where do i get privates bloods done?

[markgreenhill]

hi guys, i ordered a thyroid test from blue horizons. i got it last week i tried to ask the doctor secretary if they would do it and she said know so i tried to do it my self and made a right mess of it holes all in my arms and i had to order another test where can i get this done?rthnks mark

[Houndy]

Hi Mark

I think perhaps I was ultra lucky but I had the direct number of the NHS Phlebotomy and rang them to explain I had also made a hash of the DIY approach. They booked me in for about 10 days away and although I told them at the reception and the lady who did the drawing that it was private, no one asked me for any money. She asked what I had paid for the private test , pulled a face and that was it.

Depending on where you are, try asking local hospital, local GP, local health clinic etc and explain how much trouble you got into trying to do your own. Stress how important it is to make sure a sterile needle is used and that it is done by a professional etc etc- that should do the trick, but be prepared to make a payment for their service- others on here quoted £20 which seems reasonable for their time and expertise.

[Houndy in reply to Houndy]

Just to clarify the NHS Phlebotomy was at my local general NHS hospital

[markgreenhill in reply to Houndy]

ok thank you ill have a look into that and £20 that's not bad at all.

[LtAngua52]

I got mine from blue horizon medical and I did it with a finger prick test. Easy, painless and not messy at all. I didn't think they sent you kits to draw from your own arm. If you contact them and explain that you couldn't do it properly they may give you another free of charge. They did that for me as I didn't think I sent enough blood but it was ok in the end.

[markgreenhill in reply to LtAngua52]

hi, yeah i did fone them i just made another excuse why i needed another one and they were good and sent me another one i just haven't tried it again yet im gonna try and get it done some where if not ill just have to have another go at it lol

[LtAngua52 in reply to markgreenhill]

Is it a finger prick test?

[markgreenhill in reply to LtAngua52]

no they sent the blood drawing kit cause it was the thyroid +12 and need more blood.

[LtAngua52 in reply to markgreenhill]

Good luck, I hope it goes well this time.

[Cooper74 in reply to LtAngua52]

Hi I'm considering getting a finger prick test from BH for the full thyroid tests plus antibodies. Just wondering how much blood they say they need to do the test? They seem to take a huge amount at the surgery and there's no way even pricking all my fingers and toes that I would get THAT much!

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Cooper74]

They send you a tiny microtainer for the fingerprick test, not the usual size vacutainer they use at the surgery. I imagine to fill it would take a quarter teaspoon of blood from what I remember, maybe less.

[LtAngua52 in reply to Cooper74]

Hi cooper,

It's surprising how quickly the microtainer fills up. You can prick another finger, or even three if it starts to slow down. They give you plenty of lancets. It's best if you warm your hands under warm water for a couple of minutes first to bring blood to the surface and stand up to do it. Make sure it's as early in the morning when your tsh is at its highest, no food until after, water is ok. Of course don't take any thyroid meds until after too.

[humanbean]

Phone up your local NHS hospital and ask for the phlebotomy department. Ask them if they will take blood for you for private testing. If they say yes, ask how much it will cost. I think most hospitals will do it nowadays, for a fee.

Go to the department with all your tubes and instructions and give them to the phlebotomist. Get blood taken. Take tubes and instructions away with you and package them up as soon as possible according to the instructions sent by Blue Horizon. (I took everything I needed with me, and packaged it all up in the waiting room.)

Take your parcel to the post office and ask for it to be sent "guaranteed next day delivery".

[humanbean in reply to humanbean]

I forgot to say...

Have the blood taken first thing in the morning. Go early and wait to get first in the queue if you can.

Don't take any thyroid meds for 24 hours before getting blood taken. Don't take any iron pills for a week before taking the blood (including any multi-vits that contain it). On the morning you get blood taken don't eat or drink anything until afterwards. You can drink water, that is not restricted.

[markgreenhill]

ok will do many thanks.mark.

[Pamanda]

Hi Mark,

If you're in London I can PM you a place where you can get the blood drawn. It costs about £30 fyi.

[markgreenhill in reply to Pamanda]

thanks for that, but i live in walsall in the midlands thanks again tho.

[cwill]

I am in Cambridge and ended up at a travel clinic that were willing to draw a large number of samples for private testing. GP and everyone else - including private hospitals and other GP surgeries were all very unhelpful. That was 2010 and I was charged £50. I am about to ring round again for the next batch of testing so this thread has been useful - will try phlebotomy services.