Monitor my health blood test.

[sobs1962]

Has anyone had real problems getting enough blood out with a finger prick blood test. I've done a test this morning and had to use 3 different fingers to get the blood out and ended up with blood all over the place and think the blood may have clotted before I was done and the blood wouldn't go down to the bottom of the tube even after inverting it several times. My poor fingers are aching and I don't really want to have to do it again, unless it's absolutely necessary, but as the NHS won't perform these tests, what choice do we have. Sorry for rant, I get so easily stressed.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

sobs1962

There is a little plug of a yellowish substance at the bottom of the tube, so blood wont go right down to the very bottom, it sits on top of this stuff (anticoagulant I think). How much blood did you manage to collect, did you reach the 600 line? Even if you only reached the 400 line that may be enough as long as the sample hasn't haemolysed.

[sobs1962 in reply to SeasideSusie]

I managed to get a fair bit in both tubes as am doing full screen but not sure if it was up to 600 line as blood stayed at top of tube. The last time I did the test, I got a lot less blood out and they still managed to test it and sorry, what does haemolysed mean?

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to sobs1962]

Haemolysed is when the red cells rupture. This may be due to:

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

* intense exercise (so we shouldn'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)

* shaking the tube vigourously instead of gently inverting it.

[sobs1962 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Unfortunately, I did squeeze my finger and shook the tube, but I'm sure I did both last time and it was OK, so fingers crossed.

[dipsyqueen in reply to sobs1962]

I couldn't believe how stressful it was trying to get blood out of stone, I used Medichecks and they sent me new kit and I arranged to get draw from hospital I am quite a determined person but gave up with this

[MaggieSylvie in reply to dipsyqueen]

I went to the hospital to get my blood drawn and it was inadequate. But I couldn't imagine getting as much blood as was in the vial by doing a home fingerprick test.

I did have some issues with the hospital, not least thinking that perhaps there wasn't enough blood because the tourniquet was left on for too long, but I think £25 I had to pay and two visits to the hospital were worth it.

[fibrolinda]

I had to use every finger on both hands first time doing it. Had to sterilize needles and after a couple of hours barely got to the line and I was in one heck of a state... But... It gets easier every time... I barely think now just stab, twist slightly and hold for ten count and rarely have to use more than one finger. Being well hydrated the day before and warming up with exercise to get blood pumping makes all the difference.Practice really does make all the difference and follow the brilliant instructions from SeasideSusie

[sobs1962 in reply to fibrolinda]

Glad I'm not the only one and I keep myself well hydrated, drink about 3-4 litres a day, every day. Don't exercise much though because of my back .

[Kimkat in reply to sobs1962]

I always follow the instructions to the letter, have a bowl of really warm water ready and hold your fingers in it for a few minutes, wipe dry with a clean piece of kitchen towel and shake your hand vigorously with fingers towards the floor. This helps tremendously and I never have a problem. Also just rotate the tube a few times gently rather than shaking once you have popped the lid on. Good luck for next time

[Framboise]

I had the same problem last week. I got out a few tiny drops of blood from three fingers, it made a mess but very little went in the tube, even had it all gone in it wouldn't have been enough. I had asked for extra lancets in the kit because last time I had needed to try six fingers to barely get enough, but they hadn't been included. I took a photo of the tube with a couple of drops of blood and emailed it to them and they sent a new test kit. I did all the right things - warm shower, plenty of water, exercised etc. It's very frustrating and I don't want to do it again but as you say, what choice do we have! Good luck if you try it again

[sobs1962 in reply to Framboise]

Let's hope it doesn't come to that.

[Bluesammy]

I have same problems. Have to go for a long walk and take a shower beforehand as well as water drinking. Something that made a small difference was standing up with my arms down for a few minutes beforehand and staying standing whilst doing the test. I used to sit down and it’s a bit more messy standing up and trying to get blood into tube but does help me get more out, although I still sometimes use 3-4 lancets on different fingers. Also, I wash my hands in fairly hot water beforehand rather than just warm as advised. Doesn’t always work but might be worth a try if you are not already doing. I was also advised to very gently just swirl the blood in the tube in between drops if taking a long time and that gives you longer to do the test (before the blood thickens too much?). Not sure of the exact reason for latter, but it does seem to help as previously the blood was not suitable for testing as I had taken too long. Hope some if this helps. Good luck.

[jimh111]

I manage to get enough for one tube from one finger (but not the little finger). Generally medical staff doing e.g. diabetes finger pricks use the side of the finger and not the centre of the finger (not dead opposite the nail). I'm told this is less painful but I wonder if it gives more blood. The Monitor My Health instuctions give the initial impression that you should use the centre of the finger although the video instruction does say to place the lance against the outside of the finger pad. So, make sure you use the side of the finger if you are not already doing so.

[Wetsuiter]

Takes me three fingers these days, I assume because Hypo heart rate is low (does that affect blood flow? it sounds right to me, but I'm not actually sure).I'm also jumping in here to say that I was a bit concerned this week because I posted a test last Monday, but there was a delay in them getting it (the road with the postbox was icey and I suspect it wasn't collected). I did email, as I thought it couldn't be 'left' over a weekend (I think people on here say do they test early part of the week, so it doesn't arrive at the weekend), but I was reassured that it was probably OK, due to that sticky stuff in the tube. And it was. Results came in today, a week after posting.

[Horsey07]

Same here! I needed two goes to get enough blood for my oestradiol test, luckily Medichecks sent out a free replacement kit, and two further fingers this morning for my thyroid test. The blood seems to clot really quickly no matter how hydrated I am, yet my last blood draw at my surgery left me looking like I’d had a terrible accident and my arm bled all the way home.

[asiatic]

I have given up trying as I have double vision so now arrange through Medichecks to use a nurse at Superdrug for venous blood draw. It costs £30 but as I only use it once a year I feel it worth the extra expense.

[bookish in reply to asiatic]

Please could you tell me if the nurses use their own equipment or Medichecks send a kit? Someone on here who had a nurse (although it was a visit) said it was some kind of odd vacuum arrangement and that none of the blood ended up in the tube, which rather put me off trying to arrange for elderly relation. Do the Superdrug nurses fill everything in, or do they just give you the tube of blood for you to do and send, like with finger prick test? Thanks for any help.

[asiatic]

When ordering online I ticked the option and paid to have blood draw then chose a Superdrug nearest to me that offered this service and I was given a choice of dates. Kit arrived from medichecks which I took to appt. It contained clear instructions and everything the nurse needed for the draw. Identical to GP or Hospital procedure. Nurse did paperwork and packed sample ready to post in nearby Post Box. Easy and straightforward.

[59Blue]

Just done a finger prick blood test and never again. Plenty of blood just not in the tube. Last time paid to have it taken and will definitely do that next time - worth every penny. Now just hoping they can get a measurement.