I took a £95 health test and there’s 1 reason I’m very glad I did (Image: Steffan Rhys)
Like many of us, I worry quite a lot about my health despite not really having any obvious reason to. I eat well and exercise regularly but still can’t quite shake the feeling that there’s something seriously bad going on inside my body that is just waiting to reveal itself.
Pain in my side? Probably cancer. Headache? Likely a brain tumour. To give myself some credit and make myself sound a bit less unhinged, I have actually had the real-life experience of something seemingly innocuous in my body turning out to be cancer, so it’s not as far-fetched a scenario as it sounds.
A couple of years ago I stopped eating ultra-processed food which led to dramatic changes in my weight and fitness. But that’s not helped me shake the feeling that every day is a health catastrophe waiting to happen. So when I was offered the chance to take an at-home test to get a better idea of the state of my health, I jumped at it.
My Health Checked offers different tests for different aspects of your health, including cholesterol, energy levels, intolerances and vitamin deficiencies. I chose the General Health Blood Test (£95) which promised a « comprehensive wellness profile, measuring key indicators of your heart, liver and kidney health to help you identify any areas that need attention ». This sounded perfect, especially since I am especially obsessed with the health of my liver despite rarely exceeding official government guidelines on alcohol consumption.
The test arrived in the post and involved taking a blood sample at home then posting it back in the packaging provided for laboratory testing which has met international quality standards and is used for NHS testing.
How was the test?
I was nervous about pricking my finger for the blood test but it was simple and painless (Image: Steffan Rhys)
In a nutshell, the test involved pricking my finger with a lancing device then getting a small amount of blood into two separate capsules. All the equipment was provided and the process was carefully set out in written guidance. It was easy to follow, but there was quite a lot of it and it took a fair bit of concentration.
This looks like more blood than it actually is (Image: Steffan Rhys)
Blood samples safely collected, I then just had to walk around the corner to a post box to get them sent off. The whole process, from opening the packaging to getting the results in the post, took around 30 minutes. The results were ready within three days, complete with a doctor’s note.
The results
The moment of truth. When the results arrived on my personal My Health Checked dashboard a couple of days later I will admit to having felt nervous. And this is the reason I’m so glad I took the test. There was a message from a doctor to say: « Everything looks good with your General Health Test results. Your biomarkers are in, or near, the normal range. These are considered markers of good health. »
This was a massive boost and I’ve felt noticeably less anxious about my health in the days since.
Once the test was done and put in the packaging provided, it was just a case of sending it for laboratory testing in the post (Image: Steffan Rhys)
- cholesterol levels
- blood glucose levels
- kidney health
- liver health.
Each of the above sections was also broken down into far more detailed results, with an explanation for why each one mattered. For example, the liver health element of the test included seven different markers, including bilirubin, albumin and protein levels. It was clearly explained that had these markers been outside the normal range, it could be a sign of liver damage or inflammation. But reassuringly, the results explained: « If all these markers are in the normal range, it suggests your liver function is normal. »
They should also have returned a full blood count but there was a technical problem with being able to process this particular section of the test. But I followed up on this and received assurance that there was unlikely to be a problem hiding in these blood results given everything else was showing up as being in good health. They also said they could re-arrange to send a second test or discuss a potential refund as a result of this missing element of the test.
Does this mean I am in perfect health?
After receiving my results, I went back to My Health Checked to ask if I could now be categorically assured that I was in perfect health. They explained that while blood tests « are not a full screening tool for all major diseases » that it was fair to say that « having normal blood results is an indicator that [I am] functioning well and in good health. Having normal cholesterol levels is also a marker of good health. »
What if the results cause concern?
The next step for abnormal results would depend on their significance. For mildly abnormal readings, simple lifestyle measures around diet, alcohol and exercise could be implemented to improve results. For more significant abnormal results, patients would be directed to speak with a healthcare professional such as a GP to discuss the results and next steps in more detail.
How do I feel about the results?
I can honestly say the results have made a difference to my peace of mind. I may never permanently get rid of my health anxiety, but I have certainly felt a lot more confident about it in the days since I received my results. I’m so glad I took the test for this reason and can recommend it to anyone seeking peace of mind or more information about their health.
You can see and buy a My Health Checked test here.
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