Knowledge Centre
Providing rapid medical guidance and expert health insights for informational purposes. Our guides come from a Harley Street clinic, but they do not replace a professional consultation.
Can you get a private blood test in London without a GP referral?
Written by Mr Stephen Lingam · Reviewed by Dr Penny Sheehan (GMC 6056535) on 25/09/2026
Key takeaways
- Most private blood tests in London can be booked directly, without a referral letter from your NHS GP.
- At Medical Express Clinic, individual tests start from £33.75 and the Silver profile is £124, plus a £50 phlebotomy fee for the blood draw, with many results within 24 hours.
- Profiles run from Silver (£124) up to Platinum (£420), each adding more markers to the last.
- A blood test on its own gives you a result, not a diagnosis; a GP consultation, at £150, adds clinical interpretation and next steps.
- Walk-in blood tests are available at 117a Harley Street, with no referral needed for routine testing.
Most adults in London can book a private blood test directly, without asking their NHS GP for a referral first. This suits anyone who wants a specific marker checked, a quick turnaround, or a health check on their own timetable. For the full test catalogue, see private blood tests in London.
Do you need a GP referral to book a private blood test?
No. Private clinics accept self-referral for routine blood testing, so you do not need a letter from your NHS GP to book most tests. This is different from some NHS pathways, where a GP has to request the test before the lab will process it. At a private clinic you choose the test or profile you want and book directly.
A referral still has a place. If you have symptoms that need examining, or you want a doctor to decide which tests are clinically appropriate for you, a GP consultation before testing is the safer route, covered further down.
What blood tests can you book without seeing a doctor first?
You can book individual tests or pre-built profiles without a prior consultation. Medical Express Clinic's blood testing is organised into structured profiles, from a general wellness check to more detailed panels, plus a shorter list of commonly requested individual tests.
The table below shows the four profile tiers and what each one adds to the last.
| Profile | Price | What it adds |
|---|---|---|
| Silver | £124 | Kidney function, liver function, cholesterol, blood sugar, haematology, inflammatory markers |
| Silver Plus | £199 | Everything in Silver, plus iron levels and muscle function (CK/LDH) |
| Gold | £250 | Everything in Silver, plus thyroid function, an iron test and HbA1c (diabetes) |
| Platinum | £420 | Everything in Gold, plus vitamin D, vitamin B12, folic acid and CRP |
Profile prices are for the laboratory tests; a £50 phlebotomy fee is added for the blood draw.
Commonly requested individual tests and profiles are booked the same way: iron testing from £43.75 with results in 24 hours, a cholesterol and lipid profile from £72.50 with same-day results, thyroid function profiles from £100 with results in 1 to 2 days, a female hormone and menopause profile from £147.50 with results in 1 day, and a male hormone and testosterone profile from £240 with results in 1 to 3 days.
How much does a private blood test cost in London, and how fast are results?
Individual tests start from £33.75, plus a £50 phlebotomy fee for the blood draw. Many results are available within 24 hours, though this varies by test; some profiles report in 1 to 3 days, and some markers, such as folic acid, take around 3 working days. Our laboratory offers over 1,000 blood tests, so the profiles above cover the tests most people ask for. The most frequently booked tests are listed under commonly requested blood tests. The structured panels, from Silver to Platinum, are set out on the blood test profiles page.
How does a private blood test compare with going through the NHS?
Both routes use accredited laboratories; the difference is mainly in access and speed, not accuracy. On the NHS, routine blood tests are usually requested by a GP as part of an assessment, and turnaround depends on local laboratory capacity. Privately, you can self-refer for most tests and typically get same-day sample collection with results in 24 hours to a few days, depending on the test.
| NHS | Private (self-referral) | |
|---|---|---|
| Referral | Usually requested by a GP as part of an assessment | Self-referral for most routine tests |
| Booking | Via your GP practice | Walk in or book directly |
| Result speed | Depends on local laboratory capacity | Typically 24 hours to a few days, by test |
| Interpretation | Discussed with your GP if clinically indicated | Optional GP consultation available on the same site |
Neither route is "better" in general; the right one depends on whether you already know which test you want, or need a doctor to work out what to test for.
When is it worth seeing a GP before testing?
A same-day, self-referred blood test is a good fit when you already know which marker you want checked, for example a follow-up cholesterol or thyroid test, or a general wellness profile. It is worth seeing a GP first if you have symptoms that need examining, you are not sure which tests are relevant, or you want your results explained in the context of your medical history the same week they arrive. A consultation with a private GP at Medical Express Clinic is £150, with no fixed time limit, seven days a week.
What happens on the day of your blood test
You can walk in or book an appointment at 117a Harley Street. A phlebotomist takes a standard venous blood sample, which is a brief, routine procedure. Samples go to an accredited laboratory, and many results are available within 24 hours, with some profiles taking up to 3 days depending on the tests involved. Results are emailed to you. If you would rather browse tests online first, our sister clinic Blood London lists its most popular blood tests with prices.
Sources
Mr Stephen Lingam
Managing Director
Executive leadership
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to fast before a private blood test?
Fasting requirements depend on the specific test, for example a fasting lipid or glucose test; your booking confirmation will tell you if fasting is needed for the tests you have chosen.
Can I book a blood test without knowing exactly which one I need?
Yes, but if you are unsure which markers are relevant to your symptoms or history, a GP consultation first (£150) will help you choose the right test rather than testing broadly and hoping for an answer.
How quickly will I get my results?
Many individual tests report within 24 hours, and some profiles take up to 3 days; the specific turnaround is shown against each test.
Will a private blood test show up on my NHS medical record?
Private test results are not automatically shared with your NHS GP; you can request that they are sent to your own GP if you want them added to your NHS record.
Can I book on the same day?
Yes, walk-in blood tests are available at 117a Harley Street without a referral, subject to clinic capacity.
What if a result comes back abnormal?
You can book a GP consultation to have an abnormal result explained and to discuss next steps, including any further tests or referral.
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