Problems WITH BH scalpel

[Jillyb15]

Hi all,

Three days ago I tried to obtain blood for a BH follow-up thyroid test. Well I managed 1 miniscule bead of blood and a smear, but although I 'stabbed' myself three or four times, absolutely b***er all. I just ended up with a bruise on my finger, and that's now gone.

I followed all the instructions, finger was nice and rosy. And basically nowt, nothing.

Have done this before and although not easy at least my finger bled! Any ideas - feeling pretty useless!!

Jill

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

After asking members a year ago which lancet they preferred, and the most popular being the blue and white one, BH have recently changed from the most popular one to a very ineffective one that so many members are saying they're having the same trouble as a you.

See Paul's post about it a few months ago giving details of both lancets. The decent one is on the left

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu......

I would contact BH (preferably Paul) and ask for the old BD blue lancet and tell him what you think of the new one. If enough people tell them that the new ones are so ineffective maybe they will consider going back to the old type.

[Jillyb15 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks for speedy reply will check it out once I get home

[Jackiez]

I couldn't get more than a tiny drop either, I ended up booking for the nurse to come out and take a full sample😳

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Jackiez]

Call me cynical (well, yes I am anyway) but I'm beginning to wonder if this is one of two things

1) Cost cutting, but the lancets are probably quite cheap when bought in bulk, maybe only pence difference between the decent one and the naff one

2) Their way of getting you to use the home phlebotomy service or other blood collection services they are affiliated with.

[Jackiez in reply to SeasideSusie]

Ha! You could well be right SeasideSusie!

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to SeasideSusie]

I agree.

Perhaps we are both just too cynical

I gave up with new lancets and get private blood draw (which probably is charged at slight extra profit)

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to SlowDragon]

I can't get private blood draw where I live so would have to use home phlebotomy service, currently £49. Fortunately I have some of the old lancets left over from previous tests but they won't last forever.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to SeasideSusie]

Yes my first option was to try to get some original ones - couldn’t find any

I think Blue Horizon and Medichecks need to offer old style as option

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to SlowDragon]

I think you can request them (certainly with BH) but I suppose once their stock has gone that's it.

[humanbean]

Go to Amazon and search for lancets. There are lots to choose from. Read the reviews and decide which ones you like the look of. You can buy a box of 100 for about £5 upwards, depending on brand.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to humanbean]

They generally seem to be the pin type rather than the blade type on Amazon. Amazon does have them but 200 costs £55.99 other places they are £34 plus VAT.

[humanbean in reply to SeasideSusie]

Wow! That difference in cost is eye-watering. I've managed to avoid ever doing a finger-prick test, so I didn't realise there were different kinds.

What do you have to search for to find the right lancets at £34 + VAT?

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to humanbean]

BD Blue lancet scrubsuk.com/bd-contact-act... which is the one Blue Horizon used to use.

[humanbean in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks for the link. I've bookmarked it.

[Greybeard]

Do a bit of DIY I bleed buckets every time I get the tools out😁