Private Immune System Test

The best way to test your immune system strength is through blood tests. Blood tests for immune system health can provide vital insights into whether your body is reacting as it should to illness or infection.

The immune system is the body’s first line of defence against foreign bodies. It is designed to help protect you from getting sick and to promote healing if you do get unwell or injured.

The immune system comprises a large network of organs, white blood cells, proteins, and chemicals. These parts all work together to help protect your body from:

• Bacteria
• Viruses
• Parasites
• Cancer cells
• Fungi that cause infections

The immune system also plays a vital role in helping your body recover following an injury or illness.

When your immune system is functioning correctly it:

• Recognises the difference between your cells and those that are foreign
• Activates and mobilises to kill foreign bodies that may harm you
• Ends an attack once the threat is over
• Develops antibodies against foreign bodies you’ve had contact with
• Sends out antibodies to destroy germs that try to enter your body in the future

Your immune system does not always function correctly. Sometimes, it may be too weak to fight off infection, and sometimes, the response can be too strong and destroy cells your body needs. This can lead to problems, including allergic reactions or an autoimmune disease.

Weak immune system test

A weak immune system means that the response your immune system provides is too weak to fight off an invasion. A weakened immune system can be a result of many factors, including:

• Chronic stress
• Lack of sleep
• Poor diet
• Over-exercising
• Autoimmune disorders (when the body attacks and destroys its own cells by mistake)
• Chronic illnesses, like type 2 diabetes
• Lifestyle factors such as drinking too much alcohol, smoking, or living a sedentary life

While some of these factors can be mitigated by changing one's diet and lifestyle, others, like an autoimmune disease or a chronic illness, may require medical treatment or interventions.

Taking a weak immune system test can offer valuable insights into how your immune system is currently functioning and ensure you get any necessary treatment to ensure its normal function.

A private immune system test is ideal for anyone who wants to learn more about their overall health.

It is normal to develop a few infections each year, like the common cold, a stomach bug, or flu. However, repeated bouts of illness or infection could indicate a weak immune system. If you repeatedly suffer from any of the below, blood tests for immune system health may be recommended:

• Recurrent infections or illnesses
• Persistent fatigue
• Autoimmune disorders
• Chronic illnesses

Our private immune system test assesses your white blood cells as they offer key insights into the functioning of your immune system.

White Blood Cells, also known as leukocytes, are cells that help the body fight infection and respond to inflammation. When the body encounters a foreign virus or bacteria, your white blood cells recognise it and destroy it before it can do any harm.

As part of an immune system blood test, you will receive a breakdown of the following types of white blood cells in your blood sample:

• Neutrophils – the most abundant type of white blood cells in your body that work primarily to help defend your body against bacterial infections.
• Lymphocytes – cells that help make antibodies and destroy some cancer cells.
• Monocytes – are a type of cell that can develop into two different cells; dendritic and macrophages, depending on what your body needs. - - Dendritic cells help to identify antigens, any substances that cause your immune system to produce antibodies, and macrophages which surround and kill microorganisms, remove dead cells, and stimulate the action of other immune system cells.
• Eosinophils – help to consume harmful matter and fight bacteria and combat parasitic infections.
• Basophils – are mainly responsible for the inflammatory reaction in your body’s immune response. Basophils are the least common type of white blood cells.

Testing your immune system strength involves a simple blood draw. One of our trained health assessment specialists will collect a small sample of blood from a vein in your arm. This sample is then sent to a laboratory for analysis. The laboratory will measure the different types of white blood cells in your blood sample to provide insights into the functioning and strength of your immune system.

Results are usually available within a few days, and your Results Report will interpret the results and suggest any necessary follow-up actions.

Need help? Call free on 0800 652 2183 to speak to one of our team.