I have been a Medichecks customer for years since my GP's have refused to do a blood test because I've gone private for Thyroid treatment due to their failings.
I usually buy the Medichecks Thyroid UltraVit test and pay the extra to get the blood draw done at a private clinic in my nearest city. However, they've taken this option off the test.
Has anyone had this test done recently and opted for the finger prick option? I'm reluctant to do this having done finger prick tests before. I'm notoriously bad for getting blood from and I could barely fill the last finger prick test card I had for a different hormone test. It was VERY stressful as I'd run out of fingers and despite hydrating beforehand and getting active I could hardly get any blood out!!
I'd rather get my blood drawn, but I'm realising that everywhere is resistant to this due to Covid-19.
Does anyone have any feedback of how they've handled this please?
Thanks in advance
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franniebabes
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The choice of venous blood draw at clinics/hospitals and home phlebotomy usually offered by Medichecks, Blue Horizon, etc, are not currently offered, it would be quite risky to do so in the current situation really. All this is offered is the choice of the fingerprick test or "arrange your own phlebotomy" which would be if your GP surgery would be willing to do it or perhaps if you have a nurse friend.
I always do the fingerprick version and did one on Monday, personally I don't have any problem but I am well aware that some people can't manage them.
I can offer you my tips to see if it helps:
* 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 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), leave it off for 7 days before doing any blood tests as it can give false results when biotin is used in the testing procedure, and most labs do use it.
Also, do you take D3 and K2-MK7? If you do then maybe leave the K2 off for a few days.
Thank you so much for both your speed in replying to me and your very long and inclusive answer. Both are very much appreciated. Really kind of you.
Yes I think I will just have to try the finger prick test again much as it stresses me out. I'm just not keen on spending on the test if I can't get the blood out! Then it will be a waste.
I sincerely doubt that my GP will acquiesce and agree to me having the blood drawn with them. The Head GP told me in no uncertain terms 2 years ago 'as far as we're concerned now you've gone private for your thyroid treatment, you no longer have a thyroid problem'. Nice!
I totally understand how risky it is to be drawing and posting blood right now. I wouldn't opt for that option if I wasn't so difficult to get blood from. I only have one vein that gives it up and it's scarred now
My children are likely to be at home for the foreseeable too so I'll have to juggle doing this whilst stopping them fighting as my Hubby is going back to work. (the joys of having them 5 years apart and them being totally fed up with the sight of each other!!)
Do you mind me asking if your recent test was a Medichecks one? I'm just wondering if they do the test where you have to fill a vial or drop blood droplets onto a card. I know finger prick tests are just as effective. I've had several doctors tell me they are.
Thanks again for all your advice. I really do appreciate it and will follow it to the letter.
Yes, mine was a Medichecks one, it was actually an iron panel I did on Monday, I did a thyroid test a few weeks ago. All Medichecks tests require you to fill a microtainer with blood for the fingerprick version. It requires 0.6ml of blood which is less than 1/5th of a teaspoon, I'm not sure of the size of the vial for the venous blood draw version.
I've not tried it myself but I have heard that some people who can't get blood from their fingers use their ear, not sure I'd want to do that, certainly if I was on my own!The only dried blood spot test I've ever done is the Vit D test with City Assays and I actually did that too on Monday, immediately after I'd filled the Medichecks vial.
Our usual advice is to do thyroid tests no later than 9am and take last dose of Levo 24 hours before the test.
I will remember not to take my Erfa for 24 hours prior to the test and do it before 9am as well.
Ah, OK, for NDT (any brand, also for T3) your last dose should be 8-12 hours before the blood test. Many people split their NDT into 2 or maybe 3 doses, so if necessary just adjust the timing of the last dose to between about 8pm and midnight on the day before the test.
How is it that GPS can get away with treating people like they do? Surely to goodness that is gross negligence? If you can't get what you need and have to go elsewhere and pay for tests that shows how crap the NHS is for certain people with frankly awful illnesses. Has anyone ever challenged this response to desperate people taking desperate measures because their primary carers can't or won't do a proper job.?
Thanks for your support. It's a bit of a lottery how you get on with treatment for thyroid problems (like many illnesses) on the NHS. They have a one-size fits all approach. If you don't fit or unwilling to take their way of treating hypothyroidism there's no option to go private. Most people don't realise that once you gone private that can then withdraw further NHS treatment. This isn't a new thing. They've been doing it for a long time. Over 10 years ago a friend of mine underwent a course of IVF privately and was then refused further NHS fertility treatment. I've heard this with lots of things. So I'm not alone in how I've been treated. I will ask my GP's again if I they will draw my blood. They can only say no. We're still very lucky to have our NHS. It's still free (at the moment) at the point of access. Many don't have that luxury. I'm grateful for it, but at the same time totally aware of the other side to it having worked in one of the UK's largest hospitals and also nearly lost my life at their hands due to negligence.
Both myself and my husband worked for the NHS for many years and they can be wonderful when treating cancer patients and other life threatening illnesses but they are sadly lacking when it comes to thyroid disease and I don't know why ... Boris Johnson has said the reason he became so ill with COVID-19 was because he was overweight and he intends to do something about it. I welcome this because perhaps they might discover that a lot of people are overweight because they have thyroid disease.
I did the exact same test on Monday and was anxious because I struggle with the finger prick test and getting enough blood. The first finger was awful but the second was a lot better. I downed a big glass of water and soaked my hand in hot water for quite a while before hand. I also stood up, and gently stroked from the base of my finger to the prick whilst I was getting the blood. Slightly to the side rather than centre of finger tip is better too.
I always do it straight from bed when I’m nice and warm. I also do all the things seasidesusie has suggested. Big drink of water, I tend to jog on the spot, wash my hands under the hot tap etc. I put the lancet on my finger then I close my eyes and grit my teeth - gritty no my teeth seems to help for some reason.
As Spangle said, soaking your hand in hot water will help enormously. I used to have so much trouble, but the soaking in hot water is a game changer. I hold it there for 5 minutes, as hot as I can stand. Sometimes I bleed too much it’s so successful and I have to hold my hand above my head for a few minutes to get it to stop. 😀
I did a Medichecks fingerprick test last Monday for the first time.
In addition to all the very good advice above, I'd say be patient with the blood drops, it may just be me but each drop seemed to take ages to drip into the tube, becoming very elongated until it finally fell. I think I've read somewhere that it's not good to "wipe" the blood drop off onto the inside of the tube but to let it fall naturally. It took 12 drops for me to fill the tube to the top line as specified.
I had the same problem on my first test from Medichecks it got very messy! The second time I tried standing up with the vial on a chair below waistline and arm straighter. The blood seemed to flow more easily from the fingertip I also took my time letting the blood build up a little before rather than massaging the finger tip too much. I am about to do another so will see if this approach works a second time.
Hello - I did the finger prick test the other week from Blue Horizon. The pack came with little elastic bands to put round your thumb/finger which helped. I did it as soon as I woke up as I knew my hands would still be warm. I must admit I felt sick and faint but it was silly really for that amount of blood. It took about an hour to get enough blood into the test tube and my thumbs were sore all day (I pricked both thumbs). It hasn't put me off though and I will definitely do it again. Best of luck - Jo xx
I have the same problem with getting blood out from finger pricking. The last time I tried, I went through 15 lancets and all my fingers and it took ages, so I prefer to use the visiting nurse service, but that’s not great either as they always have trouble locating my veins. I was tempted to try my toes next time, as I cut my toe while shaving in the bath a few months ago and it bled profusely for ages.
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