Written by Dr Zamiel Hussain, Lead GP and Founder of AccessGP
Winter is a demanding time for your body. Shorter days, less sunlight, more viruses and end of year stress can all expose health issues that have quietly built up over the year. Many people arrive in January feeling tired, foggy and below their best, but put it down to “just winter” or “just being run down”.
A targeted set of blood tests can pick up common problems early and give you a clear plan for the months ahead. Now that AccessGP has a full blood test knowledge base, this article focuses on when winter blood checks make sense and which panels are worth considering.
Why winter and January are a smart time for blood tests
There are a few very practical reasons why winter and early January are ideal for a health check:
- You are more likely to notice fatigue, low mood and low energy
- Respiratory infections and winter viruses are common
- Sleep and exercise routines are often disrupted over Christmas
- Alcohol intake, heavier food and less daylight affect metabolism
- Many people want a “health reset” before spring
A simple blood test does not turn you into a different person, but it can give clear answers to questions like:
- “Is this tiredness just life, or is something off?”
- “Is my cholesterol or diabetes risk creeping up?”
- “Could my vitamin D or B12 be low?”
Key winter blood tests to consider
AccessGP’s knowledge base has separate pages for each major test, so this article will highlight the why and when, with links to dive deeper.
1. Full Blood Count (FBC) for fatigue and infections
Winter is when many people notice new or worsening tiredness. An FBC is often the first step because it can show:
- Anaemia, for example from low iron or B12
- Signs of recent or ongoing infection
- Problems with white cells or platelets that need further assessment
If you have persistent fatigue, shortness of breath on exertion or feel “wiped out” for weeks after a virus, an FBC can be very helpful.
2. Vitamin D and B12 for low mood and low energy
Low vitamin D is extremely common in the UK, especially in winter when sunlight is limited. Symptoms can include:
- Aching muscles and bones
- Low mood
- Fatigue
Vitamin B12 deficiency can also cause tiredness, pins and needles and “brain fog”. A winter vitamin check is often a good idea if you:
- Work mainly indoors
- Cover your skin for cultural or weather reasons
- Follow a vegetarian or vegan diet
- Have digestive conditions or are on certain medications
3. Thyroid function for unexplained tiredness or weight change
An underactive thyroid is a common and often underdiagnosed cause of:
- Tiredness that does not improve with rest
- Weight gain despite no big change in diet
- Feeling cold all the time
- Constipation
Winter can hide these symptoms because people expect to feel more sluggish. A simple thyroid blood test (TSH and usually free T4) can rule this in or out quickly.
4. Cholesterol and cardiovascular risk check
After Christmas and New Year, many people think about heart health and long term risk. A cholesterol panel can:
- Assess total cholesterol
- Look at LDL and HDL balance
- Check triglycerides
This is particularly important if you:
- Have a family history of heart disease or stroke
- Have high blood pressure
- Have diabetes or pre diabetes
- Smoke or previously smoked
A winter “MOT” that includes cholesterol can be the start of a realistic plan to improve diet, exercise and long term risk.
5. Diabetes screening and HbA1c
Weight gain, reduced activity and richer food over winter can push borderline blood sugars higher. An HbA1c test gives an average blood sugar reading over the last two to three months and can:
- Diagnose pre diabetes and diabetes
- Monitor control if you already have diabetes
If you have increased thirst, need to pass urine more often or have a strong family history, it is sensible to include HbA1c in your January blood check.
6. Kidney and liver function for people on medication
Kidney and liver tests are especially important if you:
- Take long term blood pressure tablets or diabetes medications
- Use anti inflammatory pain relief frequently for joint problems
- Drink alcohol regularly
Winter can be tough on joints and many people increase use of painkillers. It is sensible to make sure your kidneys and liver are coping well.
Who should prioritise a winter blood test?
You should particularly consider a winter or January blood check if:
- You feel persistently tired despite resting
- Your mood has dropped noticeably
- You have gained weight or feel “puffy”
- You have a long term condition such as diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol
- You are over 40 and have not had a recent health check
- You want a clear baseline before starting a new exercise or weight loss plan
For some people, a one off check is enough. For others, it becomes a yearly winter habit that provides reassurance and early warning.
How AccessGP’s blood test knowledge base fits in
The AccessGP knowledge base now contains dedicated pages for:
- Full blood count (FBC)
- Kidney function
- Liver function
- Thyroid function
- Diabetes and HbA1c
- Cholesterol and heart health
- Vitamin and hormone panels
This blog gives you the overview. When you want to understand a specific test in more detail, you can click through to the relevant page and see:
- What the test measures
- Typical reference ranges
- Common reasons for high or low results
- Follow up steps you can discuss with a GP
This helps you move from “I have a lot of numbers on a PDF” to “I understand what this means for my health”.
Booking a winter health check with AccessGP
At AccessGP, we can help you design a blood test package that matches your goals.
A typical winter or January health check might include:
- FBC
- Kidney and liver function
- Thyroid function
- HbA1c
- Lipid profile (cholesterol)
- Vitamin D, and sometimes B12 and folate
You can book an online GP consultation to discuss your symptoms, arrange blood tests through our partner labs and then review your results in a follow up appointment. Together we can create a realistic, personalised plan for the year ahead.
Key sources: AccessGP Clinical Knowledge Base; NHS UK, Blood tests overview; NICE Guidance, Primary care testing; Patient.info, Blood test information; ZAVA, Blood testing services.