Blue Horizon lancets for finger prick testing. This morning I attempted to take blood for my 6 monthly check on thyroid and vitamin levels.

[crimple]

The lancets (dark blue with white tip) provided by BH don't seem to pierce the skin deeply enough as I had real problems in extracting any blood. I used all 4 lancets and still hadn't filled first vial !! I am from Yorkshire but deffo never had a problem before with BH or Medichecks.

I remembered I had some lancets left over from a previous test kit and used one (pale blue with white tip) it did hurt a bit more but clearly went deeper and the blood flowed no problem, I filled both vials and had a problem stopping the flow!

I have been in touch with BH and explained what happened. Apparently some people said the old lancets were too vicious and some people prefer the newer lancet. She will feedback the info to their procurement dept. maybe we will have to specify if we want to be pricked or stabbed! Lol

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Yes I found more recent ones useless and gave up using. Previously did it no problem

[Angel_of_the_North]

I haven't tried the BH ones, but the ones I got for Vt D test were useless so I had to use a kitchen knife!

[crimple in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

That sounds a bit drastic! The four puncture wounds with the poor lancets did not need a plaster on them, whereas the most effective lancet wound just kept bleeding!

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to crimple]

After I had broken the two lancets provided without getting anything there wasn't much option.

[BlueHorizonMedicals]

Angel_of_the_North kitchen knife?!?!

crimple sorry to hear that you didn't get enough blood, hope team blue are sorting something for you.

The new lancets we use penetrate as deeply as the BD blue ones that we have used traditionally, but the blade that is released isn't as wide. The BD blue blades are actually scimitar shaped (we hit the lancet with a hammer until it fell apart, not recommended) and consequently slice more capillaries.

Although the new lancets we use are adequate for most of our patients, we are all different, and if you feel that you are in need of something more brutal just let us know. 😁

[crimple in reply to BlueHorizonMedicals]

Thanks BH, yes with the old type of lancet I got enough blood for both vials so hopefully my results will be through by the weekend. I will make sure to ask for the more painful/ wider blade next time I do attest. Thanks

[Ellie-Louise]

I liked the ‘pricked or stabbed’ bit. Lol

[BlueHorizonMedicals]

More at healthunlocked.com/thyroidu......

Paul