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UNDERSTANDING YOUR BLOOD TEST RESULTS USING THE NHS APP
Looking at the whole picture, not just one number
Many patients can now see their blood test results directly in the NHS App. We believe this is a positive step — it helps people feel informed and involved in their care.
However, blood results can sometimes look worrying when viewed on their own. This page explains how to read your results, what is normal, and why a single number rarely tells the full story.
Seeing results before we contact you
It is common for results to appear in the NHS App before a clinician has reviewed them.
This does not mean something is wrong or that action is needed straight away.
Our clinical team reviews every result, but this may take a little time — especially after weekends or bank holidays.
🔹 If your result needs action, we will contact you
🔹 If no action is needed, this usually means the result is expected or clinically acceptable
What does “normal range” really mean?
Each test result is shown with a reference range, which is based on averages across a large population.
This means:
- Some healthy people naturally sit just outside these ranges
- A result slightly above or below the range is not automatically a problem
- What is “normal” for you may differ from someone else
Clinicians always interpret results in context, not in isolation.
We look at the whole picture
When reviewing blood tests, your clinician considers:
✔ Your symptoms (or lack of them)
✔ Your medical history
✔ Any long‑term conditions
✔ Current medication
✔ Previous results and trends over time
✔ Recent illness, stress, or lifestyle changes
A single result is rarely meaningful on its own — patterns and changes over time matter far more.
Why a result might be marked “abnormal” but need no action
It is common for results to be flagged as abnormal even when:
- The change is very small
- It is expected due to medication or a known condition
- It has been stable for many years
- It does not affect your health or require treatment
In these cases, no action or follow‑up is needed.
When should I contact the practice?
Please contact us if:
🔹 You have new or worsening symptoms
🔹 You were specifically advised to follow up
🔹 You are unsure how a result relates to how you are feeling
For routine or non‑urgent questions, please use the online consultation or NHS App messaging, where available.
Please avoid searching individual results online
Internet searches often:
- Lack medical context
- Assume worst‑case scenarios
- Do not account for your personal health history
This can understandably increase anxiety and does not reflect how results are interpreted in clinical practice.
Our commitment to you
We are committed to:
- Safe and thorough clinical review of all test results
- Using blood tests as one part of your overall care
- Supporting patients to understand their health without unnecessary worry
If something needs action, we will contact you.
Key takeaway
👉 Blood tests are tools, not diagnoses.
👉 Numbers matter less than the person they belong to.
If you have concerns about your health, we are always here to help.
How to Read Your Blood Test Results
1. Test name
What you’ll see:
For example:
- Haemoglobin
- White blood cells (WBC)
- Creatinine
- ALT
- Cholesterol
What this means:
This is the specific substance or measurement being checked. Each test looks at one part of how your body is working, such as:
- Oxygen levels
- Infection or inflammation
- Kidney or liver function
- Metabolism or heart risk
👉 Important: No test on its own gives a diagnosis. Tests are used together to build a picture of your health.
2. Your result (the number)
What you’ll see:
A number, for example:141 or 6.2
What this means:
This is your individual measurement from that blood sample, taken at one moment in time.
Clinicians will ask:
- Is this expected for you?
- Has it changed compared to previous results?
- Does it match how you are feeling?
A single result is rarely interpreted in isolation.
3. Units (how the result is measured)
What you’ll see:
Examples include:
- g/L
- mmol/L
- x10⁹/L
What this means:
Units are simply the scientific way the lab measures that test.
👉 For most patients, the units themselves are not important — clinicians use them so different laboratories and professionals interpret results consistently.
4. Reference (normal) range
What you’ll see:
For example:135 – 180
What this means:
This is the range that covers most healthy people, based on population averages.
Important things to know:
- Some healthy people naturally sit just outside this range
- The range does not account for age, medication, long‑term conditions, or pregnancy
- Clinicians interpret results based on what is normal for you, not just the range
👉 A result outside the range does not automatically mean illness.
5. Flags such as “High”, “Low”, or coloured markers
What you’ll see:
- “H” or “High”
- “L” or “Low”
- Sometimes shown in red or highlighted
What this means:
The laboratory system automatically flags results that fall outside the reference range.
This does not mean:
- Something is dangerous
- Treatment is needed
- You need urgent action
It simply alerts the clinician to review the result in context.
Many flagged results are:
- Mild
- Expected
- Long‑standing
- Already monitored
6. Previous result or trend (if shown)
What you’ll see:
Sometimes a previous value or graph is shown.
Why this matters:
Clinicians place more importance on change over time than a single result.
For example:
- A stable, slightly abnormal result over years is often reassuring
- A sudden change may matter even if still in range
👉 Trends often matter more than individual numbers.
7. Comments or notes (if present)
What you’ll see:
Sometimes there is a short comment from the lab or clinician.
What this means:
This may explain:
- Why a result was expected
- If it relates to medication
- Whether follow‑up is planned
Not all results need comments — absence of a note does not mean something is wrong.
How clinicians pull this together
Rather than looking at lines individually, clinicians ask:
✔ How do the results fit together?
✔ Do they explain your symptoms?
✔ Are they different from last time?
✔ Are they affected by medication or known conditions?
✔ Do they actually change management?
Blood tests are supporting information, not answers on their own.
What will happen next?
- ✅ If action is needed, we will contact you
- ✅ If no action is needed, this usually means the results are acceptable or expected
Results often appear in the NHS App before clinical review — this is normal.
PATIENT LED PRESCRIPTION ORDERING
Your Local Pharmacy is moving to Patient Led Ordering, This means you have to order your prescription yourself. You can order repeat medication in the following ways:
Online via the SystmOne online, you can sign up to this in the surgery just bring a form of ID. NHS App on your phone.
Via the repeat prescription box at Surgery.
Via post to the Surgery using the repeat prescription slip or triage link:https://accurx.nhs.uk/patient-initiated/M88643
IF YOU ALREADY ORDER YOUR PRESCRIPTION ONLINE OR VIA THE NHS APP THESE CHANGES WILL NOT AFFECT YOU
What do I do now?
Download the NHS App. You can do this via the Apple Store or Google Play.
You can set up an NHS account and log in via the NHS App webpage if you
would prefer to use a PC.
Set up online prescription ordering.
Make sure your GP practice is aware that you, or someone you care about,
may struggle to order their own prescriptions.
Change to Appointment System
New Appointment System at The Spires Health Centre
We wish to inform our patients of a significant change to our appointment system that will improve the way our surgery delivers care to our patients.
GP Practices across the Black Country and nationally are moving to a ‘Modern General Practice’ model’ to make access to care and treatment easier and to help improve patients’ satisfaction.
From1st October 2025, we are starting a new system where for routine concerns or non-urgent requests you will need to submit a form where you will be signposted or offered an appointment with an appropriate Clinician or Service. If we are at full capacity, you may also be referred to 111 or walk in centre
Please DO NOT USE this service for URGENT APPOINTMENTS, Chest pain, Shortness of breath, palpitations, Mental Health Issues, any symptom that may need an X Ray or other urgent health issues.
For Urgent appointments please contact the Reception Team on 0121 203 2800 at 8.00Am Monday to Friday.
If you don’t have access to the website please call reception, they will be happy to help you.
HOW DOES IT WORK ?
Routine requests can be made by doing the following:
· Visit the practice website, https:// www.spireshealthcentre.co.uk
· Click on the Appointments banner and follow the instructions
A member of the team will establish if your symptoms and circumstances meet the criteria for other health services, e.g., Pharmacy, Self referral onto other health services, or Administrative requests.
If you are fortunate enough to have symptoms that can be dealt with by a Pharmacy you will be advised to attend a Community Pharmacy. The Pharmacy First scheme - can treat sinusitis, sore throat, infected insect bites, impetigo ,shingles, uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women 16 -64 years old, earache in children 1 -17yrs old. Your Local Pharmacy also offers: NHS blood pressure checks to people aged 40 and over, NHS Contraception service You may be able to get the contraceptive pill from a pharmacy if you need to start the contraceptive pill for the first time or take the contraceptive pill again after a break from using it. Flu vaccine if you are over 65 or in at risk group. The service has been established to give patients easy access to minor health issues at a place and time convenient to them. If the Pharmacy feel your symptoms need to see a GP they will direct you to us.
To enable us to action your request it is very important that you include detailed and accurate information about your symptoms and ensure you enter the correct contact details, including your telephone number and email address.
During the weekends, bank holidays or after 6.30pm weekdays please continue to use the 111 service or call 999 for life threatening emergencies. You may be referred to 111 or the walk in service if we are at capacity.
We hope that the new appointment system will hep improve your patient journey and satisfaction.
WHY DOES THE GP RECEPTIONIST NEED TO KNOW WHY I NEED AN APPOINTMENT
Why does a Receptionist need to ask what is wrong with me?
When our Receptionists ask a Patient why they want to see a GP, they are not being nosy or interfering, it is part of their role.
Our GPs have asked them to ask and have had training to ask certain questions to ensure that you receive:
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the most appropriate medical care
-
from the most appropriate health professional
-
at the most appropriate time
Receptionists also do this:
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to help doctors prioritise visits and phone calls
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to ensure that all patients receive the appropriate level of care
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to direct patients to see the nurse or other health professional rather than a doctor where appropriate
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Reception staff, like their clinical colleagues, are bound by confidentiality rules:
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any information given by you is treated as strictly confidential
-
the surgery would take any breach of confidentiality very seriously and deal with accordingly
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you can ask to speak to a receptionist in private away from reception
However, if you feel an issue is very private and do not wish to say what this is then the Receptionist will respect this.
Our surgery has a team of skilled, qualified healthcare professionals who all have the experience and competency to treat many of the patients who traditionally believe they need to specifically see or speak with a GP.
REQUESTS FOR PERSONAL LETTERS FOR UNIVERSITIES
Over the past few months we have seen a large increase in patients requesting personal letters for Universities. Due to the volume and capacity to provide the letters The Spires Health Centre will no longer offer this service. A printed summary can be provided but no letters will be completed. Apologies for any inconvenience this may cause, however Primary Care is working beyond capacity and we have to prioritise our workload in order to meet patient care.
JOIN US FOR A COFFEE!!
The Spires Health Centre
is hosting a
monthly coffee catch up. Whether you're
looking for companionship, advice, or just
a warm cup of coffee, everyone is
welcome!
Meet your friendly social prescriber,
Kulwinder Kaur, to discuss personalised
support options tailored to your interests
and needs.
Mark your calendars for our next
coffee catch-up! We look forward
to seeing you there.
First Friday of each
month, 10am-12pm
Speak to a member of staff for
more information.
Mounjaro
THE BLACK COUNTRY ICB STATEMENT ON TIRZEPATIDE (MOUNJARO)
UPDATE JUNE 2025
Access to Tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) for Weight Management in the Black Country
From 23 June 2025, access to the medication tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) is beginning in England for a small number of patients living with obesity who are at the highest risk of serious health conditions.
In the Black Country, new community-based weight management services are currently being developed to support safe and effective access to this treatment, this means GPs are not yet able to prescribe tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) for weight management in this area. We’re working quickly to make these services available.
As part of our phased approach, the first group of patients who may be eligible will include those who:
Have a BMI of 40 or more (or 37.5 for people from minority ethnic backgrounds),
And have obstructive sleep apnoea on CPAP (or where CPAP is not suitable or tolerated),
And have at least three of the following long-term conditions:
Type 2 diabetes
High blood pressure (hypertension)
Cardiovascular disease
Dyslipidaemia (HIGH Cholesterol)
Other patients who meet the broader NHS criteria
(BMI ≥ 40 and four or more related health conditions) may become eligible in later stages.
Please do not contact your GP about tirzepatide at this time. GPs currently cannot prescribe this treatment or refer patients into the new pathway until local services are launched.
ORAL CONTRACEPTION NOW AVAILABLE BLACK COUNTRY PHARMACIES
Get your oral contraception at a Black Country pharmacy
Women across the Black Country can now get their supply of oral contraception at a local pharmacy, without the need to see a GP.
More than 200 pharmacies in the Black Country are participating in this new service, aiming to increase choice for women in the ways in which they can access contraception.
Oral contraception, known as ‘the pill’, can now be accessed at a pharmacy without a referral from a GP. Women can also be referred to their pharmacy by their GP practice or a sexual health clinic.
The pharmacist will offer a confidential consultation and will offer the first supply of the pill, or the ongoing supply of their current oral contraception. This is an NHS service and so the supply of oral contraception will be exempt from any prescription charges.
Sukhy Somal, Head of Community Pharmacy Clinical Services for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB), said: “This new service is another great milestone in showing how much of an important role community pharmacists are improving wider access to healthcare services.
“This is a safe and confidential service for women across the Black Country and allows general practice and sexual health services to free up appointments for more complex assessments.
“Women will still receive their yearly pill check-up, like they would with their GP, which they will have when requesting their next supply of contraception. It is still encouraged to seek medical advice from a pharmacist or doctor if any unusual side effects continue after three months.”
Individuals do not need to be registered with a GP to access this service. Pharmacies will only inform the GP practice that individuals have accessed the service, with their consent. Business cards are being rolled out for patients across the Black Country enabling pharmacists to write down the date of the next supply of contraception and the name of the pharmacy.
Contraception is free and confidential, including for young people under the age of 16. The doctor or nurse will not tell anyone, including parents or carer, unless they think you or someone else is at risk of harm.
For further information, visit the NHS Black Country ICB website.
Page created: 14 September 2023