Getting a blood test without a referral
Maybe you’re experiencing symptoms and want to know what’s causing them. Or maybe there’s nothing wrong, and you just want to know how you’re doing. Both are good reasons to have your blood tested, because you don’t need to have symptoms to have your blood levels checked.
At Bloedwaardentest, you can customize your own test package without a referral from your primary care physician. Choose a ready-made check-up, or create your own from individual blood tests that suit your needs. You can get your blood drawn at a testing site near you and receive your results with an explanation via email. Your information remains private and is not shared with your family doctor.
Which blood test is right for which situation?
The table below will help you get started. It shows which blood values may be relevant for each situation and which test includes them. What’s right for you depends on your individual situation.
Common symptoms and the appropriate blood test for each
| Situation or Purpose | Blood values that may be identified | Type of test |
|---|
| Preventive screening without specific symptoms, for example, as an annual baseline test | Think of organ function, complete blood count, cholesterol, blood sugar, and thyroid function | General check-up blood test |
| Persistent fatigue or low energy | Complete blood count, iron and ferritin, vitamin B12, thyroid levels | Blood Tests for Fatigue |
| Want to understand your vitamin and mineral status? | Vitamin D, vitamin B12, folic acid, iron, magnesium | Blood tests for vitamins and minerals |
| Questions about the thyroid or your metabolic rate | TSH, free T4, and possibly free T3 | Thyroid blood test |
| Taking care of your heart and blood vessels, for example, if you have a family history | Total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides | Blood Tests for Heart and Vascular Diseases |
| Questions about hormones, your menstrual cycle, or fertility | Depending on the request, this may include sex hormones and thyroid levels, among others | Hormone blood tests |
| Exercising and wanting to track your performance or recovery | Such as complete blood count, iron levels, liver function tests, and inflammation markers | Blood Tests for Athletes |
| Symptoms of stress or poor sleep that you’d like to understand better | Including thyroid levels and levels related to your overall health | Blood Tests for Stress and Sleep Problems |
| Concerned about a possible infection | White blood cells, CRP, and specific antibodies | Blood tests for infections |
| Want a comprehensive overview of your general health and lifestyle? | A comprehensive set of biomarkers related to energy, nutrition, and vitality | Comprehensive blood test with InsideTracker |
What exactly does a blood test measure?
A blood test measures substances in your blood and compares them to the reference values for your gender and age. This shows how your organs and blood are doing. A general checkup examines dozens of these values all at once. Below, you can see which values are most commonly tested and what they mean.
Key blood values in a general blood test
| Blood values | What it measures | Provides insight into |
|---|
| Hemoglobin and Complete Blood Count | Red and white blood cells and oxygen transport in your blood | Including anemia and the overall composition of your blood |
| Iron and ferritin | The amount of iron and your body’s iron stores | Iron metabolism, which is related to energy and oxygen transport |
| Glucose | Blood sugar level at the time of the test | How Your Body Processes Sugar |
| Cholesterol and Triglycerides | Your blood lipid profile, including LDL and HDL | Factors Related to the Heart and Blood Vessels |
| Liver function tests (ASAT, ALAT, and gamma-GT) | Enzymes that provide insight into how your liver is functioning | Liver function |
| Kidney function tests (creatinine and urea) | Waste products that your kidneys filter out of your blood | Kidney function |
| TSH Thyroid Level | The hormone your pituitary gland uses to regulate your thyroid | Your Metabolic Rate |
| Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D | The levels of these vitamins in your blood | Your vitamin status, which you can maintain through diet or supplements |
| CRP | A protein that rises when there is inflammation in your body | The presence of inflammation, without identifying the cause |
How reliable are blood tests at Bloedwaardentest?
Your blood will be tested in an ISO-certified laboratory using the same methods as those used by general practitioners and hospitals. The results are standardized across the Netherlands, so you can simply print them out and discuss them with your doctor later if a value is out of range. And if we see something that requires immediate action, we’ll call you before you even receive the results.
What do you do with your blood test results?
You’ll receive your results as a PDF in your email. The results include an explanation, and arrows indicate whether a value is higher or lower than normal. These results are a snapshot of your current health and do not constitute a diagnosis. Because we analyze multiple values at once, there may sometimes be something unexpected, even if you feel perfectly fine. If a value is significantly out of range, our medical team will contact you before you receive the results.
Would you like your results explained? Through our additional services, you can request a consultation with a doctor or health coach. Not sure if this test is right for you—for example, because you have symptoms, are taking blood thinners, are pregnant, or are being treated for a serious condition? Please consult your primary care physician or give us a call, and we’ll work with you to determine the best course of action for your situation.
Requesting a blood test at a glance
You put together your test package in the online store and pay a one-time fee for the blood draw. You’ll then receive an invitation to a blood draw location near you. Have your blood drawn, send the tubes back in the provided medical envelope, and you’ll receive your results by email within a few days. Whether you need to fast depends on the test and is specified in the test details. You can read the full explanation on the “How It Works” page.
Frequently Asked Questions About Blood Tests
What is a blood test?
During a blood test, we measure substances in your blood: blood cells, vitamins, hormones, and organ function values. We compare these to reference values so you can see how your body is doing.
Can I get a blood test without a referral?
Yes. At Bloedwaardentest, you don’t need a referral from your primary care physician. You put together your own test package and decide which blood values you want to have checked.
Which blood test should I choose?
That depends on what you want to know. If you want a broad overview, a general check-up is a good place to start. If you have a specific question, choose a targeted test or add individual blood tests. The tables above will help you get started.
How long will it take to get my results?
You’ll usually receive the results in your email within a few days after your blood draw, along with an explanation. The exact time it takes varies by test.
Do I need to fast before a blood test?
Sometimes yes, sometimes no—it depends on the test. You can see whether this applies to your test in the test description and on the “Do I need to fast?” page.
Is a blood test still a good idea if I don’t have any symptoms?
Absolutely. You don’t need to have any symptoms to get your blood checked. A preventive checkup shows you how you’re doing and serves as a good baseline to look back on later.
Will my results be sent to my primary care physician or my insurance company?
No. Your results are yours and are sent only to you. If you want to share them with your primary care physician, you’ll have to do that yourself.
Is a preventive blood test covered?
This is usually not covered by basic health insurance, as preventive screenings initiated on your own are generally not included. Some supplemental insurance plans do cover certain tests, so be sure to check with your health insurance provider.
Does a blood test provide a diagnosis?
No. A blood test gives you insight into your blood values, but it is not a diagnosis. Do you have any symptoms, or are your results abnormal? If so, discuss the results with your doctor.
