Private blood tests for women - not just hormones - all sorts like liver, kidney, cancer markers etc

[millymog11]

Anyone ordered something like this to see if any of their bloods is wildly out of whack?
Do you rate them?
Even with the 20% off they seem very expensive.
But I am only thinking about it because waiting for a GP blood test (if they will agree to give me one) could take some time

https://www.medichecks.com/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=paidsocial&utm_campaign=%2ABM+%7C+UK+%7C+TOF+%7C+Advantage%2B+%7C+Catalogue+%7C+All+Products++Campaign&utm_content=%2ABM+%7C+UK+%7C+TOF+%7C+Advantage%2B+%7C+Catalogue+%7C+All+Products++Ad+Set&RetargetingAudience=new_customer&fbclid=IwAR3DaTq9QkPCC6D8Feh5UlfbnLdCZ-IpLweLZLx-wuTOKiqP_zhM-vBytd8

What is the purpose of you doing those tests?

I have to test for specific vitamin and mineral levels to keep an eye on them as the NHS won't do them. (I and a few other people I know were told this "off record".)

The way tests are sold it means that sometimes it is cheaper to get a discounted test that tests for other things.

However you personally need to understand your own medical conditions or know people who do you are happy to show your results to.

The labs used are ones the NHS use. Some GPs will not accept private test results while others like mine will.

Reugny · Today 12:25 all good points thank you for taking the time to post.

My personal background is that I have had breast cancer and although I have come through it (I was signed off by my oncologist in 2021) I do sometimes wonder whether there might be any silent symptoms lurking as my initial diagnosis took me by surprise.

Im not even sure whether any markers for secondary breast cancer would show up in a general blood test but as I have now developed a bit of a phobia around taking myself to the doctors in the first place, I wondered whether there was another way to get a big red flag (if there is one) even if it is not directly linked to cancer.

I suppose I would go for a "general health" one. Obviously as a big part of my cancer treatment was to put me through the menopause, a hormonal one is going to look like it reflects exactly that (dramatic drop in oestrogen and I cannot take HRT)

Before anyone says "you should just go to your GP" I do realise that is the answer and I acknowledge that, I was just wondering whether there is any value in having a private blood test done for myself and whether anyone had any experience of having a private blood test done and whether they were valuable to them

I had some done for an age 50 health check. It was useful for me as I haven't had a lot of health issues so hadn't had blood tests regularly so it was useful for me to know my cholesterol, liver profile, kidney profile, thyroid, whether I was anaemic etc etc.

I didn't want to waste the GP's time when I know they are so busy!

I use Blue Horizons once a year to keep an eye on my thyroid levels and for any vitamin deficiencies https://bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk/collections/health-screening The private blood test identified that I had Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, which is not screened for in my local area, rather than hypothyroidism. I had the well woman gold screening last year and overall this was reassuring

If you are a bit traumatised by your cancer treatment and also wanting the tests because you're worried about a recurrence, is a tranche of tests where the results are simply published online for you to read alone (albeit with "doctor comments") a good idea for your wellbeing?

What will you do if something comes up that worries you or you don't understand?

Some things (like liver function) can fluctuate significantly and almost at random, so if they came back out of range it might be as simple as needing a retest to confirm it was a blip - but in the meantime how are you going to feel?

Also, the "doctor comments" they say they provide with the test results - they're not going to take into account your medical history, they're just going to be automatic text about the normal ranges of the various tests and automatic flags for follow up if out of range.

Is that going to be helpful?

If you can afford it, do you have a local private hospital GP service. You can have a good long consultation, and they can advise which blood tests to do. You generally get them done there and then, and get results in a couple of days from the GP. Might be better for your overall wellbeing.

Thank you so much for the comments on this thread.

So am I right in thinking that the doctors comments are just factual "on the face of it this result is outside the normal range and/or very far outside the normal range" but with no further comments (eg "this maybe a symptom of x y z") so if there was something very abnormal they do not speculate in any way what the cause of that might be?

Thanks to everyone who has posted.

Also do you think the bluehorizon one is the best value or better than the one I posted above (I really don't know what I am talking about here so was just asking incase someone knows) TIA.

I agree with @KnittedCardi - I paid for one where it included a consultation afterwards to go through the results. I think in your case that would be worth it as you can ask the questions you want. Also useful to take any old blood tests you've had so they can look at any changes.

GlamMa · Today 15:32 do you know the name of a provider which offers this (test results then in person consultation)?

I would be very surprised if the report mentioned on the website includes speculation about possible causes. I think it would be negligent/irresponsible to speculate without a proper consultation.

Using liver function as an example again, there are so many possible causes of blips in LFTs that would take further testing to determine the cause even if the results were reviewed by a liver specialist.

I use medichecks regularly and really rate them, but it's just for general health- there will often be a random 'red' result that doesn't mean much, but as pp have said, with your history of cancer and understandable anxiety it could definitely trigger more worry than it solves. The doctor's comments are generic but they do take into account whatever you tell them in your 'reason for taking the test' box

Have you talked to your GP about what monitoring they could provide?

Has something prompted you to feel this sense of urgency about testing for anything/everything?

I appreciate what you've said about your history and I'm not trying to diminish your worries, I'm just wondering why you're here today suddenly feeling you need to have tests so urgently there isn't even time to talk to your GP first?

Something like this @millymog11

www.one5.health/well-woman-check-up-london?gclid=CjwKCAiA4smsBhAEEiwAO6DEjeWd5tTCLhajAlK6UZeNogNolx5AmVWalJhh6wnk7wDhjUi9dN7w9xoCApgQAvD_BwE

With a history of breast cancer - I have I too - , I think you are well within your rights to request blood tests from your GP. Cholesterol, full blood count, including liver function. I know some people who get these tested every six months. And they might do a blood test for tumour markers. CA15-3 is one that is used to track secondary breast cancer, but I don’t know if a GP can order that.

quarrelmerchant · Today 15:50 its a fair comment and a very valid observation.
As a single mum (i mean, absolutely everyone has a reason to live but my kids - as per any parent - are it) the need to accept and go through cancer treatment feels totally non negotiable (i.e. I would do whatever an oncologist offered me if it came to it) - but my particular cancer journey felt a bit horrific and was a bit of a shock. So call me a wuss but i guess my questions come from the place of "looking under the bed for monsters". Not that if there is cancer there the outcome would not be the same, but just that with the NHS, as a consultant once said to me "we could do another MRI but you do know, if we find cancer we will have to treat it" and at that particular time for me I just thought, I will leave it for the meantime.
They didnt say that because they suspected there was residual or secondary cancer, it was part of a preliminary discussion about a breast reconstruction which I decided not to persue.

Irrationally the idea I could have a test and find something (preliminary) out for myself has an appeal, even if that does not make sense to other people.

Thank you again to everyone who has posted I appreciate all of the thoughts given on this thread

Like I said in my first post, I can see that you are traumatised by what you went through. I'm not knocking that and I don't think you're a wuss.

If you discuss with your GP about the monitoring they can provide, you would still be in control because you'd be driving that process.

Fwiw, if you were my friend or family member I'd have asked you the same questions - my concern is you're about to shell out significant sums of money on private tests that won't come with the level of explanation, oversight and aftercare that you need and deserve.

Which won't bring you the reassurance or control you're seeking.

As pp says, you have a legitimate basis to approach your GP for follow-up monitoring. It would seem worth exhausting that option before spending lots of money on private tests.

Depending on how phlebotomy services are delivered where you live, it could be as quick as the GP printing the blood test form in your appointment and you going to a blood test appointment the next day with results within days.

Also, the blood test form might only seem to be a short list but eg FBC and LFT come back as a whole list of different results. A single entry on the blood request form doesn't equate to a single test, but the NHS doesn't always explain that because they're not trying to sell themselves to you.

Those private websites are listing everything separately for marketing reasons (listing all the different tests within liver function tests sounds more impressive and "value for money" than just saying liver function tests/ LFT), it's not necessarily any more comprehensive than what your GP could order for you.

Anything outside the norm they will just tell you to see your GP.

You could find a private GP and get a test done there if you don’t want to go NHS.