Bristol GP Service
Blood Tests
At the Beard Medical Practice, we are able to offer a variety of blood tests and provide you with detailed results. Blood tests can be used to diagnose a range of abnormalities such as a low blood count (anaemia) thyroid problems, diabetes, coeliac disease (autoimmune gluten intolerance) raised cholesterol, vitamin deficiencies and a number of more complex conditions.
If you require blood tests, your private GP will explain to you what tests are required and why they are recommended. During this consultation, the private GP will also ask you how you would like to receive your results and inform you of the cost before proceeding.
We usually have results back within a few days. If you require a particular test, please call us for a quote. We also offer a rapid turnaround service, if you need results quickly.
Specific blood tests
Full blood count (FBC)
A full blood count examines your blood count (red cells) immune system (white cells) and clotting system (platelets). Doctors often request a full blood count to investigate breathlessness/ shortness of breath, weight loss, poor appetite, low energy levels, chronic fatigue, feeling tired all the time, chest pain, abdominal pain, persistent indigestion, pelvic pain, headaches, muscle aches, change in bowels, blood in stools or urine, heavy or painful periods, recurrent infections, problems with the immune system, recurrent bruising or bleeding.
A full blood count is particularly useful to doctors for diagnosing conditions such as a low blood count (anaemia) coeliac disease (autoimmune gluten intolerance) vitamin deficiencies, iron deficiency, joint pains and inflammatory conditions. Kidney disease, liver disease and thyroid disease may also affect the blood count.
A full blood count is helpful as a general health screen and may show early evidence of cancer. This is because many cancers can cause the blood count to drop and this can sometimes be the first sign of cancer. The picture we often see is an anaemia (low blood count) with small red blood cells. This can be seen in many gastrointestinal cancers such stomach cancer, oesophageal cancer and bowel (colorectal) cancer. The blood count may also drop with the cells remaining a normal size. This can be seen in other cancers such as myeloma (blood cancer) and chronic inflammatory conditions.
If you would like to book an appointment please click here: Appointment Booking Page
Creatinine and Electolytes (kidney function)
The creatinine and electolytes (kidney function) blood test is useful for investigating nonspecific symptoms such as tiredness, chronic fatigue, lethargy, as well as urinary disorders and as a general health screen. Although this test is not as well known as the full blood count, it is still extremely important. Kidneys are very sensitive and small changes in kidney function may give an indication of problems elsewhere in the body. It is particularly useful in assessing the risk of heart disease, strokes, vascular disease, diabetes, chronic kidney disease and monitoring the effects of medication.
It is one of the tests used for general health screening and it may show evidence suggestive of cancer. This is because some cancers can reduce kidney function and this is particularly the case with abdominal and pelvic cancers. Examples include kidney cancer, bladder cancer, prostate cancer, myeloma (blood cancer) and more rarely, bowel cancer and cervical cancer.
If you would like to book an appointment please click here: Appointment Booking Page
Liver Function Tests
Liver function tests are frequently requested by doctors to investigate disorders of the gastrointestinal system. The tests are useful in investigating abdominal (tummy) pain, bloating, abdominal swelling, excess wind, change in bowels, jaundice, itching, pale stools, dark urine, weight loss, poor appetite, tiredness, chronic fatigue, low energy and alcohol excess.
Liver function tests are often used to assess the effects of lifestyle on health. The test can show conditions such as fatty liver disease, gallstones, alcohol-related damage and infections such as hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Medication can also have serious effects on the liver and evidence of this may be demonstrated on liver function tests.
Liver function tests are a useful general health screen and may be useful as a cancer screen. This is because there are many types of cancer, which may spread to the liver e.g. bowel cancer (colorectal cancer) breast cancer, stomach cancer, pancreatic cancer, lung cancer and skin cancer (malignant melanoma).
Liver function tests may also can suggest muscle and bone problems. This means liver tests are a useful screen for cancers which may spread to bone e.g. breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, kidney cancer, thyroid cancer and multiple myeloma. Chronic inflammation may also be picked up from the blood test.
Cholesterol (blood lipids)
A cholesterol blood test is helpful in predicting the risk of heart disease and other types of cardiovascular disease e.g. strokes. As a result, it is integral to health and wellbeing screening assessments (health MOTs).
The main indications for checking cholesterol are:
If you have been diagnosed with heart disease, strokes, mini-strokes (TIAs) or other cardiovascular disease.
If you have a family history of heart attacks, heart disease, strokes or other cardiovascular disease.
If you have high blood pressure or diabetes
If you are aged over 40
If you have a family member with a cholesterol-related condition
If you are overweight
