Bile Acids (Total) Blood Test
£99 ✓ In Stock
Your sample goes to a UKAS accredited laboratory meeting ISO 15189 standards.
After you receive your order confirmation email, please reply with your date of birth.
How it works
Your testing journey
From order to results in four simple steps. Full transparency on where each step happens and what it costs.
Receive your kit by post
Dispatched same working day if ordered before 3pm. Royal Mail Tracked delivery, typically 1–3 working days. 90% of kits arrive within 24 hours.
Visit a partner clinic
Book a phlebotomy appointment at one of our 365+ UK partner clinics. Take your kit with you — the phlebotomist will collect your sample using the materials provided.
Phlebotomy fee applies (paid at clinic)
Venous blood draw at a clinic
A trained phlebotomist takes a small blood sample from a vein in your arm using the vacutainers provided in your kit. The appointment takes around 10 minutes.
Return by prepaid envelope
Seal your sample in the biohazard bag provided and drop it in any Royal Mail postbox using the prepaid Tracked 24 envelope. Post Monday–Thursday for best results.
Venous Blood Collection Kit
This kit is sent to you and taken to your chosen clinic. The phlebotomist will collect your sample using the materials provided.
- 1Vacutainer blood collection tubes
- 2Needle and butterfly needle
- 3Tourniquet
- 4Alcohol swab
- 5Cotton wool and gauze
- 6Adhesive plaster
- 7Biohazard specimen bag
- 8Prepaid return envelope (Royal Mail Tracked 24)
- 9Laboratory request form
- 10Instructions for the phlebotomist
Bile acids are produced by your liver from cholesterol and stored in your gallbladder. When you eat, they are released into the small intestine where they help digest fats and absorb fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K). After performing their digestive function, approximately 95% of bile acids are reabsorbed in the terminal ileum and returned to the liver via the portal circulation—a process called enterohepatic circulation. What This Test Measures: This test measures the total concentration of all bile acids in your blood. In a healthy liver with normal bile flow, blood levels of bile acids remain low because the liver efficiently extracts and recycles them. When liver function is impaired or bile flow is obstructed, bile acids accumulate in the blood, leading to elevated levels. Elevated Levels May Indicate: Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis, liver failure), bile duct obstruction (gallstones, strictures, tumours), cholestasis (impaired bile flow), intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP), or primary biliary cholangitis. Elevated bile acids can also occur in intestinal bacterial overgrowth or following ileal resection. Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy (ICP): This condition occurs in the third trimester and is characterised by intense itching, particularly on the palms and soles. Elevated bile acids in pregnancy can affect the baby and may require early delivery. Bile acid levels above 10 µmol/L are considered elevated in pregnancy, with levels above 40 µmol/L associated with increased risk. Reference Range: Normal fasting bile acid levels are typically below 10 µmol/L. Values above this may require further investigation. Results should be interpreted by a healthcare professional in the context of your symptoms and other liver function tests.
This test is for screening and information only — it is not a medical diagnosis or professional advice. Please have your results reviewed by a qualified doctor or healthcare provider who can explain what they mean for your personal health situation. If your results show anything outside the normal range, or if you're worried about your health, see your doctor as soon as you can. Don't change any medications or treatments based on these results alone — always talk to your healthcare provider first.
NO CLINICS, NO QUEUES, NO HASSLE
Four steps to clarity
01
Pick your panel
Browse over 200 clinically designed test kits and choose the one that fits your goals.
02
Kit to your door
Everything you need arrives in discreet packaging with step-by-step instructions inside.
03
Collect your sample
Follow the simple instructions in your kit — whether it's a finger-prick at home or a venous draw at a partner clinic.
04
Insights delivered
Clear, easy-to-understand results sent to you online with actionable health guidance.
Frequently asked questions
Elevated bile acids can indicate liver disease, bile duct obstruction, or intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP). In pregnancy, ICP causes intense itching and can pose risks to the baby, making bile acid testing important for pregnant women with itching.
Yes. Bile acid levels rise after eating. Fast for 8-12 hours before sample collection for the most accurate result.
Yes. Bile acid testing is the key diagnostic test for ICP (obstetric cholestasis). If pregnant with intense itching (especially palms and soles, worse at night), your midwife or obstetrician may request this test.
You may also be interested in
Amylase Home Blood Test
A single-biomarker finger-prick blood,saliva test covering pancreatic enzymes — ideal for investigating relevant symptoms or monitoring health.
Results estimated in 2 working days
Finger-prick collection
Bilirubin (Direct) Blood Test Kit
A single-biomarker venous blood test covering liver health — ideal for investigating relevant symptoms or monitoring health.
Results estimated in 3 working days
1 biomarkers
Lipase Blood Test Kit
A single-biomarker venous blood test covering pancreas health — ideal for investigating relevant symptoms or monitoring health.
Results estimated in 5 working days
1 biomarkers
Allergy Screen (Essential Foods) Blood Test
An essential food allergy panel testing for the most common food allergens responsible for IgE-mediated reactions — covering the key foods that account for the majority of food allergies in both children and adults.
Results estimated in 2 working days
9 biomarkers