Private blood tests

Everyday problems like high blood sugar, which can be a sign of diabetes, or high cholesterol, which raises your risk of heart disease. Your doctor can order the same tests when you need them.

Most cancers. So-called tumour marker tests don’t work well for screening. They miss many cancers and can suggest cancer in people who don’t have it. A normal result isn’t a clean bill of health either.

It’s normal for healthy people to have a result or two outside the normal range, and the bigger the package, the more likely that is. A result outside the range can lead to repeat tests and sometimes a referral to a specialist, even when nothing is wrong.

You pay yourself, and prices vary by lab and package. Ask for the full price up front, and ask who will go over the results with you.

Choosing Wisely Canada tells family doctors not to order yearly screening blood tests unless a patient’s own risk calls for them. The US Food and Drug Administration says to talk to a health care provider before you act on any result.