Client dinners, conferences, travel and late nights mean many senior professionals drink more than they intend to, often without feeling unwell. Executive health screening can show some of the effects of alcohol on the liver, blood and heart, and it is a good moment to look honestly at how much you drink. A normal blood test does not mean alcohol is doing no harm, so the conversation with your doctor matters as much as the results.
Reviewed by the medical team at The Wellness. Last updated 14 November 2026.
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Key points
The UK guideline is no more than 14 units a week, spread over several days.
Liver blood tests can be normal even when the liver is affected.
A liver scan or fibrosis score gives a clearer picture than blood tests alone.
Alcohol also raises blood pressure, disturbs sleep and affects mood.
Your answers are confidential, and honest answers lead to useful advice.
How much is too much?
The UK Chief Medical Officers advise that it is safest not to drink more than 14 units a week on a regular basis, spread over three or more days, with several alcohol free days. A bottle of wine contains around ten units, and a large glass around three. Many people are surprised by how quickly a week of dinners adds up.
What can screening show?
Liver tests. Raised GGT and ALT can point to alcohol affecting the liver, though other causes are common too.
Full blood count. Larger red blood cells, shown as a raised MCV, can be a sign of regular heavy drinking.
Blood pressure. Alcohol is a common and reversible cause of raised blood pressure.
Triglycerides and blood sugar. Both can rise with regular drinking.
Liver scarring. A fibrosis score from your blood results, or a liver scan, can show whether the liver is stiffening.
Why is a normal result not the whole story?
Liver blood tests can be normal even when there is fat or early scarring in the liver. Alcohol also affects sleep, mood, weight, heart rhythm and the risk of several cancers, none of which a liver test measures. So a normal result is reassuring, but it does not mean the amount you drink is safe for you.
What will the doctor ask?
Your doctor will ask how much and how often you drink, in a simple and non-judgemental way. The answers are confidential. Honest answers allow your doctor to choose the right tests and to give you advice that is actually useful, whether that is reassurance, a target to cut down, or help if you find it hard to reduce.
What happens if a result is raised?
It depends on the result. Often the first step is a period of reduced drinking and a repeat test, which shows how much the result was linked to alcohol. Where the liver may be scarred, your doctor will arrange a scan and, if needed, a specialist opinion. Our team arranges each step and keeps you updated.
What does it cost?
Most people begin with a GP consultation, which is £150, where the doctor takes your history and agrees which tests are worth doing. Blood panels include Advanced Health at £650 and Longevity+ at £1,395. Scans, heart tests and specialist opinions are added only when your doctor recommends them, and every fee is confirmed with you before anything is booked.
How do I arrange an appointment?
Send us a message on WhatsApp with a few words about what you would like help with, and we will offer you the earliest time with one of our doctors. Appointments run from 7am to 9pm every day by video, and in person at our clinics in Marylebone and Belgravia. You do not need a referral, and you do not need to be registered with an NHS GP.
After your appointment you receive a written summary of what was discussed. Our team then arranges any tests, prescriptions or referrals your doctor recommends, and keeps you updated at each step, so nothing is left for you to chase.
Frequently asked questions
Can a blood test tell if I drink too much?
It can show some effects of alcohol, but normal results do not prove that your drinking is safe.
Should I stop drinking before my screening?
It is best to drink as you normally do, so the results reflect your usual pattern. Your doctor will advise if a repeat test is needed.
Will my employer see my answers?
No. Your consultation and results are confidential to you unless you choose to share them.
Can the liver recover?
Fat in the liver often improves when drinking is reduced. Your doctor will explain what your results mean for you.
How much does screening cost?
A GP consultation is £150. Blood panels include Advanced Health at £650 and Longevity+ at £1,395.
The Online GP is part of The Wellness, a doctor-led private healthcare group with clinics at 10 Portman Square, Marylebone, and 9 Eccleston Street, Belgravia. All doctors are GMC-registered. Prescriptions are issued only after a consultation and clinical assessment, when the doctor judges them appropriate. In an emergency call 999. This article is general information and not a substitute for medical advice about your own health.
Message us on WhatsApp on +44 7961 280835 (ref OGP-executive-screening-and-alcohol) and we will arrange your appointment.
Sources
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