Get the drop on it

Feeling a little under the weather? Just one blood test could give you the answers you’re looking for

When you can’t put your finger on a health problem, a GP appointment is usually your first port of call. Whether it’s tiredness or a tickly cough, an itchy rash or just a funny feeling, docs will give you a once over and maybe ship you off to hospital for a blood test or two.

Money is tight right now, but if you could skip the waiting room and sort your health out in one fell swoop, wouldn’t it be worth it? Well, for £149 you can get a one-time Well Man/ Woman comprehensive blood test that’ll pick up everything from diabetes to diseases – and even organ failure!

“If you’re under 50, you can’t have a blood test on the NHS unless they suspect a problem,” says Dr Tom Van De Bossche, from The London Medical Laboratory. “If you can afford the one-off fee, taking this test every year is worth it.”

Here’s what this blood MOT can tell you…

What the future holds

Did you know scientists are developing an at-home blood test that could diagnose cancer early?

Dr Van De Bossche says, “After 50 years of war against cancer, treatment is still basic radiation or chemo. If you catch it soon enough, many cancers are curable. But this blood test could tell you way in advance, even before you see symptoms.

“One company called Grail Serum says it would be able to diagnose 27 different cancers from the DNA in our bloodstream. It’ll take some time to perfect it, but it’s a real possibility.”

London Medical Laboratory is the first omni-channel blood testing, diagnostic and health check business in the UK. Choose from 31 different blood tests at londonmedicallaboratory.com