Lab Tests

Pulse Health Screening offers a wide range of health screening tests, some of which may be performed in your own home and others which require a visit to a laboratory in Bedford, UK.

If you live within a 25-mile radius of Bedford, we can arrange for a nurse to visit to take your blood sample(s). If this is part of a health assessment, you will not be required to pay an additional consultation fee of £35.

Home testing kits can be purchased from this page. Full instructions are contained in the test kit, then returned to one of our chosen laboratories for analysis. You should receive your results within three weeks.

Please Note: The fee for your assessment must be paid at the time of your appointment. We accept cash or cheque payments only but if you wish to pay by credit or debit card, please let us know at the time of booking and arrangements can be made beforehand.

If you fail to keep your appointment or cancel within 24 hours of your appointed time, you will be required to pay the full amount of your fee. Cancellations made between 24 and 48 hours of your appointment time will be charged 50% of the assessment fee. This does not include laboratory test fees.

Laboratory Blood Tests available in the Bedford area

All of these tests are analysed at Mullhaven Laboratory, Priory Business Park, Bedford. If you prefer to have your blood sample taken at the laboratory, a one-off fee of £12.50 should be added, unless stated otherwise. Please contact Pulse Health Screening if you wish to choose this option.

Biochemistry/Haematology Profile

Venous blood sample which tests for Urea and Electrolytes, Liver Function, Glucose, Lipids, Full Blood Count, Diff, ESR

Price: £60

You should not eat or drink (except for water) for at least 9 hours prior to this test

Fasting Lipid Profile

Venous blood sample which tests for Cholesterol (total), Triglycerides, HDL Cholesterol, LDL Cholesterol

Price: £26

You should not eat or drink (except for water) for at least 9 hours prior to this test

Cardiovascular Profile

Venous blood sample which includes Biochemistry/Haematology profile, Thyroid Function Profile and Homocysteine

Price: £150
(includes lab fee for taking blood)

This is a fasting test (see above) and must be taken at Mullhaven Laboratory, Bedford, by prior appointment. Click here for contact details

Thyroid Function Profile

Venous blood sample which tests for Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) + Free T4

Price: £36

C-Reactive Protein

Venous blood sample which tests for C-Reactive Protein (CRP), a useful marker for inflammation in the body

Price: £21

High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein

Venous blood sample which is a more sensitive test for CRP and is a particularly useful marker for cardiovascular disease

Price: £25

Homocysteine

Venous blood sample which is probably the most important test you could have for checking cardiovascular disease risk and your general health status

Price: £55
(includes lab fee for taking blood)

This is a fasting test (see above) and must be taken at Mullhaven Laboratory, Bedford, by prior appointment. Click here for contact details

Osteoporosis Screen

Venous blood sample which tests for Alkaline Phosphatase, Calcium, Albumin, Phosphate, Deoxypyridinoline, Osteocalcin, Vitamin D

Price: £225

Faecal Occult Blood

This is a stool sample which tests for blood in the stool. If there is bleeding anywhere along the intestinal tract, this test should be able to detect the presence of blood even if it is not visible.

Price: £13

It is advised to refrain from eating red meat, horseradish, turnips, drugs such as, aspirin, indomethacin, ibuprofen and alcohol, 3 days before the test to prevent false positive results.

Prostate Specific Antigen

This is a blood test for men which detects levels of prostate specific antigen. A higher level than normal may indicate prostate cancer but should not be taken in isolation without other tests such as a rectal examination. If the result is borderline a Free PSA test is also performed to give a more accurate result.

Price: £36

Helicobacter Pylori Breath Test

The Helicobacter breath test can determine whether or not there is H pylori infection in the stomach. The test is simple, is non-invasive (does not require a gastric biopsy) and causes no patient discomfort.

Price: £60

This test can only be taken at Mullhaven Laboratory, Bedford, by prior appointment. Click here for contact details

Hepatitis B Immunity Check

Many employees who work in high risk environments are advised to have a hepatitis B vaccination programme. Every few years, a blood test is required to check immunity status. This may be available from your GP but not all surgeries will agree to the test.

Price: £24

Hepatitis C Antibodies

If you think you have been infected with Hepatitis C and wish to know your status, we can arrange this simple blood test for you.

Price: £50

Rubella Immunity Check

Some employees, such as health care workers are advised to have a Rubella vaccination. Every few years, a blood test is required to check immunity status. This may be available from your GP but not all surgeries will agree to the test.

Price: £26.50

Home Testing Kits available in the UK and Ireland

These test kits require a finger-prick blood test, apart from the Parasite and Osteoporosis screens. The test kits can be ordered with a credit/debit card by clicking on the “Add to Basket” buttons. Alternatively click on the logo opposite for other order options.

When you have taken your sample, you should send it to the laboratory in the pre-paid envelope as soon as possible. You will receive a print-out of the result within three weeks.

Homocysteine

Research has shown that homocysteine testing is more predictive than cholesterol in assessing heart disease. This test requires a finger prick blood sample and should be taken before breakfast

Price: £75

You should not eat or drink (except for water) for at least 9 hours prior to this test. Samples should not be taken or posted on Fridays or Saturdays

Insulin Resistance

Insulin resistance is increasingly becoming a problem and usually leads to Type 2 diabetes. This finger prick blood test will help identify the problem so the appropriate action can be taken before damage occurs.

Price: £52.75

You should not eat or drink (except for water) for at least 9 hours prior to this test.

Coeliac Screen (Gliadin IgG/IgA)

Gliadin is a major protein found in gluten. This finger-prick blood test checks for anti-gliadin which may indicate a gluten intolerance.

Price: £55

Samples should not be taken or posted on Fridays or Saturdays

Candida Screen

This finger-prick blood test checks for the antibody response to Candida which is a type of yeast that lives in the intestine. This can lead to a variety of symptoms such as abdominal bloating, pain and fatigue.

Price: £55

Samples should not be taken or posted on Fridays or Saturdays

Helicobacter Pylori

H. Pylori is a bacteria that can damage the lining of the stomach and duodenum and is a major cause of ulcers. This finger-prick blood sample can detect the presence of antibodies to H. Pylori and gives a reliable indication of infection.

Price: £45

Samples should not be taken or posted on Fridays or Saturdays

Anaemia (Intrinsic Factor Antibodies)

This finger-prick blood test checks for antibodies to the Intrinsic Factor which is essential for the absorption of vitamin B12. A lack of the intrinsic factor leads to pernicious anaemia which is the most common type of anaemia.

Price: £45

Samples should not be taken or posted on Fridays or Saturdays

Osteoporosis Screen (Urine)

Osteoporosis affects 1 in 3 women and 1 in 12 men, causing risk of bone fracture due to the deterioration of bone thickness. This test measures N-telopeptide, a very specific marker of bone metabolism. If increased levels are found in the urine it indicates osteoporosis risk.

Price: £55

Parasite Screen (Stool Specimen)

It is estimated that as many as 10% of people in the UK may have a parasite infection. The symptoms are similar to Irritable Bowel Syndrome. This test requires stool specimens on three consecutive days.

Price: £112