Getting bloods checked yearly?

[PowerthruIT]

Hi all,

I met up with an old friend last week. We got on the subject of health as we are now both in our fourties. She said since turning 38 she started getting her bloods fully checked every year via her private healthcare provided from her work. She recommended I should start doing it as it can really help catch things early or at least give you an idea if you are going into the risk zones of high cholesterol etc. So she has always been slim and fit but actually has high cholesterol and she would have never thought this until her bloods were checked.

I've looked on the internet and there just seem to be so many different companies offering blood checks such as Numan, York test etc and have varying levels of what is checked (and price reflects this). I have also read up that some of these 'online' companies can not be reliable and really to properly test your bloods you need the NHS to do this via referral from a Doctor (unless you have private healthcare), but a GP will only request your bloods to be checked if you have a potential issue identified.

Any thoughts/advice appreciated.

Checked for what, specifically? There are many many different things you can check for but you can't check for all of them - I can't believe they are "fully checked" for absolutely everything that could be discovered by a blood test.

If there is something specific you're concerned about then see a gp. If not then personally I would not bother getting blood tests. But it's entirely up to you.

https://www.bupa.co.uk/health/payg/gp-services/diagnostics-tests-and-scans

Private tests are fine at reputable companies go to one of them.

My friend said the test checks many of the basics and can flag if you are in a risk zone for things like diabetes, cholesterol, liver function and that you may be in a risk zone but showing no signs. So as with her she has always been slim and active, lots of running etc and ate reasonably well yet had high cholesterol so she had to make some changes to her diet to lower it, yet would have never known. The advice she was given was that some things are not always related to your lifestyle and can just be how your DNA is so it's worth picking these things up rather than 'not knowing'.

I do a basic check every 6-12 months with a private GP. Worth the expense imo because I like to know if there’s anything wrong, like high cholesterol for example.

Sounds like a complete waste of time. I know lots of medics and nurses, and none of them would do it. We don't need to encourage hypochondria.

My GP does my every year.. but l think it's certain age people.

You can always ask at your gp for a NHS health check although I think they may only be available once your over 40.

I just had one done by my GP. Just got a text saying 'your annual blood test is due, come and collect a form' or something like that. First text of that nature I ever received but I went and got it done.

Nuffield Health offer a 360 health assessment which a lot of companies use. It is expensive.

And only once every five years. If on medication for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes etc then they should be done yearly anyway.

I agree, only eligible if no exsting chronic health conditions.