Medichecks ultravit test kit

[Mickeydooley]

Hi. I’m going to do a medichecks ultravit test tomorrow and on checking the test kit today I discovered that I only have one collection tube to fill. I’m almost sure the last time I did one I had two tubes to fill? Have I been sent the correct testing kit? If it’s just one now I’m very pleased as I find it extremely difficult to collect enough blood and last time I had to repeat the folate test as the sample was spoiled.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Mickeydooley

It always used to be two microtainers, that's why I've always used Blue Horizon for the full thyroid/vitamin panel as they only require one.

Have a look at the pink laboratory request form. Under Pathology Details it gives the Test Code and then the actual test in brackets. If it says UltraVit then you have the right kit. If you're uncertain you can contact Medichecks but I think they close at 4pm, you could try the Chat option.

If it is only one microtainer, I wonder if this is why so many people have the folate test fail with this bundle? Maybe not enough blood maybe?

Let us know for definite how many microtainers for this test, if it's only one I might use them in future for the Ultravit.

[Mickeydooley in reply to SeasideSusie]

I checked the lab request form and it does say ultravit. Hopefully it’s only one tube. I’ll try to contact them now. Thanks for your reply.

Edit: I sent off a message but no doubt won’t hear until tomorrow and by that time I’ll have the test completed. Due to the bank holiday they are suggesting that tests are sent by tomorrow latest or after 11 May. The last test I did definitely had two collection tubes and it was on this test that the folate test failed because it took me so long to fill both tubes. Hoping that this one will be easier for me to complete

[Mickeydooley in reply to SeasideSusie]

I’ve just had a reply from medichecks to say that there should be two collection tubes in the pack and they will send another out to me in the next few days! 😩. I had adjusted my meds today to do the test tomorrow. Very disappointed!

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Mickeydooley]

Oh no, I wonder how that happened.

Looks like I wont be swapping over to Medichecks for the full thyroid/vit panel then!

Don't forget it's bank holiday weekend coming up, you'll need to do it next Monday or Tuesday now, tomorrow is the last day they recommend posting tests this week.

[Mickeydooley in reply to SeasideSusie]

Yes they said tomorrow was the last day this week prior to the bank holiday and not to post until 11 May. 😩 I was quite excited that I might only have one tube to fill! Just as well I checked and had I not done a test before I wouldn’t have known. I wasn’t aware that there was a one tube option. I’ll have to check that out in future.

[Mickeydooley in reply to SeasideSusie]

Which blue horizon test do you do? Are there any benefits to the blue horizon test over the medichecks one other than one collection tube to fill? It seems to be more expensive.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Mickeydooley]

Mickeydooley

Sorry, I've only just seen this reply.

The Blue Horizon test is Thyroid PREMIUM GOLD, used to be called Thyroid Plus Eleven.

Both tests are basically the same test but with the following small differences:

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

B12 - Blue Horizon does Total B12 which measures bound and unbound (active) B12 but doesn't give a separate result for each. Medichecks does Active B12.

Total 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 Total B12 but a poor level of Active B12. Normally I'd say to do the Active B12 test but as I've done a separate Active B12 test with Medichecks before, I don't mind the Total B12 test.

Blue Horizon include magnesium but this is an unreliable test so don't let this sway your decision, it also tests cortisol but that's a random cortisol test and to make any sense of it you'd need to do it fasting before 9am I believe.

I always buy my Blue Horizon test when it's on offer and keep until I normally do it, we get 12 months to use a BH test and I tend to test once a year around November.

[Mickeydooley in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks for that explanation. I’ll watch for the offers.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Make sure to post back via tracked special delivery as standard postal service is currently rather slow

[Mickeydooley in reply to SlowDragon]

Medichecks have a tracked label on the reply envelope. And they have advised that it’s posted back to them using priority post boxes. I’ll make sure it’s posted as soon as I have the test completed.

[Maggiesmum in reply to Mickeydooley]

Hi, I today completed and posted off my first Medichecks 'Thyroid Check UltraVit Blood Test' and there was only 1 collection tube to fill. Presumably this is the same blood test as you? If so I'll contact Medichecks tomorrow regarding an additional tube!

[Mickeydooley in reply to Maggiesmum]

Yes. Same test. They’re sending me a second collection tube. Wonder what happened. I thought mine was a one off.

[Maggiesmum in reply to Mickeydooley]

Thanks, I wouldn't have known if I hadn't read your post. I've emailed Medichecks and will follow up with them tomorrow.

[Mickeydooley in reply to Maggiesmum]

Let me know how you get on.

[Maggiesmum in reply to Mickeydooley]

I've just spoken to Medichecks who said "this test now only requires 1 vial, 1 yellow vial". The lady went on to say the Lab had advised that they only require 1 vial for this test not 2. I said I'd heard that somebody else was being sent a second tube after contacting Medichecks. Her response was "unfortunately not all our team are aware of the change, I will contact the team to make them aware".

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Maggiesmum]

Sounds like the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing or Medichecks isn't making sure that everyone is up to speed on what's needed for the different tests.

[Mickeydooley in reply to Maggiesmum]

Oh wow! I was all set to do the test today and now I have to build myself up again to do it next week. Not happy! I hate doing these tests! Thank you for letting me know.

[Catlady101]

So glad I’ve seen this, just checked my kit and I only have 1 also. Just sent them an email now to see if I need another one also.

[fred1e]

I only got one tube too...spoke to them and was told it was right?,...but I had no return envelope in mine!!....they are sending one out...just hoping it arrives today, as took the sample before I realised!

[Mickeydooley in reply to fred1e]

Really? What on earth is going on? This was the reply to my message yesterday.

“You are correct. There are usually two tubes inside this kit. I have arranged for another one to be sent out for you, this should be with you within the next few days.”

[Mickeydooley]

I’ve just looked at the medichecks site and the test kit which is displayed for the ultravit shows only one collection tube!

[Crwbin1]

Hi, I did the same test recently and had only had one test tube . My folate test came back spoiled but they were very good and sent me another test kit for that test immediately.

[Mickeydooley]

I’ve just been emailed again and told to wait for the second tube otherwise the test would be incomplete. I hate doing these tests as it is so I’ll wait so I don’t have to do another fingerpick later.

[Mickeydooley]

Update: I was informed by a medichecks staff member a few days ago that I required a second tube to complete the ultravit test and she would send an extra tube out to me. Today I received another full testing kit for ultravit! Again it only contains one tube so I phoned them just now. Apparently only one tube is required for this test. It has recently changed and now all staff have been informed. Shame about this mix up as I had wanted to complete the test on Tuesday prior to the bank holiday weekend. Disappointed!

[fred1e in reply to Mickeydooley]

Yes...they have completed mine on one tube without issues!