Doctors have raised concerns about the growing trend of private blood tests bought online or over the counter, which promise to help people “take control of their health”. The British Medical Association (BMA) has warned that some of these tests are unregulated and place extra pressure on GPs, who are often left to reassure patients about results.
The warning follows a report in the BMJ that found some companies were making misleading claims about what their tests could identify. The BMJ said it referred two firms to the UK Advertising Standards Authority.
Private companies offer a range of tests that can be done at home or in a clinic, from cholesterol and blood sugar checks to tests for genetic abnormalities or signs of cancer. Some claim their tests reduce the burden on the NHS and provide clinical advice alongside results, while others suggest patients see their own doctor if results are abnormal.
Dr Preeti Shukla, BMA GP committee clinical and prescribing lead, said family doctors were already under unsustainable pressure meeting the needs of vulnerable patients. “The rise of private companies offering over-the-counter, unregulated blood tests that make dubious claims about what they can identify is a real concern,” she said. “Providing test results with no context, explanation or follow-up can cause unnecessary worry and anxiety.”
The BMA recommends anyone with worrying symptoms contact their GP practice and make use of regulated NHS testing programmes. An NHS England spokesperson said: “Additional pressure should not be put on GP workload from potentially misleading information. People should use trusted sources such as the NHS website.”
