What should I do to prepare for the General Health Blood Test

The General Health Blood Test includes a cholesterol profile. It's best to take this test when fasting. Practically, this usually means taking the test in the morning, before breakfast. We also check your kidney function using a serum creatinine blood test. It's best to avoid meat in your diet in the 12 hours before you take this test.

What can the General Health Blood Test tell me?

The General Health Blood Test can tell you if you have markers in the blood which could indicate a problem with your health. Positive results may highlight some dietary or lifestyle changes you could make or identify where further testing would be helpful. Negative results can give you reassurance that your health is probably on the right track. However, it is important to understand that no test can look for everything, particularly in the very early stages of a condition. Always listen to your body and speak to a doctor if you have any concerns.

Who should not use the General Health Blood Test?

We do not recommend using this test panel if you: are a child (17 years or under) are pregnant or breastfeeding (this can affect many of your blood test markers) are feeling acutely unwell - e.g. with a cold or flu or if you have new-onset (i.e. within the last few days) sympto If you're unsure if you should use this test panel, please contact us for advice.

General Health Blood Test

Our general health blood test is a comprehensive health MOT blood test you can take at home and send to our lab for analysis. We'll check your heart, liver, thyroid and kidney health as well as key vitamin and mineral levels.

Results and doctor's report in 2 days or less
Free, next-working day delivery
NHS-testing lab

£135.00

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The whole process was excellent

The test results came back within two days with a very detailed report and lots of advice going forward. I choose to do the blood draw at Superdrug as you do need quite a bit of blood (two test tubes) and I wasn’t confident doing this at home by myself. Also the nurse packaged everything up for me and there was a priority postbox nearby. A big bit of advice for a successful blood draw is to drink plenty of water beforehand ideally starting the day before so you are not dehydrated. I chose to do the comprehensive general health check which tested for lots of different things. The whole process from delivery of test kit to results was excellent, getting results very quickly was one of the main reasons I chose Selph.

I have used Selph a couple of times

I have used Selph a couple of times now, each time the delivery of sample has been guaranteed 24 hours. A very easy service to use to get results quickly and within comfort of your own home. Will use again if and when needed.

Rapid Turnaround

The kit was simple and easy to use. The online video was a useful addition to the printed instructions. I was amazed at the speed of the results

Great Service.

Well packaged kits, very clear instructions, easy to register and very quick results. Great experience, a very reassuring experience

Exactly as advertised

Test kit arrived promptly. Very clear instructions. Easy to use. Results were made available in two days.

Personalise your General Health Blood Test

You can choose how you'd like to collect your blood sample. You may also want to add to your test panel depending on your age, sex and any symptoms.

Choose how to collect your blood sample

Finger-prick blood collection

Free

Use our simple kit to collect a blood sample from your finger at home.

Visit a clinic to have your blood taken

£35.00

Book a venous draw at home or work with a nurse

£70.00

Arrange your own venous blood draw

Free

Add to your test

Dr Claire Merrifield

GP, PhD and our Medical Director

What you need to know about our General Health Blood Test

Dr Claire Merrifield

GP, PhD and our Medical Director

If you're looking for a general health MOT then our General Health Blood Test is exactly what you need.

Our General Health Blood Test is a comprehensive blood test panel for both men and women, designed to check your key general health biomarkers and pick up health problems early. We should all be taking the General Health Blood Test once a year.

What conditions does the General Health Blood Test check for?

A General Health Blood Test should give you a health MOT, checking your major body systems for problems even though you feel fine now. We check your cholesterol, diabetes risk, thyroid, liver and kidney health and key vitamins and minerals. These markers give you information about your risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer and dementia.

Is the General Health Blood Test suitable for men and women?

Yes - our General Health Blood Test is designed to be a thorough health MOT for both men and women. For the most part the major risks to men's and women's health are the same. Heart disease, cancer, diabetes and dementia affect us all regardless of sex.

However, there are a few more spoecialist blood tests that are more useful in men than in women. That's why you can "add on" a testosterone blood test and a protstate specific antigen blood test to the General Health Blood Test.

How often should I take a General Health Blood Test

Most of us should be taking the General Health Blood Test once a year. If you're under 30 you might consider taking it every few years instead but in an ideal world you would still be checking these core biomarkers every year.

If the General Health Blood Test picks up areas that could do with improvement, e.g. high cholesterol levels, then you may need to do further tests related to that specific issue but you wouldn't generally need to take the full general health MOT more than once in a year.

What's tested in your General Health Blood Test?

Cholesterol Status
Your lipid profile - the levels of triglycerides and cholesterol in your blood - is one of most important risk factors for heart disease. High cholesterol also increases your risk of stroke and dementia.
WHAT'S MEASURED?
- Triglycerides are a type of fat that your body uses for energy.
- Cholesterol is a type of fat that is present in the blood. Total cholesterol is the sum of all the different types of cholesterol in the body - some good and some bad.
- HDL cholesterol is the amount of cholesterol carried on High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) particles. The latest evidence suggests that the HDL cholesterol level is not directly related to the risk of heart disease. However, it's still a useful marker of metabolic health as low levels can indicate insulin resistance.
- LDL cholesterol is the cholesterol carried on Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) particles particles. It's the major type of 'non-HDL' cholesterol. Higher LDL cholesterol levels are associated with an increased risk of heart disease.
- Your non-HDL cholesterol is your total cholesterol minus your HDL cholesterol. Most non-HDL cholesterol is LDL-cholesterol. Higher non-HDL cholesterol levels are strongly associated with increased risk of heart disease. The lower we can get your non-HDL cholesterol level the better.
- This is the amount of total cholesterol compared to HDL cholesterol. Studies have shown that a lower ratio is associated with better health and reduced risk of heart disease. It is used by some guidelines to determine if someone could benefit from taking lipid-lowering medication.
Diabetes & Sugar Handling
Diabetes and pre-diabetes - the stage before full-blown diabetes - are directly linked to your risk of heart disease. Poor sugar handling is also related to other conditions such as cancer and dementia.
WHAT'S MEASURED?
- HbA1c measures the amount of sugar stuck to your red blood cells. It's a marker of your sugar handling over the last 3 months. Lower levels are generally associated with better health while high levels indicate pre-diabetes or diabetes.
Thyroid Health
Your thyroid gland controls how fast your metabolism runs. Thyroid problems are common and will affect all aspects of your health from your gut to your skin and mental health.
WHAT'S MEASURED?
- Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) stimulates the thyroid gland to make thyroid hormones. A low TSH indicates an overactive thyroid while a high TSH indicates an underactive thyroid.
Liver Health
Your liver is the main organ affecting how you metabolise pretty much everything you put inside your body, including food, drink and medications. Alcohol and excess body fat are common causes of liver injury.
WHAT'S MEASURED?
- Albumin is a protein produced by the liver and is a biomarker of how well your liver is working. Albumin acts as a carrier for various substances in your blood including medications and hormones. It's also important for tissue growth and healing.
- Aspartate transaminase is a liver enzyme and a biomarker of liver inflammation.
- Alkaline phosphatase is an enzyme found in the liver and in bone. It can be a biomarker of liver or bone disease.
- Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) is an enzyme found in your liver. High GGT levels can indicate liver inflammation, injury to bile ducts or alcohol intake.
- Bilirubin is found in bile and is a biomarker of liver inflammation and bile release from the liver.
- Globulin is one of the major proteins made in your liver. Normal globulins are an indicator of overall liver health.
- Your liver makes two main types of protein - albumin and globulin. Total protein is a measure of both of them.
Kidney Health
Along with your liver, your kidneys are crucial to filter and detox your blood. But common conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes can cause damage over time.
WHAT'S MEASURED?
- Creatinine is a biomarker of how well your kidneys are working.
- eGFR is a biomarker that's calculated from your creatinine. It provides a more accurate measurement of your kidney function that takes into account your age and biologic sex. The higher the eGFR the better your kidney function. An eGFR of '>90' is as high as the scale goes and indicates normal kidney function.
Iron Deficiency
Iron is essential for your red blood cells and immune system. Iron deficiency is the commonest mineral deficiency in the UK, particularly if you're on a plant-based diet or are a woman before the menopause. Iron deficiency can also be a sign of cancer.
WHAT'S MEASURED?
- Ferritin is a biomarker of the levels of iron in the body. Iron deficiency causes anaemia and tiredness.
Essential Vitamins
Vitamin B12 and vitamin D are fundamental to health and deficiency is common.
WHAT'S MEASURED?
- Vitamin D controls calcium levels and is important for the immune system and bone health.
- Vitamin B12 is essential for your body to make DNA and is particularly important for your blood cells and nerves. Low levels can cause anaemia as well as tingling and numbness.

Find out more about our General Health Blood Test

: The General Health Blood Test includes a cholesterol profile. It's best to take this test when fasting. Practically, this usually means taking the test in the morning, before breakfast.

We also check your kidney function using a serum creatinine blood test. It's best to avoid meat in your diet in the 12 hours before you take this test.
: The General Health Blood Test can tell you if you have markers in the blood which could indicate a problem with your health.

Positive results may highlight some dietary or lifestyle changes you could make or identify where further testing would be helpful.

Negative results can give you reassurance that your health is probably on the right track. However, it is important to understand that no test can look for everything, particularly in the very early stages of a condition. Always listen to your body and speak to a doctor if you have any concerns.
: We do not recommend using this test panel if you:

are a child (17 years or under)

are pregnant or breastfeeding (this can affect many of your blood test markers)

are feeling acutely unwell - e.g. with a cold or flu or if you have new-onset (i.e. within the last few days) sympto

If you're unsure if you should use this test panel, please contact us for advice.