MEDICHECKS

[DoeStewart]

Hi All, hope everyone doing OK. I am a bit flummoxed with Medichecks today. I had ordered a thyroid function test in Autumn 2019 whilst they were on a sale intending to use it Spring 2020. Of course we know what happened from March 2020, I found it impossible to get a blood draw from anywhere ( I'm rubbish with lancets). Fast forward to this week, I have managed to get a blood draw but after going on my Medichecks account I discover that my test "expired " in May 2020. I have emailed Medichecks to query this only to be advised they used to give 180 days from test purchase to have your completed test but this is now 120 days. I will have to purchase another test it seems and cancel my blood draw. Can somebody explain to me how a test kit can expire please. Thank you in anticipation.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

DoeStewart

There is an expiry date on the blood tube, and if this expires before the test is done they will send a new tube. It's to do with whatever substance (preservative) is in the tube to keep the blood viable for a period of time I think.

However, the "expiry date" they are talking about with you currently is to do with the fact that they do only give a certain amount of time for you to use the test. It did used to be 6 months but now it is only 120 days, they now put this in the email they send when the tell you your order is complete, I'm not sure if the time limit was mentioned previously

Please note that you have 120 days to complete testing from the date of purchase. Please see our terms and conditions for further information.

I expect that because it's probably now about 18 months since you purchased your test they have drawn a line somewhere, if it had been 6 months they might well have reactivated your test or sent you a new one (if blood tube expired) for a nominal fee. It might be worth appealing to their better nature, mentioning the fact that the phlebotomy facilities were not available due to lockdown, if you haven't already done so.

[DoeStewart in reply to SeasideSusie]

I honestly don't remember seeing any timescale to complete the test when I purchased it. I did mention that I had been unable to get a blood draw but was just advised to purchase a new test. Oh well, every day is a school day. Thank you for your speedy reply 😊

[Catlover3]

I found a test I had forgotten about but this was with Blue Horizon. The expiry date had passed on the collection bottle so they sent me out a new kit. I think it cost me £5.

[DoeStewart in reply to Catlover3]

Thats good service Catlover3, I had honestly intended to use the test in Spring, I don't remember seeing anything to do with the test expiring when I purchased it and obviously couldn't get a blood draw at that time. Oh well, looks like a new test is needed. Thanks for your reply.

[Lotika in reply to Catlover3]

Same experience with Blue Horuzon, Catlover3. They also let me transfer the test to my husband at the same time... he had a high TSH result so we wanted to investigate further... And now we can add hashis to the list of things we have in common!

[Bearo]

I discovered the Monitor My Health kit I bought in January on special offer doesn’t expire until the end of October. Wish I’d realised it was so long.....I would have bought several!

[DoeStewart in reply to Bearo]

Gosh that's good isnt it? Medichecks is now 120 days(4 months ) that doesn't seem very long to me. I bought my test when it was on offer and intended to use it in Spring, hasn't made any difference to Medichecks that we entered lockdown and a pandemic, the rules are the rules regardless. Its bad enough that we have to pay to monitor our own health but to not have any leeway to the rules during 2020 is ridiculous. If I could use the bloomin lancets I would use Monitor my health instead.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Bearo]

Bearo

MonitorMyHealth is slightly different as to it's "expiry date". This is what they replied when I asked them about it:

On the back of each box there is an expiry date which is individual to that box and its contents. Although we do recommend that you use the kit as soon as possible you can use the kit any time up to the expiry date.

The expiry on date on the tube will be the same as the expiry date on the back of the kit. If an expired tube is ever used, when we come to centrifuge that sample it is likely that the expired serum in the tube will affect our ability to provide an accurate result. This means you must use and return all tubes before the expiry date on the back of the kit.

Our company does not have a time limit for using the kit, like our competitors, the expiry date is the rule for ours.

So always best to check the date on MonitorMyHealth's kit and make sure it's used before it expires.