home blood test

[GREENcard13]

Could I have a reminder how to take a successful home thyroid test please . Also any tips for getting enough blood from my fingertips

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

When collecting your sample try the following tips:

Drink plenty of water. Being well hydrated will make it easier to collect your sample. Drink plenty of water the night before too.

Shower before you take your test or run your hands under warm water for a few minutes, as heat improves blood flow.

Do some light exercise (move around, go for a walk, etc.) to get the blood flowing.

Make sure your arm is below your heart level – let gravity do some of the work. Do the test standing up.

Nails that are too long can make it difficult to collect a sample.

Do not shake the sample vigorously but invert the tube gently 10 times. (gently swirl the tube after each drop of blood).

Do not squeeze (milk) the finger.

Re-warm your hands during collection where needed.

Good luck!

[GREENcard13 in reply to Jaydee1507]

Thanks Jaydee very useful information I’d also like to know whether I should take my Levo that day and any other advice

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to GREENcard13]

Always do blood test at 9am or earlier.

Fast that moring, only drinking water.

Stop any biotin containing supplement (B complex) 4-7 days before the test.

If you take Levo in the morning usually, time it the day before so its 24hrs until the test time.

Take Levo the day of test AFTER the test.

[GREENcard13 in reply to Jaydee1507]

That’s great thank you . I’ve recently started taking magnesium Glycinate at night which has helped me sleep a lot better. Do you think it will effect the result

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to GREENcard13]

No, that shouldnt affect result.

Oh and do the test either Monday or Tuesday so you can get it in the post esrly part of the week. Drop it off at a Post Office counter and not in a post box.

[GREENcard13 in reply to Jaydee1507]

Excellent advice thanks. I love this site!!

[Ukie in reply to Jaydee1507]

That’s a great summary of tips, thanks Jaydee. Can I suggest maybe adding don't be tempted to scrape your finger on the edge of the tube? I had to do a repeat test once because of that.

[GREENcard13 in reply to Ukie]

Thanks Ukie that sounds like something I would do

[Fruitandnutcase]

There ought to be instructions inside the pack. I think some of the companies who sell the tests even have a video showing what to do do it might be worth looking on the internet for that. Other than that Jaydee has covered it all.

I’ve got a test to do but my problem is getting myself up in time - I’m retired and I haven’t been up early all week, it’s the dark mornings😱 I’ll probably try for next eeek. I like to post at the start of the week, tomorrow would probably be ok but it’s getting towards the weekend.

[GREENcard13 in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

Thanks for that F&NC I’m also a late riser but I can do it if necessary. I’m definitely a night owl

[Ukie in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

I’m loving the typo, talking about getting up on a winter morning; “try for next eeek” 😁

[Lynneypin]

I find soaking my hand in hot water for several minutes makes all the difference. When I had an awful blood draw in hospital the phlebotomist advised me to travel with a hot water bottle to keep warm!