Finger prick tests?

[Mama196]

Hi are these reliable or should I go for blood draw? I’m new to private testing- only been tested via GP until now but they will only test TSH.

Is anybody allowed to recommend which testing company is best?

[Treepie]

They are reliable but some including myself find it difficult to get sufficient blood out of fingers so go for the option of a normal blood draw by a nurse/ phlebotomist which costs about £25 more.

Have used both Blue Horizon and Medichecks with OK service. If opting for a nurse draw you need to check where you can go and that you can get in early .

Both do sales regularly ,Medichecks every Thursday.

[Mama196 in reply to Treepie]

Thanks for the advice!

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Mama196

I have done a fingerprick test within a couple of days of a GP test and had almost identical results.

Some people find fingerprick tests easy, others struggle. There are a few tips I'll post below which might make it easier. I seem to be able to fill 1 x microtainer but struggle to fill 2. A microtainer holds 0.6ml - 0.8ml of blood. Compare that to a teaspoon which holds 5ml, so it's a very small amount really. If you try and fail, the testing companies will usually send a second test kit out free of charge, which you could (if you wish) change to a venous blood draw but you'd need to arrange that blood draw at extra cost.

I've used Medichecks and Blue Horizon and find them comparable. A very popular test is their bundles for thyroid and vitamins:

Medichecks Thyroid Check ULTRAVIT medichecks.com/thyroid-func... You can use code THYROIDUK for a 10% discount on any test not on special offer

or

Blue Horizon Thyroid Check PLUS ELEVEN bluehorizonmedicals.co.uk/t...

Both tests include the full thyroid and vitamin panel. They are basically the same test but with the following small differences:

For the fingerprick test, Blue Horizon requires 1 x microtainer of blood (0.8ml), Medichecks requires 2 x microtainers (total 1.6ml)

Blue Horizon includes Total T4 (can be useful but not essential). Medichecks doesn't include this test.

B12 - Blue Horizon does Serum B12. Medichecks does Active B12.

Serum B12 shows the total B12 in the blood. Active B12 shows what's available to be taken up by the cells. You can have a reasonable level of Serum B12 but a poor level of Active B12. (Personally, I would go for the Active B12 test.)

Until the end of July Blue Horizon has the PLUS ELEVEN test on special offer at £79.15 with code ‘thyroiduk’ - see this post healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Tips for fingerprick test:

* Be well hydrated, drink plenty of water the day before, and before you do the test. * Some people take a shower before hand, some run up and down the stairs to get blood flowing. Personally, as I can't run up and down the stairs, I circle my arm round, windmill style. * Have a bowl full of hot water, dip hand in and out, swish around, hand needs to go red. If blood flow stops, you can always swish round in the hot water again. * Stand up to do the test. Make sure your arm is straight down when collecting the blood. Either use a small step stool to raise yourself well above the work surface, or put the collection tube on a lowish shelf. One member uses an ironing board so she can get the perfect height.

* Prick finger on the side, not the tip. I find that half way between the nail bed and tip is about right, or maybe slightly nearer the nail bed rather than the tip. I use my ring finger, but middle finger is next best for me. * Do not squeeze your finger to get the blood out, it can damage the blood and it may not be usable

I've recently done 2 tests. The first one there was very little blood coming out which was unusual for me so I used a second finger and between the two I gradually filled the tube. However, when I checked the prick site for the first finger the actual cut was very small and as I've had some of these lancets fail before I put it down to that. When I did the second test this week this is what I did * Prick my finger as usual, make a very slight twist with the lancet whilst blade is still in the finger. I'm not talking 90 degrees or anything, just a very slight twist to make the cut just slightly bigger, it doesn't hurt or cause a blood bath! This made a big difference, 11 generous drops of blood filled the tube in less 2 minutes. If you supplement with Biotin, or a B complex containing it (B7), Medichecks have confirmed that because they use biotin in their assay it's recommended to leave it off for 7 days before doing any blood tests as it can give false results. It's a good idea to leave it off whoever is doing the test as many labs use biotin in the testing procedure.

[Mama196 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Oh wow- thanks so much for the detailed advice! Have to say I was unsure about the finger prick tests but that helps!

[Lora7]

I have used Medichecks and they directed to a private hospital near me for the blood draw which charged me about £20. Last time I went to a NHS hospital which I was surprised at. Then sent the blood through the post office which I tracked.

[Mama196 in reply to Lora7]

Thanks! Interesting that NHS hospitals also do the blood draws.

[Lora7 in reply to Mama196]

Yes Medichecks directed me to my local hospital when I rang them to ask where I could have my blood drawn.