WHAT BLOOD TESTS ARE DONE ON AN NHS HEALTH CHECK?

An NHS Health Check is one of the simplest ways to catch early warning signs of health problems before they become serious. Offered every five years to adults aged 40 to 74, it helps identify risks such as heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, and stroke. But many people aren’t sure exactly what happens during the appointment or which blood tests are included.

The NHS Health Check focuses on key blood markers like cholesterol, blood sugar, and sometimes kidney function, which give a snapshot of your long-term health. It’s a great starting point for prevention, but it’s limited in scope. For those who want a more detailed view of their wellbeing, private providers such as One Day Tests offer comprehensive blood panels that go further covering hormones, vitamins, and other essential health markers that aren’t part of the standard NHS test.

In this guide, we’ll break down exactly which blood tests are included in an NHS Health Check, what the results mean, and how you can use private blood testing to build on that information for a more complete picture of your health.

For a more complete assessment than the standard NHS Health Check, explore our  Full Body MOT Blood Tests, offering same or next-day results with a wider range of health markers reviewed by our laboratory.

The blood tests included in an NHS Health Check are designed to look for silent warning signs of preventable conditions. They don’t test for everything, but they target the most common issues that affect adults as they get older.

Most appointments include a simple blood draw from your arm or, in some cases, a finger-prick test for cholesterol. The sample is then analysed in a lab to measure your:

• Cholesterol levels: This test looks at your total cholesterol and HDL (“good”) cholesterol to see whether your heart and blood vessels are under strain.
  
  

• Blood sugar (glucose or HbA1c): These results show how well your body is managing blood sugar, helping to detect diabetes or prediabetes.
  
  

• Kidney function: In some cases, especially if you have raised blood pressure or other risk factors, a test for kidney performance (eGFR and creatinine) is included.
  
  

The results give your healthcare provider a clearer view of your heart and metabolic health. You’ll also receive your cardiovascular risk score, which estimates your likelihood of developing heart disease or stroke in the next ten years, a useful tool for taking preventive action.

The appointment usually lasts around 20 to 30 minutes and takes place at your GP surgery, pharmacy, or local health centre. It involves:

1. Reviewing your personal and family medical history.
   
   

2. Checking your weight, height, and body mass index (BMI).
   
   

3. Measuring your blood pressure.
   
   

4. Taking a blood sample for cholesterol and glucose testing.
   
   

Some clinics offer instant cholesterol results using finger-prick technology, while others send your samples to a lab, with results available within a few days. Once complete, you’ll receive a summary of your results and tailored advice on diet, exercise, and lifestyle.

Your healthcare provider will explain what your blood test results mean and how they relate to your heart and metabolic health.

You’ll be given a cardiovascular risk score, which predicts the likelihood of developing heart disease or stroke in the next decade. If your results show high cholesterol, elevated blood sugar, or reduced kidney function, you may be invited for further testing or offered support to make lifestyle changes.

The key message is that NHS Health Checks focus on prevention, catching issues early when they’re easiest to manage.

If you’re aged between 40 and 74, you’ll usually be invited for an NHS Health Check every five years. If you already have a long-term condition such as diabetes or heart disease, your GP will likely monitor you more regularly with specific blood tests.

Even though the Health Check happens every few years, you can always request a review if you’re concerned about new symptoms or changes in your health.

The NHS Health Check is a great foundation for preventive care, but it only covers a limited range of blood markers.

Private full body blood tests, like those offered by One Day Tests, provide a broader and more detailed picture of your health. Alongside cholesterol and glucose, private testing can include:

• Hormone profiles
  
  

• Vitamin and mineral levels
  
  

• Thyroid and liver function
  
  

• Inflammation and immune health markers
  
  

Private testing also offers faster turnaround times, with results typically available within 24-48 hours and reviewed by our labs. This makes it easier to monitor your progress, track improvements, and take action sooner.

Your NHS Health Check is an important part of preventive healthcare. The blood tests included mainly cholesterol, glucose, and kidney function give a reliable overview of your long-term health risks.

But if you want to understand your health in greater depth, you don’t have to wait for your next NHS appointment. One Day Tests offers convenient, comprehensive blood panels that build on your NHS results, giving you a more complete picture of your wellbeing all with UK-accredited labs and fast, lab-reviewed reports.