One of the most common questions we get asked is:
“Should I just book some blood tests, or would I be better seeing a GP first?”
The answer depends on what you’re hoping to achieve.
If You Already Know What You Need
Booking blood tests directly can be an excellent option if you already know exactly what needs checking.
For example, you may:
- have been asked by another GP or healthcare professional to have specific blood tests
- need repeat blood tests to monitor a known condition
- know exactly which tests you require.
In these situations, booking blood tests directly is often the quickest and simplest option.
If the blood tests have been requested by another healthcare professional we can send the results straight to them.
If the blood tests are ones you are requesting yourself then they will have a clinical oversight by one of our GPs.
The Downside of Choosing Blood Tests Yourself
Over the last year we’ve noticed more people arriving with lists of blood tests they’ve found online or that have been suggested by ChatGPT.
We actually think it’s encouraging that people are becoming more interested in their health.
The difficulty is that it’s surprisingly easy to request tests that aren’t necessary, or very specialised tests that are expensive but unlikely to change what happens next.
The other challenge is interpretation.
Quite often people have their blood tests and then ask us:
“These are my results… but what do they actually mean?”
Having lots of numbers isn’t always helpful if you don’t know which ones matter or how they fit together.
Our Blood Tests Include Clinical Oversight
Blood tests from our blood testing service all of include clinical oversight from one of our GPs.
That means you’re not simply handed a page of results.
One of our doctors reviews your blood tests, explains anything that is outside the normal range, and provides guidance on what those results may mean and whether any further action is recommended.
For many people, that’s exactly what they need.
However, it’s important to understand that clinical oversight isn’t the same as a GP consultation.
Clinical oversight helps explain what your blood test results are telling you. Many patients start with with this type of blood test, then later choose to book an appointment with the same GP to discuss their results further.
A GP consultation starts with your story.
It gives you the opportunity to explain your symptoms, discuss your concerns and, if appropriate, be examined before deciding which investigations are actually needed.
Sometimes blood tests are exactly the right answer.
Sometimes another investigation would be more appropriate.
And sometimes the most valuable thing is simply having the opportunity to discuss what’s been happening with an experienced GP.
If you have a new symptom, several symptoms that don’t seem to fit together, or you’re simply not sure what’s causing the problem, we’d usually recommend booking a GP appointment first.
Using your history, symptoms and clinical experience, the GP can decide:
- whether blood tests are needed at all
- which blood tests are most appropriate
- whether other investigations would be more useful
- what the most sensible next steps are.
This often avoids having unnecessary tests while making sure nothing important is missed.
Where Our Health Screenings Fit In
If you’re not worried about one specific symptom but would like a comprehensive overview of your health, one of our Health Screenings or Health Check MOTs is often the ideal place to start.
They combine carefully selected blood tests with dedicated GP review.
Rather than simply looking at your blood results in isolation, your GP can consider the bigger picture – your medical history, lifestyle, symptoms and blood tests together.
We offer different levels of Health Screening depending on how in-depth you’d like your assessment to be, including options with additional hormon, vitamin testing, ECGs or gut tests.
For many people, this provides the best balance between a comprehensive health check and personalised medical advice.
So… Which Should You Choose?
As a simple guide:
Choose blood tests if you already know exactly what needs checking or another healthcare professional has recommended specific tests.
Choose a GP appointment if you have symptoms, aren’t sure what’s wrong, or would like advice before deciding which investigations you need.
Choose a Health Screening or Health Check MOT if you’d like a broader picture of your health, together with blood tests and personalised GP advice.
If you’re still not sure where to start, that’s absolutely fine.
Get in touch and we’ll help you decide which option is likely to be the most appropriate for you.
Rosie Piercy
Clinic Director
Total Health West Berkshire