The Best Numan Blood Test Alternative in 2026: A Comprehensive Comparison
If you're searching for a Numan blood test alternative, Lola Health offers a significantly more wide-ranging option. While Numan's blood tests provide up to 20 biomarkers via finger-prick or Tasso+ self-collection, Lola Health delivers professional phlebotomist-drawn venous blood tests at home with 45–70 biomarkers per panel, doctor-reviewed results, and testing designed for both men and women. For anyone who wants clinical-grade depth beyond a basic health screen, the difference is substantial.
Numan has established itself as one of the UK's most recognisable men's health brands, and rightly so. Their platform serves millions of men with treatments for erectile dysfunction, hair loss, and weight management, and their brand awareness is genuinely impressive. Blood testing is one part of their broader offering, and their at-home kits have introduced many people to proactive health monitoring for the first time.
But blood testing is not Numan's core focus. Their primary revenue comes from prescription treatments and weight loss programmes - blood tests sit alongside these as a supporting service. For users whose main goal is complete, clinical-depth blood analysis, that distinction matters. In this guide, we compare Numan's blood testing with Lola Health across every dimension: collection method, biomarker depth, pricing, subscription model, regulatory history, and who each service is best suited for. We will be fair to both so you can make an informed decision.
Numan vs Lola Health: Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | Lola Health | Numan |
|---|---|---|
| Collection Method | Professional phlebotomist at home (venous draw) | Finger-prick or Tasso+ device (self-collection); venous option on select tests |
| Max Biomarkers | Up to 70 (Peak Insights) | Up to 43 (Testosterone Venous); 20 on standard Complete Blood Test |
| Price Range | £130 – £220 (phlebotomist included) | £78 – £149 (self-collection kits); venous tests from £149 |
| Results Review | Doctor-reviewed with personalised recommendations | GP-reviewed results via app |
| Turnaround Time | 2–5 days | 2–5 days |
| Lab Accreditation | UKAS ISO 15189 | UKAS accredited |
| Trustpilot Rating | 4.8/5 | ~4.1/5 (approx. 31,000+ reviews) |
| Gender | Men and women | Primarily men (men's health platform) |
| Subscription Required? | No - one-off tests available; optional Lola One membership | Some tests enrol in quarterly subscription by default |
| Additional Services | NMN supplements, TruAge epigenetic testing | ED, hair loss, weight loss treatments, supplements |
| Focus | Blood testing, longevity & optimisation | Men's health platform (blood tests are one component) |
Blood Collection Methods: Venous Draw vs Self-Collection
Lola Health uses professional venous blood draws as standard on every test, which is the clinical gold standard for accuracy and biomarker range. Numan primarily uses finger-prick lancets or the Tasso+ shoulder device for self-collection, though they offer a venous option on their premium Testosterone Blood Test. The collection method you choose has real implications for both accuracy and the number of biomarkers that can be tested.
Numan: Finger-Prick and Tasso+ Device
Numan offers two self-collection options for most of their blood tests. The traditional finger-prick involves using a lancet on your fingertip and collecting drops of blood into a vial. The Tasso+ device is a newer alternative that attaches to the upper arm and draws blood through a small channel using capillary action - it is single-use, relatively painless, and avoids the need to prick your finger.
Both methods are convenient. You can do them at home without booking an appointment, and for a basic panel of biomarkers, the results are clinically valid. However, self-collection carries inherent limitations. The sample volume is significantly smaller than a venous draw, which restricts the number of biomarkers laboratories can test. There is also a meaningful failure rate: haemolysis (red blood cells rupturing during collection), blood clotting before the sample reaches the lab, and insufficient sample volume are all common issues that Numan themselves acknowledge, noting that "many people have more success with their second attempt." Each failed sample means reordering a kit and starting again.
For their premium Testosterone Venous Blood Test (43 biomarkers, from £149), Numan does offer a venous option where a nurse visits your home or you attend a clinic. This is notably their most full test - which is not a coincidence. Venous collection enables a far wider panel.
Lola Health: Professional Phlebotomist Home Visit
Every Lola Health blood test includes a professional phlebotomist visiting your home at a scheduled time. The phlebotomist performs a standard venous blood draw, the same procedure you'd experience in a hospital or GP surgery, collecting a larger sample volume that enables testing of 45–70 biomarkers from a single draw. The entire visit takes approximately 15 minutes.
The advantages are practical. There is no risk of user error, no failed samples requiring reorders, and no need to squeeze blood from a fingertip. Venous blood is the standard sample type for virtually all clinical laboratory assays, meaning results are directly comparable to hospital-grade testing. For sensitive markers such as hormones, inflammatory markers, and certain metabolic indicators, venous blood provides more reliable measurements than capillary samples.
The tradeoff is scheduling. You cannot collect your sample at midnight on impulse - you need to book a time slot. For most users, this 15-minute appointment is a small concession for significantly more detailed and reliable results.
Biomarker Depth: How Many Markers Are Tested?
Lola Health tests between 45 and 70 biomarkers per panel, compared to Numan's standard range of 5–20 biomarkers on their self-collection kits. Even Numan's most thorough offering (the venous Testosterone Blood Test at 43 biomarkers) falls short of Lola Health's entry-level Core Health panel at 45 biomarkers. This difference in depth determines how much insight you actually receive about your health.
Numan's Blood Test Range
Numan offers several blood test packages, each focused on specific health areas:
- Testosterone Blood Test: 5 biomarkers - focused testosterone analysis
- Male Hormone Blood Test: 9 biomarkers - essential hormone panel
- Erectile Dysfunction Blood Test: 12 biomarkers - sexual health markers
- Core Blood Test: 16 biomarkers - basic health screening
- Complete Blood Test: 20 biomarkers - their broadest self-collection panel, covering metabolic, hormone, heart, nutrition, and organ health
- Complete Hormone Blood Test: 20 biomarkers - full hormone check
- Testosterone Venous Blood Test: 43 biomarkers - their most wide-ranging test (venous collection required)
The Complete Blood Test (20 biomarkers) is their flagship self-collection product, testing: triglycerides, cholesterol, LDL, HDL, cholesterol-to-HDL ratio, TSH, free T4, eGFR, urea, albumin, ALP, GGT, ALT, ferritin, folate, HbA1c, total testosterone, creatinine, vitamin D, and vitamin B12. This is a reasonable basic health screen, but it is comparable to what you might receive from an NHS health check rather than a complete private assessment.
Lola Health's Blood Test Range
Lola Health offers three tiered panels, all collected via professional venous phlebotomy:
- Core Health - £130 (45 biomarkers): full assessment covering cardiovascular health, metabolic function, liver and kidney health, thyroid function, key vitamins and minerals, inflammatory markers, and a full blood count. This entry-level panel already tests more than double Numan's Complete Blood Test.
- Vital Check - £170 (56 biomarkers): Extends into hormonal assessment, additional cardiovascular risk markers, and a broader metabolic profile. Particularly valuable for tracking hormonal balance, stress response, and detailed cardiovascular indicators.
- Peak Insights - £220 (70 biomarkers): The most detailed panel available, including advanced inflammatory markers, a detailed hormonal profile, thorough metabolic assessment, and markers specifically relevant to longevity and biological ageing. This rivals what private Harley Street clinics offer.
For context, Lola Health's Peak Insights panel at £220 for 70 markers works out to approximately £3.14 per biomarker. Numan's Complete Blood Test at £118 for 20 markers works out to £5.90 per biomarker. On a per-marker basis, the more wide-ranging test actually offers better value.
Pricing: Full Cost Comparison
Numan's standard self-collection blood tests start from approximately £78 and range up to £149, making them more affordable on headline price. Lola Health's panels range from £130 to £220 but include a professional phlebotomist visit and test substantially more biomarkers. The pricing comparison becomes more detailed when you consider what is actually included.
| Test | Provider | Price | Biomarkers | Cost per Marker | Collection |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ED Blood Test | Numan | £78 | 12 | £6.50 | Self-collection |
| Core Blood Test | Numan | £88 | 16 | £5.50 | Self-collection |
| Complete Blood Test | Numan | £118 | 20 | £5.90 | Self-collection |
| Testosterone Venous | Numan | £149 | 43 | £3.47 | Nurse/clinic visit |
| Core Health | Lola Health | £130 | 45 | £2.89 | Phlebotomist at home |
| Vital Check | Lola Health | £170 | 56 | £3.04 | Phlebotomist at home |
| Peak Insights | Lola Health | £220 | 70 | £3.14 | Phlebotomist at home |
Numan does offer introductory discounts, sometimes 50% off for new customers, which can make individual tests very affordable on a first purchase. However, these promotional prices typically apply only to the initial order, with subsequent tests at full price, often as part of an auto-renewing subscription.
If you were to replicate the scope of Lola Health's 70-marker panel through a private clinic with a phlebotomist visit, you would typically pay £300–£500 or more. In that context, Lola Health's pricing represents strong value for the clinical depth and professional collection included.
Subscription Model: Transparency Matters
Lola Health offers every blood test as a one-off purchase with no subscription commitment required. Numan's blood tests have historically enrolled customers into quarterly subscriptions by default, a practice that the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has specifically criticised. This is an important difference for anyone wary of recurring charges.
Numan's Subscription Approach
Numan operates a subscription-based model across much of its platform. For blood tests, purchasing certain products has automatically enrolled customers in a quarterly subscription. The ASA ruled in 2023 that Numan's advertising for their Fear Nothing Blood Test was misleading because "it did not make sufficiently clear that by purchasing the test, consumers would be enrolling in a paid-for subscription."
This is part of a broader ASA ruling against Vir Health Ltd (Numan's parent company) that upheld four separate complaints about misleading advertising. The ruling also found that:
- The "FREE if we don't find anything" claim was misleading because customers had to pay upfront and approximately 90% of users received at least one out-of-range result
- The advertising implied something was medically wrong if a biomarker fell outside the normal range, when that is not necessarily the case
- Pricing information was not disclosed until after customers had provided personal details
To be fair to Numan, the company acknowledged these issues and stated they would change their practices. Customers can cancel or pause subscriptions through their account or by contacting customer service. However, Trustpilot reviews continue to mention difficulties with auto-renewal and unexpected charges, with some customers reporting being "charged for items despite cancelling."
Lola Health's Approach
Lola Health takes a different approach. All three blood test panels, Core Health (£130), Vital Check (£170), and Peak Insights (£220), are available as individual, one-off purchases. There is no automatic enrolment into any subscription. For customers who want ongoing testing at a reduced rate, the Lola One membership is available as a 6-month commitment, but it is entirely optional and clearly presented as a separate choice. You will never be surprised by a recurring charge you did not actively choose.
Who Is Each Service Designed For?
Numan is fundamentally a men's health platform that includes blood testing as part of a broader treatment ecosystem. Lola Health is a dedicated blood testing and longevity company that serves both men and women. Understanding this distinction is key to choosing the right service for your needs.
Numan's Focus
Numan began as a telehealth platform for erectile dysfunction and hair loss treatment, and has since expanded into weight management - which now constitutes the majority of their revenue following the popularity of GLP-1 medications like Wegovy and Mounjaro. Blood tests sit within this ecosystem as a supporting service, often as a gateway to treatment programmes or as a monitoring tool for existing patients.
This is not a criticism. Numan serves its core audience well. Their brand is strong, their app is polished, and they have helped normalise conversations about men's health in the UK. With approximately 31,000 Trustpilot reviews and a 4.1/5 rating, they clearly have a large and generally satisfied customer base. However, their blood testing is designed to serve this men's health ecosystem rather than to be the deepest or most complete blood analysis available.
Lola Health's Focus
Lola Health is built around blood testing and longevity as its core mission. The service is designed for people, both men and women, who want to understand their biology at a granular level and use that data to optimise their long-term health. This shows in the biomarker depth (up to 70 markers), the collection method (professional venous phlebotomy as standard), the interpretation framework (optimal ranges, not just normal ranges), and the broader product ecosystem.
Beyond blood testing, Lola Health offers NMN NAD+ Booster supplements (NMN being one of the most researched compounds in longevity science) and TruAge epigenetic testing through a partnership with TruDiagnostic - the same biological age test used by longevity researchers and figures like Bryan Johnson. This creates an integrated platform where blood testing, supplementation, and biological age measurement work together as part of a coherent health optimisation strategy.
When to Choose Numan for Blood Testing
Numan remains a reasonable choice for blood testing in certain situations, and we want to be honest about where their offering works well:
- You are already a Numan customer: If you use Numan for ED treatment, hair loss, or weight management, adding a blood test within the same platform is convenient and provides relevant context for your existing care.
- You want a quick testosterone check: Numan's focused testosterone and hormone tests are straightforward options if you specifically want to check testosterone levels without a full health panel.
- You prefer complete self-service: If booking an appointment feels like a barrier and you want to collect your sample entirely on your own schedule, Numan's self-collection kits offer that flexibility.
- Budget is your primary constraint: On headline price, Numan's basic tests start lower than Lola Health's panels, particularly with first-time customer discounts.
- You want a basic health screen: If you are looking for a simple overview of your core health markers rather than a deep-dive assessment, Numan's 16–20 biomarker panels cover the essentials.
- Brand familiarity matters to you: Numan has significant brand recognition in the UK men's health space, and some users prefer the comfort of a well-known name.
When to Choose Lola Health Instead
Lola Health is the better choice for blood testing if any of the following apply to your situation:
- You want full testing: If 20 biomarkers feels limiting and you want a thorough, clinical-depth assessment, Lola Health's 45–70 marker panels deliver significantly more data from a single blood draw.
- You want clinical-grade collection: If you want the gold standard in blood collection - a professional venous draw performed by a qualified phlebotomist in your own home - Lola Health provides this as standard on every test, with no risk of failed self-collection.
- You are a woman: Numan is built around men's health. Lola Health serves both men and women, with panels designed to assess hormonal balance, menopause markers, PCOS indicators, and other female-specific health concerns alongside general health markers.
- You do not want a subscription: If you prefer to buy individual tests when you choose, without worrying about auto-renewal or subscription management, Lola Health's one-off purchasing model is straightforward.
- You are focused on longevity: If your health goals extend beyond "am I healthy right now?" into understanding biological ageing, optimising healthspan, and tracking interventions over time, Lola Health's entire platform, from blood panels to NMN supplements to TruAge epigenetic testing, is built for this.
- You want better value per biomarker: Despite higher headline prices, Lola Health's cost per biomarker (£2.89–£3.14) is lower than Numan's standard tests (£5.50–£6.50), and every test includes professional phlebotomy at no extra cost.
- You have had failed self-collection attempts: If you have struggled with finger-prick kits or Tasso+ devices, insufficient blood, haemolysed samples, or unclear instructions, a professional phlebotomist eliminates this frustration entirely.
- You want hospital-comparable results: Venous blood tested in UKAS ISO 15189 accredited laboratories produces results that your GP can directly use and compare with NHS results. This matters if you want your private testing to integrate with your broader healthcare.
The Verdict: Numan vs Lola Health for Blood Testing
Numan is a strong men's health platform that includes blood testing as part of a broader ecosystem. For existing Numan customers or men wanting a quick, basic health screen or testosterone check, their service is convenient and reasonably priced. Their brand strength, app experience, and 31,000+ Trustpilot reviews speak to a well-run operation that serves its core audience effectively.
However, for anyone whose primary goal is detailed, clinical-depth blood analysis, Lola Health is the more capable option. The combination of professional venous phlebotomy, 45–70 biomarkers per panel, testing for both men and women, transparent one-off pricing, UKAS ISO 15189 lab accreditation, doctor-reviewed results, and a longevity-focused interpretation framework makes Lola Health purpose-built for people who take blood testing seriously.
The cost per biomarker actually favours Lola Health, and the professional phlebotomist home visit eliminates the sample failure risks inherent in self-collection. If you have been using Numan's blood tests and want to go deeper, or if you are choosing a blood testing service for the first time and want clinical-grade depth, Lola Health represents a significant upgrade in what UK at-home blood testing can deliver.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lola Health better than Numan for blood tests?
For thorough blood testing specifically, Lola Health offers more biomarkers (45–70 vs Numan's 5–20 on standard tests), professional venous collection instead of self-collection kits, and testing designed for both men and women. Numan is better suited if you want a quick, focused test within their broader men's health platform, or if you are already using Numan for other treatments. For clinical depth and accuracy in blood analysis, Lola Health is the stronger dedicated option.
Why does Numan use finger-prick tests instead of venous blood draws?
Finger-prick and Tasso+ device collection allows Numan to offer a fully self-service experience where no appointment is needed. This keeps costs lower and makes the process more convenient for users who want a quick basic screen. The tradeoff is a smaller sample volume, which limits biomarker range and can occasionally result in failed samples. Numan does offer a venous option on their premium Testosterone Blood Test (43 biomarkers, from £149), suggesting they recognise the value of venous collection for wide-ranging testing.
Can women use Numan blood tests?
Numan is designed as a men's health platform, and their blood tests are marketed and optimised for male health concerns - including testosterone, erectile dysfunction, and male hormone panels. While some of their general health markers apply to anyone, they do not offer female-specific panels for hormonal balance, menopause, PCOS, or other women's health concerns. Lola Health serves both men and women with panels that include gender-relevant biomarkers for each.
What was the ASA ruling against Numan about?
In 2023, the Advertising Standards Authority upheld four complaints against Vir Health Ltd (trading as Numan) regarding their Fear Nothing Blood Test advertising. The ASA found that: the "FREE if we don't find anything" claim was misleading because customers paid upfront and roughly 90% received out-of-range results; the advertising implied something was medically wrong when results were outside normal ranges; pricing was hidden until after personal details were provided; and the purchase automatically enrolled consumers in a subscription without adequate disclosure. Numan acknowledged these issues and stated they would change their practices.
Does Lola Health require a subscription?
No. Every Lola Health blood test panel - Core Health (£130, 45 biomarkers), Vital Check (£170, 56 biomarkers), and Peak Insights (£220, 70 biomarkers) - is available as a single one-off purchase. There is no automatic subscription enrolment. The optional Lola One 6-month membership provides savings for those who want regular testing, but it is a separate, clearly presented choice that you must actively opt into.
How many biomarkers does Numan's Complete Blood Test cover?
Numan's Complete Blood Test covers 20 biomarkers across metabolic, hormone, heart, nutrition, and organ health: triglycerides, cholesterol, LDL, HDL, cholesterol-to-HDL ratio, TSH, free T4, eGFR, urea, albumin, ALP, GGT, ALT, ferritin, folate, HbA1c, total testosterone, creatinine, vitamin D, and vitamin B12. Their venous Testosterone Blood Test covers 43 biomarkers but is a separate, more expensive product. Lola Health's entry-level Core Health panel starts at 45 biomarkers, rising to 70 with Peak Insights.
Is a venous blood draw more accurate than a finger-prick test?
Venous blood draws are the gold standard in clinical medicine worldwide. They provide a larger sample volume, which enables more biomarkers to be tested and gives laboratories more material for accurate analysis. Finger-prick and device-collected capillary samples are valid for basic panels but carry higher risks of haemolysis (red blood cell rupture), clotting, and insufficient volume - all of which can compromise results or require retesting. For complete health assessments and sensitive markers like hormones and inflammatory indicators, venous collection is preferred by medical professionals.
What is the Tasso+ device that Numan uses?
The Tasso+ is a small, single-use blood collection device that attaches to the upper arm. You press a button to start collection, and it draws blood through capillary action without a visible needle. It is designed to be less intimidating than finger-prick lancets and collects enough blood for moderate biomarker panels. The device cannot be reused once removed, and users should keep it attached until blood reaches the fill line (up to 5 minutes). While more user-friendly than finger-pricks, it still produces a smaller sample than venous phlebotomy, which limits the breadth of testing possible.
Does Lola Health offer anything beyond blood tests?
Yes. Lola Health offers NMN NAD+ Booster supplements - NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide) is a precursor to NAD+, a coenzyme critical for cellular energy, DNA repair, and healthy ageing. They also offer TruAge epigenetic testing through a partnership with TruDiagnostic, which analyses over 900,000 DNA methylation markers to measure your biological age and pace of ageing. This creates an integrated longevity platform where blood testing, supplementation, and biological age measurement work together. Numan's broader platform focuses on prescription treatments for erectile dysfunction, hair loss, and weight management.
How do I switch from Numan to Lola Health?
Switching is straightforward. Choose your Lola Health panel (Core Health at £130, Vital Check at £170, or Peak Insights at £220), book a convenient time for a phlebotomist home visit, and receive your doctor-reviewed results in 2–5 days via the Lola Health app. There is no contract or commitment. If you have an active Numan subscription, remember to cancel or pause it through your Numan account to avoid unwanted charges. You do not need to cancel Numan before trying Lola Health - some users compare both experiences firsthand before making a permanent switch.
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