Private Blood Tests in Raunds: Fast, Convenient Point-of-Care Testing

What is point-of-care blood testing?

Point-of-care testing means that your blood sample is analysed using specialist equipment located within the clinic.

Depending on the test, we may need either a small finger-prick sample or blood taken from a vein. The sample is placed into the appropriate testing cartridge or kit and analysed by the machine. Your result is then provided and explained to you.

Some tests may require preparation, such as fasting beforehand, while others can be performed without any special preparation. We will explain any relevant requirements when you book. 

What blood tests are available?

Our available tests cover a range of commonly requested health markers. These may include:

• HbA1c for average blood sugar levels
• Cholesterol and blood lipids
• Vitamin D, vitamin B12 and folate
• Ferritin to assess iron stores
• Thyroid-stimulating hormone
• Inflammatory markers
• Selected hormone tests
• Kidney and heart-health markers

Availability, suitability and the type of blood sample required vary between tests. We can help you understand what each test measures, but we cannot recommend a test as a substitute for an assessment by your GP or another appropriately qualified medical professional. 

What can blood testing help with?

A blood test can provide useful information about a particular health marker at the time your sample is taken. It may help you:

• Develop a clearer picture of an aspect of your health
• Monitor changes in an existing result over time
• Check a particular marker between routine medical reviews
• Identify a result that may benefit from further investigation
• Have a more informed conversation with your GP or healthcare team
  
  

For example, an HbA1c test measures your average blood sugar level over a period of time. It can provide useful information about your possible risk of type 2 diabetes and may also help people with diabetes monitor their levels between routine GP checks. HbA1c is widely used to monitor blood-glucose control, but results need to be interpreted within the wider clinical picture. 

These tests are not diagnostic...

A result outside the expected range does not necessarily mean that you have a particular condition. Results can be affected by your general health, medication, hydration, recent illness and other individual factors. Equally, a result within the expected range cannot rule out every possible health problem.

If your result is unexpected, abnormal or inconsistent with your symptoms, we can help you find the right way to deal with it, and often will advise you to contact your GP. Your GP may wish to repeat the test through an accredited laboratory of their choice, consider other test results, review your medical history or arrange further investigations before reaching any diagnosis.

Our service is not intended to replace NHS screening, routine diabetes reviews, GP appointments or ongoing medical care. You should not start, stop or change medication based solely on one of our results.

And a little word of caution: If you feel significantly unwell or have new, severe or rapidly worsening symptoms, please seek appropriate medical advice rather than waiting for a private blood-testing appointment. 

Convenient blood testing at Nene Valley Osteopathy here...

Our aim is to make selected blood tests more accessible for people in Raunds and the surrounding East Northamptonshire area. You will receive your result directly, along with clear information about what the test measures and whether further medical follow-up may be appropriate.

To ask about available tests, prices or appointments, get in touch with us and we'd be more than happy to help.