Where / how can I get private blood tests done?

[Helpagirlout222]

GP has dismissed me/my symptoms as being post viral or chronic fatigue.
She may well be right, but I want to try and tweak/supplement anything I can that might make me feel just a little bit better. Previous bloods have shown everything to be "within the normal range" but quite a few things were at the very outer edges of the range and I know that for some people that can have an affect.
She won't run any further bloods.
I'm happy to pay privately to get an up to date picture but don't know how to go about this, can anyone advise?
Thank you!

BUPA?

bupa

Thriva there's normally discount codes on health unlocked.

https://www.medichecks.com/collections/womens-health

I’ve used Medichecks before. They have loads of options and you can arrange to have blood taken at a private hospital or for some tests you can do finger prick samples at home.

If you Google blood tests you will get lots of sites show up. Something like medichecks or blue horizon are good options. Thriva also do them but if you Google blood tests you will get lots of options show up.

I think its blue horizons that often offer a full wellness check and at certain times of the year will do a free nurse visit to draw the bloods.

I've done private bloods a couple times and they come back quite fast and are usually straightforward.

Monitor My Health does a range of tests. It's pretty cheap, quick and uses NHS labs so apparently GPs will take your results seriously if anything is flagged.

I've used Thriva a couple of times and would recommend

Thank you so much
Loads come up when you Google so I didn't want to choose anything dodgy.

How does Bupa work,I thought you had to have private health insurance for that?

I had one done recently. I just googled and ended up at a local chemist.

Spire and Bupa will see you privately without health insurance, you just pay for what you need as you go. You’d probably need a private GP appointment first to get the forms etc for the bloods you need - that’s about £50-80. Then if you needed to see a consultant afterwards to discuss some particular bloods you’re looking at around £250 for an initial appointment. Blood test costs will be on top of these.

Be aware that some of the cheaper online blood tests aren’t reliable if you need to use them for diagnostic purposes- for example cortisol, has to be a venous blood test taken between 8/9am to be valid for investigations for adrenal insufficiency. (I advise and help in an Addisons disease group).

Have you obtained your most recent blood results so you can see the actual numbers?
Take a look at things like your ferritin and thyroid results - what GPs often consider 'normal' can be far from optimal.

@helleborus that's what i have done previously, asked for a print out, but my last set was taken a few months ago now, so I'd like to see more recent numbers.

@Pigeonqueen thank you that's so helpful!

I use onedaybloodtests. They have always been good. I pay extra for the clinic option.

I'd start with the a basic medicahecks or Thriva looking at vit d, folate, ferritin, b12 and maybe thyroid.

I was surprised to be low normal in folate last autumn and was having irregular heart beats. I am hypothyroid though and had had a bad phase of that not being right a few months before so am linking it to that.

A couple of months of self supplementing has made a huge difference to energy. Gp repeated bloods due to other symptoms and it was around 10 (I think highest is 23 ish) but b12 and ferritin had dropped a lot.

Definitely get blood drawn at a clinic

Thank you all!
@helleborus I have previous print outs but it's just been a while now since I had them done, I'd like a more current picture.

Oh sorry, I've replied to you twice!

If you're in London, there's the Harley Street Health Centre who offer different packages of blood tests. I had the silver package once (£59) and they do a very comprehensive range of blood. I got my results the next day.

Do you mind me asking what your symptoms are?

I was also going to ask about symptoms. I've recently had an operation (private surgeon) and my symptoms appeared very vague but after a blood test revealed high calcium everything fell into place. My surgeon said I'd probably suffered the condition for a minimum of 5 years.

On the assumption that you're not a doctor yourself, how are you going to interpret the tests, or indeed know which ones to do?

If you aren't happy with what your GP has said, you could either see another GP at the practice, or get a consultation with a private consultant or GP, who can then order and interpret the blood tests on your behalf.

I really would advise against the suggestions like Thriva above. They are very effective at lightening your wallet, but little else.

I make sure I use a place that does more than testing for vitamin and mineral levels. If they are testing thyroid function and liver functions (even if you dont do those tests) I feel they will have a more developed and robust lab set up

@redphonecase I think my hope is that if something is low but still within the normal range, i can supplement and see if it at least helps. GP won't look at anything borderline.

I'm sorry I can't scroll back and see who asked about symptoms, but I have had horrific exhaustion and pain for a year now. As it followed a series of nasty viruses my GP says probably post viral/ chronic fatigue. But I'm so sore and tired that I need to try something to at least improve things marginally.
My immune system is shot to pieces and I'm catching everything going.

Oh @Hannahbt582 I now see it was you. Sadly I'm many miles away from London! Quite rural with limited options

I would ask locally for recommendations for a private gp. If you are on facebook just ask on local groups, or google private gp and your nearest town and see what you come up with. They can do bloods and interpret results, and advise on next steps to correct any deficiencies etc.