Are Your Blood Tests Really Normal? Preventive Health, Biomarkers & Biological Age

What if your blood tests say you’re normal, but you’re not actually as healthy as you could be?

In this episode of The Gavin Sisters, we’re joined by Dr Dan McNally, co-founder of Emerald Health, and Dr Yiannis Balanos, its clinical lead, to explore preventive health and how we can take a more proactive approach to understanding our bodies.

We often wait until something goes wrong before we pay attention to our health. But what if we could identify potential risks earlier, understand what our bodies are telling us and make changes that could improve our long-term wellbeing?

From cholesterol and blood sugar to inflammation, menopause, cancer markers and biological age, Dan and Yanis explain what blood tests can reveal, why standard health checks don't always tell the whole story, and how personalised health data can help us make more informed decisions.

What we discuss in this episode

We explore the difference between having results within a standard reference range and understanding your individual health risks. We discuss key biomarkers, including HbA1c, triglycerides, CRP, iron, vitamin D and thyroid markers, alongside lipoprotein(a), a largely genetically determined risk factor associated with cardiovascular disease.

We also look at what biological age can tell us, the limitations of cancer markers such as CA-125 and PSA, and why menopause is often assessed through symptoms rather than hormone blood tests alone.

Beyond the numbers, we discuss the lifestyle factors that have the greatest potential to influence our long-term health: exercise, sleep, nutrition, alcohol consumption and smoking. We explore why strength training, cardiovascular fitness, balance and bone health become increasingly important as we age, and how personalised prevention could shape the future of healthcare.

Prevention starts with the choices we make today

At The Gavin Sisters, we believe that everyday habits can have a profound impact on how we feel, how we age and our future health. This conversation reinforces why understanding our health is so important, while reminding us that data is only useful when we know how to interpret it and what action to take.

Preventive health isn't about chasing perfect numbers or worrying about every result. It's about understanding your starting point, identifying areas where you could reduce risk and making realistic, sustainable changes.

As our guests put it: “This is you versus an optimal you.”

If you've ever wondered whether your standard health check is telling you everything you need to know, this episode offers an insightful introduction to the world of preventive health and personalised testing.

Listen to the episode above to hear the full conversation with Dr Dan McNally and Dr Yanis Balanus.

Find out more about Emerald Health at withemerald.com.

This episode is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for individual medical advice. Blood tests and screening tools have limitations, and results should always be interpreted by a qualified healthcare professional in the context of your personal circumstances.