Blue Horizon

[foxglove]

Are Blue Horizon testing posted in samples at the moment? Thanks

[shaws Administrator]

I believe so, as they are also offering private tests for COVID-19 so that may be their priority at present.

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk/

[foxglove in reply to shaws]

Thanks shaws, that's what I thought. Think I will wait a bit now!

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Both Medichecks and Blue Horizon seem to be only supplying fingerprick or "arrange your own blood draw" tests at the moment.

Best to check with them about how long it's taking for test results to be sent after sample is received.

Also, bear in mind that post is being delayed at the moment. I know that normal first class post sent on Monday hasn't yet arrived (Thursday), and the times of the Guaranteed by XX Special Delivery have been changed. What was Next Day Guaranteed by 1pm is now Guaranteed by 9pm, and what was Guaranteed by 9am is now Guaranteed by 12 noon. So to ensure any samples are received the next day you'd need to use Special Delivery, and whereas the Guaranteed by 1pm service was fine before, 9pm may be too late for the lab (and even the Guaranteed Next Day service can fail, as it has with me a few times). The Guaranteed by 9am now 12 noon, unless they've reduced the cost, is expensive at over £22, whereas the Guaranteed by 1pm now 9pm is £7.50.

I could really do with checking my levels but am not bothering at the moment with the post the way it is.

[foxglove in reply to SeasideSusie]

Agree, i have decided to wait, purchased a finger thyroid 11 a few weeks back when it was on "special" If I remember correctly it is still usable till the end of year...must check!

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to foxglove]

We have 12 months to use a BH test, it's 6 months for Medichecks. Check the expiry date on the tube before doing the test, if it's expired they will send a new test free of charge if within the time limit.

[foxglove in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks, date on tube14/4/21. Surely, surely all sorted by then

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to foxglove]

Of course 🙂. I like to be positive 🤗

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to SeasideSusie]

Definitely don't want to be positive....

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to helvella]

Ha ha, I phrased that incorrectly!

[lucylocks in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hi

I sent a sample in Monday 30th March for my daughter and only got the result yesterday.

They could not test folate as they said the blood had haemolysed, but they are sending a kit to re do it just for the folate test.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to lucylocks]

Which Royal Mail service did you use - standard first class, special delivery??? Any idea how long it took to arrive?

There seems to be a lot of posts with Medichecks results saying folate couldn't be tested due to blood being haemolysed.

[lucylocks in reply to SeasideSusie]

I sent standard 1st class, which is pre paid on the envelope.

I messaged them on the Thursday on their live web chat and they said

they had not received it.

Tried to message on live chat on Monday but it would not let me send message through, so sent an email.

They replied next day saying they had not received.

I said I was concerned if the blood would be O.K to test if it was taking that long to arrive, they said for thyroid test it would be O.K. They told me to leave it a couple of days and get in touch again and they would contact the lab. I replied asking if they could get in touch with the lab. now.

I did not hear anything back, then yesterday results came though.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to lucylocks]

I knew standard first class was heavily delayed, I posted something on Monday, still not yet arrived. If you use Special Delivery they take the cost of the 1st class stamp on the return envelope off the Special Delivery fee.

To be honest, considering that on their website they say to post so it arrives next day, I'm amazed they said it would still be OK for thyroid tests after so many days. You think they'd include a message either on the website or in the confirmation email that standard first class post is a risky option at the moment and recommend using Special Delivery.

[lucylocks in reply to SeasideSusie]

Do you think the results could be inaccurate because of the delay?

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to lucylocks]

I really don't know, sorry. And I'm sure if you asked Medichecks they would say they are fine. However, it might be worth contacting them quoting their Terms and Conditions :

medichecks.com/pages/terms-...

"8. SAMPLES AND TEST RESULTS

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."

See what they say.

[lucylocks in reply to SeasideSusie]

Sorry Susie but I did mine through Blue Horizon, I should have explained better.

I will look at their terms and conditions, also I think I will email them asking if the results would be accurate after the delay in the testing.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to lucylocks]

No idea why I though you'd used Medichecks - hypo fried brain 🤣

Here is what they say

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

WHAT WE CANNOT GUARANTEE

2. Return Sample

...

Should the test/profile need to be back with the Laboratory the next working day, you are financially responsible to arrange this with your local Post Office when sending back. We recommend posting your sample Monday – Thursday. If you do not use a guaranteed next day service back to the Laboratory (posting Monday - Thursday and therefore the sample arriving at the laboratory Tuesday - Friday) we cannot guarantee that the blood will be testable due to clotting of the sample.

...

So not the same as Medichecks, not as clear cut, I think BH have actually changed this because I'm certain they used to say it should arrive next day. I think that probably they wont be very helpful

[lucylocks in reply to SeasideSusie]

Yes I agree I don't think they will be helpful, but I will send an email to say because of the delay I am concerned the results will not be accurate.

I will let you know their response.