MMH low test results Re- my further contact from the company by telephone

[gizziesmum]

I have just had a telephone call from the company that did my tests. I was told that they tried to re-do my test and couldn`t get a result.After looking into the problem I was told it was probably because I had to squeeze very hard to get the blood out and it did something to the red blood cells He said it was haem.......something like that I was very de-hydrated that day despite drinking extra water and soaking my hands in hot water which they had recommended. . I have been offered a full refund and another free test which I have accepted. Hopefully it might explain what might be the case with other people

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

Well thats a good result in the end. Now you can retest to check your result. All is well.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

I think the word you wanted was "haemolysed".

Wiki is good enough to get the idea:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemol...

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

gizziesmum

Yes, blood had haemolysed as Helvella has mentioned.

We should never squeeze our fingers to get the blood out. For the benefit of anyone reading this thread who may not have seen them before, here are my tips for fingerprick tests, the latter part in particular about failed samples:

* 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 or use an ironing board to 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. Middle finger seems to be best for me, if flow stops I then go on to ring finger.

* 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, at the same time try and make a very slight twist with the lancet (the blade retracts very quickly so you have like a nano second to twist the lancet). 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.

*

Sometimes the sample has haemolysed, ie the red cells rupture. This may 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)

* shaking the tube vigourously instead of gently inverting it.

* sample collection was prolonged

* if there was a long delay between sample collection and analysis

* there is too little blood in the tube and too much coagulant for the amount of blood

Sometimes there's not enough blood in the tube to do all the tests so it's important to fill the tube to the line or very slightly above.

[gizziesmum in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you very much for all your information, it is very helpful

[TorcHouse]

Oddly, both me and husband have just done a fingerprick test for Medichecks (Advanced Thyroid - awaiting results). Trying to get blood *this time* was like trying to get it from a stone. The only difference I can think is we are both getting over Covid (our first touch).

[Billydave]

Wife has Abbot Freestyle skin sensor I read with cell phone get graphics and constant Blood Glucose do you have a home Thyroid finger stick test in UK? If so I have got to get it

[gizziesmum in reply to Billydave]

In the UK, we usually have to get a bloodtest from our doctor or go to a private laboratory Pay for it and get sent a test kit to do it yourself. You can also ask a lab to do it for you at another charge. I would love to have a similar easier system like the diabetes one

[Billydave]

Yes I see there is no dip stick method. Our Dr requests test we go to lab our Ins and Medicare pays for it They will come to house and draw blood cost $70.00