‘Monitor my health’ for blood tests - warning.

[HealthySam]

Just warning to anyone thinking of using ‘Monitor my Health’ for blood tests. I used this company mainly to get my T3 tested. They told me the lab couldn’t get a result so basically bad luck. I had to fight to get a refund. At first they only offered 25% but after taking legal advice they finally offered 50% which is still ridiculous, however, I couldn’t be bothered to take it further. The cost of the full thyroid test was £42. It is very likely that blood degrades when being sent in the post, especially during hot weather, so think twice is my advice. #bloodtests

[Hedgeree]

Hi HealthySam,

Sorry to hear what's happened and your experiences with Monitor My Health.

I'm quite surprised and disappointed by the response you've had from MMH. When I've previously had issues with doing the finger prick blood tests (either not enough blood or my sample had haemolysed) they sent out a replacement kit straight away on more than one occasion. They also replied quite efficiently to any email queries I had.

Maybe their policies/terms and conditions have changed? From my reading on the forum many still use them with being an NHS lab.

I gave up on finger prick testing myself as it caused me much anxiety and was too stressful for me. Now I pay extra for a venous blood draw.

[BenLabrador]

Hi, I had the same experience as Hedgeree. However I find it impossible to use the finger prick to draw blood until late morning. I assume I am dehydrated as the blood doesn’t flow well. I just cannot get a good sample before 9am as recommended. I have to accept a less than ideal TSH level for monitoring at that time.

[RedApple Administrator in reply to BenLabrador]

BenLabrador, If you're doing the test for your own purposes, and can draw the blood at the same time of day for each test you do, then that's fine. i.e. Being able to compare the test you've just done with previous tests. Early morning for highest TSH is more important when you're presenting a case to your doctor for an increase in dose or even staying on the same dose when TSH is at the low end.

[BenLabrador in reply to RedApple]

Thanks RedApple that’s reassuring.

[Alanna012]

I too am surprised they didn't offer you a replacement kit, which is the standard for many other such postal blood test services. Usually it's one replacement test and if the second also fails due to hemolysis, it might be a partial refund, a small amount off another kit etc or some companies might not give anything for a second failure.

I had MMH once send me another kit when one didn't arrive and they did so. That said, the original kit did eventually arrive a month later, but they wouldn't let me use both kits and voided one, which I felt was a tinsy bit unfair at the time, and I'm sure one of the more prolific blood testing companies wouldn't have quibbled with me on it. However, I have never yet had MMH say any sample of mine has haemolysed unlike some of the others.

I conclude that because they are NHS, they are not as slick on the customer service and marketing as say, Medichecks for e.g (though just having looked they come second on google page rankings when I type in thyroid blood test kit so hmm 🤔)

Did you send the kit via post-office next day guaranteed? It is risky to rely on the 24/tracked that comes in the kit. That said, venous blood draw is the only guaranteed way to ensure haemolysis is never a problem. I don't think MMH currently offer this option.

[RedApple Administrator]

HealthySam, couldn’t get a result so basically bad luck.

Was this your first attempt with this particular test kit? MMH are usually very courteous and helpful in my experience and will always send out a replacement kit if the first one has failed. Of course if your second attempt fails, then it wouldn't be unreasonable for them to refuse another replacement.

'very likely that blood degrades when being sent in the post, especially during hot weather'

Thousands upon thousands of home blood tests are going through the postal system every day. The vast majority get through and are tested without issue. If this wasn't the case, the home blood testing market would not have grown to be the huge competitive industry it is today.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

HealthySam

It is very likely that blood degrades when being sent in the post, especially during hot weather, so think twice is my advice

I'm not sure if you read the forum regularly but it's frequently mentioned, when responding to posts about home blood tests, that during the summer months members should not do tests and post them during very hot weather/heatwave conditions.

It's also frequently mentioned that the Tracked 24 return envelope provided by the testing companies does not guarantee that the sample will arrive at the lab next day, it's just not a guaranteed service, they clearly state that they "aim to deliver Tracked 24 the next working day and Tracked 48/ Tracked Returns with 2-3 working days." They also state "If the item hasn't been delivered by the due date plus 7 working days the sender might be able to claim for compensation." When I respond I tend to say the most reliable way to get the sample there the next day is to go to the Post Office counter and purchase their Special Delivery Guaranteed Next Day by 1pm service.

[RedApple Administrator]

HealthySam, If you read the T&Cs on the MMH website ( monitormyhealth.org.uk/term... ), you will see this, which seems to cover most if not all circumstances in which the sample cannot be tested.

In all these case, they state that they will send a second kit out to you. (And that they won't refund you if you used the kit beyond it's expiry date)

MMH T&Cs about test failures

[Sleepman]

HealthySam - it is a pain doing these tests. I have found MMH good though it is a faff.

Getting enough blood out, at right time, stopping Biotin, taking early in the morning etc. Finding a fast/regularly collected post box that is not in the sun! Also not squeezing the blood out else it drags other compounds in that interfere with non Thyroid tests.

I have used MMH and also bought sample kits for my Mum. They have been great.

If they fail, then they sent a second sample. They did it many times for my Mum and have been fine.