Private blood tests

Warren1989

Looking at getting a blood test every year to track my health and be proactive about it. Does MSE offer any affiliate links to save money on these? Any recommendations? It would be good to have a page on the website for them as they get more popular.

Woodstok2000

I doubt MSE will get involved in healthcare matters like this.

Blood tests on their own often don't tell you much, and by definition 5-10% of healthy people will have 'abnormal' blood results that are entirely normal for them.

The problem is that generic "well person screening" does not work. There is research evidence showing that it doesn't work. It can actually do more harm than good, by picking up incidental findings which don't require action and causing unnecessary worry.

https://www.cochrane.org/evidence/CD009009_general-health-checks-reducing-illness-and-mortality

The reason to be cautious is a “slippery slope” argument and the knowledge that medical interventions are never risk-free.

For the vast majority of worried well who undergo this sort of health check, it will be fine. For a few, they may uncover some result which is abnormal; the significance of which is uncertain in the absence of symptoms (ie low pre-test suspicion) to begin with. This can then lead to a cascade of investigations, referrals, interventions - at each juncture there is risk. And not necessarily immediate risk but potential for long-term risk e.g. the effects of radiation from scanning etc.

For example, if you put everyone through a whole-body MRI you’d find also sorts of weird and wonderful things which, in the absence of symptoms, are probably trivial. But then you’re might feel obliged to have things checked further - the risk begins to snowball.

There will of course be the odd individual who undergoes this sort of scattergun approach and uncovers a truly malicious pathology which they then have treated, and will thank their stars they did it.

Overall people are free to make their own choices, but I think this sort of approach is better if there’s a specific health question that you want answering. If you have symptoms, or a family history of something in particular, then consult a good, intellectually rigorous private GP and they can take a history, examine you, and do the appropriate tests - hopefully without unnecessary ones.

Alderbank

This^^ is spot on. An excellent response.

Myci85

I'm guessing by your username that you may not yet have hit 40, but my GP encourages people to attend annually for bloods and health check every year from their age 40 health check. If you have a specific reason to do so earlier, it may be worth asking yours?

As someone who over the last 5 years has been diagnosed first with higher than ideal blood sugar levels (putting me in pre diabetes territory) and a few years later with higher than ideal cholesterol, and making significant dietary changes to successfully address both, I can see the value in finding these things early enough to do something about them without resorting to medications.

Also, fwiw, I would not be your 'typical' candidate for either of those things. I already ate a healthier than normal diet, was a pretty healthy weight, size 10, never smoked etc. But after discussions with family following my horror at both results, found out that I have a family history of both issues, so clearly susceptible. My cholesterol is still considered higher than ideal, although I managed to reduce it drastically, but 3 of 4 siblings on my dad's side have died with stroke, so anything I can do to address this early and naturally is good in my eyes.

Murphybear

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82155711#Comment_82155711

I agree

This is an excellent post. I worked in the laboratories of the Blood Transfusion Service (as it was called then). I was interested in the scattergun comment because we had one sample in routine testing that looked unusual and upon further testing it showed that the donor had previously undiagnosed leukaemia

Greylocks

Some good advice here.
If the OP goes towards the cheaper end of the market at least ensure the lab / provider is CPA registered which is what the NHS labs are.

UnsureAboutthis

Just Google and look for accredited firms that do this tests.

Likes of AXA, BUPA, etc., are two very well-known outfits.

If you are relatively young, no reason why your blood results come back within 100% normal ranges.

The older you get the more chances blood tests are slightly out needing more tests often settle down by themselves, but IMO, cause stress, etc. It can lead to CT/MRI scan and these things can at times pinpoint stuff which you would have never known about and still lives to a good old age of 117 yrs at times.

Have you spoken to your doctor's surgery? They could recommend.

If you have family hostory etc that is concerning you—speak to your GP for guidance but your choice.

Good luck