Difficulty doing private finger prick blood test

[DelicateInput]

I have just tried to do a private Medichecks blood test. I wonder if anybody has similar experience with Medichecks? It seems to be money down the drain.

The finger prick test was impossible. I could get hardly any blood out. I had followed all the rules on hydration, movement, massaging finger, holding finger below heart , warming up. On their video they said I could request a replacement pack which I have done. However, I think I will need to take it to the NHS testing point (at GP surgery or local clinic) and ask them to fill it for me at the same time as they do their own. The problem with that is that I cannot get it done before about 9.30/10.00 am. I got there before 8.30 am last time and waited 90 minutes standing and the previous time it was over two hours and I left at 11 am without them doing the tests as I was feeling faint. They don't generally open until 8.30 am.

When I have had blood drawn previously, NHS and private, there is always a struggle to get the blood out of my arm and into the syringe. I hydrate really well beforehand which helped but invariably there has to be a second or third attempt.

This is all really time consuming.

[Triciatextiles]

I have the same problem with blood tests. I have used medichecks for several years now, at first i found it impossible to collect the sample. I found taking a small aspirin helped to thin my blood which helped with the flow. I usually have to collect from two fingers and have learnt how to ‘milk’ my finger. It does take some perseverance.

[DelicateInput in reply to Triciatextiles]

Thanks, that's very useful. I am just hoping the GP surgery will collect the blood for me. I tried for so long that the little blood I did collect actually congealed in the tube. I do have an abnormally high red blood count and have had for years - don't know if that is anything to do with it. I was very hot, had exercised, drunk glasses of water, etc. There was just nothing else I could do.

If I order any more tests, I will do it where I can go to centre. There is one at an hospital a mile or two from me. They charge an extra £30. I won't use Medichecks again though.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to DelicateInput]

abnormally high red blood count and have had for years -

This suggests that DIY finger prick test was always going to be difficult

nhs.uk/conditions/polycytha...

[Rlfan]

If you contact Medichecks they will send you extra lancets. I always have an problem filling the vial and more often than not need a second kit sending out. Last time I asked for some spare lancets as well and they sent them with the replacement kit.

[DelicateInput]

Thanks, Medichecks are sending me another kit.