1st December 2023 to 30th November 2024. For customers who measured the same biomarker multiple times within this period, one result was randomly selected for analysis to ensure a consistent and unbiased dataset.
References:
- Percy L, Mansour D, Fraser I. Iron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia in women. Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol. 2017 Apr;40:55-67. doi: 10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2016.09.007. Epub 2016 Oct 1. PMID: 28029503.
- NHS.uk. 2022. Iron deficiency anaemia. [online] Available at: <https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/iron-deficiency-anaemia/> [Accessed 26 July 2022].