Just posted my bloods to Medicheck does the wee... - Thyroid UK

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Just posted my bloods to Medicheck does the weekend delay the results?

rosserk profile image
13 Replies

Hi all does anyone know if there’s a delay with results from medicheck over the weekend? I had my 6 week blood test at the doctors this morning but because they only test TSH and T4 (sometimes) I decided to have the medicheck ultra vit test. My nurse did the bloods for the test which saved me the trauma of trying to fill the sample tubes. It will be really interesting to see if the two tests give similar/ same readings on TSH& T4!

Really excited about getting the results, which sounds crazy but I feel like I’ve given myself the best chance at getting better because I will know which vitamins to supplement. Knowing my luck though the results will be in range and my doctor will lower my levo! 😭

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SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering

Rosserk

Both Medichecks and Blue Horizon tell us to post Monday to Wednesday only if using first class, or by Thursday if using Special Delivery Guaranteed Next Day by 1pm, to ensure the sample gets there next day. The lab may not be open at the weekend in which case, if it does happen to get delivered tomorrow, it will be hanging around until Monday.

Did you post it standard first class or did you hand it over the post office counter and pay for Special Delivery Guaranteed Next Day by 1pm?

It might be an idea to contact Medichecks and see of the lab works on Saturdays and if you sent standard first class then just hope it arrives tomorrow.

rosserk profile image
rosserk in reply to SeasideSusie

Hi SSS,

The instructions said ‘please ensure you take your sample between Monday and Friday and post on the same day’. I sincerely hope on this occasion you’re wrong otherwise I’ve just wasted £79! I assumed the sample would be first class and covered by medichecks. I dropped it off at the post office but didn’t pay next day delivery.

I’ve just emailed medichecks for confirmation. Kindest regards 😭

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply to rosserk

Even if the lab works on a Saturday, standard first class doesn't guarantee it will be delivered next day. I always use the Special Delivery and even that has failed to deliver next day 50% of the time, although they do refund the cos in those circumstances.

If you want interpretation of your results, post them on the forum and remember to include the reference ranges :)

rosserk profile image
rosserk in reply to SeasideSusie

Haven’t heard back yet but I am hoping it’s ok. My nurse did the blood draw and if I have to retake the test then I won’t be able to get a blood draw again for six weeks! If there was a chance that the bloods wouldn’t arrive on time then they should have made that more clear in their instructions and also mentioned that additional postage was recommended. I just assumed the company envelope was gauranteed next day delivery. Yes I will post any results I get and keep my fingers and toes crossed! Thanks again 😜

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply to rosserk

Medichecks information tends to get buried and isn't always easy to find.

I have a kit here waiting to be done and the leaflet enclosed does just say "making sure you post on the same day the sample is taken".

Their website does say "It is important that the sample arrives the following day so it is always best to take your sample in the morning to meet the midday post. If you're worried that you can't rely on the post in your region, then we suggest you send it guaranteed next day delivery so that you can be assured that your sample will be arrive in good time." I don't know if anyone has midday collecions any more, certainly not where I live, it's just 4.45pm. And of course Royal Mail doesn't guarantee that standard first class post is delivered the next day.

Their Ts & Cs state "7.You must send samples collected in accordance with clauses 8.3 and 8.4 above to the laboratory using the pre-paid envelope provided on the day the sample was taken to ensure that it arrives at the laboratory the following day. Failure to do so may lead to deterioration of your sample which could affect the accuracy of your test results. We do not accept responsibility for results that are compromised due to delays in returning samples or where samples are lost in the post. If you are concerned that your usual postal service will not result in next day delivery, we recommend that you return your sample using a guaranteed next-day service. This will be at your cost."

They do not state whether their laboratories are open at weekends nor do they state whether posting on a Friday is acceptable. They could be clearer.

Blue Horizon are much clearer:

Return Sample Postage

You should aim to get your pathology sample back to the Laboratory in the provided envelope as soon as possible. We provide you with options at checkout that include a next day envelope back to the laboratory. Although we have restricted a number of profiles that are likely to haemolyse we do suggest that the best course of action to take is to get the sample back to the laboratory the next day using our guaranteed return envelope option or your own arrangements.

If you do not use a guaranteed next day service back to the laboratory (With you posting Monday to Thursday and the sample arriving at the laboratory (Tuesday to Friday) then we cannot guarantee that the blood will be testable due to clotting of the sample.

If you do use a guaranteed next day service within the suggested Monday to Thursday window, (please DO NOT take/post your sample on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday), and the sample has clotted to an extent that some of the laboratory values cannot be measured then you will be due a refund which will be given in full if no parameters are returned. With profiles a partial refund will be given as a proportion of tests within that profile that have haemolysed. For instance, if a female hormone profile were ordered, which has 4 tests, and one of those haemolyses, then the refund would be 25% of the total of that profile.

I'd be interested to know what Medichecks say when they reply.

rosserk profile image
rosserk in reply to SeasideSusie

Hi SSS

Respose from Medichecks

The only reason why we would recommend posting your sample on a Monday – Thursday is to ensure that the sample arrives in the post the following day. Samples can be stable for up to 5 days therefore If your sample does not arrive at the laboratory until Monday they may still be able to test on the sample. However, if there are any problems with the sample the laboratory will contact us and let us know so we can contact you and ask if you would like a free retest to ensure you do get your test results.

I handed my sample in at the main post office 9am, they have a midday collection so the sample should arrive tomorrow. If not I’m sure it will be with them by Monday fingers still crossed 😜

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply to rosserk

OK, it sounds as though your sample should be fine even if it doesn't get delivered until Monday. They could make it clearer though, couldn't they!

Thanks for letting me know about their response :)

rosserk profile image
rosserk in reply to SeasideSusie

SeaSideSuzie

No problem, they’ve also just confirmed the lab is open Saturday. 😀

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply to rosserk

they’ve also just confirmed the lab is open Saturday

Ah, that's worth knowing! Hopefully yours will arrive tomorrow and they'll get straight onto it.

canyouhearmeaya profile image
canyouhearmeaya

I posted mine Wednesday morning, delivered Thursday 9am via special delivery. 2 Day turnaround, no result yet. I phoned them a moment ago, they said it'll be 2 full working days from arrival, so looks like it'll be Monday now. Was hoping to have them back today, but nevermind.

rosserk profile image
rosserk in reply to canyouhearmeaya

canyouhearmeya

Thanks for letting me know. I really hope my test arrives tomorrow don’t mind when I get the results just worried about deterioration of the sample if it doesn’t arrive until Monday. I certainly won’t be doing a test on a Friday ever again, will save myself the worry! 😜

Treepie profile image
Treepie

I posted Thursday in the box and they did not receive until Monday( they said) results came Wednesday.

rosserk profile image
rosserk in reply to Treepie

Treepie thank you. I’m not worried if it takes a couple of days I’m concerned the blood sample will deteriorate and be no good for testing. It’s reassuring that they were still able to complete your test on the fifth day. 😀

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