What should a full private blood test include in 2026?
A full private blood test in 2026 should cover blood count, kidney and liver function, thyroid, blood sugar, cholesterol, iron stores, vitamin B12, folate, vitamin D and inflammation. Advanced panels add ApoB, lipoprotein(a) and hormones. The Online GP by The Wellness offers doctor-led blood panels from £350, with every result read by a GMC-registered doctor.
Key points
A good blood panel is chosen around your age, symptoms and family history, not built from the longest possible list of tests.
More tests are not always better. A Dutch trial of patients with unexplained fatigue found only 8% had an illness detectable by blood tests, and larger test sets produced more false positives.
The 2026 American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology cholesterol guideline recommends that every adult has lipoprotein(a) measured at least once.
Raised lipoprotein(a) affects around 1 in 5 people and is largely inherited.
The Online GP by The Wellness offers three panels, Core Wellness from £350, Advanced Health from £650 and Longevity+ from £1,395, with blood drawn at 76 Wimpole Street.
What does a standard full blood test check?
A standard full blood test checks a full blood count, kidney function, liver function, thyroid function, HbA1c for blood sugar, a cholesterol profile, ferritin for iron stores, vitamin B12, folate, vitamin D and C-reactive protein for inflammation. Together these markers cover the most common causes of tiredness and the main cardiovascular and metabolic risks.
Each marker answers a specific question. A full blood count looks for anaemia and infection. Kidney and liver tests show how well those organs are working. HbA1c reveals blood sugar control over the previous two to three months, which picks up prediabetes years before symptoms.
The doctor confirms which markers each panel includes before you book, so you know exactly what is being measured.
What do advanced blood panels add?
Advanced blood panels add markers that refine cardiovascular and long-term health risk. The most useful are apolipoprotein B, which counts the cholesterol particles that cause artery disease, lipoprotein(a), an inherited risk factor, high-sensitivity CRP, and hormones such as testosterone or oestradiol where symptoms suggest a hormonal cause.
Lipoprotein(a) is raised in about 1 in 5 people, according to a 2026 review in a cardiovascular journal, and it is largely set by your genes. A single test usually tells you your lifelong level. Ask a doctor on WhatsApp about advanced markers.
Our guide to ApoB and lipoprotein(a) explains why many cardiologists now consider these more informative than a standard cholesterol test.
Is a bigger blood test always better?
No. A bigger blood test is not always better. Every extra marker raises the chance of a borderline result that leads to repeat tests and worry without changing your care. The best panel is the one a doctor chooses for your situation, then reads in full.
A cluster randomised trial of Dutch GPs, the VAMPIRE trial published in the British Journal of General Practice in 2009, studied patients with unexplained fatigue. Only 8% had an illness that blood tests could detect, and expanded test sets produced more false positives than limited ones.
"A long list of results with no doctor behind it creates anxiety, not insight," says Dr Adel Elalfy, Head of Primary Care at The Online GP by The Wellness. "The value is in choosing the right markers for the person and then explaining every number in plain language."
Ask a doctor on WhatsApp which panel suits you.
Who should have a private blood test?
A private blood test suits adults with unexplained tiredness, a family history of heart disease, diabetes or early cancer, anyone starting a new training or nutrition plan, and people over 40 who want a clear baseline. It also suits busy professionals who want results quickly and a doctor to explain them.
Our guide to blood tests for tiredness covers the specific markers doctors check when energy is low.
Men aged 50 and over can also discuss a PSA test as part of an informed choice. Our guide to PSA testing and prostate MRI explains the 2026 screening decision.
What happens when I book a doctor-led blood panel?
A doctor-led blood panel at The Online GP by The Wellness starts with your goals and history, continues with a blood draw at TDL, 76 Wimpole Street, and ends with a doctor explaining your results. You receive an answer and a plan, not a list of numbers.
Message the team on WhatsApp with your age, symptoms and goals.
A doctor recommends the panel that fits and confirms the markers it covers.
You attend 76 Wimpole Street for your blood draw, usually in the morning.
A GMC-registered doctor reviews every result.
You receive a clear explanation and a plan, with follow-up tests or referral if needed.
Measured with precision. Read by expert doctors.
How much does a private blood test cost in London?
The Executive Physical at The Online GP by The Wellness starts from £2,995 and is the most comprehensive assessment the clinic offers. Blood panels start at Longevity+ from £1,395, Advanced Health from £650 and Core Wellness from £350.
Most adults wanting a first baseline start with Core Wellness. Advanced Health suits those with a family history of heart disease or specific symptoms. Longevity+ suits people who want the most detailed picture of long-term risk. Book a blood panel on WhatsApp.
Can a doctor tell me which blood test I actually need?
Yes. The Online GP by The Wellness offers a free suitability review. Send your age, symptoms, family history and any recent results on WhatsApp. A doctor either recommends a specific panel or tells you plainly that a smaller set of tests is enough.
Start your free suitability review on WhatsApp.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to fast before a blood test?
Many panels are best taken in the morning after an overnight fast, particularly where glucose or triglycerides are measured. The team confirms fasting instructions when you book.
How long do private blood test results take?
Most routine blood results are available within one to three working days. Some specialist markers take longer, and the doctor confirms timings before your draw.
How often should I have a full blood test?
Most healthy adults benefit from a baseline panel and then a repeat every one to two years, or sooner if a result needs monitoring. The doctor advises on timing based on your results.
Can I use private blood results with my own GP?
Yes. You receive a copy of your results, which you can share with your registered GP for continuity of care.
Sources
VAMPIRE trial, Ordering blood tests for patients with unexplained fatigue in general practice, British Journal of General Practice, 2009
Lipoprotein(a), the neglected risk factor in cardiovascular health, review published 2026
American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology cholesterol guideline, 2026
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