Bespoke Panel 2 is a compact blood count and electrolyte panel. It measures a full blood count with sodium, potassium, chloride and magnesium, giving an overview of your red cells, white cells and platelets alongside the minerals that reflect fluid balance and kidney handling.
It contains the same tests as Bespoke Panel 1 without the ESR inflammation marker, and it can be collected at our Maidstone clinic.
What is measured
- Full blood count: haemoglobin, red cells, white cells and platelets
- Sodium and chloride: the main salts outside cells, reflecting water balance
- Potassium: a tightly controlled electrolyte needed for heart rhythm and muscle function
- Magnesium: a mineral involved in nerve, muscle and enzyme function
Useful for
- A focused check of blood cells and electrolytes when a broad package is more than you need
- Rechecking a blood count or electrolyte result that a clinician has asked you to repeat
- An additional check if you take medicines known to affect sodium, potassium or magnesium, alongside your prescriber's monitoring
Sample: venous blood. Biomarkers: 5 named tests, with the full blood count reporting several further values. Price includes: laboratory analysis and the laboratory report with reference ranges; interpretation is optional.
Bespoke Panel 2 (excl. ESR)
Blood count
- Full blood count (measured; several parameters): typically haemoglobin, red cell count, haematocrit, red cell indices (MCV, MCH, MCHC, RDW), white cell count with differential (neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, basophils) and platelets. The laboratory sets the exact parameters, and some indices are derived by the analyser.
Electrolytes and minerals
- Sodium (measured): water balance and kidney handling of water.
- Potassium (measured): heart rhythm, nerve and muscle function.
- Chloride (measured): usually mirrors sodium; helps assess acid-base balance.
- Magnesium (measured, serum): circulating magnesium, a partial guide to body status.
Apart from the red cell indices within the blood count, no results in this panel are calculated values.
How the body balances electrolytes
Sodium and chloride are the main salts outside cells, and their concentration largely reflects how much water the body holds relative to salt. Thirst, the hormone vasopressin and the kidneys keep sodium in a narrow range, so an abnormal sodium usually reflects water handling rather than salt intake. Most potassium is inside cells; the kidneys, guided by aldosterone, keep the small plasma fraction tightly controlled because heart and muscle depend on it. Magnesium is absorbed from the gut and regulated by the kidneys, with most stored in bone and cells.
Why a blood count sits alongside
The full blood count describes the three cell lines made in the bone marrow: red cells (anaemia), white cells (infection, inflammation, some medicines) and platelets (clotting). Very high platelet or white cell counts can also make potassium read falsely high, a practical reason to measure them together.
Medicines and electrolytes
Thiazide and loop diuretics can lower sodium, potassium and magnesium; some antidepressants can lower sodium; ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers and potassium-sparing diuretics can raise potassium. The MHRA advises prescribers to consider measuring magnesium before and during prolonged proton pump inhibitor treatment. A private result adds information but does not replace your prescriber's monitoring plan.
Each result appears with the laboratory's reference range, which varies between laboratories.
Potassium needs careful reading
Potassium is the electrolyte most prone to misleading results. It leaks from blood cells if a sample is haemolysed, kept cold or delayed, or after repeated fist clenching, and reads high when platelet or white cell counts are very high. In a large primary care study, most high potassium results were normal on repeat, and longer processing delays were linked to higher readings. An unexpected high result is therefore usually repeated quickly; a genuinely high potassium needs prompt medical attention.
Sodium, chloride and magnesium
Mildly low sodium is fairly common, especially in older adults and people taking diuretics or some antidepressants. A very low or falling sodium with confusion, headache or unsteadiness needs urgent assessment. A normal magnesium does not completely exclude depletion, and a low result is read alongside potassium and calcium.
Blood count
A low haemoglobin needs an explanation, usually starting with iron, B12 and folate tests. Some people of Black African, African Caribbean or Middle Eastern heritage have naturally lower neutrophil counts, a normal variant that is taken into account.
A result outside the range is a prompt for review, not a diagnosis. Where a result needs medical attention, we advise you to see your GP and, with your consent, Juvenology can write to them. Symptoms should never wait for a test result.
The full blood count and electrolytes are among the most familiar blood tests in UK practice. They are often requested together to review tiredness, recovery after an illness, or the effects of medicines, and they are frequently repeated to confirm that a borderline result has settled.
This panel offers those core measurements at a modest price and without the extra cost of a broader package. It does not include an inflammation marker: if your clinician has asked for ESR, Bespoke Panel 1 adds it (London locations only), and CRP is available in several of our broader panels.
May be helpful for
- People who want a focused, affordable check of blood cells and electrolytes.
- People taking diuretics, proton pump inhibitors or other medicines that affect electrolytes who want an extra check alongside their prescriber's monitoring.
- People who were considering Bespoke Panel 1 but do not need ESR or cannot attend in London.
Probably not the right choice if
- You have palpitations, fainting, marked muscle weakness or new confusion. Seek urgent medical help through NHS 111 or 999.
- You are dehydrated after severe vomiting or diarrhoea. Contact NHS 111 or your GP rather than booking a private test.
- You need an inflammation marker. Consider Bespoke Panel 1 or a panel that includes CRP.
- Your kidney function or electrolytes are already monitored by a hospital team. Keep to that schedule; this panel does not replace it.
Established clinical use. The blood count and electrolytes are routine monitoring tests for people on medicines that affect them, a group that grows with age.
Population associations. Low sodium is more common in older adults, often because of medicines, and in observational studies even mild low sodium has been associated with unsteadiness and falls.
Unproven ideas. There is no evidence that magnesium or electrolyte supplements taken to push results higher improve health or slow ageing, and they can be harmful with reduced kidney function.
- Food and drink: fasting is not needed. Drink normally but avoid unusually large volumes of water just before the test, which can dilute sodium.
- Warmth and hydration: arriving warm and comfortably hydrated makes the blood draw easier. A difficult draw can damage red cells and falsely raise potassium.
- During the draw: keep your hand relaxed rather than repeatedly clenching your fist, which can raise potassium in the sample.
- Medicines: keep taking prescribed medicines. When booking, tell us about diuretics, proton pump inhibitors, antidepressants and blood pressure medicines.
- Supplements: tell us about any magnesium, potassium or electrolyte supplements or sports drinks, and when you last took them.
- Exercise and illness: avoid very strenuous exercise or heavy sweating immediately before your appointment, and consider rebooking if you are currently unwell.
Choose how your sample is taken when you book. We confirm the collection option, any collection fee and the expected turnaround time before you book.
- Juvenology Clinic, Maidstone (82 King Street, Maidstone ME14 1BH): Available.
- Partner collection location, including London: Available on request. We confirm availability for your postcode before you book.
- Postal home finger-prick kit: Not available for this test.
Sample: Venous blood samples (whole blood for the blood count; serum or plasma for electrolytes and magnesium; tube types confirmed by the laboratory)
Collection notes: Venous sample at the Maidstone clinic or, on request, a partner location. Not offered as a postal finger-prick kit because haemolysis and transit delay can falsely raise potassium. No fasting needed; avoid drinking unusually large volumes of water beforehand and keep the hand relaxed during the draw.
The price of this test covers laboratory analysis and the laboratory's results report. The report lists each result beside the laboratory's reference range.
Beyond the blood test: optional support, priced separately
- Personalised written interpretation report: £50
- General consultation: £50
- Results consultation (results discussion and follow-up advice): £100
- Personalised programme: from £150, after we assess whether a programme suits you
Consultations are with Marina, an NMC-registered nurse with an Executive MSc in Longevity from the Geneva College of Longevity Science. She explains what your results show and how they relate to lifestyle. No prescription service is offered with these tests.
If a result suggests you need medical follow-up, we will recommend that you see your GP and, with your consent, can provide a letter to take with you. A blood test cannot rule out every condition. If you have symptoms, speak to your GP or NHS 111, and call 999 in an emergency.
What is the difference between Bespoke Panel 1 and Bespoke Panel 2?
Bespoke Panel 1 adds ESR, an indirect inflammation marker, and is available at London partner locations only. Bespoke Panel 2 has the same remaining tests and can be collected at our Maidstone clinic.
Why might my potassium come back high when I feel well?
Usually because of the sample: potassium leaks from blood cells when a sample is haemolysed, kept cold or delayed. An unexpected high result is normally repeated promptly before conclusions are drawn.
Can I use a home finger-prick kit?
No. Finger-prick sampling and postage increase the risk of haemolysis and delay, which can make potassium read falsely high.
My magnesium is low-normal. Should I take a supplement?
Not without advice. Your GP can weigh up your diet, medicines, kidney function and other results first.
Can this replace the blood tests my GP arranges for my diuretic?
No. Your prescriber's monitoring follows a plan for your medicine. Share private results with your GP, but do not stop or change a medicine because of them.
Is interpretation of my results included?
The price covers laboratory analysis and the laboratory's report, showing each result beside its reference range. Interpretation is optional: a personalised written report costs £50 and a results consultation £100. Marina Kostadinova-Yankova, an NMC-registered nurse, provides these; she does not diagnose or prescribe, and will advise you to see your GP where a result needs medical attention.
- Full blood count (FBC). Lab Tests Online UK, Association for Laboratory Medicine. https://labtestsonline.org.uk/tests/full-blood-count-fbc
- Electrolytes and Anion Gap. Lab Tests Online UK, Association for Laboratory Medicine. https://labtestsonline.org.uk/tests/electrolytes-and-anion-gap
- Magnesium. Lab Tests Online UK, Association for Laboratory Medicine. https://labtestsonline.org.uk/tests/magnesium
- Jahnen-Dechent W, Ketteler M. Magnesium basics. Clinical Kidney Journal, 2012;5(Suppl 1):i3–i14. https://doi.org/10.1093/ndtplus/sfr163
- Smellie WSA. Spurious hyperkalaemia. BMJ, 2007;334:693. https://www.bmj.com/content/334/7595/693
- Boo AYY, Koh YLE, Hu PL, Tan NC. Prevalence and factors associated with false hyperkalaemia in Asians in primary care: a cross-sectional study (the UHUB study). BMJ Open, 2020;10:e033755. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/10/9/e033755
- Proton pump inhibitors in long-term use: reports of hypomagnesaemia. Drug Safety Update, Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), 2012. https://www.gov.uk/drug-safety-update/proton-pump-inhibitors-in-long-term-use-reports-of-hypomagnesaemia
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