How It Works
Tests are open to men and women of all ages.
All the tests are blood samples taken from a vein in your arm. More than one sample may be taken depending on the tests you have chosen. The samples are then sent to a state of the art laboratory with technology to deliver fast and accurate results.
Your privacy is prioritised to ensure all data is handled securely and confidentially.
You will receive your results in a detailed report which will give you information and recommendations about your health. It will include advice on the actions you need to take to remain in optimum health.
Each test costs £20, paid at the time of booking. You can choose as many tests as you wish.
What do I need to know before taking a test?
We want to ensure that anyone who is considering taking a test understands the conditions it checks for and what the results may mean. For each of the conditions we have provided general details below and links to other websites that provide more detailed information.
Before you book a test, please carefully read this and if needed, visit the specialist website listed.
We would stress, if you have any concerns about your health, you should, in the first instance, consult your GP.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a serious condition where your blood glucose level is too high. It can happen when your body doesn't produce enough insulin or the insulin it produces isn't effective. There are 2 main types of Diabetes.
Type 1 often comes on quickly and has symptoms of feeling very thirsty, going to the toilet a lot (especially at night), tiredness, weight loss, itching and blurred vision. This occurs because the pancreas stops producing insulin to control your blood glucose level.
Type 2 is far more common and can have similar symptoms but is often asymptomatic. In the UK, over 90% of all adults with diabetes have type 2 and recent research indicates that 30% of people living with Type 2 diabetes in England are undiagnosed. You may be more at risk of type 2 diabetes if you are overweight or obese, do not have a healthy diet, have a family history of type 2 diabetes, are of Asian, Black African or African Caribbean origin or suffer from high blood pressure.
By taking regular exercise, having a healthy body weight combined with healthy eating, you can reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes.
The complications of untreated Diabetes can be damage to the blood vessels sometimes leading to a heart attack or stroke, eye and vision problems, nerve damage, particularly to the feet and legs leading to ulcers, and kidney damage
An HbA1c test is the main blood test used to diagnose diabetes. It tests your average blood sugar levels for the last two to three months. You may have diabetes if your HbA1c level is 48mmol/mol or above, or you could be diagnosed with prediabetes if the HbA1c is 42 – 48mmol/mol
You’ll normally get the test results in a few days. From these results, your healthcare professional will be able to see if you have diabetes. If you didn’t have any of the symptoms of diabetes before you were tested, you’ll need to have the test again by your GP to confirm the result.
For Further Information visit NHS - www.nhs.uk/conditions/diabetes
Diabetes UK - http://www.diabetes.org.uk/diabetes-the-basics
Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a natural fatty substance in your blood. It’s produced in the liver and it's also in some of the foods we eat. Cholesterol is important to keep the cells in our bodies healthy.
High cholesterol is when you have too much cholesterol in your blood. It's mainly caused by eating fatty food, not exercising enough, being overweight, smoking and drinking alcohol. Having higher cholesterol is more likely as we age, are male and from a south Asian background. It can also run in families. You can lower your cholesterol by eating healthily and getting more exercise. Some people also need to take medicine.
High cholesterol does not usually cause symptoms. You can only find out if you have it from a blood test. The blood test measures the levels of HDL (“good” cholesterol), Non -HDL (“bad” cholesterol), Triglycerides and the ratio between Total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol. You should have a blood test if you are over 40, overweight, or high cholesterol or heart problems run in your family.
If the results show a high cholesterol level, it means you have too much 'bad' cholesterol in your blood, which increases your risk a heart attack or stroke. But a high level of 'good' (HDL) cholesterol can help keep that 'bad' (non-HDL) cholesterol in check.
If you have high cholesterol, make an appointment to talk to a doctor or nurse who will go through with you about how it can be reduced. This might include things like changing your diet, stopping smoking, reducing alcohol intake, taking more exercise or taking medicine. They may also work out your risk of having a heart attack or stroke in the next 10 years. By lowering your cholesterol you can help lower your risk of having a heart attack or stroke.
For Further Information visit NHS - www.nhs.uk/conditions/high-cholesterol/
British Heart Foundation - www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/risk-factors/high-cholesterol
Thyroid
The Thyroid gland lies in the front of your neck just below your Adam’s apple. It is butterfly shaped and made up of two lobes, on either side of your windpipe. The thyroid secretes two main hormones into the bloodstream. One of these is thyroxine (T4). This in turn is converted to tri-iodothyronine (T3). It is the T3 that is biologically active and regulates your body’s metabolism. The production of these hormones is regulated by the pituitary gland at the base of the brain by producing thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH).
The thyroid gland can become overactive or underactive. The symptoms of which can be (and usually there are more than one):
Under active or Hypothyroidism - tiredness, feeling cold, weight gain, poor concentration, depression, muscle aches or cramps, dry skin.
Over active or Hyperthyroidism - weight loss, irregular or fast heartbeat, heat intolerance, anxiety, mood swings, difficulty sleeping and, sometimes, sore and gritty eyes.
For a full list of symptoms please visit the NHS websites listed below. Both men and women can have thyroid dysfunction, although it's more common in women
You can also get nodules and swellings of the thyroid gland and, very rarely, thyroid cancer.
If you are suffering from these symptoms then a blood test can determine if you have thyroid disease. The blood test typically measures the levels of T4 and TSH and if they are abnormal you should consult your GP without delay. Thyroid disease is most commonly treated with medication although the doctor may want to do further tests to get a full picture of the condition.
For Further Information visit
NHS - www.nhs.uk/conditions/underactive-thyroid-hypothyroidism/
NHS - www.nhs.uk/conditions/overactive-thyroid-hyperthyroidism/
British Thyroid Foundation - www.btf-thyroid.org/what-is-thyroid-disorder
Iron Count
An iron count blood test (also known as a full blood count test) measures the level of iron in your blood. Iron is an essential mineral that helps your body produce red blood cells and transport oxygen throughout your body.
You can help prevent iron deficiency anaemia by eating foods which are rich in iron eg. Dark-green leafy vegetables, cereals and bread which have been fortified with iron, meat, pulses (beans, peas and lentils) and dried fruit.
Order an iron count blood test if you have signs or symptoms of iron deficiency anaemia, such as tiredness and lack of energy, shortness of breath, noticeable heartbeats (heart palpitations), or pale skin. It can be caused by heavy periods, pregnancy or other reasons for blood loss, typically bleeding in the stomach and intestines.
If changing your diet doesn’t improve the red blood cell count your GP may recommend iron tablets to replace the iron that’s missing from your body.
For Further Information visit – NHS - www.nhs.uk/conditions/iron-deficiency-anaemia
Vitamin D
Vitamin D helps regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body. These nutrients are needed to keep bones, teeth and muscles healthy. A lack of vitamin D can lead to bone deformities such as rickets in children, osteoporosis and bone pain caused by a condition called osteomalacia in adults. It also promotes muscle health, modulates the immune system and aids cell growth.
Government advice is that everyone should consider taking a daily vitamin D supplement (10 micrograms a day) during the autumn and winter. From late March to end of September, most people should be able to make all the vitamin D they need from sunlight. Vitamin D is also found in some foods, including oily fish, red meat, liver, egg yolks and some fortified foods. A supplement can be taken all year if you are not often outdoors, usually wear clothes that cover most of your skin or have a dark skin
Unless you are having symptoms a blood test is not recommended by the NHS, but a Vitamin D blood test can provide a valuable insight into your current Vitamin D status, allowing you to make informed decisions about your diet, lifestyle, and supplementation.
For Further Information visit – www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/vitamin-d/
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is necessary for several bodily processes, including nerve function and the production of DNA and red blood cells. It performs several important functions in the body, including keeping the nervous system healthy.
High B12 levels may indicate liver disease, diabetes, or certain types of leukaemia. Low levels of the vitamin may indicate a B12 deficiency or pernicious anaemia.
A deficiency in Vitamin B12 can cause a wide range of symptoms, including extreme tiredness, a lack of energy, pins and needles, sore mouth or tongue, muscle weakness, problems with your vision, psychological problems, (which can range from mild depression or anxiety to confusion and dementia) and possible problems with memory.
If you are getting any of these symptoms then it is important to get a blood test to rule out Vitamin B12 deficiency.
Certain people are more at risk of vitamin B12 deficiency than others, especially those who have low stomach acid or other digestive issues. There are a number of problems that can lead to a vitamin B12 deficiency. These include pernicious anaemia (the most common cause in the UK), a lack of vitamins in your diet (typically a vegan or plant based diet) and taking certain medicines. Vitamin B12 deficiency are more common in older people, affecting 1 in 20 aged 65 to 74 and 1 in 10 people aged 75 and over.
Most cases of vitamin B12 deficiency can be easily treated with injections or tablets to replace the missing vitamins. In some cases, improving your diet can help treat the condition and prevent it coming back. Vitamin B12 is found in meat, fish, eggs, diary products and specially fortified foods.
If your symptoms and blood test results suggest a vitamin B12 deficiency or excess, you must go and see your GP as soon as possible, who will go through your symptoms with you and may arrange further tests.
For further information visit
NHS - www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamin-b12-or-folate-deficiency-anaemia/
Medical News- www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322286
If you are happy that taking a test will be of benefit, please click below to book.
This will take you to our Partners Booking Site where you will be able to select tests, choose a time slot and pay.
If you’ve had a previous test with us click here to visit the booking site, enter your password at the top of the page to log in to your existing account.
Manchester University iHELP study – personalised cancer risk assessment, prevention and wellbeing.
At this event representatives from Manchester University will be recruiting participants motivated to want to change their lifestyles.
Each participant will be given a free FitBit accelerometer which will be linked to the University trial.
Full details can be seen on the Test Booking Site website and will pop up after you have booked and paid for the tests you have selected.
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