About Medichecks
Medichecks is a provider of blood tests for people in the UK, allowing patients to take control of their own health by ordering tests online and doing them from the comfort of their own home, though the option to have the sample drawn at a clinic is also available.
Medichecks have ample experience behind them as they’ve been selling tests online for over 15 years, processing over 3 million results. They make use of the best pathology labs in the UK alongside qualified clinicians to interpret results and employ a user-friendly website to make home blood testing as convenient as possible.
They’ve been featured in numerous media, including The Telegraph, Women’s Health and The Guardian.
Having used and reviewed their thyroid test kit before myself, I can honestly say I was very impressed by the experience and would highly recommend them for their whole service, from start to finish.
If you’re in the UK and have struggled getting the help you need medically, you’re not alone. There seem to be increasing numbers of people finding their GP isn’t willing or able to requests the sorts of blood tests they need. This is especially the case if you’re concerned about the possibility of something but the doctor isn’t convinced.
Often tests available on the NHS, for both common and rare health conditions alike, can be very limited in range and accessibility, which in turn makes getting a diagnosis incredibly difficult. This is often the case with thyroid conditions, leaving many with symptoms but no diagnosis and thus no treatment.
You can save 10% on your blood test order by using this link & the code INVISME10 at the checkout.
The Tests
There are over 900 test variations available. The website makes it easy to browse all of tests, such as by the A-Z listing or via category. You’ll notice there are some more general tests and other more specific ones, giving you a large range of options to find something suited to your needs. To give you an idea of what’s available :
Thyroid
- Thyroid Check (standard test, includes TSH & FT4)
- Free T3 (testing free & unbound T3, the active form of T3)
- Thyroid monitoring (general snapshot of thyroid function, including TSH, FT4 and FT3)
- Thyroid Check Plus (intermediate test, includes TSH, FT4, FT3, TGAb & TPOAb)
- Thyroid Check UltraVit (advanced test, includes all of the former, plus active vitamin B12, folate, Vitamin D, ferritin/iron, and CRP-hs inflammatory marker)
Hormones
- Testosterone / Testosterone & cortisol / Testosterone & estradiol
- Day 3 fertility check
- Male hormones – Comprehensive profile
- Female hormones – Comprehensive profile
- Oestradiol test
- Hair loss check advanced
- Male / Female Hormone mini & advanced checks
- Prolactin
- Hair loss test
- Estradiol progesterone & prolactin
- Progesterone
- Menopause check
- Sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG)
- HRT check (including oestrogen, progesterone & FSH for those taking hormone replacement) Polycystic ovary syndrome check standard & advanced
- IGF1
- FSH & LH
Sports Hormones
Baseline Fit (16 tests) / Endurance Fit (50 tests) / Sports Hormone Check (38 tests) / Advanced Fit (30 tests) / Sports Hormones Check Plus (43 tests) / Sports Hormone Check UltraVit (52 tests) / Ultimate Performance (58 tests).
Others
- CRP (high sensitivity)
- Health & Lifestyle Check
- Gut & Bladder tests
- H Pylori Antigen
- Coeliac Check
- Candida Antibodies
- HIV & STDs
- Fertility & Pregnancy
- Diabetes
- Adrenals
- Antinuclear Antibodies
- Allergy Checks
- Lyme Disease
- and more…
Coronavirus Antibody Test UK
Update: In May 2020, Medichecks released a Coronavirus Antibody Blood Test. At present, the fingerprick at-home option isn’t available while the MHRA continue their validity assessment of fingerprick testing. However, the clinic-based test is available now for purchase for those in the UK who believe they may have had, or would like to know out of curiosity whether they’ve had, the coronavirus.
This is the newer, accredited test for quality and accuracy, with results in 3 working days. At present, no other rapid detection tests have stood up to scrutiny of validation and accuracy like this test has. This is a CE-marked IgG test that can be done in clinic with a venous blood sample. Clinics can be found on the Medichecks website. Alternatively, you can order the kit option where a nurse will visit you to collect your blood sample. Your sample will then be sent for analysis at a UK-based UKAS-accredited laboratory & you’ll be able to view your results online. The turnaround time is anticipated at 3 days from the point where the sample reaches the lab.
You can take a look at the Medichecks Covid19 tests here.
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Check out the Lowdown On Lyme for more information about the Lyme disease infection, along with the symptoms, prevention tips, testing and treatment.
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Online
The Medichecks online account portal is streamlined, contemporary and intuitive to use.
When you order, you’ll be able to set up your online account and profile. You need to fill in some basic details and complete your health questionnaire before the doctor can assess your results.
As soon as your results are ready they’ll send you an email and you’ll be able to view them via your account area.
At the top will be the doctor’s interpretation, and underneath you’ll find the results. Each aspect that you’ve had measured will be reported.
Results can also be downloaded as a PDF.
My Experience
Thyroid Test Kit
You can check out my review for the Medichecks thyroid test kit here.
Website & Ordering
Using the website is a pleasure and it’s easy to either browse the tests or search for something specific. There’s an extensive range of tests whether you’re looking for something more general (like overall fitness and health) or more specific (like gut or thyroid issues). Each test has ample information on what it includes and why it’s important. After the test has been ordered you get email confirmation and you can update your online account with your lifestyle and medical information.
Pricing
I think the prices are very reasonable, and provide good value for money when you consider what’s included: delivery of the test kit, the actual test kit, great customer service support, return postage for your sample, reliable lab testing of your blood, the online account system, and a doctor to interpret your results.
You can save 10% on your order by using this link & the code INVISME10 at the checkout.
Testing In Progress
I found both methods, the home finger prick & the clinic, easy enough to do. It may be an issue with my poor circulation not letting me get enough blood from the finger prick method, so I had to go to a clinic. However, the home test should suffice for most people and the instructions are detailed and easy to follow. When ordering, the website shows you the nearest clinics if you choose this route, and I was fortunate enough to be able to go to my local hospital without an appointment to get it done. Then it’s just a case of popping the sample and lab request paperwork in the bag, sealing and taking it to the Post Office.
I sent my sample off and the next day they emailed me to say they’d safely received it. I was then notified as soon as the results were in.
I like that I was kept in the loop all the way through the process, so I felt fully supported from start to finish.
Customer Service
Customer service is responsive and friendly, so they’re on hand if you have any problems or queries whether you contact them by phone, social media or email.
Account & Results
Samples are analysed in quality laboratories which adhere to stringent protocols and the highest of standards. As per Medichecks, they are “committed to the highest clinical standards by internal quality control (IQC) and external quality assurance through national schemes such as UK NEQAS. They have been inspected by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) and have been accredited to ISO 15189. Furthermore, they participate in regular quality audits, clinical governance and accreditation inspections.”
All results are then reviewed by a qualified doctor. Your test report will include a brief personalised overview by one of these doctors.
I’ve been particularly impressed by the online account. The way the questionnaires, health data and results are laid out looks clear and modern, so it’s easy to see what you’re looking at and make sense of everything. Being able download results as a PDF is brilliant and incredibly helpful. I’ve saved a copy and printed copies off of the results from my test, one for my medical folder at home & one to take to my next GP appointment.
Overall..?
When you need something as significant as a blood test, you want a company that is reliable, effective and trustworthy. Your health is important, so it’s an important investment to make. From my experience of using the site, trying the thyroid test kit both at home myself and via the clinic method, getting the results and communicating with the brand, I can honestly say I’ve been really impressed.
Medichecks have a varied range of tests, so chances are you’ll find what you’re looking for. It’s a smooth process to browse and order; they keep you up to date throughout, allowing you to feel supported every step of the way with completing your test through to getting the results. The versatility of being able to do it at home or use a clinic is a blessing, appealing to those who may feel they can’t or don’t wish to do it themselves. That said, doing it yourself is very straightforward and Medichecks makes it as easy as possible.
It’s reassuring that the samples are reliably tested and efficiently reported by a doctor, and you can easily view or print your results from your personal online portal.
If you’re wanting a health check up or looking for a specific blood test, then I’d definitely recommend visiting Medichecks. It’s quick, reliable, cost-effective and convenient. For peace of mind or to speed up a diagnosis that you may otherwise struggle to get, it’s absolutely fantastic and it’s brilliant that this is an option in the UK without having to sign up with a private hospital. In conclusion, Medichecks is one I’d definitely recommend and it seems I’m far from alone in my positive experience.
You can save 10% on your order by using this link & the code INVISME10 at the checkout.
Have you had any experience with lack of access to certain NHS blood tests? Is home testing something you would try?
Caz ♥
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[ I was gifted a thyroid test kit to be able to share my honest opinion here ]
36 comments
This is such a great idea to have available.
It really is incredibly useful as a back-up plan. Thanks, Ashley – Hope you’re having a good weekend! ???? xx
Medichecks are a winner for anyone the wants a second opinion on their condition. Service and most importantly, online support can make the difference in giving confidence in double-checking, instead of living with one diagnosis. We could use this service in the US. Thanks for the info Caz.
Absolutely – Medichecks for the win! And you’re right about that online support and giving us confidence. When we can’t get the tests through the GP/specialist as we should, we need a back-up plan. There are also times a second opinion on diagnosis is important as you say. I would have thought there would be something like this in the States. If not, there should be! Thanks for the great comment, Darnell.x
If you need to do this then staying on top of it at home is a wise thing to do.
Have a fabulous day and rest of the week, Caz. ♥
Absolutely, Sandee. Thanks for the comment – I hope you & hubby are looking forward to that cruise soon! ????xx
Sounds unreal to me. Great stuff.
It’s an amazing option for those times it really shouldn’t be needed, but we all know medical systems in many countries are sadly lacking and leave many falling through the gaps. Thanks for the comment, Bo. I hope you’re keeping as well as possible given the stress you’ve been under ♥ xx
I’ve used Medichecks before and was very impressed with their service too. Trying to get a full Thyroid check on the NHS is pretty impossible in my area – If the TSH is normal, you don’t have a problem – end of story! So to be able to get a comprehensive test done privately and at a reasonable price was brilliant.
They quite often do a Thyroid Thursday offer, which is always worth looking out for, as it saves a fair bit of money.
It’s the same thing in my corner of the UK with TSH/thyroid, sadly. I’ve even had a doc that requested extra tests, I gave the blood samples but the lab refused to do them. You’re right about them doing other offers, definitely worth keeping an eye out. They have 20% off 20 tests for February but these are mostly the bigger, more comprehensive tests. Really glad you’ve had such a positive experience with Medichecks too! Thanks for the comment lovely ???? xx
This is something I never knew existed, do you thing GO’s take notice of it when you take the results to them? I wondered if they might be a bit cross that we have taken matters into our own hands so to speak
I did a little recon and asked a few doctors over time and they all said the same thing: if it’s a reputable service then they’d be happy to take the results as though they’d be done on the NHS and glad to save themselves some work and the NHS some money. My last doctor advised me to do blood tests privately because she knew the NHS wouldn’t do them anyway, so really (in theory) they should be glad for it, or at the very least accepting of you bringing in results. When I had bloods taken at the hospital for Medichecks the nurses were aware of them and what to do with the forms, as they get paid for their blood draw services. Hope that helps! xx
Medichecks sounds absolutely amazing and you’ve done a brilliant job highlighting their benefits! I would LOVE to have them here in the USA. Quite a few of those tests are ones that would shed some light on less than desirable experiences in my body. Like you’ve said too – these tests are often ones that doctors are reluctant to do. When they do finally agree – they often order a variant of the test needed, rather than a comprehensive report. Having only a partial picture into your health is as detrimental as having no picture at all! Been there….
I love that you’ve had such a great experience with this company and am incredibly grateful you have this service available to you! The thyroid test alone is invaluable. Under or over active makes you feel like complete crap! Plus the supporting hormones and vitamins for your thyroid – it can get very confusing. Hormones being not in optimal levels is never any fun. Especially for us ladies! ????
Another top notch article from you, Caz. You’ll help a whole lot of people with this one! ????
I wish the US had something like this. Maybe they do..? You really would have thought so but if not then it’s a definite niche in the market. It’s more affordable than (in the UK at least) paying to see a private doctor then paying for private tests through them. Do you have any thoughts on what’s going on with you health-wise? I’m always around if you want to chat about it, not that I’m a doctor but maybe there’s some kind of insights to be found. As you say, doctors or the whoever is responsible for the tests (be that NHS or US insurance) may either not do anything at all or they may do a less comprehensive investigation that just isn’t enough. Hormones are another one that for some odd reason often don’t get checked well in my experience, at least not at GP level. Really glad you liked the post, Holly – thank you for another great comment! ???? Hope you’re having a restful weekend ♥ xx
Looks great this, thanks for the info.
Hope you liked it, thanks, Barbara! I hope you’re keeping as well as possible lovely ♥ xx
Great info. I haven’t used any but have heard of them — always wonder if many of these tests are bogus, ie hair tests, etc…
Thankfully Medichecks are a reliable service with genuine testing. A few of their more generalised ones may seem wishy-washy but they’re comprehensive (like ‘sports checks’ being generalised, but with comprehensive and numerous tests included). I get what you mean with hair tests and such. You need to see what’s actually being tested for to start with, then where the tests are being done. Thanks for the comment, da-AL! xx
this sounds awesome……..maybe something like this will catch on in the US! thank you for sharing Caz!
I really hope so, Wendi, it seems odd that there isn’t something like this in the States. Thanks for the comment lovely, I hope you’re having a relaxing weekend ???? xx
Great to have available if you need it, and to do at home, so much easier than having to go to a clinic to get it done. Have a beautiful day dear Caz xoxo
It’s definitely more convenient, and a cheaper option that paying privately for a doctor and tests through them. Thank you for the comment, Masha – I hope you’re keeping as well as possible my friend ♥ xx
Wow, I’ve never heard of Medichecks but this is definitely something I’d consider using. Largely due to my social anxiety and hating going far from my comfort zones – generally work to home, a few well known shops, my sisters and my friends house. So this would be greatly beneficial. Thanks for the great review.
It’s a great alternative and back-up plan, especially if you can’t get what you need via the GP or you just want to be able to test independently. A very good point on the social anxiety side of things, so yes, this would make it a bit easier for you I imagine. It’s a lot cheaper than trying to see a doctor privately and order tests through them, too. Glad you liked the post and happy to be able to introduce you to something new! Thanks for the comment, Kim – Hope the weekend is treating you kindly xx
This is really great information. Medichecks definitely sounds like a reliable company to use if you want to do home testing. I think home testing is going to become more and more popular because it can be so difficult to get a doctor’s appointment and when you do, they have very little time and often don’t want to do what they believe are ‘unnecessary’ tests. But sometimes those unnecessary tests might show something. If someone has done a home test, they can then see their doctor with the result, hopefully making a doctor take them more seriously.
I’d agree with you there, Liz. I imagine this getting more popular and needed as the NHS gets stretched increasingly thinner. If they can’t or won’t do the tests, at least we’re able to take a little control over our health to run them ourselves and show them the results for them to act on. Without that we can’t really get anywhere, and paying privately for a doctor/specialist and getting tests through them can cost a small fortune! Thanks for the thoughtful comment, Liz. I hope you’re doing as well as possible ♥ xx
Fantastic post! Thanks for sharing this information
Glad you liked it – thanks for the comment, Ankita! x
Wow, Caz; this is fantastic. To be able to take control on one’s own health, in this regard, if fabulous.
I’ve looked online, but can’t find the same in Australia. Perhaps in time! I’m definitely interested.
xoxoxo
It’s a fantastic option to have. It’s surprising to think something similar isn’t available in the US or Australia, boggles my mind. A definite niche in the market there – fingers crossed such an option comes to Oz in the near future, Carolyn! Thanks for the comment ???? x
This sounds very interesting. I wonder if they have something similar in my country… Worth a check. Thanks for sharing! And wishing you a wonderful weekend, Caz.
Absolutely worth a check – it’s a great option to have as an alternative or back-up plan, and far cheaper than trying to go to a private doctor/specialist to get tests through them. I hope there’s something similar where you are. Maybe in time home blood testing that’s reliable and trustworthy will become more of a worldwide thing, hopefully! Thanks for the comment lovely – I hope you’re having a good weekend.xx
I use something similar here in the states! I regularly have low ferritin so to keep an eye on how it’s doing, I order my own blood tests. The total price is often less than my co-pay if I were to go see my doctor and ask her to order it (not to mention I would then have to pay the portion of the test not covered by my insurance). With the service I use, it’s one low fee and they have plenty of labs near me where I can stop on the way to work to have blood taken. I can download a .pdf of the results if I want to send them to my doctor.
I’m so glad I don’t have to go to a doctor everytime I need tests run!
That’s amazing, Lindsay! Do you mind me asking what it’s called? I’ve seen comments on here from people saying they wish there was something like Medichecks over in the states, so it’s great to know there is! And even better that the cost is often less than your co-pay and whatever extra you’d have to pay after insurance. Brilliant! xx
I actually bought a test a couple of weeks ago using your link from your thyroid post and it went really well! I hadn’t used a home test before but considering my doctor wouldn’t arrange the test himself I needed another way of getting it. Turns out the results were positive so I marched back to the doctor and showed him and he actually apologised and said he was sorry he didn’t do the test when I first asked for it. He didn’t question me having had the test done either, I think he was probably grateful I didn’t make a fuss of the fact he ignored my concerns before. We save them having the do tests and the NHS some money, even though we shouldn’t have to do it ourselves. Thank you for writing about them because I wouldn’t have known otherwise.
That’s fantastic! Not that you got a positive result (I hope whatever it is that you’re okay..) but that you found the testing good and that your doctor acted on the results. So, so good to hear that. Thank you for sharing your experience, Julie! xx