Private blood test without a referral

Changes in your blood values are often gradual. Most of the time you notice nothing yourself. A broad panel brings several systems into view at once.

That way you can see shifts in blood sugar, cholesterol, thyroid or vitamins. It works even when you have no symptoms. For busy professionals, a preventive blood test is an efficient way to stay in control.

You do not have to wait for a doctor to request it. You arrange it yourself, at a time that suits you.

This panel costs €259. You pay the bill yourself, because private testing does not run through your health insurer.

Going through your GP works differently. Your GP requests the tests on your behalf. In the Netherlands, lab work requested that way usually counts towards your own risk excess. So you often pay part of it on that route as well.

Some people deliberately choose a health check without involving a doctor. They would rather not wait for an appointment. Others prefer to discuss their results with their GP or a specialist. Both routes work, and you can combine them.

Looking for a smaller, cheaper package? Have a look at the basic health checkup.

This test may suit people who:

• want a broad overview as an annual health check
• want blood drawn without seeing a doctor first
• are curious about their cholesterol, blood sugar, thyroid or vitamins
• want a baseline value so they can track changes

Do you have specific symptoms? Then a doctor can advise which values are useful for you.

This panel measures 14 biomarkers, grouped by theme:

• Blood count: Small Blood Count, for your red and white blood cells and your platelets.
• Thyroid: TSH, Free T3 and Free T4.
• Vitamins and iron: Vitamin B12, Vitamin D and Ferritin.
• Cholesterol: HDL, LDL and Triglycerides.
• Liver, kidney: Liver function test, Creatinine and eGFR.
• Blood sugar: HbA1c, your average blood sugar over 2 to 3 months.

Want to test just one value? You can order a single test instead.

This panel touches several body systems at once. A shift in HbA1c can say something about your blood sugar regulation. Cholesterol values outside the range may point to a changed fat balance.

Thyroid markers say something about your energy and your metabolism. Your vitamin and iron values may point to a deficiency. Precisely because the picture is broad, you see patterns a single value would hide.

Discuss the results with a doctor where you can.

Your blood is drawn at a certified sample point. In the Netherlands you can choose from 700+ locations.

After ordering you can book an appointment straight away. You pick a time that suits you. You do not need a referral from your GP first.

A trained phlebotomist draws your blood. It usually takes only a few minutes.

A broad blood test can be useful in several situations:

• as a general health check when you have no symptoms
• when you want values tested after a lifestyle change
• with vague symptoms such as fatigue or low energy
• when you want recent figures to hand for your doctor

Each marker appears with your measured value and its reference range. A value inside that range usually fits a function working as expected.

A value outside it does not immediately mean something is wrong. It may be a reason for further investigation. Reference values also differ between laboratories.

Because this panel covers many markers, patterns often say more than one single number.

Your results are usually online within a few working days. You see your measured values alongside the reference ranges. Each marker comes with a clear explanation.

If a value falls outside the expected range, that is clearly marked. Every result carries an assessment by a BIG-registered doctor. Discuss your results with your GP or a specialist before making treatment decisions.