The smartest way to screen your health isn't to jump straight to a full body MRI. It's to start with a blood test, see what it tells you, and then scan the specific area that needs investigating. This blood-first approach costs less, gives your radiologist clinical context, and catches problems that imaging alone would miss. Here's how it works.
Why Blood Tests Before Scans Make Sense
1. Blood Tests Catch What Scans Miss
An MRI shows structure — what organs look like. Blood tests show function — how organs are performing. Your liver might look completely normal on MRI while blood tests reveal ALT levels three times the upper limit, indicating early damage that hasn't yet changed the liver's appearance. Conversely, thyroid blood tests can detect dysfunction years before a thyroid scan would show structural changes.
2. Blood Tests Tell You Where to Scan
A full body MRI costs £1,399–£2,299. A targeted scan costs £249–£449. If a blood test shows raised PSA, you know to scan the prostate (£449). If it shows raised liver enzymes, you scan the liver (£299). Without blood work, you'd either guess which scan to get or pay for a full body package. The blood-first approach saves money by directing you to the right scan.
3. Blood Results Improve Scan Interpretation
When a radiologist knows your blood results, they can tailor their report. "There is a 15mm lesion in the right lobe of the liver" reads differently when the radiologist also knows your ALT is 200 U/L versus normal. Clinical context makes the report more useful.
The Lola Health Pathway: Step by Step
Step 1: Peak 70 Blood Test — £230
The Peak 70 panel covers 70 biomarkers across every major organ system:
| Category | Markers Included | What They Check |
|---|---|---|
| Liver | ALT, AST, GGT, ALP, bilirubin, albumin | Liver damage, bile duct function |
| Kidney | Creatinine, eGFR, urea | Kidney filtration |
| Thyroid | TSH, Free T3, Free T4 | Thyroid function |
| Lipids | Total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides | Cardiovascular risk |
| Diabetes | HbA1c, fasting glucose | Blood sugar control |
| Inflammation | CRP, ESR | Systemic inflammation |
| Iron | Ferritin, iron, TIBC, transferrin saturation | Iron stores and anaemia |
| Hormones | Testosterone, oestradiol, SHBG, cortisol, prolactin | Hormonal balance |
| Vitamins | Vitamin D, B12, folate | Nutritional status |
| Prostate (men) | PSA | Prostate health |
| Cancer markers | CA-125, CEA | Screening markers |
| Full blood count | Hb, WBC, platelets, MCV, MCH | Blood cell health, infection, anaemia |
Start with a Blood Test — Peak 70 Panel
70 biomarkers covering liver, kidney, thyroid, hormones, inflammation, and more. Results in 2 working days.
View Blood Test Details →Step 2: Review Your Results
Results arrive within 2 working days. Each marker is flagged as normal, borderline, or abnormal. Here's the decision logic:
| If Your Results Show… | Recommended Next Step | Scan Cost |
|---|---|---|
| All normal | No scan needed — retest in 12 months | £0 |
| Raised liver enzymes (ALT/AST) | Liver MRI | £299 |
| Raised PSA | Prostate MRI | £449 |
| Abnormal thyroid + symptoms | Thyroid MRI | £249 |
| Low eGFR / raised creatinine | Kidney MRI | £249 |
| High cholesterol + risk factors | Cardiac MRI | £349 |
| Raised CA-125 + symptoms | Pelvis MRI | £275 |
| Raised prolactin | Pituitary MRI | £249 |
| Iron deficiency + GI symptoms | Small Bowel MRI | £399 |
| Raised CRP/ESR + joint pain | Joint MRI (relevant area) | £249–£275 |
| Multiple concerns or family history | Full Body MRI | From £1,399 |
Step 3: Book Your Targeted Scan
Choose your scan based on your blood results. Book online, pick a centre from 150+ locations, and attend within days. Your blood test results are shared with the imaging centre to give the radiologist clinical context.
Step 4: Results and Next Steps
Your radiologist report arrives within 3–7 working days. It includes:
- Detailed findings from the scan
- Clinical interpretation in context of your blood results
- Recommendations for next steps (if any)
- DICOM images to share with your GP or specialist
Cost Comparison: Blood-First vs Full Body MRI
| Approach | Total Cost | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Blood test + 1 targeted scan | £479–£679 | 70 biomarkers + detailed scan of the area that needs it |
| Full Body Base MRI only | £1,399 | Imaging of all areas, no blood data |
| Blood test + Full Body Base | £1,629 | The complete picture — biochemistry + imaging |
| Prenuvo (MRI only) | £2,499 | Imaging only, no blood data, London only |
Related Guides
- When Blood Tests Suggest You Need a Scan
- Elevated Liver Enzymes → Liver MRI
- High PSA → Prostate MRI
- High Cholesterol → Cardiac MRI
- Full Body MRI Scan Cost UK
- Full Body Health Check UK
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