Health and beauty specialist Boots has launched nine new at-home kits which use DNA or blood to test for a range of health concerns – such as high cholesterol, hormonal imbalances, vitamin deficiencies and food intolerances – without needing to visit a GP.
Customers can use the test kits, which are powered by testing and diagnostics firm MyHealthChecked, to draw their sample and post it to one of the company’s medical laboratories for analysis.
All of the laboratories meet the ISO 15189 internationally recognised standard, in line with NHS testing facilities.
After analysis, the test results will be emailed to customers, with advice from a team of doctors and nutritional experts, via their own confidential online dashboard.
Boots customers can also integrate their results into the patients know best personal health record platform, which allows their results to be accessible to them and their GP via the NHS app.
The move comes as new research revealed that 68% of UK adults now prioritise preventative healthcare over treating conditions once they appear.
Boots director of healthcare Jamie Kerruish said: “We’re seeing huge behavioural shifts from customers when it comes to preventative healthcare and we want to support our customers and patients to get a full picture of their health so they can make informed decisions, with the aim of living healthier for longer.
“Boots is well-placed to support patients to take action on their results, with our pharmacy team members able to provide healthcare advice and recommend products and services at Boots or refer on to a GP if needed.”
He added: “The ability for patients, GPs and other healthcare providers to access the test results via the NHS App supports our vision to support the NHS and its 10-Year plan, which is focused on moving healthcare provision from prevention to cure, from hospitals to the community and from analogue to digital.”
The new at-home testing kits are available at selected Boots stores and on its website. The nine test kits include an intolerances and sensitivities DNA test kit, vitamins and minerals blood test kit, general health blood test kit, energy blood test kit, weight management blood test kit, vitamin B12 blood test kit, testosterone blood test kit, thyroid blood test kit and cholesterol blood test kit.
Within its at-home testing range, Boots has also introduced four rapid self-tests for a range of health concerns, including a thyroid stimulating hormone rapid test kit, bowel health rapid test kit, sperm concentration rapid test kit and H-Pylori rapid test kit.
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