Full Blood Count Blood Test

4.5/5

A private full blood count (FBC), the test doctors order first: 15 markers covering your red blood cells and haemoglobin for anaemia, white blood cells for infection and immunity, and platelets for clotting. £69 at one of 200+ Goodbody clinics or £89 with a nurse home visit, no fasting and no GP referral needed. Results are emailed within 3 to 5 working days with a GP report explaining each result.... Read more

A private full blood count (FBC), the test doctors order first: 15 markers covering your red blood cells and haemoglobin for anaemia, white blood cells for infection and immunity, and platelets for clotting. £69 at one of 200+ Goodbody clinics or £89 with a nurse home visit, no fasting and no GP referral needed. Results are emailed within 3 to 5 working days with a GP report explaining each result.

Key facts

Price: £69 at a Goodbody clinic; £89 with a nurse home visit
Markers: 15: haemoglobin, red cell count, haematocrit, MCV, MCH, MCHC, red cell distribution width, white cell count, neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, basophils, platelets, MPV
Sample: venous blood draw; a full blood count needs a whole-blood tube, so there is no finger-prick option
Fasting: not needed; take medication as normal
Results: emailed within 3 to 5 working days with a GP report
Standard: an NHS guided test: the same full blood count your GP would order, analysed to the same standard
Good for: tiredness, breathlessness, pale skin, frequent infections, easy bruising or bleeding, and a baseline for general health

Your questions answered

What is a full blood count (FBC) blood test?

A full blood count, written FBC on NHS forms and called a complete blood count or CBC in the United States, measures the cells in your blood: red cells, which carry oxygen; white cells, which fight infection; and platelets, which help blood clot. It is the most commonly ordered blood test in the UK because so many conditions change one of those three lines, and this is the same NHS guided test your GP would order. It is done on a single tube of blood and needs no preparation.

What is tested in a full blood count?

Fifteen markers in three groups:

Group	Markers	What they show
Red cells	Haemoglobin, red cell count, haematocrit, MCV, MCH, MCHC, red cell distribution width	Anaemia and its likely cause: small cells point to iron deficiency, large cells to B12 or folate deficiency or alcohol
White cells	Total white cells, neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, basophils	Infection, inflammation, allergy, immune suppression, and rarely blood cancers
Platelets	Platelet count, MPV	Clotting: too few cause bruising and bleeding, too many can follow inflammation or iron deficiency

What does a full blood count show?

Whether you are anaemic and, from the size of your red cells, why; whether your white cells are raised, which usually means infection or inflammation, or low, which can mean a viral illness, medication effect or a suppressed immune system; and whether your platelets are in range. It is the test that explains tiredness, breathlessness, pale skin, frequent infections and easy bruising more often than any other, and it is the baseline doctors want before almost any further investigation.

Can a full blood count detect cancer?

It cannot diagnose cancer, and a normal result does not rule it out. What it can do is show patterns that prompt investigation: unexplained anaemia is a recognised early sign of bowel and stomach cancers and is why GPs refer for it; very high or very low white cells, or abnormal cell types, can be the first sign of leukaemia or lymphoma; and low platelets alongside those changes strengthen the picture. Solid tumours such as ovarian, breast, lung or prostate cancer do not usually change a full blood count until late, so symptoms should always go to a GP regardless of the result.

Would a full blood count show anything serious?

Occasionally, yes, and that is why it is worth doing. Marked anaemia, a very high or very low white cell count, or very low platelets all need prompt follow-up, and your GP report will say so clearly and tell you what to do the same day. Far more often the result is normal or shows a mild, fixable problem such as iron deficiency.

Does a full blood count test for diabetes, cholesterol or thyroid?

No. A full blood count looks only at blood cells. Diabetes is tested with HbA1c, cholesterol with a lipid profile and thyroid with TSH and free T4, all on separate tubes. If you want those alongside your blood count, the Advanced Well Man and Advanced Well Woman tests include a full blood count with 48 or 51 markers, and the General Health test covers liver, kidney, cholesterol and iron.

What is the normal range for a full blood count?

Reference ranges differ between laboratories and between men and women, so there is no single set of normal numbers, and the exact range for each marker is printed beside your result on the report. Haemoglobin, for example, has a lower normal range in women than in men. Your GP report interprets every result against the laboratory's own range and your age and sex, and explains any that fall outside it, so you do not need to look anything up.

What illnesses affect the full blood count?

Iron, B12 and folate deficiency; heavy periods and other blood loss; chronic kidney disease; infections from a cold to glandular fever; inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease; allergies and parasites, which raise eosinophils; liver disease and heavy drinking; thalassaemia and sickle cell traits; medication effects, including chemotherapy and some antibiotics; and blood cancers. Smoking and dehydration also nudge results, which is why they are read alongside your history.

Can a full blood count determine fertility in men?

No. Sperm count, movement and shape are measured on a semen sample, not a blood test, and hormones such as testosterone, FSH and LH are separate blood tests. Our Male Fertility Home Sperm Test and Male Hormone and Fertility Blood Test cover those. A full blood count can, however, pick up anaemia or infection that affects general health and energy.

Do I need to fast, and how is the sample taken?

No fasting or preparation is needed, and you can take medication as normal. The test needs a tube of whole blood from a vein in the arm, which is why there is no finger-prick option. Book at one of 200+ Goodbody clinics or have a nurse visit your home for £89; the draw takes a few minutes. Find your nearest clinic.

How much does a private full blood count cost?

£69 at a Goodbody clinic or £89 with a nurse home visit, including the blood draw, laboratory analysis and a GP report. Private full blood counts in the UK typically cost £50 to £90, with the draw sometimes charged separately.

How long do full blood count results take?

Results are emailed within 3 to 5 working days of your sample reaching the laboratory, with a GP report that explains each result. If a result needs urgent attention, the report will say so and tell you what to do.

What happens next

Your results and GP report are emailed to you within 3 to 5 working days of your sample reaching the laboratory. The report explains each marker in plain language, flags anything outside the reference range and says what to do next, including when to take the result to your own GP. All samples are analysed by a UKAS-accredited laboratory.

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Venous Sample
GP Report Included
NHS Approved Test
250+ Clinic Locations
Quick Turnaround of Results

Blood taken by a professional in-clinic Collection Method £69 Visit one of our clinics to have blood taken from your arm from a healthcare professional

250+ Clinics Nationwide

Book a home nurse visit to have your blood sample taken Collection Method £89 Choose 3 preferred dates for a Nurse to come to your location at your convenience

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Check Availability (Based on location)

What biomarkers do we test?

How our tests work

Book online...

Book online, receive your kit and take to your local Goodbody clinic.

Send it back…

Send your sample in the post to be analysed at an accredited laboratory.

Get results.

Get your comprehensive detailed results report from the laboratory, with guidance from our support team.

Available testing locations for Full Blood Count Blood Test

Aberdeen Clinic GCI Advanced Aesthetics Abergavenny Clinic Amatsu Centre Airdrie Clinic Amiry & Gilbride Pharmacy Aldershot Clinic Wellington Pharmacy Alton Clinic Four Marks Pharmacy Andover Clinic Dr Malaika Clinics Anniesland Clinic Amiry & Gilbride Pharmacy Arlesey Clinic Waterloo Farm Wellness Armadale Clinic Dears Pharmacy Ascot Clinic Ascot Pharmacy AshbyDeLaZouch Clinic Aeternum Aesthetics Ashford Clinic Breakspear Pharmacy Aveley Clinic Doctor B Aesthetics Aylesbury Clinic Aura Body Clinic Aylesbury Clinic Pearlfect Care Pharmacy Aylsham Clinic North Norfolk Ear & Skin Care Ballingry Clinic Barnet Clinic Co Wellbeing Find More

More Information

Commonly requested by doctors, a Full Blood Count (sometimes also called a completed blood count) is an important test to get an overall picture of your health from your blood cells.

Our test includes checks for your red and white blood cells, both of which are integral to your health and perform different activities in the body to keep you healthy.

Your white blood cells form part of your immune system and help fight of infections and other diseases. Abnormal white blood cell results can indicate that you may be suffering from a recent injury or infection, or an ongoing problem with inflammation and compromised immunity.

Red blood cells transport oxygen around your body. Any problem which inhibits their ability to do that properly can cause problems such as anaemia, heart disease, kidney disease and thalassemia.

Our blood test will check the shape, size and volume of your red blood cells. This helps identify whether there is anything abnormal with them, which can cause health problems like those listed above.

We will also check your platelets, to identify whether you have too many (which can lead to blood clots and strokes) or too few, which can cause internal bleeding, fatigue, blood in stools, easy bruising or extended wound healing times.

How our blood tests work

Have your blood taken in-clinic by one of our skilled phlebotomists and check multiple biomarkers in one go. Many of our tests can also be done in the comfort of your own home with one of our easy-to-use test kits.

Home tests

Clinic tests

Testing

Take a test, either in the comfort of your own home, with a nurse visit, or at one of our clinics nationwide.

Analysis

Your sample is analysed in the clinic, laboratory or using your home test equipment.

Results

Get your comprehensive detailed results report from the laboratory.

Our customers love us!

Excellent service

I was seen immediately on arrival and taken straight in for my procedure. The premises were clean and well maintained, and the staff were polite, professional, and very efficient.

Sophie

Results back within 24 hours

I wanted to have a blood test after a previous HbA1c result showed I was in the diabetic range. I had made some lifestyle changes about a month earlier and wanted to check my progress, but my doctor wasn’t able to retest for another two months, so I decided to arrange my own test. Goodbody made the whole process very easy and convenient, with straightforward booking and quick service. I received my results within few days, and my levels had improved, which was really encouraging and motivated me to keep going. It was well worth the cost.

James. S

Sent off for 24hour heart monitor

I ordered a 24-hour heart monitor kit on Friday and had the results by the following Tuesday. The level of service was excellent, especially given the current one-year wait for an NHS Holter monitor in our area!

Grace Lee

Got the PSA results next day

I completed the PSA test with the PSE EpiSwitch Prostate Cancer test in Soho yesterday and posted my samples at Soho Square at 10:30 am. I received my PSA results the very next day—outstanding service! Despite a BRCA genetic mutation, I am happy to report that I am cancer-free. Thank you, EpiSwitch. 5 stars!

Wilson. P

Someone from Goodbody called me to put my mind ease

I recently had a full blood count taken by a very friendly nurse at Superdrug. She completed all my paperwork for me and was incredibly kind. I received my results the next day. Because of my anxiety and having never seen a lab report before, I emailed for some clarification, and to my surprise, someone from Goodbody called me to put my mind at ease. I’m very grateful for the excellent service and will definitely be using them again.

Michael. T

Understanding of my fear of needles

The nurse was incredibly helpful and understanding of my fear of needles, providing constant reassurance and guiding me through the entire process to help take my mind off what was happening.

Illy. C

Definitely recommend

The team was friendly and professional, making the experience completely painless. The clinic was easy to find, with convenient parking available nearby.

Martin. K

You’re in good hands

I visited the clinic for a private blood test and was immediately impressed by the service. They offer a wide range of services, everything feels high quality and professional, and Emma, who attended to us, was fantastic! Whatever service you book here, you can be confident you’re in very capable hands.

Robert

Top notch experience

As someone who regularly needs blood tests due to diabetes, I can honestly say this was the first time I experienced absolutely no pain at all with the needle—truly none! There was also no bruising afterward. It was a really top-notch job and made for an excellent overall experience (something I’ve never said about a blood test before!).

Ashley. P

Friendly and relaxing atmosphere

I found the staff to be friendly, approachable, and highly professional. They explained everything clearly as they carried out the blood draw. The clinic was clean and thoughtfully set up to help patients feel at ease.

Lorra. L

Polite and efficient approach

I was impressed by the company’s focus on clear communication and professionalism. The procedure was quick, well-organised, and ran smoothly with no unnecessary waiting or confusion. I especially appreciated their gentle approach and how they put me at ease, which was reassuring since it was my first blood draw at the clinic.

Simon. S

Amazing service including nurse coming

Outstanding service, including a nurse visiting my home for blood work. Full body scans through Well Man and Well Woman were arranged within three days, including additional scans and tests which i had requested. All organised within two days and delivered directly to my home. Truly convenient and efficient service!

Andrew. B

Made a dreaded blood test so much easier

I had been feeling unwell for three years and had numerous blood tests through my doctor with no clear answers. I decided to try Goodbody Clinic and ordered an at-home menopause test. The results revealed that I have a low thyroid TSH level, and I am so relieved that this issue was finally identified.

Charlie. T

Truly fantastic local service!

From start to finish, the service was exceptional. Booking the appointment was straightforward, and the entire experience was well-organized and impressively quick.

Dmitry. R

Results less than 24 hours later

Even though I arrived at the clinic a few minutes early, I was seen immediately. I received my blood test results in less than 24 hours. Truly brilliant service!

Malti

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Experts you can trust

Meet our Goodbody Experts

Our team of professionals has decades of experience so you can be sure you’re getting the best tests and support to understand and improve your health.

Get in touch with Our Team

Dr Lebeth Jacob

BSc (Hons) MBChB
Registered GP & Lead Medical Advisor

Dr Alexandre Akoulitchev

MA, PhD, FRSM
Clinical Support Advisor

Dr Cheng Boon

MBCHB, MRCP, FRCR
Consultant Oncologist

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AFTER YOUR TEST

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We promise to deliver affordable testing to everybody.

When you’re worried about your health, life can feel very stressful, especially if you don’t have the answers you need. We believe that health testing should be available to all, giving you answers when and where you need them.

That’s why we’ve partnered with Splitit, Dopple and Clearpay so you can pay for your tests in interest-free instalments, if you prefer.