Home health checks are the future for healthcare 

From next spring (2024) millions of adults will be eligible for a new NHS digital MOT. So how will it work and will it help reduce NHS waiting times?

 

According to recent reports, 15 million adults (aged 40-74) will be eligible for the MOT. It’s thought that patients will complete an online health questionnaire providing answers about their weight, height, fitness and lifestyle. They’ll also be required to do a home blood test using a special kit sent in the post and get a blood pressure reading, via a local pharmacist.

 

Test results will look for early signs of health conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease and obesity, which if caught early on have a better chance of being managed or treated. This is the aim of an already existing NHS Health Check. However, currently this relies on face-to-face appointments to assess patients in person – and as expected, there is a huge backlog.

 

By evolving this into a digital home-based version, the government hopes to save the NHS 20 minutes for every test done. But is it enough?

 

ZoomDoc’s Chief Medical Officer and GP, Dr Kenny Livingstone, says it’s a step in the right direction. 

 

‘Anything that can help take pressure off the NHS and free up appointments for people who are really sick and need to see a doctor in person is definitely a good thing. There are lots of simple health tests we can do ourselves if required, so hopefully patients will be on board and get used to a new way of getting checked out,’ he says.

 

‘That’s why we’ve made a whole host of health checks available for people to do themselves at home, saving them a trip to the doctor’s, albeit for a small yet affordable charge,’ he adds.

 

So if you’ve got any health niggles or just want to get something checked out sooner rather than later, here’s just some of what’s available to you, right now.

Blood pressure monitoring

 

 

The NHS estimates that in England, there are over 8 million people diagnosed with high blood pressure, therefore at an increased risk of heart attack or stroke. 

 

However, home blood pressure monitoring can be an effective way to incentivise patients, by letting them monitor it regularly themselves, without seeing a doctor, especially if they start to notice an improvement.

 

But did you know about this service? Currently it’s possible to use blood pressure monitors for free at your local GP practice, local pharmacy and sometimes at supermarkets and opticians, too.

 

If you want to keep tabs on yours at home, the NHS advises low-cost monitors are available to buy, but says make sure the one you choose is approved for use in the UK. 

 

It says, ‘to make sure your monitor is accurate, choose one that has been listed as validated for accuracy by the British and Irish Hypertension Society (BIHS). There are a number of places you can purchase a blood pressure monitor including the British Heart Foundation online shop.’

 

Cholesterol tests

 

 

Keeping an eye on your cholesterol, or worried about yours and can’t get to a doctor easily? Order an at-home cholesterol check today and we’ll send out a finger prick blood test kit that can analyse all 5 key components of your cholesterol.

Cholesterol test £40

 

Why might I need a cholesterol test?

Cholesterol tests are beneficial for giving you and your GP a good idea of your risk of developing heart disease. 

This allows you both to create goals to work towards reducing your cholesterol, and as such reducing your risk of developing heart disease.

 

How does the cholesterol test work?

The cholesterol test works by testing a number of biomarkers within your blood, namely:

• Triglycerides – Triglycerides are a type of fat that can be found in your blood. They have been linked in some studies with a higher risk of heart disease, particular amongst women.
• Cholesterol – This is the combined level of HDL and LDL cholesterol.
• HDL Cholesterol – HDL cholesterol is considered the ‘good cholesterol’, which can remove the ‘bad cholesterol’ from your arteries.
• LDL Cholesterol – This cholesterol is considered the ‘bad cholesterol’, and is largely responsible for blockages in your arteries.
• Non-HDL Cholesterol – This figure shows takes away the good cholesterol from your test, showing only the ‘bad cholesterol’.

From these biomarkers, your cholesterol levels can be deduced, giving you a good understanding of whether you need further advice on your cholesterol levels.

 

What does this test involve?

This cholesterol test is a simple finger prick blood test that you can take at home.

Once you have extracted your blood and placed it in the test tube, you simply mail it to the required address, and a ZoomDoc GP will email you with your results, alongside analysis and health advice.

 

Coeliac testing

Concerned you may have coeliacs due to symptoms or a family history? Test yourself at home with this quick and easy finger prick test kit.

Coeliac kit £59

 

Vitamin levels

If your immune system isn’t where you want it to be and you have a healthy lifestyle, it can be worth checking if your vitamin levels, such as vitamin D or B12, are where they should be. 

Vitamin D £49

Vitamin B12 £49

 

STI kits

 

 

Recent statistics show a rise in sexually transmitted infections, in particular syphilis and gonorrhoea. If you suspect you have an STI, tests are available from your GP or local sexual health clinic. 

But, you can also order and test from the comfort of your home via ZoomDoc, which offers 3 to choose from:

 

Chlamydia and gonorrhoea (£39) – this uses a simple urine test to check for these two sexually-transmitted infections.

Routine STD test (£130) – this uses a finger prick blood test and urine test to check for 7 common sexually-transmitted infections, including both gonorrhoea and syphilis.

Complete STD test (£195) – also uses a finger prick blood test to detect 11 separate sexually-transmitted infections, including gonorrhoea, syphilis and herpes, amongst others.

 

Thyroid testing

If you suspect your thyroid is overactive or underactive, a simple home blood test can analyse key biomarkers.

Thyroid £49

 

What other home health checks does ZoomDoc supply?

In total, ZoomDoc offers 20 health, wellness and sexual health-related tests that can be ordered online and delivered and carried out at home. These include:

Test	Tests for	Potential Symptoms/Signs
At Home PSA Test Kit	Finger prick blood test for signs of prostate cancer.	Regular need to pee, especially at night Having to rush to the toilet Blood in urine or semen A weak flow Feeling that bladder is not fully empty Straining to pee Taking a long time to pee Difficulty in starting to pee
Testosterone	Finger prick blood test to analyse testosterone levels.	Loss of body hair Loss of lean muscle mass Feeling fatigued Obesity Symptoms of depression Reduced beard growth Reduced erectile function Reduced sex drive
Ovarian Reserve	Finger prick blood test to analyse egg reserves	Shorter menstrual cycles Heavy Menstrual flow Miscarriage Late or no menstrual cycles Difficulty getting pregnant
Female Hormones	Finger prick blood test to analyse Prolactin, Luteinizing Hormone (LH), Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), and Oestradiol	Night sweats (Oestradiol) Hot flushes (Oestradiol), (LH), (FSH) Vaginal dryness (Oestradiol) Mood Swings (Oestradiol), (LH), (FSH) No breast milk after giving birth (prolactin) Loss of pubic hair (LH), (FSH) Mood changes (LH), (FSH) Fatigue (LH), (FSH)
Progesterone	Finger prick blood test to analyse Day 21 progesterone levels to confirm ovulation.	Bloating Weight gain Anxiety or depression Mood swings Difficulty sleeping Headaches Irregular menstrual cycles Difficulty conceiving a baby
Cholesterol	Finger prick blood test to analyse LDL, HDL Cholesterol & Triglycerides	High cholesterol often does not cause symptoms. If you are concerned, please take a Cholesterol test.
Diabetes	Finger prick blood test to analyse Hba1c levels for diabetes.	Regular trips to the bathroom to pee Genital itching or thrush Regularly thirsty Increased hunger Blurred eyesight Losing weight without trying to Feeling fatigued Cuts or other wounds taking longer to repair
Thyroid	Finger prick blood test to analyse thyroid biomarkers for an overactive or underactive thyroid	Sensitivity to heat (overactive) Weight loss (overactive) Feeling weak (overactive) Feeling fatigued (overactive) Mood swings (overactive) Irritability (overactive) Anxiety (overactive) Nervousness (overactive) Swelling in the neck (overactive) Irregular or unusually fast heart rate (overactive) Twitching (overactive) Trembling (overactive) Sensitivity to cold (underactive) Weight gain (underactive) Constipation (underactive) Slow movements (underactive) Slow though processes (underactive) Muscles aches and cramps (underactive) Depression (underactive)
Vitamin B12	Finger prick blood test to analyse Vitamin B12 levels.	Indigestion Palpitations Vision issues Feeling weak Feeling fatigued Diarrhoea Headaches Shortness of breath Rapid breathing Loss of appetite Read our latest article on Vitamin B12 deficiency to learn more.
Vitamin D	Finger prick blood test to analyse vitamin D levels.	Bone pain Fatigue Muscle weakness or cramps Mood changes
Coeliac	Finger prick blood test to analyse for Tissues Transglutaminase (tTG) Antibodies.	Constipation Indigestion Vomiting Bloating Flatulence Stomach ache
Iron	Finger prick blood test to analyse for iron deficiency anaemia or iron overload.	Paleness Yellow skin Unexplained Fatigue Chest pain or shortness of breath with activity Headaches with activity Sore tongue Smooth tongue Brittle nails Hair loss Rapid heartbeat Pounding in ears A craving for ice or clay Unexplained feelings of weakness
CRP	Finger prick blood test to analyse for high C-reactive protein levels. High CRP levels may suggest inflammation within the body	Unexplained weight loss (High levels) Unexplained fatigue (High levels) Muscle stiffness or soreness (High levels) Chills (High levels) Headaches (High levels) Indigestion (High levels) Appetite loss (High levels) Insomnia (High levels) Low-grade fever that doesn’t get better (High levels) Pain (High levels) High fever (Very High levels) Sweating (Very High levels) Chills (Very High levels) Shaking (Very High levels) Persistent vomiting (or retching) (Very High levels) Persistent diarrhoea (Very High levels) Hives or other types of rash (Very High levels) Body pain (Very High levels) Stiffness (Very High levels) Soreness (Very High levels) Rapid heartbeat (Very High levels) Difficulty breathing (Very High levels) Severe headaches (Very High levels) Loss of consciousness (Very High levels)
Liver	Finger prick blood test to analyse liver function.	Disturbed sleep Blotchy red palms Tenderness or pain around the liver Vomiting or nausea Weight loss Muscle wastage Appetite loss Feeling unwell Feeling fatigued Spider-like small blood capillaries on skin above the waist
Chlamydia & Gonorrhoea	Urine test to analyse for Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea	Pain or bleeding around the anus (Chlamydia) Discharge around the anus (Chlamydia) Swollen testicles (Chlamydia) Tender testicles (Chlamydia) Milky/watery discharge from penis (Chlamydia) Pus from the penis (Chlamydia) Bleeding between periods (Chlamydia) Yellowish vaginal discharge with a strong smell or other abnormal vaginal discharge (Chlamydia) Pain during sex (Chlamydia) Pain or burning while peeing (Chlamydia) Pain in the lower belly (Chlamydia) Bleeding between periods (Gonorrhoea) Green or yellow discharge from the penis or vagina (Gonorrhoea) Pain when peeing (Gonorrhoea) Many do not experience symptoms of Gonorrhoea. If you have had sexual relations with someone who has Gonorrhoea, we advise that you get checked even if no symptoms show.
Syphilis	Finger prick blood test to analyse for syphilis.	Grey or white wart-like growths around the penis, vagina, or anus White patches in your mouth Flu-like symptoms A rash on hands and soles of the feet that may spread to the body Patchy hair loss, including in beard and eyebrows Swollen glands Sores on your penis, vagina, or anus Sores around on the bottom, in the mouth, on the lips or on the hands
Routine STD Test	Finger prick blood test to analyse for common STDs, including: HIV Hepatitis B Hepatitis C Syphilis Chlamydia Gonorrhoea Trichomonas	STD signs and symptoms come in a number of different forms. If you are unsure if you are exhibiting symptoms of an STD, it may be worthwhile taking a test.
Complete STD Test	Finger prick blood test to analyse for 11 separate STDs, including: HIV 1 & 2 Hepatitis B Hepatitis C Syphilis Chlamydia Gonorrhoea Trichomonas Mycoplasma Ureaplasma Gardnerella  Herpes Simplex 1 & 2	STD signs and symptoms come in a range of forms. If you are unsure if you have symptoms of an STD, you should consider taking a test.
HIV	Finger prick blood test to analyse for HIV 1 & 2.	Diarrhoea Swollen lymph nodes Sore throat Night sweats Mouth sores (including yeast infections) Headaches Fever Muscle pain Initial HIV symptoms largely resemble those of a simple flu, and some may have no symptoms at all. If you are concerned that you may have HIV, please take a test at the earliest possible time.

If you are experiencing pain, unusual symptoms, such as dizziness, fever, lumps or rashes, always see your GP. These tests should be followed up with a GP appointment to discuss managing or treating any condition detected.

In total, ZoomDoc offers 20 health, wellness and sexual health-related tests that can be ordered online and delivered and carried out at home. If you are experiencing pain, unusual symptoms, such as dizziness, fever, lumps or rashes, always see your GP. These tests should be followed up with a GP appointment to discuss managing or treating any condition detected.

 

Read more about the health checks that could save your life