Blood test without a referral: your basic checkup

Checking in on your health now and then does not have to be complicated. This basic checkup maps out a number of widely used blood values, so you get an idea of how your body is doing at this moment.

You gain insight into your blood count, your cholesterol and your vitamin D. These are markers that are often looked at first and can give you a factual reference point for a conversation about your health.

This test can be useful if you simply want to know how you are doing, even without specific complaints. Think of women who like to check their baseline values now and then, or who want a bit more overview after a busy period.

If you have been feeling low on energy for a while and are looking for a starting point, a basic blood test can be a handy first step. You do not need a referral from your GP.

This basic checkup measures a number of widely used markers in your blood:

• Complete Blood Count (CBC): an overview of your red and white blood cells and platelets that can give a general impression of your blood.
• HDL Cholesterol: the cholesterol often described as the favourable type and included in your lipid profile.
• LDL Cholesterol: another part of your cholesterol profile that, together with HDL, can say something about your heart and vascular health.
• Triglycerides: fats in your blood that help shape what your lipid metabolism looks like.
• Vitamin D (25-OH): gives a picture of your vitamin D status, something many people are curious about.

Together these values offer a handy overview of a few important health markers, with a complete blood count as the foundation.

The results can give you an impression of a few basic aspects of your health. Your blood count may show something about your red and white blood cells, while your cholesterol values can say something about your lipid metabolism.

Your vitamin D value gives a picture of your vitamin D status. Good to know: these are individual reference points, not a diagnosis. They say the most in relation to one another and to your personal situation.

This test requires a small blood draw at a certified lab. In the Netherlands you can choose from 700+ sample points spread across the country.

After ordering, you pick a location near you and schedule a moment that suits you. The draw itself usually takes only a few minutes, and you do not need a referral.

A basic checkup can be pleasant at different moments, for example:

• when you just want to know how your baseline values are doing
• when you have felt less energetic for a while and are looking for a starting point
• when you are adjusting your lifestyle and are curious about your blood count and cholesterol
• when you like to follow your health from time to time

A blood test without a referral makes it easy to choose a moment yourself that fits you.

Your result shows your value per marker together with a reference range and a short explanation. What counts as usual can vary a little from one laboratory to another.

A value below or above the range can mean different things and depends on your personal situation. A single value outside the range says little on its own; it is about the bigger picture, which you can review together with a doctor.

Your result is usually available online within a few working days. Each value is shown clearly with a reference range and an explanation, so you understand what you see.

Every blood test result includes a professional assessment from a BIG-registered doctor. For treatment decisions, discuss your results with your GP.