Fast, Accurate TB Blood Testing for Visa, Work, University & Medical Treatment

If you’ve been asked to have a Quantiferon Gold (IGRA) TB blood test, the last thing you need is long NHS waiting lists, confusing advice or a delay that holds up your treatment, job offer, university place or visa application.

At Holden’s Chemist Express, we provide fast, professional private Quantiferon Gold (IGRA) blood testing from our clinics in Newark and Doncaster. Your blood sample is collected by an experienced healthcare professional before being sent to a UKAS-accredited laboratory for analysis.

Whether you’ve been asked for TB screening by a consultant, employer, university, occupational health provider or immigration authority, we help you get the correct test completed quickly and professionally.

• Visa applications
• Employment screening
• University or clinical placements
• Healthcare worker clearance
• Biologic medication
• Immunosuppressant treatment
• Occupational health screening
• Consultant-requested investigations

Common Reasons People Book This Test

Our private TB blood testing service is commonly used by people who need evidence of latent tuberculosis screening before work, study, travel or medical treatment.

What is a Quantiferon Gold (IGRA) Blood Test?

The Quantiferon Gold blood test is a laboratory blood test used to help detect latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI).

Latent TB means someone has been infected with tuberculosis bacteria but does not currently have active tuberculosis disease and may have no symptoms. Many people only discover they need screening when a consultant, employer, university or visa process asks for it.

The Quantiferon Gold test belongs to a group of blood tests called Interferon Gamma Release Assays (IGRAs). These tests measure your immune system’s response to proteins associated with Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Unlike older skin tests, the Quantiferon Gold test requires only one appointment and is widely used throughout hospitals, occupational health departments and specialist clinics.

• One blood sample
• No return visit usually required
• Usually unaffected by previous BCG vaccination
• Widely used before biologic therapy
• Frequently requested by occupational health providers
• Accepted by many consultants and specialist teams

Quantiferon Gold vs Mantoux Skin Test

For many occupational health providers and hospital specialists, Quantiferon Gold is preferred because it is convenient, blood-based and does not usually require patients to return for their result to be read.

Common Reasons People Book a Private TB Blood Test

Every week we see patients booking for completely different reasons. The most common include:

• Healthcare worker pre-employment screening
• Consultant-requested testing before biologic medication
• Occupational health requirements
• University and medical school placements
• Visa or immigration paperwork
• Overseas employment
• Agency nursing
• Care home employment
• Private reassurance following consultant advice

Whatever your reason, our aim is to make the process straightforward, professional and efficient.

Need Your TB Test Quickly?

Deadlines have a habit of turning a simple blood test into a stressful experience.

Your consultant may be waiting before starting treatment. Your employer may need evidence before issuing a contract. Your university placement may not begin until screening has been completed. Or your visa application could be waiting for the correct documentation.

We offer fast private appointments to help you move forward without unnecessary delays.

Private TB Blood Test (Quantiferon Gold) | Newark & Doncaster

Fast, Accurate TB Blood Testing for Visa, Work, University & Medical Treatment

If you’ve been told you need a Quantiferon Gold TB blood test, the last thing you need is long waits, vague advice or an appointment that slows everything down.

At Holden’s Chemist Express, we provide professional private TB blood testing from our clinics in Newark and Doncaster. Your blood sample is taken by an experienced healthcare professional before being sent to a UKAS-accredited laboratory for analysis.

Our service is suitable for patients who have been asked to have a Quantiferon Gold, IGRA or TB blood test for visa applications, employment, university, healthcare work, biologic medication, immunosuppressant treatment, occupational health screening or consultant-requested checks.

Who Is This Service For?

Our private TB blood testing service is commonly used by people who need clear evidence of latent tuberculosis screening before work, study, travel or medical treatment.

What is a Quantiferon Gold (IGRA) Blood Test?

The Quantiferon Gold blood test is a laboratory blood test used to help detect latent tuberculosis infection.

Latent TB means someone has been infected with tuberculosis bacteria but does not currently have active tuberculosis disease and may have no symptoms. This can become important before certain medical treatments, employment checks, occupational health screening, university placements or visa-related requirements.

The Quantiferon Gold test belongs to a group of blood tests called Interferon Gamma Release Assays, also known as IGRA tests. These tests measure your immune system’s response to proteins associated with Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

• One blood sample
• No return visit required
• Usually unaffected by previous BCG vaccination
• Widely used before biologic therapy
• Frequently requested by occupational health providers
• Accepted by many consultants and specialist teams

Quantiferon Gold vs Mantoux Skin Test

Common Reasons People Book a Private TB Blood Test

• Healthcare worker pre-employment screening
• Consultant-requested testing before biologic medication
• Occupational health requirements
• University and medical school placements
• Visa or immigration paperwork
• Overseas employment
• Agency nursing
• Care home employment
• Private reassurance following consultant advice

TB Blood Testing for Visa, Travel & Immigration

If you have been asked to provide evidence of TB screening for a visa application, overseas employment or international study programme, a Quantiferon Gold IGRA blood test may be appropriate if it has been specifically requested.

Countries have different immigration health requirements. Some require an official immigration medical examination or chest X-ray, while others may request an IGRA blood test in certain situations.

Please note: some immigration pathways require testing by an approved panel physician or government-approved medical provider. Always check your instructions before booking.

TB Blood Testing Before Biologic & Immunosuppressant Treatment

One of the most common reasons patients book privately is because their consultant has requested TB screening before starting biologic or immunosuppressant medication.

Biologic medicines affect the immune system. If latent tuberculosis is present, your specialist may need to investigate or treat it before treatment begins.

When symptoms are already disrupting your skin, joints, gut, sleep, confidence or work, waiting for one blood test can feel brutal. Private testing can help you complete that step sooner and avoid unnecessary delays in your treatment pathway.

Common conditions where TB screening may be requested

• Psoriasis
• Hidradenitis suppurativa
• Severe eczema
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Ankylosing spondylitis
• Crohn’s disease
• Ulcerative colitis

Medicines where TB screening may be requested

• Humira / adalimumab
• Amgevita
• Hyrimoz
• Idacio
• Yuflyma
• Infliximab / Remicade
• Stelara / ustekinumab
• Skyrizi / risankizumab
• Cosentyx / secukinumab
• Taltz / ixekizumab
• Tremfya / guselkumab
• Entyvio / vedolizumab

If your consultant letter asks for a Quantiferon Gold or IGRA blood test, you can arrange this privately with Holden’s Chemist Express.

TB Blood Tests for Healthcare Workers, Employment & University

Healthcare workers are one of the largest groups requiring private TB screening.

Testing may be requested by NHS Trusts, private hospitals, agency employers, care homes, occupational health departments, universities, medical schools, nursing schools or dental schools.

You may require screening before starting employment, beginning a clinical placement, joining an agency, returning to healthcare work or working overseas.

What Happens if My Quantiferon Gold Test is Positive?

A positive Quantiferon Gold result does not automatically mean you have active tuberculosis.

It means your immune system has reacted to TB proteins, suggesting previous exposure to tuberculosis bacteria.

Your doctor or consultant may recommend further investigations such as:

• Clinical assessment
• Chest X-ray
• Further blood tests
• Referral to a respiratory or infectious diseases specialist

Many people with positive Quantiferon Gold results have latent TB rather than active tuberculosis. Your specialist will decide whether further investigation or treatment is required.

What Happens at Your Appointment?

1. Book online at your preferred clinic.
2. Attend your appointment in Newark or Doncaster.
3. Your identity and request are confirmed.
4. A trained healthcare professional takes a blood sample.
5. Your sample is packaged and sent to a UKAS-accredited laboratory.
6. Your results are securely returned once available.

The appointment itself normally takes around 10-15 minutes.

Why Patients Choose Holden’s Chemist Express

• Experienced clinical team
• Professional pharmacy environment
• UKAS-accredited laboratory analysis
• No GP referral required
• Convenient Newark and Doncaster clinics
• Fast appointment availability
• Suitable for consultant-requested Quantiferon Gold testing
• Simple online booking

Our Clinics

Newark

Holden’s Chemist Express
77 Eton Avenue
Newark
NG24 4JH

Doncaster

Holden’s Chemist Scawsby,
Unit 4 Barnsley Road, Scawsby
Doncaster,
DN5 8QE

Patients Travel to Us From Across the East Midlands & South Yorkshire

Our clinics regularly welcome patients from Newark, Lincoln, Grantham, Retford, Worksop, Mansfield, Nottingham, Southwell, Doncaster, Rotherham, Barnsley and Sheffield.

Many patients choose Holden’s Chemist Express because appointments are often available sooner than alternative providers and our clinics are accessible from Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and South Yorkshire.

Frequently Asked Questions

How accurate is the Quantiferon Gold test?

Quantiferon Gold is widely used for latent tuberculosis screening and is commonly requested by hospitals, occupational health providers and specialists.

Can I eat before my appointment?

Yes. Fasting is not normally required for a Quantiferon Gold blood test.

Does BCG vaccination affect the result?

Unlike the Mantoux skin test, previous BCG vaccination does not usually affect Quantiferon Gold results.

Can I drive afterwards?

Yes. Most patients return to work or normal daily activities immediately after the appointment.

How quickly will I receive my results?

Results are typically available around 3 working days after the laboratory receives your sample, although turnaround times can occasionally vary.

Can children have the test?

Please contact us before booking so we can advise whether this service is appropriate.

Can I book without a GP referral?

Yes. No GP referral is required.

Will my consultant accept this test?

Many hospital specialists request Quantiferon Gold testing. If your consultant has specifically asked for an IGRA or Quantiferon Gold blood test, this service may be suitable.

Is this the same as a chest X-ray?

No. A chest X-ray and Quantiferon Gold test are different investigations. Always follow the instructions provided by your consultant, employer or immigration authority.

Is this suitable for visa applications?

It depends on the country and visa pathway. Some visa medicals require approved clinics, chest X-rays or full immigration medicals. If you have specifically been asked for a Quantiferon Gold, IGRA or TB blood test, this service may be suitable.

Related TB Blood Test Services

• TB Blood Test Before Biologics
• TB Blood Test Before Immunosuppressants
• TB Blood Test for Healthcare Workers
• TB Blood Test for Employment
• TB Blood Test for University
• TB Blood Test for Australia Visa
• TB Blood Test for New Zealand Visa
• TB Blood Test for Canada Visa
• TB Blood Test for South Korea Visa
• TB Blood Test for UAE Employment
• Quantiferon Gold Blood Test
• IGRA Blood Test

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Book Your Private TB Blood Test

If you’ve been asked for a Quantiferon Gold, IGRA or TB blood test, we can help make the process straightforward.

Whether your test is for a consultant, employer, occupational health provider, university or visa application, our experienced team will take your blood sample professionally and arrange prompt laboratory analysis.

Book your appointment today and move forward with confidence.