Blood Film Examination

A Blood Film Examination looks at the size, shape and number of your red cells, white cells and platelets under a microscope. It's commonly used to investigate unexplained fatigue, bruising or an abnormal full blood count rather than as a routine check.

Sample: Blood
Collection: Venous draw at clinic or nurse visit
Results in: 1 day
Biomarkers: 1

Tests for

Blood Film Examination

Compare Health Test Score Specialist microscope check for abnormal blood counts

£145.00

Buy now — £145.00

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Test specifications

Provider: Better2Know
Sample type: blood
Collection method: venous draw at clinic or nurse visit
Turnaround time: 1 day
Biomarkers tested: 1
At-home test: No
Doctor reviewed: No
Gender focus: Both

What's tested

1 biomarker as listed by Better2Know.

Blood Film Examination

About this test

A Blood Film Examination involves spreading a thin smear of your blood on a slide, which a trained laboratory professional then examines under a microscope for the size, shape and number of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. It is commonly used to look into symptoms such as unexplained fatigue, bruising or frequent infections, or to follow up an abnormal full blood count.

We do not have a directly comparable rival test on file for this specific examination, so we cannot compare it against named peers. Within the wider set of general wellness tests we track, it is priced above the typical rate, at 19% over the median for tests of a similar size.

The test scores well for clarity, since the description, sample type and turnaround are all published clearly, and reasonably for collection convenience, with both a clinic draw and a home nurse visit offered. It loses marks on clinical depth, because it is counted as a single test rather than a multi-marker panel, and on results and follow-up, since a doctor does not review the findings as standard.

Who is it for?

This suits you if a GP or a previous blood test has flagged an abnormal full blood count, or if you have symptoms such as unexplained fatigue, easy bruising, frequent infections or pale skin that you want investigated further. It is a specialist follow-up test rather than a general wellness check.

We do not hold a directly comparable rival test on file, so if you are looking for this specific examination it is worth checking directly with other providers on price. Better2Know's own description notes this test is often used to follow up an abnormal full blood count, so you may want that test first if you have not already had one done.

How it works

A trained healthcare professional takes a venous blood sample at a clinic, or via a home nurse visit, and a thin smear is prepared, stained and examined under a microscope. Results, which detail any abnormalities in your red cells, white cells or platelets, are ready within one working day of the sample reaching the lab; the provider does not state that a doctor reviews them as standard.

Pros & cons

Pros

Examines red cells, white cells and platelets individually under a microscope.
Turnaround is one working day once the lab receives your sample.
You can have the sample taken via a home nurse visit instead of a clinic.
Useful specific follow-up if a full blood count has already flagged an abnormality.

Cons

Priced above the typical rate for the general wellness tests we track (+19%).
A doctor does not review your results as standard.
Best used as a follow-up test rather than a first, standalone check.

Our editorial score

Compare Health Test Score Specialist microscope check for abnormal blood counts

Editorial confidence: 9.0/10

The Blood Film Examination is a £145 blood test in which a laboratory professional examines your blood cells under a microscope, typically used to follow up an abnormal full blood count or symptoms like fatigue or bruising. We do not have a directly comparable rival test on file, but it prices above the typical rate for the general wellness tests we track. Results are ready within one working day, though a doctor does not review them as standard.

Score breakdown

Clarity and documentation 9.0/10

The listing publishes a detailed description, the full biomarker list, a stated turnaround, clear collection options, the sample type; it does not state what the report looks like.
Clinical depth 5.0/10

1 biomarkers, placing it in the 8th percentile of general wellness tests we track.
Collection convenience 6.0/10

Requires a venous draw at a clinic; a home nurse visit is offered; results in around 1 days, well ahead of the general wellness norm of 3.
Results and follow-up 3.0/10

Results are not doctor-reviewed and no consultation is included; the provider does not describe the report format.
Trust signals 6.5/10

Trustpilot 4.2 from 775 reviews; CQC registered; trading 18+ years.
Value for money 5.6/10

£145.00 against a median of £122.00 for the 18 similarly sized general wellness tests we track (+19%).

Calculated 13 September 2026 from the facts we hold about this test and provider, using our published scoring formula. Scores are not hand-edited.

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