Medichecks Liver & kidney

Bile Acids (Total) Blood Test

This test measures total bile acids in your blood, a marker used to assess liver health and how well bile is flowing. It suits people who want to keep an eye on liver function as a standalone check rather than as part of a wider panel.

  • Doctor reviewed
Sample
Blood
Collection
In-store clinic or home nurse visit or venous draw at clinic
Results in
9 days
Biomarkers
1
Doctor reviewed
Yes
Tests for
  • Total bile acids

Test specifications

Provider
Medichecks
Sample type
blood
Collection method
in-store clinic or home nurse visit or venous draw at clinic
Turnaround time
9 days
Biomarkers tested
1
At-home test
No
Doctor reviewed
Yes
Gender focus
Both

What's tested

1 biomarker as listed by Medichecks.

Liver health

  • Total bile acids

About this test

Bile acids are made by the liver to help digest fat, and raised levels in the blood can be a sign that the liver is not clearing them as it should. This test measures your total bile acids as a single, focused marker, rather than as part of a wider liver panel.

Compared with the other liver and kidney tests we track, this one sits in the lower band for the number of markers included, since it looks at just one measure rather than a broad set of liver enzymes and proteins. At £169, it is also priced above the typical cost for liver and kidney tests of a similar size in our tracking.

It scores well for clarity: the biomarker, sample type, turnaround and collection options are all clearly stated, though the provider doesn't say what the final report looks like. Trust signals are strong: Medichecks has a 4.5 Trustpilot rating from over 2,400 reviews, its partner labs carry UKAS ISO 15189 accreditation, doctor review is included as standard, and it has been trading since 2001. It loses marks on collection convenience, though, since there's no at-home option and you need a venous draw at a clinic or a home nurse visit.

Who is it for?

This test suits you if you or your GP want to check total bile acids specifically, for example to keep an eye on liver function over time, rather than run a full liver panel. It is not designed as a general liver health screen, so if you want a wider picture of liver function, look for a test that includes a fuller set of liver markers rather than this single one.

Because it requires a venous draw at a clinic or a home nurse visit, it will suit people happy to attend a clinic or book a home appointment rather than use a finger-prick kit.

How it works

You can give your sample via an in-store clinic, a home nurse visit, or a venous draw at a clinic; there is no at-home finger-prick option for this test. After your blood reaches the lab it's tested for total bile acids, and a doctor reviews the result before it's sent to you as part of your report. Results are typically back in around 9 days.

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Every result comes with a doctor's comment, not just a number to interpret alone.
  • The listing clearly states the biomarker, sample type, turnaround and collection options.
  • A home nurse visit is available if you cannot get to a clinic in person.
  • Results are typically back in around 9 days.

Cons

  • No at-home finger-prick option; you need a clinic or nurse visit.
  • At £169, it costs more than the typical liver and kidney test of similar size we track.
  • The provider does not state what the final report looks like.

Our editorial score

Compare Health Test Score Focused liver marker test, no at-home option
Editorial confidence: 10.0/10

This single-marker blood test checks total bile acids, used to assess liver health and bile flow, for £169. It requires a venous draw at a clinic or a home nurse visit, and every result comes with a doctor's comment. Against other liver and kidney tests of similar size that we track, this one is priced above the typical cost.

Score breakdown

  • Clarity and documentation 8.0/10

    The listing publishes a short 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 6.1/10

    1 biomarkers, placing it in the 26th percentile of liver kidney tests we track.

  • Collection convenience 8.0/10

    A blood sample taken at home by a visiting nurse or phlebotomist; with a venous or clinic option as well; a home nurse visit is offered; results in around 9 days, slower than similar tests.

  • Results and follow-up 7.0/10

    Results are reviewed by a doctor; the provider does not describe the report format.

  • Trust signals 9.5/10

    Trustpilot 4.5 from 2,477 reviews; accredited lab (UKAS ISO 15189 partner labs); doctor review as standard; trading 25+ years.

  • Value for money 5.2/10

    £169.00 against a median of £135.00 for the 17 similarly sized liver kidney tests we track (+25%).

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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