Does anyone have idea or notice a pattern why fingerprick blood tests work sometimes & not others& why easier to get blood sometimes please?

[Jo5454]

Hello...anyone wuth similar issues please?I do what I thinks the same everytime, keep well hydrated, warm shower, move abt, circle arms, stand up. Wash hands warm water, drank cup water at 5am, then 6am, then 7, & tested at 7.30, yet last wks which took 4 fingers to get enough for advanced thyroid check worked. This wks iron oanel-3fingers failed!I was a bit concerned when although sample arrived this wk at 9 ish am Weds it wasn't marked as sample received until Thurs (today) aft & within hour came up as error!

Mind you still awaiting to hear from last wk why they think ferritin had raised so much from nhs result, I had to give up.on iron panels last yr as just cldnt get results, so may have to arrange venous.

It really is bizarre how sometimes it takes one finger and others so many isnt it!

Moan over:)thanks

Just heard some results worked, ferritin & uibc by sounds of it, so await to see

[Jazzw]

Is it anything to do with the lancet? The finger pricker thingie? I tend to be a bit hesitant about clicking it (it hurts LOL) so sometimes I have a finger that bleeds readily cos I’ve got a nice deep pin prick. And sometimes it’s more shallow and it doesn’t bleed nearly so well.

[Jo5454 in reply to Jazzw]

Maybe, but like you, I try and give it a good shove as I do it, in the theory of having one that hurts is better than 4,but will bear in mind for retest thanks!

[arTistapple]

I use both sides of my fingers rather than a central piercing. It gives me an extra three goes.

[Jo5454]

Oh I hadn't thought of doing more than one prick per finger. I think I've strangely thought once that finger slows down that's it,lol! Thank you...I just find it odd that some days blood seems almost sticky and other more rare times gushes out watery. I always drink well anyway in general.life.Think it's just frustrating it all seems to depend on the luck of the day,however well prepared!

[humanbean]

The main thing that helps me to get a good sample by finger prick is to make sure that the day before I do the fingerprick I drink a lot of water. I also drink a generous glass of water when I wake up on the day of the test.

Dehydration makes it almost impossible for me to bleed properly. I end up just oozing or almost nothing comes out at all.

Following some advice posted by SeasideSusie, I also slightly twist the lancet once its in my skin to increase the size of the cut.

I also have some spare lancets so when things are really bad I can puncture myself some more! But drinking lots of water has reduced that problem.

[Jo5454]

Glad you've found something to help humanbean I only ever drink water, don't bother with tea as have no sense of taste, I have 10/12 mugs a day,& on day of test drank one at 5,then 6,then 7am,not sure I can nanage much more.Yep I have a spare lancet bag too! From days when I must've had some better attempts!

Will remember that thanks, and give it a twist next time!

[london81]

I find my blood flows well sometimes and then other times not well at all. I’ve tried hydrating, running, showering etc

Last time I paid extra for a blood draw because I was getting fed up.

Could be dehydration issues as when I drink water I tend to pee straight away which some say indicates dehydration

[Jo5454 in reply to london81]

Thank you...its very strange,but yes, guess just because we are taking fluid in, praps sometimes using it better than others!