My mum is really needing this test but is struggling a lot with the finger prick tests for many reasons. So I suggested blood draw at home via a nurse, as she has great difficulty leaving the house to go to a centre too. Medichecks seems to be ruled out by the doctor she is hoping to see.
Randox gives a discount to het but the price of their blood draw is a lot more than fingerprick plus home visit fee on top apparently. Which seems odd.
We are looking for the cheapest option as she will need to do this regularly and has little spare money.
Current options are too expensive so she is feeling she'll have to do the fingerprick tests which just seems like it may be too much of an obstacle for her.
Thank you
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tinkerbell22
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Have you seen the Tasso device? Probably the cheapest option (though only single use) and can be used with any finger prick kit, its an option with Randox but so far only with their sex hormone kits, hopefully the price will come down I've only used one once and the device worked a treat though the test failed due to delivery time and I ended up going to the clinic anyway for a free draw 🙃
Omg wow, TiggerMe! I didn't know these existed!! They may be expensive but they're cheaper than paying the fee for a blood draw kit and fee for a nurse to come to her home!I would use these for me too to be honest!
Can you use them with any home finger prick test kit? Eg blue horizon (who I usually use), medichecks or Randox? This is exciting!
My dad used to go to his local pharmacy for the blood tests he needed to monitor his Warfarin dose. So check with the pharmacies locally to see if any offer a blood draw service.
Yes, I bought the Randox sex hormone kit for me but used the Tasso on my son for a different test as I knew he would not cope if the fingerprick did not work first time.
And buy the tasso kit separately online from somewhere else.
Then the container for collecting blood fits into the Tasso button thingy? Then post back as usual to Randox as though you'd collected the blood thru fingerprick?
Forgive me for sounding a bit slow! 😊 Brain fog plus amazed and happy that the market has progressed forwards!
I could not find the Tasso sold elsewhere by itself. But you can buy a kit from Randox and use Tasso for different test (eg BlueHorizon thyroid used same tube) or presumably tip blood into another tube if it did not fit the tasso.
Apparently Blue Horizon and Randox do, but you have to ask for the male hormone test rather than the female one - sounds daft but there you go. You just have to know to ask as the website does not tell you.
Prompted by this discussion I just asked Randox whether the F-hormone test was total or free, and the confirmed total - they also said free testosterone can only be done with an in-clinic visit. That left me wondering whether the babies free testosterone measure was also algorithmic. Given that, and a bit of research on FAI in the context of other measures/clinical picture I decided to stick with the female hormone test and see what happens.
Thanks, I did the in-clinic visit but didnt ask for the mens test so guess I got total. They never mentioned anything to get free Testosterone level other than mens test to me.
I just expect as we measure free T3 and T4 and consider the difference between free and total cortisol, it may matter.
If you normally take levothyroxine at bedtime/in night ...adjust timings as follows prior to blood test
If testing Monday morning, delay Saturday evening dose levothyroxine until Sunday morning. Delay Sunday evening dose levothyroxine until after blood test on Monday morning. Take Monday evening dose levothyroxine as per normal
All tests early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test
This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)
If on T3 ….day before test split T3 as 2 or 3 smaller doses spread through the day, with last dose approximately 8-12 hours before test
IMPORTANT......If taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 5-7 days before ALL BLOOD TESTS , as biotin can falsely affect test results
In week before blood test, when stop vitamin B complex, might want to consider taking a separate folate supplement (eg Jarrow methyl folate 400mcg) and continue separate B12 if last test result serum B12 was below 500 or active B12 (private test) under 70:
Thanks. I'm struggling with fingerprick test. Have done all sorts to get my blood pumping. Prefer a nurse to draw.. I very much doubt my surgery nurse would do it! But will ask local.pharmacies if they offer that service. I use monitor my health as the ranges match my local lab......I'm in the north....they're in the south. Anyway helps when comparing results whether nhs or mine.
Thanks. But can I take my own test in? I know they do it in conjunction with another company that offers this......I'd prefer to continue with Monitor my health for consistency....
Yes, if it is arranged through Blue Horizons etc it is included in their price, but you can also book directly on Superdrug website just for the phlebotomy. £40 if I remember rightly
hi have you asked your GP surgery ? I would be happy to bleed her if you are in my area ? I’m a phlebotomist and there would be NO charge PM me your area and if near me I can do it for her .. I might not see your message until after 2pm as I’m on a early shift today xxxx
I have had blood taken at my GPs for a Medichecks test for £10 but my most recent test was with a home visit from Lolahealth.co, a new company in the Uk. Much cheaper than Medichecks’ home visit.
All the GPs I’ve seen with private test results have refused to put the results on my records or to prescribe using them. They insist on their on tests, which since I take T3, is pointless as they can’t or don’t test it. Catch 22 situation. Is your mother hoping to use the test results for NHS treatment?
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