Failed sample

[jacobite33]

Just received an email from Bluehorizon saying

We have today been informed by the Laboratory that unfortunately, you provided a haemolysed (destruction of the red blood cells) sample and they could not carry out your blood tests. This is an uncommon occurrence, but it does happen in postal samples unfortunately from time to time, and we are not suggesting that you are at fault in anyway. Would you therefore like :

Another microtainer kit sent, to try again;

A vacutainer kit sent – this would require a professional phlebotomist/nurse to take the sample for you.

Once we have your confirmation, we will proceed with your request.

I have been putting it off getting re tested just tying to get by the way I’ve been feeling which is not to good to be truthful

I done the test the exact same way as the first time and a bit confused as to why this has happened.Has anyone else experiences this?

Will

[Hedgeree]

Hi jacobite33,

Did you send the sample over the weekend? Maybe it just spent too long in the post before it arrived at the lab?

The admins on this forum always say to only do any finger prick tests early in the week and send them as soon as possible/on the same day.

[jacobite33 in reply to Hedgeree]

Took the sample at 06.15 and sent it that day.They received it on the Tuesday signed delivery.Took me 15 minutes to fill the test bottle but that was the same as the last time.So no idea why it’s went that way.Thank for replying and hope your well!

[Hedgeree in reply to jacobite33]

The last one I did the weather was really warm and after going through the psychological trauma of getting it done, I then read on the forum to not do them in hot weather. Luckily the sample was ok!

Could you have squeezed your finger during the process? I beleive that can damage the blood cells.

I know that you have to be really well hydrated and drink more water the day before and a short time just before the test. From my own experience when I've not drunk enough water my blood takes longer to flow, the difference is very noticeable.

Hope you get it sorted!

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

jacobite33

Sometimes the sample has haemolysed and we may not realise that it's something we might have inadvertently done. It can be due to:

* bacteria (so clean area thoroughly and allow to dry)

* intense exercise (so don't go mad trying to get the blood to flow prior to the test)

* squeezing the finger to get the blood out (you can gently "milk" the finger but don't squeeze)

*scraping the finger on the side of tube rather than letting the blood drip freely into the tube

* taking too long to fill the tube (I tend to take between 1 and 5 minutes to fill a microtainer tube)

* shaking the tube vigourously instead of gently inverting it.

[jacobite33 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Ah SeasideSusie your wise advice again never fails! Hope your well! All I did was do a few star jumps and jogged on the spot for 3 minutes then showered in slightly warmer water than usual.Clenched and unclenched my hand for a minute and took the sample.Eventually found the blood flowed better with my arm left at my side.Maybe it was scrapping the blood with the tube before I let my arm wrest at my side.Will do a double pierce on the next sample make sure I’m not scrapping and waiting long till the tube fills.Just started overthinking again that maybe something a little more sinister was at play as I’ve not been feeling to good for months.Better than I was in the beginning though so that’s a bonus!

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to jacobite33]

Better luck with your next try 🤞😊

[jacobite33 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Sure something happened the first time I tested back around March but for the life of me I can’t remember! Memory has gone to pit lol Thank you susie stay safe girl and take care!