Better2Know Heart & cholesterol

Protein C Test

This test measures Protein C, a natural anticoagulant linked to blood clotting risk, alongside ALT, a liver enzyme. It suits people with a personal or family history of unusual blood clots, or those investigating recurrent miscarriage.

Sample
Blood
Collection
Venous draw at clinic or nurse visit
Results in
3 days
Biomarkers
2
Tests for
  • ALT (Alanine transaminase)
  • Protein C

Test specifications

Provider
Better2Know
Sample type
blood
Collection method
venous draw at clinic or nurse visit
Turnaround time
3 days
Biomarkers tested
2
At-home test
No
Doctor reviewed
No
Gender focus
Both

What's tested

2 biomarkers as listed by Better2Know.

  • ALT (Alanine transaminase)
  • Protein C

About this test

This test measures Protein C, a protein that helps prevent blood from clotting excessively, alongside ALT, a liver enzyme. Low or abnormal Protein C activity is linked to a higher risk of blood clots such as deep vein thrombosis, and the provider notes it is often used for people with a personal or family history of unusual clots, recurrent clotting despite treatment, or unexplained pregnancy complications.

With two biomarkers, this test sits around the middle of the heart health tests we track by clinical depth. Better2Know does not report a comparison group of directly equivalent products for this specific test, so we cannot say how it compares with named alternatives, but at £195 it costs well above the £125 median for similarly sized heart health tests we track.

It scores well for clarity and documentation, with a detailed explanation of what Protein C does and why it might be tested, and reasonably for Collection Convenience since a home nurse visit is offered alongside the clinic option. It scores lower on value for money given the gap to the category median, and on Results and Follow-up because a doctor does not review results as standard, even though the provider notes the sample requires careful, time-sensitive handling at the lab.

Who is it for?

This suits you if you have a personal or family history of unusual blood clots, have experienced clotting despite standard treatment, or are investigating unexplained pregnancy complications or recurrent miscarriage, and your doctor has suggested checking Protein C activity. It may also be relevant before surgery if screening for inherited clotting disorders has been recommended.

Better2Know does not list a comparison group for this test, so we cannot point to a specific cheaper or deeper named alternative from the data we hold. If you are looking for a general clotting or liver check without a specific clinical reason, this is a fairly specialised and comparatively expensive way to do it.

How it works

A trained clinician takes a venous blood sample, either at a clinic or during a home nurse visit. The provider notes that Protein C samples need careful handling, being spun, separated and, if there is any delay, frozen within four to eight hours before reaching the lab the same day. Results are typically available within three to four days, published to your secure online patient area, with Better2Know's Patient Services team notifying you once they are ready. Results are not reviewed by a doctor as standard.

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Covers two markers, Protein C and ALT, in a single blood sample.
  • Offers a home nurse visit as an alternative to a clinic appointment.
  • Detailed explanation of Protein C's role in blood clotting and who it suits.

Cons

  • At £195, it costs well above the £125 median for similarly sized heart health tests.
  • Turnaround is three to four days, slower than most single-marker tests in this range.
  • Results are not reviewed by a doctor as standard.

Our editorial score

Compare Health Test Score Two-marker clotting panel priced above typical heart tests
Editorial confidence: 9.0/10

This two-marker test covers Protein C and ALT for £195, well above the £125 median we see for similarly sized heart health tests. It requires a venous blood sample at a clinic or during a home nurse visit, with results within three to four days, and results are not reviewed by a doctor as standard. Better2Know does not list a comparison group of directly equivalent products for this test.

Score breakdown

  • Clarity and documentation 9.0/10

    The listing publishes a detailed description, the full biomarker list, a stated turnaround, clear collection options, the sample type; it does not state what the report looks like.

  • Clinical depth 7.1/10

    2 biomarkers, placing it in the 43rd percentile of heart health tests we track.

  • Collection convenience 5.0/10

    Requires a venous draw at a clinic; a home nurse visit is offered; results in around 3 days, in line with or faster than similar tests.

  • Results and follow-up 3.0/10

    Results are not doctor-reviewed and no consultation is included; the provider does not describe the report format.

  • Trust signals 6.5/10

    Trustpilot 4.2 from 775 reviews; CQC registered; trading 18+ years.

  • Value for money 3.7/10

    £195.00 against a median of £125.00 for the 30 similarly sized heart health tests we track (+56%).

Calculated 13 September 2026 from the facts we hold about this test and provider, using our published scoring formula. Scores are not hand-edited.

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