I had a full-body well being scan for £299 – it felt like being in a Star Trek film

Life can be tricky, and keeping on top of your health can be one of the trickiest things of all. It isn’t always easy to know whether something is wrong, what might be causing it or what you’re supposed to do once you find out. I’ve been on a health journey over the past couple of years, losing a significant amount of weight and improving my nutrition.

It’s made me much more aware of my health and the things I can do to improve it, but it’s also left me wanting to know what’s actually going on inside. One way to do so is to take a more proactive approach through a health scan.

Neko has several clinics across the UK, and I’m visiting its Spitalfields branch in London. The building itself is hugely impressive, with high ceilings, plenty of open space and a modern, almost space-age feel. It feels less like visiting the doctor and more like I’ve accidentally wandered onto the set of the next Star Trek film.

The layout, décor and attention to detail all reinforce the sense that this is a very different kind of healthcare experience – futuristic but welcoming.

Even the staff uniforms fit the environment. They’re simple, understated and highly professional, which immediately puts me at ease. That’s always a good start when you’re about to spend the next hour having virtually every measurable part of your body scrutinised.

After confirming a few details, I’m taken upstairs and given a minimalist robe in a small changing area before being taken to the scanning pod. I step out of the robe, stare straight ahead and hold my hands slightly away from my body, while a screen moves around the pod. I’m told to expect a bright light – and then, almost before I’ve had time to take it all in, it’s over.

In seconds, cameras have captured more than 2,000 high-resolution images of my entire body. I’ve spent longer trying to get a printer to recognise that it is, in fact, connected.

The resulting catalogue of pictures mapping the markings and moles across my skin is reviewed by Dr Kim O’Hare. It turns out I have more than 800 different markings. Apparently, that isn’t a lot.

This process creates a record that can be referred to in the future. It can help identify changes over time and flag anything suspicious or warranting further investigation, including potential signs of skin cancer.

I’m then taken into an adjacent room for additional tests. These include blood tests, with the samples sent directly to the lab through an internal tunnel system. My blood pressure is measured using cuffs on both arms and both legs, which is something I’ve never experienced before.

Other tests include a laser directed towards my throat to measure heart rhythms. There’s also a machine that scans the soles of my feet, examining the blood vessels and circulation for anything that might indicate a blockage or require further attention.

One of the more intriguing tests is a grip-strength assessment. I’m told that grip strength can be associated with living a longer and healthier life, and asked to squeeze a device as hard as I can. Thankfully, my grip comes in on the stronger side at 47kg. All those years of opening stubborn pickle jars have finally paid off.

Once the tests are complete, I change again before heading into a small, private, circular consultation room with a large touchscreen and Dr Kim. This is where the experience becomes most useful.

The GP talks me through my results in detail, explaining what each measurement means with plenty of opportunity to ask questions. There’s no sense of being rushed out with a “next patient, please”. I can properly understand the numbers, which is important when you’re suddenly presented with a lot of information about yourself.

One of the things I’ve been keeping a close eye on is my cholesterol, which came back slightly raised at 5.22 mmol/L. One particular cholesterol-related marker is largely genetic, so there isn’t much I can do about that one. It’s reassuring to understand the reason, although less satisfying when the solution isn’t simply “eat more vegetables”.

On the positive side, my long-term blood sugar was 32 mmol/mol, which is in the optimal range and reassuring in terms of my diabetes risk. And my body fat was 17%, which I was pleased with given the changes I’ve made over the past couple of years. My visceral fat was measured at 1.4L – meaning fat around my internal organs isn’t an issue for me.

Then there was the slightly annoying result: my heart age came back at 57 – a year older than my actual age. That’s apparently down to a few things in my results that aren’t quite where they could be. It isn’t exactly the result you want to frame and put on the mantelpiece, but it gives me something to work towards.

That’s what I like about the process. It doesn’t simply tell you where you are now; it gives you areas to focus on and something to measure yourself against when you return.

All the results can also be accessed through the Neko app, which connects to existing health data, such as Apple Health on an iPhone or compatible Android health platforms. This allows Dr Kim to consider the Neko results alongside information you’ve already collected, creating a broader picture of your health.

Thousands of data points were gathered, covering areas including cholesterol, heart age, diabetes risk and body composition. Frankly, I’m surprised they haven’t asked me to provide my favourite biscuit.

I leave Neko feeling that I have a much better understanding of what’s going on inside my body. I’m not perfect by any means, and I now know there are small lifestyle tweaks I can make, guided by Dr Kim, that could put me on a better track.

My lifestyle is less “wellness journey” and more “negotiated ceasefire between me and my snack cupboard”, but at least I now have useful information.

For me, the biggest value isn’t simply finding out where I am today. It’s having a clear picture of my health that gives me something to work from, something to improve and, ultimately, something to measure. It’s a bit like getting a report card from your body, except the teacher is a doctor and the homework is exercise.

Hopefully, when I return, I’ll have fewer things to worry about, a few more things to celebrate and perhaps only 799 markings to report. If nothing else, I now know my grip strength is pretty good. So those pickle jars had better watch out.