Lola Health vs Medichecks: Which UK Blood Test Is Right for You?

Last reviewed: February 2026 · Comparison based on publicly available pricing and service data

Medichecks launched in 2002 as the UK's first direct-to-consumer blood testing service and has built a catalogue of over 400 individual tests. Lola Health takes a different approach: fewer, more comprehensive panels with up to 70 biomarkers, plus specialist testing like epigenetic biological age and gut microbiome analysis that Medichecks does not offer.

This comparison uses real pricing, actual biomarker counts, and documented customer experiences to help you decide which service fits your needs. We have tried to be fair and honest about both — each has genuine strengths.

Quick Comparison Table

Collection Method: The Fundamental Difference

How your blood is collected is the single most important distinction between these two services, and it affects everything from sample reliability to which biomarkers can actually be tested. Lola Health includes a professional phlebotomist who comes to your home and performs a standard venous blood draw from your arm — the same method used in GP surgeries and hospitals. Medichecks defaults to a finger-prick lancet kit that you use yourself at home.

Why collection method matters

A venous blood draw typically yields 5–10 ml of blood from a single puncture, providing the laboratory with a large, high-quality sample. Finger-prick collection produces a much smaller sample — typically 0.5–1 ml — squeezed from a punctured fingertip into a micro-collection tube. The practical consequences are significant:

• Sample failure rate: Finger-prick collection has a documented failure rate that venous draws essentially eliminate. Common reasons include insufficient blood volume, haemolysis (red blood cell breakdown from squeezing), and clotting before the sample reaches the lab. Medichecks reviews frequently cite failed finger-prick attempts as a frustration.
• Biomarker limitations: Some biomarkers require a minimum blood volume or are sensitive to haemolysis. This is one reason Medichecks' most comprehensive panel tops out at 58–59 markers, while Lola Health's venous draw supports panels of up to 70.
• Consistency for tracking: If you test regularly to track trends, venous draws provide more consistent baselines than finger-prick samples, which can vary with how effectively you collect on any given day.

Medichecks' venous draw options

To be fair, Medichecks does offer venous blood draw — it is simply not the default. You can visit one of their 350+ partner clinics across the UK, which typically adds around £25 to the test price, or book a nurse home visit for an additional £59. These are solid options if you are near a clinic, but the additional cost and travel time should be factored into your comparison.

Biomarker Depth Compared

Lola Health's most comprehensive panel tests 70 biomarkers versus Medichecks' maximum of 58–59, giving Lola a roughly 20% advantage in biomarker depth at the top tier. But depth is not the only factor — what those biomarkers cover matters just as much. Here is how the panel ranges compare across both services.

Lola Health panels

All three panels include the professional phlebotomist home visit and doctor-reviewed results at no extra cost. The progression is logical: Core Health covers the fundamentals (thyroid, liver, kidney, cholesterol, iron, vitamins, inflammation), Vital Check adds hormones and more detailed cardiovascular markers, and Peak Insights provides the full picture with advanced longevity-relevant biomarkers.

Medichecks key panels

Medichecks' strength is the sheer breadth of its catalogue. With over 400 individual tests available, you can order highly specific single-marker tests — a standalone testosterone check, a coeliac screen, or a vitamin D test — often for under £40. This modular approach suits people who already know exactly which marker they want to check.

However, when it comes to comprehensive health panels — the kind that give you a holistic view of how your body is performing — Lola Health provides more biomarkers per pound spent, with all panels collected via venous draw.

Pricing: True Cost Per Biomarker

Headline prices can be misleading because they do not account for the number of biomarkers tested or the collection method included. When you calculate the true cost per biomarker and factor in collection fees, the price gap between Lola Health and Medichecks narrows considerably — and in many cases, Lola comes out ahead.

The maths

The comparison becomes even starker when you match like-for-like on collection method. If you want a venous blood draw at home with Medichecks, you are paying £258 for 58 biomarkers. Lola Health charges £220 for 70 biomarkers with the same quality of home collection — that is 12 more biomarkers for £38 less.

Where Medichecks is cheaper

If you want a quick, targeted check on a single area — say, thyroid function or vitamin D — Medichecks' entry-level tests from £29 are genuinely hard to beat. Their modular pricing works well when you do not need a comprehensive panel and are comfortable with finger-prick collection. For someone who simply wants to check a specific marker their GP has flagged, Medichecks' lower starting price is a real advantage.

Beyond Blood Tests: Epigenetics, Gut Health, and Supplements

Lola Health offers three categories of testing and products that Medichecks does not: epigenetic biological age testing, gut microbiome analysis, and longevity-focused supplements. If you are only interested in standard blood biomarkers, this section will not sway your decision — but if you are taking a broader approach to health optimisation, these are significant differentiators.

TruAge Epigenetic Testing

Lola Health offers TruAge testing, which uses DNA methylation analysis to calculate your biological age — how old your body actually is at a cellular level, as distinct from your chronological age. Epigenetic clocks have become one of the most scientifically validated measures of biological ageing, with research published in journals including Nature Aging and Genome Biology.

A biological age test tells you something no blood biomarker can: whether your overall rate of ageing is faster or slower than expected. Combined with regular blood testing, this creates a powerful feedback loop — you can see whether lifestyle changes are not only improving your blood markers but actually slowing your biological ageing.

Medichecks does not offer epigenetic testing, biological age assessment, or any DNA methylation-based analysis.

GutID Microbiome Testing

Lola Health also offers GutID, a gut microbiome test that analyses the composition of bacteria in your digestive system. Emerging research links gut microbiome health to immune function, mental health, and inflammation. A microbiome test can reveal imbalances that blood tests alone would not detect. Medichecks does not offer gut microbiome testing.

NMN Supplements (NAD+ Booster)

Lola Health sells NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide), a precursor to NAD+ — a coenzyme involved in cellular energy production that declines with age. NMN supplementation is one of the most-studied longevity interventions, though long-term human data remains limited. This positions Lola Health as an integrated health optimisation platform — test, understand, and act — rather than a pure testing service. Medichecks focuses exclusively on blood testing, which is a perfectly valid but narrower approach.

Results Experience: App vs Web Portal

Lola Health delivers results through a dedicated mobile app with longitudinal biomarker tracking, while Medichecks uses a web-based portal called My Medichecks that does not have a native mobile application. Both include doctor-reviewed interpretation of your results, but the way you interact with that data differs meaningfully — particularly if you test regularly.

Lola Health app

The Lola Health app provides doctor-reviewed results with clear categorisation of each biomarker (in range, borderline, or out of range). The key advantage is longitudinal tracking: if you test more than once, the app overlays your results over time so you can see trends. Are your vitamin D levels climbing since you started supplementing? Has your HbA1c crept up? Trend data makes individual results far more meaningful. A native app also means push notifications when results are ready and easier mobile access.

Medichecks web portal

Medichecks delivers results through its My Medichecks online portal, accessible via a web browser on any device but without a dedicated mobile app. Results include a doctor's report with interpretation of each marker, reference ranges, and explanations of abnormal values. The portal is functional and the reports are thorough, but the lack of a native app means no push notifications, a less seamless mobile experience, and more limited trend visualisation across multiple tests.

Report quality

Both services provide genuinely useful doctor-reviewed reports. Medichecks has decades of experience in results interpretation and their reports are detailed. Lola Health's reports are similarly thorough, with the added benefit of in-app trend visualisation. On report quality alone, there is no clear loser — both take results interpretation seriously.

When to Choose Medichecks

Medichecks is the better choice when you need a specific, targeted test rather than a comprehensive panel, or when budget is the primary concern for a basic health check. Here are the scenarios where Medichecks genuinely excels:

• You need a single-marker or small-panel test: If your GP has suggested checking your thyroid function, or you want a standalone vitamin D or testosterone test, Medichecks' modular catalogue is unmatched. You can order a thyroid check from £29 or a specific hormone test without paying for a full panel. Lola Health's smallest panel starts at £130 for 45 markers — which is excellent value if you want the full picture, but overkill if you only need one specific number.
• You are comfortable with finger-prick collection: Some people have no trouble collecting finger-prick samples, particularly those with good circulation, warm hands, and prior experience with lancets. If you are one of them, Medichecks' finger-prick kits are convenient, arrive quickly, and avoid the need to schedule a phlebotomist visit.
• You prefer in-person clinic visits: With over 350 partner clinics across the UK, Medichecks offers good geographic coverage for those who prefer visiting a clinic for venous blood draw. If you live near a partner clinic and prefer that experience over a home visit, Medichecks makes this easy to arrange.
• You want the widest possible test catalogue: Medichecks offers over 400 individual tests spanning allergy, autoimmunity, fertility, sports hormones, sexual health, and more. If you are looking for a niche or specialist blood test, Medichecks' catalogue likely includes it.
• Track record and familiarity: As the UK's longest-running DTC blood test service (founded 2002), Medichecks has processed millions of samples and built a well-known brand. If you value established reputation and name recognition, Medichecks' two-decade track record is a genuine strength.

When to Choose Lola Health

Lola Health is the better choice when you want a comprehensive health picture, prefer professional blood collection, and are interested in the broader longevity and optimisation ecosystem. Here are the scenarios where Lola Health has the clear advantage:

• You want a comprehensive panel, not a single marker: If your goal is to understand your overall health — thyroid, liver, kidney, cholesterol, hormones, vitamins, minerals, inflammation — in one test, Lola's 45–70 biomarker panels are purpose-built for this. You get more markers per pound than Medichecks' equivalent comprehensive panels, with no need to piece together multiple individual tests.
• You want a professional venous draw without extra cost: Every Lola Health test includes a phlebotomist home visit at no additional charge. You do not need to prick your own finger, travel to a clinic, or pay a £59 surcharge for a nurse visit. The blood draw is quick, painless, and produces a reliable sample every time.
• You test regularly and want to track trends: The Lola Health app's longitudinal biomarker tracking makes repeat testing genuinely valuable. The Lola One membership programme (Bronze, Silver, Gold tiers across 6-month cycles) also provides discounted regular testing — something Medichecks does not formally offer.
• You are interested in biological age and longevity: If you want to know your epigenetic biological age, assess your gut microbiome, or supplement with NMN for NAD+ support, Lola Health is the only option of the two. These services simply are not available through Medichecks.
• You have had finger-prick problems before: If you have previously tried finger-prick blood tests and experienced failed samples, insufficient volume, or haemolysed results, switching to Lola Health's venous draw eliminates these issues entirely.
• You prefer a mobile app over a web portal: If you want push notifications when results arrive, easy mobile access to your biomarker data, and visual trend tracking, Lola Health's dedicated app provides a more polished experience than Medichecks' browser-based portal.

The Verdict

The right choice depends on what you are trying to achieve. If you already know you need a specific blood marker checked and you are happy to collect the sample yourself, Medichecks is efficient and affordable. If you want a thorough health MOT with professional blood collection, trend tracking through a dedicated app, and the option to explore epigenetics and gut health, Lola Health is the more complete platform.

Here is a simplified decision framework:

Both services use UKAS ISO 15189 accredited laboratories, and both include doctor-reviewed results. You are in safe hands with either provider. The question is whether you need a precise, targeted blood test (Medichecks) or a comprehensive health optimisation platform (Lola Health).

Frequently Asked Questions