Cheapest Private Blood Tests in the UK: Full Price Comparison

Quick Summary

Basic private blood tests start from £29 — but prices vary wildly depending on the provider and what's included

Medichecks and Thriva are the cheapest for most people — with regular sales dropping prices further

Finger-prick home kits cost less than venous draw tests — but both are clinically valid

Compare by cost per biomarker, not headline price — a £99 test covering 40 markers beats a £59 test covering 10

Short Answer: The cheapest private blood tests in the UK start around £29 for a basic check (cholesterol or thyroid) from Medichecks or Thriva. Comprehensive panels covering 40+ biomarkers cost £79-£149 depending on the provider. Medichecks generally offers the lowest prices and frequent sales, while Thriva wins on user experience. Always compare cost per biomarker, not just the headline price.

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You know your body isn't quite right, but your GP says everything is "within range" — or worse, you can't get an appointment for three weeks. So you start googling private blood tests and immediately find prices ranging from £29 to £400+, with no obvious way to tell what's actually worth paying for.

We've spent weeks comparing every major UK provider, tallying up biomarkers, checking for hidden fees, and working out which tests give you the most useful information for the least amount of money. Here's what we found.

Who Are the Main Private Blood Test Providers

Before we get into prices, here's who we're comparing. These are the biggest names in UK home blood testing, all regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Provider	Test Type	Lab	Turnaround	GP Review
Medichecks	Finger-prick and venous	Accredited UK labs	2-3 days	Included
Thriva	Finger-prick and venous	Accredited UK labs	2-3 days	Included
Forth	Finger-prick and venous	Accredited UK labs	2-3 days	Included
LetsGetChecked	Finger-prick	CLIA-certified labs	2-5 days	Included
Boots	Venous (in-store)	NHS partner labs	5-7 days	Extra cost
Superdrug	Venous (in-store)	Private labs	3-5 days	Included

All the home-kit providers (Medichecks, Thriva, Forth, LetsGetChecked) send you a finger-prick kit by post. You collect a small blood sample at home and send it back in a prepaid envelope. Results come through an app or online dashboard. If you want a venous blood draw (from the arm), Medichecks and Forth offer clinic appointments at partner locations for an additional fee — typically £25-£35.

Cheapest Basic Blood Tests Compared

If you just want one thing checked — cholesterol, thyroid, or vitamin D — these are the cheapest options.

Individual Test Prices

Test	Medichecks	Thriva	Forth	LetsGetChecked	Boots
Cholesterol	£29	£39 (in panel)	£39	£59	£65
Thyroid (TSH, T3, T4)	£39	£49	£49	£69	£80
Vitamin D	£29	£39 (in panel)	£35	£49	£45
Iron/Ferritin	£35	£39 (in panel)	£39	£59	£55
Testosterone	£39	£49	£49	£69	£85
HbA1c (Diabetes)	£35	£39 (in panel)	£39	£59	£55

Medichecks is the cheapest across the board for individual tests. Thriva bundles most individual markers into broader panels, so you can't always buy a single test — but their panels often include extra markers that make the bundle worthwhile.

Boots and Superdrug charge more because you're paying for the in-store experience and a trained phlebotomist drawing blood from your arm. If you're comfortable with a finger-prick at home, you'll save significantly.

Cheapest Comprehensive Blood Tests Compared

This is where most people get the best value — broader panels that test multiple things at once.

General Health Panels

Panel	Provider	Biomarkers	Price	Cost Per Marker
Basic Health Check	Medichecks	16	£49	£3.06
General Health Check	Thriva	14	£69	£4.93
Baseline Health	Forth	18	£59	£3.28
General Wellness	LetsGetChecked	10	£69	£6.90
Basic Health Check	Boots	12	£99	£8.25

Advanced/Comprehensive Panels

Panel	Provider	Biomarkers	Price	Cost Per Marker
Ultimate Performance	Medichecks	56	£149	£2.66
Advanced Health	Thriva	40	£129	£3.23
Vitality Check	Forth	47	£135	£2.87
Advanced Wellness	LetsGetChecked	30	£149	£4.97
Comprehensive	Boots	24	£199	£8.29
Full Body Check	Superdrug	28	£179	£6.39

The cost-per-biomarker column is what matters here. Medichecks and Forth consistently come in under £3 per marker at the comprehensive level. Boots and Superdrug are three to four times more expensive per marker — the convenience of an in-store appointment comes at a steep premium.

Subscription Plans and Discounts

Most providers offer subscriptions or regular sales that can knock 10-30% off these prices.

Provider	Subscription Discount	Sale Frequency	Best Deal Window
Medichecks	10% on repeat orders	Monthly sales (up to 30% off)	Black Friday, January
Thriva	Quarterly plans from £49/test	Occasional 20% off	New customer codes
Forth	15% on quarterly subscriptions	Seasonal sales	Spring and autumn
LetsGetChecked	30% off subscriptions	Frequent 25% codes	Affiliate codes online

If you're planning to test regularly (every 3-6 months, which we'd recommend for tracking trends), Medichecks on a sale day is hard to beat. Their "Ultimate Performance" panel drops to around £105-£110 during sales. Thriva's quarterly subscription simplifies things — you pick a schedule, and the kit arrives automatically.

What You Actually Need to Test

This is where people waste money. A 56-biomarker panel sounds impressive, but do you actually need all of those?

If You're Generally Healthy and Curious

Start with a basic panel covering:

Full blood count — checks red and white blood cells, picks up anaemia and infection
Cholesterol — total, HDL, LDL, triglycerides
Liver function — ALT, GGT, albumin
Kidney function — creatinine, eGFR, urea
Thyroid — TSH at minimum, ideally free T3 and free T4
Vitamin D — almost everyone in the UK is low
Iron/ferritin — especially if you're tired all the time

That's roughly 16-20 biomarkers. Medichecks' Basic Health Check (£49) or Forth's Baseline Health (£59) covers this well.

If You Work Shifts or Irregular Hours

Add these to the basic list:

HbA1c — shift workers have higher diabetes risk, worth monitoring
Cortisol — stress marker, often disrupted by irregular sleep
CRP (C-Reactive Protein) — inflammation marker
B12 and folate — often low in people with irregular eating patterns

A mid-range panel from Medichecks (around £79-£99) covers all of this.

If You Exercise Regularly

Consider adding testosterone, DHEA, and magnesium. Forth's fitness-focused panels are strong here. Their "Fitness" panel runs about £89 and covers the basics plus performance markers.

The Real Cost of "Free" NHS Blood Tests

Here's something worth mentioning. NHS blood tests are free, but they come with trade-offs.

Your GP will typically only test for something if they suspect a specific condition. You won't get a comprehensive panel "just to check." Appointment wait times average 2-3 weeks. Results often come back as "normal" with no detail — you rarely see the actual numbers or where you sit within the reference range.

Private tests let you see your actual values, track changes over time, and test things your GP might not consider relevant. That said, if your GP suspects something specific, always go through the NHS first — it's free and you'll get proper follow-up care.

Reality Check: Are Private Blood Tests Actually Worth the Money

Most "wellness" blood testing gets marketed as something everyone should do quarterly. That's not realistic for most people, and it's not necessary either.

The pattern we see again and again in health forums is people spending £150+ every three months on comprehensive panels, then not knowing what to do with the results. If your vitamin D is low, you buy a £6 supplement from Boots. You don't need to retest for 3-6 months. If everything comes back normal, great — you don't need to test again for a year.

For most people on a normal budget, here's the sensible approach: do one comprehensive test (£79-£149) to establish your baseline. Retest anything that was borderline or abnormal in 3-6 months (individual tests, £29-£49 each). Do a full retest annually. Total cost: roughly £150-£250 per year. That's £13-£21 per month — less than most gym memberships and arguably more useful for your long-term health.

How to Get the Absolute Lowest Price

Practical steps to pay as little as possible:

Wait for sales. Medichecks runs sales almost monthly. Sign up for their email list and buy when prices drop 20-30%
Use affiliate and discount codes. Search "Medichecks discount code" or "Thriva discount code" before checkout — there are almost always active codes
Start with finger-prick. Venous draws add £25-£35 to the cost. Finger-prick tests are clinically accurate for most markers
Don't over-test. Buy individual follow-up tests instead of repeating a full panel every time
Compare by biomarker count. A £99 test with 40 markers (£2.48 each) beats a £49 test with 10 markers (£4.90 each)
Consider Thriva's quarterly plan if you want regular testing — it works out cheaper than buying individual tests at full price

Which Provider Should You Choose

Here's our honest take:

Best overall value: Medichecks — cheapest prices, widest range of tests, frequent sales, solid app and GP comments on every result
Best user experience: Thriva — the app is excellent, the process is smoother, results are well-explained, slightly more expensive
Best for fitness tracking: Forth — strong performance-focused panels, good if you train regularly
Best if you hate finger-pricks: Boots or Superdrug — you'll pay more, but a phlebotomist does the blood draw in-store

For a deeper comparison of the top three, see our Medichecks vs Thriva vs Forth review.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your GP before making changes to your diet, exercise routine, or health management.

Sources & Further Reading

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest private blood test in the UK?

The cheapest private blood tests start at around £29 from Medichecks for individual markers like cholesterol or vitamin D. For a comprehensive panel, the cheapest option is Medichecks' Basic Health Check at £49, which covers 16 biomarkers. Prices drop further during their regular sales — sometimes to £35-£39 for basic panels.

Are private blood tests worth the money?

For most people, one comprehensive test per year (£79-£149) is genuinely worthwhile. It gives you a baseline, catches things your GP might not test for, and lets you see actual numbers rather than just "normal." The key is not over-testing — don't spend £150 every quarter unless you're tracking something specific.

Are finger-prick home blood tests as accurate as venous blood draws?

Yes, for most biomarkers. The labs processing home finger-prick samples are the same accredited labs that handle GP samples. The main difference is sample volume — some tests (like a full hormone panel) may need a venous draw for accuracy. For standard markers like cholesterol, thyroid, vitamin D, and liver function, finger-prick tests are clinically reliable.

How often should I get a private blood test?

Once a year for a comprehensive check is enough for most people. If something comes back borderline or abnormal, retest that specific marker in 3-6 months. Shift workers and people with ongoing health concerns might benefit from testing every 6 months. There's no need to test quarterly unless you're tracking a specific condition or actively working with a health professional on something.

Can I show private blood test results to my GP?

Absolutely. Most GPs are happy to review private blood test results. Medichecks, Thriva, and Forth all provide results in standard clinical formats. If something abnormal shows up, your GP can order NHS follow-up tests and treatment at no cost. Private testing and NHS care work well together — one doesn't replace the other.