the end

[Charliekilosierra]

tried to collect blood sample this morning. Spent about half an hour and got 100ml in the tube. They need 600. So I just chucked it in the bin I give up

[HopefulMe23]

Exact same thing happened to me and I followed all the instructions to the letter, I can’t understand how anyone is managing it!

[Charliekilosierra in reply to HopefulMe23]

it’s unreal isn’t it. I felt I needed to slash my wrist in order to meet the target!

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Just because I'm a total pedant, I just have to say that nobody could possibly provide 100ml with a fingerprick test nor would it even be required for any venous blood draw. A teaspoon is only 5ml and the amount required for the fingerprick test is less than 1ml. I can't remember the unit of measurement that is smaller than a millilitre but probably shown as something like 0.600ml though.

[Charliekilosierra in reply to SeasideSusie]

it was miles more than I could provide honestly. I am dyslexic so I am sorry

[Hedgeree]

Hi Charliekilosierra,

The blood test company's are usually quite helpful when I've failed with a fingerprick blood test in the past.

They've often told me to just send in the sample anyway and they'd see what they could do with the smaller amount. Though most likely too late now as you've binned yours.

They will often send out a replacement kit if you've had problems getting the blood. Always contact them when you have issues and see what they suggest.

[Charliekilosierra in reply to Hedgeree]

I emailed they said to try again but it’s hopeless. I will save up for a blood draw. Thank you

[HopefulMe23 in reply to Charliekilosierra]

If it is medichecks then they will also send you a professional venous kit as a free replacement if you ask and then if you can find a nurse who can do the draw for you or book at one of the SuperDrug clinics that will work out cheaper than booking a blood draw from scratch.

[Hedgeree in reply to Charliekilosierra]

I've given up on fingerprick tests now. Far too traumatic and psychologically draining for me. Very disappointing that I couldn't get used to doing them.

So at the beginning of the year I decided to focus on my health and invest in getting a venous blood draw instead.

I booked it via Medichecks and a local pharmacist took my blood sample. If I go direct to him it will be cheaper than booking a venous blood draw via Medichecks. Really glad I've decided to do this now.

[radd in reply to Hedgeree]

Oh poor you, and well done for finding a solution.

I do the occasional finger prick and blood flows ok but it hurts so much, and I get the most god awful bruising on my finger tip for days on end . Don’t know why! 🤷‍♀️

[Hedgeree in reply to radd]

Hi radd,

I was the same. I'd get bruises too and sore fingers would last for a few days afterwards.

I was getting in a right state. It was so stressful so glad I've stopped attempting them now 😊

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

I have to say that I totally failed when I tried doing a finger prick test. I now pay extra or the blood draw or actually theres a new walk in lab that offers free blood draws near me that I now use. First test there in the morning!

New company offering walk in & mail order blood tests in Crawley, Hove and Reigate areas. onedaytests.com/products/ul...

Anyway, to save wasting your money I would contact whoever you bought it from and get them to send out a new kit or whatever you need now.

Drink plenty of water the night before you do the test and also in the morning. Do a few windmill type motions with your arms and massage your arm before attempting to do the test.

Good luck!

[fluffyhat]

600mls is more than a pint of blood, do you think it was 6mls?

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to fluffyhat]

No, it isn't 6mls. A teaspoonful is 5ml and the amount needed is less than 1ml.

[Charliekilosierra in reply to fluffyhat]

yes 6mls my bad

[fluffyhat in reply to Charliekilosierra]

No worries, hope you can get things sorted

[SlowDragon Administrator]

To fill the test tube is usually 10-12 drops of blood maximum

Who was test with

Request a new Venus draw kit instead and pay the extra for private blood test clinic near you

Medichecks - private blood test at clinic near you

medichecks.com/pages/clinic...

[Charliekilosierra in reply to SlowDragon]

monitor my health

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Charliekilosierra]

Unfortunately they don’t offer any private blood draw service

[seveneleven]

I've done a couple now and hate the fingerprick part (honestly takes 15 minutes to work up to actually pressing the lancet), but been ok getting enough blood. I've maybe gone overboard with getting it flowing, but I tend to be really dehydrated. Done hand in really warm water, marching on spot/some kind of little exercise, extra layers to be really warm and encourage blood to extremeties, and making a fist and gently pumping it. And then just gently massaging down the finger but not to the tip. But, honestly, next time I'll probably pay for a venous draw as others have suggested to save bother. Good luck!

[woofa27]

Hiya Charliekilosierra,

My husband came up with the solution for me.

Got no idea how much blood was required for my finger prick blood test, but initially had terrible trouble getting even one drop into test tube, despite following the directions given with test tube - having drunk lots of fluid beforehand and done the suggested exercise to improve blood flow. I could get some blood out of my finger, but it just collected on finger and started congealing before I could get a single drop into the test tube, but then my husband came to the rescue.

He heated a glove for me with a hairdryer, then I put it on to warm hand and then quickly re-cleaned finger with surgical wipe supplied with kit, before pricking finger and squeezing out blood.

We had to do this procedure for several fingers to gather enough blood, but the hairdryer, glove + assistant really was a game changer! Unusual technique I know, but it did the trick. It did still take blooming ages though!!!!

Hope, as Hedgeree says is usually the case, your company is sympathetic and willing to supply a fresh kit to you. GOOD LUCK!

[Charliekilosierra in reply to woofa27]

thankyou however I will have to get the blood draw when I can afford it honest my blood is like treacle ha

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Charliekilosierra]

Sticky blood……

Perhaps you have APS (Hughes syndrome)

nhs.uk/conditions/antiphosp...

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to SlowDragon]

There is a Hughes Antiphospholipid syndrome forum here on HU!

healthunlocked.com/hughes-s...

healthunlocked.com/hughes-s...

[Charliekilosierra in reply to SlowDragon]

😂😂 what’s the point in being alive

[radd in reply to Charliekilosierra]

Have you tried putting your hand in very hot water (obviously not burning but hot as you can stand) before pricking your finger?

[Charliekilosierra in reply to radd]

yeh did that

[mstp in reply to Charliekilosierra]

For how long? I had a history of failed finger prick tests but last time they said to put hands in very hot water for five minutes. It worked a treat afterwards.

[Josephineinamachine]

I’ve tried it once and ended up wasting it. No amount of arm waving got more than a drop out of me… I rarely do tests now because of the added expense of paying for a blood draw. Really annoying!

[Citrinesun]

I honestly can't do it, ☹️ I have restricted blood flow to my hands so it doesn't help the trauma of trying. I have to get my other half to stab me with the finger prick lol I don't have a clue how people manage to fill it.

Now I bring my tube along with me when I'm due a blood test at my surgery, thankfully the HCA has no problems filling it up for me, however sometimes he has trouble getting anything from me, rubbish thin veins 😕

my arm veins are giving nothing now, so it's drawn my hand at the moment.

maybe you could try that? if I didn't have him to do that for me I would have to pay for a private draw. What would be a less than £30 test quickly turns into more than double, not something I could afford every few months so I'm really grateful for being able to get it done with my NHS bloods for now.

[seveneleven]

Depending where you live, I've just found Randox do venous blood draws at their various clinics, same cost pretty much as other home fingerprick tests, so planning to do that now. Only London, Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, Chichester, Glasgow, Edinburgh I think, but worth checking.