Triglycerides are a type of fat (lipid) that is found within the blood. After a meal, the body converts any calories it doesn't need to use right away into triglycerides. These are then transported to cells where they are stored as fat. Later, the production of hormones can stimulate the release of triglycerides which can be used for energy between meals. The regular overconsumption of greater than those burned may result in hypertriglyceridemia, a condition in which the level of triglycerides are elevated. This can be a risk factor for microvascular disease which affects the tiny blood vessels around the heart. 

Cholesterol is an essential body fat (lipid) that is predominantly derived from the foods we consume, though, is also produced by the liver. Cholesterol is an important component of cell membranes and is also a precursor molecule to a variety of essential hormones. Individuals with high levels of cholesterol in the body are at a significantly increased risk for developing heart disease. However, total cholesterol is a sum of both good (HDL) and bad (LDL) cholesterol therefore, it is necessary to investigate whether the rise in total cholesterol is caused by a high proportion of HDL or LDL as HDL can in fact exhibit protective effects against heart disease.

HDL (high density lipoprotein) cholesterol is often referred to as the "good" cholesterol due to its ability to pick up other forms of excess cholesterol present in the blood and transport this back to the liver where it is broken down and removed from the body. Individuals with increased levels of HDL cholesterol have been found to be associated with a lower risk of developing heart disease.

LDL cholesterol (low density lipoprotein) also known as the "bad" cholesterol is responsible for transporting triglycerides, other fats and other cholesterol to a variety of tissues located throughout the body. Excessive amounts of LDL in the body as a result of the overconsumption of certain foods, can result in fatty deposits accumulating on the walls of the artery. This can subsequently result in the development of atherosclerosis and is associated with an increased risk of heart disease. 

Measurements of Non-HDL cholesterol are important in establishing the total amount of cholesterol present in the blood that serve a non-protective role for the body and are potentially harmful. The value is calculated by subtracting an individuals HDL cholesterol result from the value of total cholesterol. As the value includes a total of all the forms of potentially damaging cholesterol and not just LDL alone, it is considered to be a greater biomarker for cardiovascular risk.

HDL (high density lipoprotein) cholesterol is often referred to as the "good" cholesterol due to its ability to pick up other forms of excess cholesterol present in the blood and transport this back to the liver where it is broken down and removed from the body. Individuals with increased levels of HDL cholesterol have been found to be associated with a lower risk of developing heart disease.

Prolactin is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland in the brain. The main role of prolactin is to promote lactation (breast milk production) in women during pregnancy and after childbirth. A prolactin test is used to diagnose infertility in both men and women as well as menstrual problems and erectile dysfunction.

Testosterone is a male sex hormone that is produced in the testicles of men and to a lesser extent in the ovaries of women. In men, testosterone plays an important role in the development of the male reproductive tissues including the prostate and testes. Testosterone is responsible for a variety of traits which can range from; increasing the mass of bone and muscle to influencing the growth of hair on the body. Therefore, men with lower levels of testosterone may encounter a reduction in these traits, whilst women with raised testosterone may encounter an increase in these traits. Raised testosterone is commonly observed in women with polycystic ovaries syndrome in which increased body hair, acne or a deepened voice may be characteristic.

Total Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) is the total amount of prostate specific antigen being produced by the cells in the prostate gland. This test is used to detect and monitor the treatment response of prostate cancer