blood tests

[Hypopara]

hi, has anyone had any problems with monitor my health blood tests? I have been using medichecks with no problems for a few years. I started doing some with monitor my health as they were cheaper but have had problems every time. On the last 3 occasions one of the samples has been rejected due to ‘a clot’ despite following all instructions to the letter. A replacement sample bottle has been sent and this can’t be processed as it reached the lab too late, (despite posting it first thing in the morning from the same main post office and the first sample always seems to get there in time. 🤨) and if I want these tests doing, I have to pay again. This never happens with medichecks.

[RedApple Administrator]

Royal Mail have been causing issues with late delivery of MMH tests to their lab. You are not the first to get caught up in this fiasco. See here healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

and here healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[Hypopara in reply to RedApple]

Thank you for this, I will stick to medichecks from now on 😊

[RedApple Administrator in reply to Hypopara]

Obviously it's your choice. But just understand that the fault is with Royal Mail, not MMH blood test lab. Medichecks are not immune to having the same thing happen to any of the labs that they use. It has happened to them before. Royal Mail tracked 24 is not a guaranteed next day service. For guaranteed next day delivery, we need to pay extra out of our own pockets for RM Special Delivery service.

[HealthStarDust in reply to RedApple]

It’s a lesson learned that’s for sure. And, I probably will use guaranteed next day service for any blood tests with any provider going forward.

[grumpyold in reply to RedApple]

Unfortunately Royal Mail Guaranteed Next Day Delivery let me down.

My sample didn't get to the lab for 5 days! By which time, the blood was useless.

Had to get a refund of my £6+ from RM which was a hassle I could have done without.

Never mind having to stick more lancets into myself to redo the test. Ouch.😡

[RedApple Administrator in reply to grumpyold]

Gosh, that's really bad. Was this very recently?

[grumpyold in reply to RedApple]

Not very recently. It was December 3rd 2022.

[RedApple Administrator in reply to grumpyold]

I suppose that theres always the odd 'exception to the rule' with any service, be that the transportation or the blood testing itself.

Years ago, my GP sent me to the local hospital for a parathyroid blood test. It had to be done at the hospital so that it could go straight to the on site hospital lab. Guess what... the phlebotomy dept didn't get it to their own on site lab on time, so the test failed!

[grumpyold in reply to RedApple]

Yes, that's true.

Doesn't surprise me. Diabolical!

[Jasper79 in reply to RedApple]

Last month I sent a sample to Blue Horizon via the default 24 hour service and it vanished without trace. BH sent replacement.

[HealthStarDust]

Yes! Nearly 2 weeks and still no result. 1st sample they received they claimed it had insufficient blood (I know this is simply too absurd to be true a claim), the 2nd sample they have yet to confirm it has been received (nearly 5 days since posting using their/Royal Mail 24hour track service).

I have already looked into a refund, and it seems they have never promised a turnovers time at the point of purchase. Nonetheless, I’ll be seeking mine as this is not a reasonable service. Not great when I am waiting on results to adjust dose as I am simply not getting on well with Levothyroxine.

Even ringing the lab or emailing didn’t help.

I suspect they got way too many orders they can handle from their recent discount prices!

I doubt I’ll use them again. Horrid experience. Why would pay twice for a crappy NHS service?!

[Hypopara in reply to HealthStarDust]

Hm! This is the pattern I keep getting too. Something wrong with the first sample and the second one didn’t get there in time. I don’t think I’ll use them again. I have never had this problem until I used them,

[Sparklingsunshine in reply to Hypopara]

I've always used MMH and only ever had an issue once when I struggled to get enough blood out. I knew I hasnt sent enough but they did send a second test free of charge. I do always pay for next day delivery though. I think Royal Mail have a lot to answer for.

[Knowsnothing]

I have to say I have not had any issues with Mmh, had a test done a couple of weeks ago.

[caledoniancat]

I've used MMH several times and never had a problem (posting from Scotland). Results have always been back within 48hrs of posting.