Blood sugar and cholesterol, in one picture
How your body is handling sugar and fat, checked together rather than one number at a time. Insulin alongside HbA1c is the part most standard screens leave out, and it is often what shows a problem first.
No referral needed. Come first thing, after an overnight fast.
How would you like to get tested?
Book a time
Reserve a slot at your nearest branch online, then walk straight in. Best if you want a guaranteed time.
Book nowWalk in
No appointment needed. Come through any branch, Monday to Friday, 08:30 to 16:00.
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Not sure which tests you need? Message us on WhatsApp and we will help you decide.
WhatsApp usWhat does the panel measure?
Six markers covering how your body handles sugar and fat, plus the liver and inflammation markers that go with them. All from one fasting blood draw.
Blood sugar
HbA1c, Insulin (fasting). HbA1c is your average blood sugar over about three months. Insulin is the marker most standard screens leave out, and it often moves years before glucose does.
Cholesterol and liver
Lipogram, ALT and GGT. The full cholesterol breakdown, plus two liver enzymes that often rise alongside metabolic problems.
Inflammation
CRP. Low-grade inflammation, which tends to travel with insulin resistance and cardiovascular risk.
Which metabolic panel is right for you?
Three steps, no GP needed
Book a slot or walk in
Reserve a time at your branch, or walk straight in. No doctor's referral. Come first thing, after 8 to 12 hours fasting with only water.
Quick blood draw
A nurse takes a small blood sample, just a few minutes.
Results in 2 to 5 days
A colour-coded report by marker, with a free certificate you can share with your doctor.
Who is this for?
Most useful if you want to know how your body is handling sugar and fat before anything shows up as a diagnosis.
Family history
Type 2 diabetes or heart disease in the family, and you want a baseline now.
Weight that will not shift
Despite eating and training sensibly, which can point to insulin resistance.
A borderline result
A glucose or cholesterol reading that came back near the edge and was never followed up.
Before starting a programme
A baseline before a weight, nutrition or training programme, so you can measure change.
Midlife check
Metabolic risk climbs quietly from your late thirties, usually with no symptoms at all.
Tracking over time
You have tested before and want the same markers again to see the direction.
What people say
Friendly and competent staff. Both at reception and the nurse. A much simpler process than going through doctors. Thank you ladies.
The staff at reception as well as the nurses are friendly and professional. I've also always received results timeously. I would give 10 stars if I could.
Highly highly highly recommend. The experience was painless and the practice was inviting and well kept. The report was extremely detailed and informative and I would have this as top of my list for preventive care.
Amazing experience, highly professional staff. Very reasonable prices. Highly recommend.
I cannot recommend Juliette and her team enough, friendly and kind from the get go. Bloods were drawn with minimal discomfort and the labs came back quickly.
Excellent experience at Epicentre. The staff were professional, kind, and took time to explain everything clearly. The facility was clean, booking was easy, and I did not feel rushed.
What this does not do
This is a hormone screen that helps you and your doctor see where you are in the transition. It is a starting point for a conversation, not a diagnosis on its own.
- A single fasting sample is a snapshot. Insulin and glucose vary from day to day with sleep, stress and illness.
- Metabolic health is a clinical picture; your doctor reads these results alongside your weight, blood pressure and history.
- This panel does not diagnose diabetes and does not start or change any treatment; that is a doctor's decision.
- Results are meant to inform a discussion with a registered practitioner.
Quick answers
Three walk-in labs
Durban
Mon to Fri, 08:30 to 16:00
Johannesburg
Mon to Fri, 08:30 to 16:00
Round out the picture
Medically reviewed by Dr Samantha Naidoo, MB ChB, FCP (SA), Medical Director at Epicentre Walk-In Labs. Reviewed 2 June 2026. Epicentre Aids Risk Management (Pty) Ltd provides diagnostic laboratory testing and does not provide diagnoses, treatment or prescriptions to the public; results are intended to inform discussions with a registered healthcare practitioner.
Blood sugar and cholesterol, in one picture
No doctor's referral and no fasting needed, with results in 2 to 5 working days. Book a slot, walk in, or message us if you are not sure where to start.