Online blood tests

[ComStrike]

Has anyone used one of the online blood-testing services? If so, were they any good, and which company did you use?

Getting hold of my GP is a nightmare. I’m trying to get to the bottom of ongoing low mood, a lack of motivation and generally having no get-up-and-go.

I’ve been taking supplements and my sleep has improved, but the low mood and lack of interest in things seem to be getting worse. I came back from holiday two weeks ago and have felt noticeably worse since.

I’m not looking for an internet diagnosis—just genuine experiences of these testing services. Did you get useful results with a proper explanation, and are there any particular providers or tests worth choosing or avoiding?

[JSP440]

I use MediChecks 6 monthly, pop down to my local Superdrug and then pop it in the post box outside.

Results are really clear to see and explained. Would recommend them to anyone.

[TheHeadhunter]

We get full blood work done every year. Switch between Regenerus Labs and Genova.

Not really a substitute for an NHS test, as they test a thousand times more and give actual bespoke feedback. Both are very good.

[Zulu 10]

I’m sure that many will hold up their hands in horror, but I use MediChecks to gather the data and pass it to Claude to do the comparison with historical data, trend analysis and interpretation.

It identified an explanation for a particular blood test anomaly, recommended a re-test under different conditions, and solved a puzzle that my (private) GP had failed to recognise despite being in possession of the same data set.

[Armitage.Shanks]

Personally I'd push for a GP appointment and get a full blood count authorised. There are many types of 'full' blood tests, a finger prick and post it off isn't one of them. From memory the phlebotomist will take at least two full tubes out of your arm. Once done the results should show in the NHS App (and/or regional health trust App) within 24hrs.

[DT1975]

I had a GP blood test last Thursday (cholesterol). My GP was in touch two days later asking for more info ie weight, blood pressure etc as it was still high at 6.5 (down from a previous 7.1)

The delay was the four weeks between asking for it online and getting a date for the test.

[TheHeadhunter]

Armitage.Shanks said:

Personally I'd push for a GP appointment and get a full blood count authorised. There are many types of 'full' blood tests, a finger prick and post it off isn't one of them. From memory the phlebotomist will take at least two full tubes out of your arm. Once done the results should show in the NHS App (and/or regional health trust App) within 24hrs.

A finger prick isn't a full blood test. The ones we do need a private phlebotomist with an onsite centrifuge. They take 8 or 9 vials, two or three of which need spinning straight away.

It is night and day better than the full test a GP will do, in my experience. And the interpretation is on a different planet.

The NHS is great at somethings, non-acute/preventative general health is certainly not one of them, again, in my experience.