The supermarket has added three more NHS-backed at-home test kits in stores and online
Tesco has become the first supermarket in the UK to offer three new NHS lab-verified at-home health tests. The new DIY tests are being launched as part of a new range of professional-grade kits in-store and online.
Tesco says the new NHS-backed kits help give customers access to clinical-grade diagnostics from home. The supermarket claims this is a “huge step for UK healthcare” as it means “no appointments or waiting lists are necessary,” which may help decrease the demand on the NHS.
A spokesperson said: “The move marks a major step forward in the evolution of everyday healthcare.” They added: “Giving shoppers access to clinical-level testing and doctor-reviewed results within 48 hours, without needing to book an appointment.”
The NHS-verified home test kits have been made in partnership with Newfoundland Diagnostics, which is one of the UK’s leading at-home testing companies. Tesco says that thanks to the three new kits, customers can purchase them during their regular shop, making preventative health “more accessible and affordable than ever”.
The three new kits Tesco is now stocking include fertility, testosterone, and diabetes. They are available in 380 stores and online. The spokesperson said the results are processed in NHS-backed labs and reviewed by UK-registered doctors within 48 hours.
They continued: “At £40 each, the tests are up to £30 cheaper than other retailers, bringing medical-grade diagnostics within the reach of millions of households across the UK… This move marks a major milestone in accessible, preventative healthcare, particularly as NHS demand continues to rise. For the first time, people can pick up a medical-grade lab test with their weekly shop.”
The new Women’s Fertility Lab Test requires a blood sample and measures Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH), a hormone doctors use to indicate ovarian reserve. You can post the sample free to the lab and receive your results within 48 hours.
The Testosterone Lab Test also requires a blood sample and helps to find out your total testosterone level. As for the Diabetes HbA1c Lab Test, which also requires a blood sample, it measures your average blood sugar levels. HbA1c is a key marker used by doctors in the monitoring of diabetes.
Tesco’s new fertility, testosterone, and diabetes DIY health test kits have arrived a couple of years after Tesco started selling several other self-diagnostic tests. In 2023, Tesco, again in partnership with Newfoundland Diagnostics, also began selling tests for iron and vitamin deficiencies, cholesterol, UTIs, kidney dysfunction, thyroid issues, bowel problems, male infertility, and the menopause.
The move was made in response to rising demand for self-diagnostic tools and the increasing pressure on the NHS. At the time, Newfoundland co-founder Frederick Manduca said: “We want to provide people with the opportunity to take their health into their own hands at an affordable price.
“With long wait times for doctors and hospital appointments and the very high price point of diagnostic lab tests, we’re offering rapid at home tests that arm people with vital knowledge that can alleviate pressure both on the NHS and patients themselves.”
While home health tests offer convenience, their quality and accuracy can differ significantly, and they should not replace professional medical advice. Certain tests might not have enough scientific backing to validate their claims, can be hard to understand, and may cause false reassurance or unnecessary anxiety.
It’s best to speak with a doctor before or after taking a test, particularly if you have health issues or get unusual results. A general practitioner can give a professional diagnosis and explain results in relation to your overall health.