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Welcome to Brooksby Medical: Why We Started — and Why It Matters

By Dr James Coleman · 28 February 2026 · 4 min read
Welcome to Brooksby Medical: Why We Started — and Why It Matters

Here's a question that might sound familiar: when was the last time you actually had a proper look at what's going on inside your body?

Not because something went wrong. Not because your GP squeezed you in for a rushed five-minute appointment. But because you were curious. Because you wanted to know how your heart is really doing, whether your thyroid is pulling its weight, or if that constant tiredness actually means something.

That curiosity is exactly why Brooksby Medical exists.

The Problem We Set Out to Solve

The NHS does incredible work — nobody disputes that. But when it comes to proactive, preventive health screening, the system wasn't built for curiosity. It was built for crisis. By the time many conditions are flagged through standard care, they've often been quietly developing for years.

Cardiovascular disease is a stark example. According to the British Heart Foundation, heart and circulatory diseases cause around a quarter of all deaths in the UK — approximately 170,000 deaths each year [1]. That's an average of 460 deaths every single day. In 2022, premature cardiovascular deaths in England hit their highest level in 14 years, with over 39,000 people dying before the age of 75 [2].

And yet, millions of people are walking around with undiagnosed high cholesterol, elevated blood sugar, or early markers of heart strain — completely unaware. We founded Brooksby Medical because we believe you shouldn't have to wait until something goes wrong to find out how your body is actually performing.

Who We Are

Brooksby Medical is a CQC-registered private blood testing service, built around a simple idea: give people access to the same high-quality diagnostics used by clinicians, backed by clear, doctor-written reports that actually make sense.

Every test we offer is processed in UKAS-accredited UK laboratories — the same labs that NHS hospitals use. And every set of results is reviewed and reported on by an experienced GP. Not an algorithm. Not a chatbot. A real doctor who writes you a personalised report explaining what your results mean, whether anything needs attention, and what sensible next steps look like.

We're not here to replace your GP. We're here to fill the gap between feeling fine and actually knowing you're fine.

Already convinced? Browse our full range of tests at brooksbymedical.com/explore-tests — with tests from just £39 and results in 2–3 working days.

What Makes Us Different

Doctor-led, not tech-led. Our reports aren't generated by software and dressed up in a dashboard. A real GP reads your results and writes your report — context, nuance, and practical guidance tailored to you.

Tests that go deeper. We don't just offer the basics. Our range includes advanced markers that most people have never been tested for — and each one tells you something that standard tests miss:

  • Apolipoprotein B (ApoB) — counts the actual number of artery-clogging particles in your blood, which predicts heart disease risk more accurately than standard cholesterol [3].

  • Lipoprotein(a) — a genetically determined risk factor for heart disease that you're born with. Around 1 in 5 people have elevated levels, and a standard cholesterol test won't catch it [4]. You only need to test it once.

  • NT-proBNP — a marker released when your heart muscle is under strain. It can flag early signs of heart failure or cardiac stress before you notice any symptoms [5].

  • ApoE Genotype — a one-off genetic test that reveals your inherited predisposition to both cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer's disease, helping you make informed lifestyle choices for decades to come.


Affordable and accessible. Tests start from just £39. We offer finger-prick kits you can do at home, or we can arrange a venous blood draw at a clinic near you or with a visiting nurse. Most results are back within 2–3 working days.

Who Is Brooksby Medical For?

Anyone who wants to take their health seriously before problems arise. But we see a few groups particularly well suited to what we do:

  • The health-curious — You feel fine but have never checked what's happening under the bonnet. Our Wellness Profile (£129) or Basic Health Profile (£69) gives you a clear snapshot.

  • People with a family history — Heart disease, diabetes, thyroid problems — if these run in your family, our Advanced Heart & Vascular Risk Profile (£219) and Lipoprotein(a) test (£70) are designed exactly for this.

  • Women navigating hormonal changes — PCOS, perimenopause, fertility, energy and mood — our Advanced Well Woman Blood Profile (£199) covers 50+ markers including thyroid, hormones, and nutrients.

  • Men wanting to stay ahead — From testosterone and PSA to heart markers — our Over 40s (£199) and Under 40s Men's Health panels (£159) catch things early, not after the fact.


Our Philosophy: Curious Beats Anxious

We believe that knowledge is the antidote to health anxiety — not the cause of it. When you understand your numbers, you stop guessing and start knowing. That's a very different feeling.

This blog will be your go-to resource for understanding the tests, the science, and the markers that matter. We'll break down complex medical topics into language that makes sense, always grounded in evidence, always backed by real research — because you deserve better than wellness fluff.

So whether you want to understand why Apolipoprotein B matters more than your total cholesterol, or you're wondering whether that persistent tiredness could be your thyroid — stick around. We've got a lot to talk about.

Ready to See Your Health Clearly?

Browse our full range of tests at brooksbymedical.com/explore-tests. Not sure where to start? Our bestselling Apolipoprotein B test starts at just £45 — a single blood marker that tells you more about your heart risk than a standard cholesterol panel ever could.


References

[1] British Heart Foundation. Facts and Figures. bhf.org.uk/what-we-do/news-from-the-bhf/contact-the-press-office/facts-and-figures [Accessed February 2026].

[2] British Heart Foundation. Early heart disease deaths rise to 14-year high. Published January 2024.

[3] Soffer DE, Marston NA, Maki KC, et al. Role of apolipoprotein B in the clinical management of cardiovascular risk in adults. Journal of Clinical Lipidology. 2024;18(5):e647–e663. PMID: 39256087.

[4] Kronenberg F, Mora S, Stroes ESG, et al. Lipoprotein(a) in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and aortic stenosis: a European Atherosclerosis Society consensus statement. European Heart Journal. 2022;43(39):3925–3946. doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehac361.

[5] McDonagh TA, Metra M, Adamo M, et al. 2021 ESC Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic heart failure. European Heart Journal. 2021;42(36):3599–3726. doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehab368.


Medical disclaimer. This article is for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice. Blood test results should always be interpreted by a qualified healthcare professional in the context of your individual symptoms, history, and clinical picture. If you have concerns about your health, please consult your GP.

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