Exclusions and Advice

On the advice of our Chief Medical Officer, there are a few situations and specific tests where we apply some exclusions, restrictions, or extra guidance.

This is never about turning people away. It's about making sure an assessment is safe, appropriate, and genuinely useful for you – and that no one is left with unnecessary worry.

Because medical knowledge continually changes, our Chief Medical Officer reviews which tests we offer, and this can change over time. The guidance below covers the most common situations, but it isn't an exhaustive list.

If anything here applies to you, or you're simply not sure, our Customer Success team is always happy to talk it through.

Age

If you're under 18

Our assessments are designed for adults, so they're available to anyone aged 18 or over. We're not able to offer them to anyone under 18.

If you're a new customer over 88

To keep our assessments safe and appropriate, we apply an upper age limit for new customers, so assessments aren't available to new customers over 88. With age, certain diseases become more common, which can mean an assessment may not be safe or appropriate – and that the results could cause unnecessary worry rather than reassurance.

Pregnancy and childbirth

We're not able to carry out an assessment during pregnancy. Pregnancy brings significant physical changes, which means your results wouldn't be accurate. If you have any health concerns while you're pregnant, your GP or midwife is the right person to speak to.

If you've recently given birth, please wait until 3 months afterwards before attending an assessment.

Mobility and movement

Our standard in-clinic assessment involves some lying on a medical bed and standing for short periods, so it's designed for customers who can stand unaided and get on and off a medical bed unaided.

If you require adaptations, we can still support you – simply get in touch with our Customer Success team and we'll arrange a bespoke health assessment that works for you.

And if you have difficulties with movement, or a condition that causes any involuntary movement, spasm, or tic, some testing may not be suitable on the day. Please raise this with our Customer Success team in advance so we can plan around it.

Vitamins or supplements

Some vitamins and supplements, can affect the accuracy of your blood results. Please stop taking these at least 3 days before your assessment. If you take biotin, please stop taking this at least 5 days before your assessment.

Strenuous exercise

Avoid strenuous exercise 48 hours before your assessment. Intense physical activity can temporarily raise certain markers, such as those linked to muscle and liver function, which could affect the accuracy of your results.

Vaccinations

If you've recently had a vaccination, including a flu or COVID-19 vaccine, please wait 48 hours before attending your assessment. This is because a recent vaccination can cause a temporary change to some blood markers, such as your white cell count, which could affect the accuracy of your results.

Weight loss medications

If you're taking a weight loss medication (such as a GLP-1 injection like Wegovy, Ozempic, or Mounjaro), you're welcome to attend your assessment as normal.

These medications can influence some of your blood results. This may include mild changes in liver enzymes, as well as variations linked to weight loss and hydration – and many people also see improvements in markers such as HbA1c and cholesterol.

Our standard reference ranges and automated result flags are generic, so they don't take into account any medication you're taking or recent weight changes. If you're currently on a weight loss medication and would like your results interpreted with this in mind, we'd recommend booking a private GP consultation for a more personalised, clinically appropriate view.

If you're feeling unwell

You'll get the most from your assessment when you're well, so we'd always suggest attending when you're feeling yourself. If you've been unwell, please wait at least 48 hours after your symptoms have cleared before attending. This ensures you get accurate results and helps to keep everyone safe.

If you're taking antibiotics for an infection, we advise you to reschedule your assessment, as they can affect your results.

If you're not sure whether to come along, our Customer Success team is happy to talk it through and help you decide.

A little more guidance on specific tests

We want you to walk away from a Bluecrest health assessment feeling empowered, which is why we set clear guidelines for the tests we provide.

The notes below cover the most common situations, and they aren't exhaustive – there's also guidance for things like pacemakers and recent surgery, among other concerns – so please raise anything you're unsure about when you book.

Lung Function Test

This is available to customers under the age of 80. It will not be available if you’ve had:

• A high blood pressure reading at the assessment
• A recent heart attack, stroke, or pneumothorax
• An aneurysm
• A recent head or neck surgery

Lung Cancer Early CDT

This is available to customers over the age of 39 who meet specific criteria, so please discuss this at the time of booking. It shouldn't be undertaken by any customer who has had a diagnosis of cancer, apart from a basal cell carcinoma.

Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)

This is available to customers aged 40–79. Because it involves a tight cuff around your limbs, it isn't suitable if you have:

• Oedema
• Varicose veins on both legs
• A deep vein thrombosis within the last 3 months

Blood draw (venepuncture)

If you've had lymph nodes removed from your axilla (underarm), or you have an arteriovenous fistula, we'll take blood from your other arm. If you've had nodes removed from both sides, please speak to your specialist at your health assessment for further advice before a sample is taken.

Biometric analysis (body composition)

Because infection control matters, we're unable to carry out this test if you have any open wounds on the soles of your feet. And because it sends a small electrical impulse through your body, it shouldn't be undertaken if you have:

• An electrical implanted device, such as a pacemaker
• Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD)
• A loop recorder

Fitness Assessment (step test)

This involves stepping on and off a step for three minutes, so it's only recommended for customers who have good balance. It isn't available to customers who have:

• Very high blood pressure
• Chest pain during exercise

Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test

This is available to men aged 40 to 79. Before a PSA test, you should not have:

• An active urinary infection, or have had one within the previous 6 weeks
• Ejaculated in the previous 48 hours
• Had a urological intervention such as a prostate biopsy in the previous 6 weeks
• Exercised vigorously, for example cycling, in the previous 48 hours

Bowel Cancer Risk (qFIT test)

This is available to customers over the age of 39. It shouldn't be carried out by customers who have an ileostomy, and women should avoid doing the test while menstruating.

Male hormone tests

Because this test includes testosterone, the blood sample must be taken before 11am. Levels of testosterone in the body are determined by the circadian rhythm, so timing matters.

Advanced Menopause Profile

Because this test includes testosterone, the blood sample must be taken before 11am. Levels of testosterone in the body are determined by the circadian rhythm, so timing matters.

Need a helping hand?

The guidance above isn't a complete list, so if you have any questions or concerns, please raise them with our Customer Success team – we'll always talk things through with you.

You can find more information about individual tests, including specific exclusions, here.

Our Customer Success team are always happy to help. Give us a call on 0800 652 2183 to speak to one of our team.