Private blood testing

[Oatsforlife]

Hi all,

I did my first Medichecks advanced thyroid test this morning and it didn’t go well 🥴

I’m not squeamish, I did everything suggested and made sure I’d had a few glasses of water before but it took 3 lancets to do it. I found it hard getting blood to drop in without it being wasted on the container top….

I chose this one as it included all the tests I wanted & had 20% off.

My GP test last week was ‘normal’ according to them but I’m not feeling great - neck/ear pain & regular migraine/headache, on top of tiredness, is getting to me! GP result was TSH 1.64 (.27-4.2) down from 8.6 at Xmas so the first prescription of 50mcg levothyroxine is helping but my head & neck don’t agree.

I want to know where T3/T4 is and check vitamins/minerals. If anyone’s had experience of using different providers do they find one to be easier?

Thank you xx

[GussyG]

Quite a few of us struggle with finger prick tests, myself included. I can never get enough blood. I now opt for the blood draw by a nurse at a local clinic or hospital, it’s £30 extra. Most testing companies including Medichecks offer this service. Did you manage to fill it up and send it back or just decide it wasn’t working? If so call up medichecks and they’ll advise you on your options.

[Oatsforlife in reply to GussyG]

Hi GussyG,

Thanks for responding. I managed to fill but it took ages & I wasted some just because it got caught on the top of the container.

My blood wouldn’t ‘drop’ in easily, it felt sticky, even though it was running down my skin 🥴

I’d have to travel to their nearest clinic - will see if there’s anyone closer to me. Maybe the GP surgery might do it?

Thanks again xx

[elaar in reply to Oatsforlife]

It's always difficult. I end up spinning my arm around for 5minutes and then sticking my hand in the sink in hot water for 5mins. It never wants to drip into the tube though.

I tend to push down quite hard with the lancet to make as brutal a hole as possible.

[Oatsforlife in reply to elaar]

Thank you for that - I’ll try spinning my arm if there’s a next time! Yes I did put hands in hot water but not long enough probably. My third lancet attempt was brutal, like yours, I have bruises 🥴

Was gutted when I realised the village postbox had already been emptied at 9am so concerned that it’ll wait a day longer than it should now 😕

Thank you, will use your tactics next time!

[cyberbarn in reply to Oatsforlife]

Do you have a good relationship with your postman/lady? We have a lovely lady and if I leave the Medichecks box in my post box with a note for her she posts it for me back at the depot after she finishes her round.

I only found out I could do this when I realised that the farmer next door always left her post out to be picked up when the post lady delivered.

There is also a service where you can book a pick up for free through the Royal Mail website.

During covid we had priority post boxes in a neighbouring village, but they have all been stopped and the village boxes are all picked up before 9am and not at all on weekends, so resorting to my lovely post lady is the only way I can reliably post something like blood tests now.

[Oatsforlife in reply to cyberbarn]

That’s brilliant! Yes, my postman is great - I’ll ask him. I got really cross actually - our village postbox said to go to another village postbox with later collection time. I did that & that one said 9am too! There was the same information telling me to go to another location but I realised all villages were the same….

I’ll definitely try your suggestions. Thank you!

[Oatsforlife in reply to Oatsforlife]

Hi again, Not had results yet but they told my folate won’t work - which I was told might happen on here. Have you experienced this with your needle drawn one with a nurse?

TIA xx

[Framboise]

If it's any consolation, I've just had a disaster with these tests! I've been doing Medichecks finger prick blood tests since 2020 and had got it down to a fine art - last year it took me just 10 minutes from start to finish and two lancets. Today the lancets wouldn't work, they wouldn't push down as they normally do. I've never had that problem before. I wasted all three and have had to ask for another kit to be sent out. I'm now seriously thinking of paying to go to a local private hospital to draw the blood.

If you did the test which includes folate, you may find that the blood you sent off will not be suitable. They need the blood to be fresh and undamaged and squeezing it out or wiping it across the top of the tube seems to damage it. If this is the case they should refund you £8.

[Oatsforlife in reply to Framboise]

Oh no, sorry to hear that. I agree about getting it drawn, it’s so stressful! I’ll see what happens - £8 seems so little but I’ve learnt a lot! Good luck x

[Oatsforlife in reply to Framboise]

You were right, it happened!

[Framboise in reply to Oatsforlife]

Sorry about that! The first time I did that test they gave me a second kit just for the folate, but when that didn't work either they gave me a refund. Now they have a disclaimer on the page detailing the test, so must have had a lot of problems with unsuitable blood. My replacement kit arrived today and I doubt I'll be able to get enough blood out without also damaging it.

[Insomania]

The best one I’ve found is Randox. The instructions are really effective. Soaking hand in warm water for 5 mins. And it’s a one sample test which is much better imv. They also have ‘hubs’ to do a blood test by appt.

[Oatsforlife in reply to Insomania]

That’s really helpful, thank you! It’s a bit disappointing as it was my full attempt to establish a baseline & get doses of medication & supplements sorted. Will look at Randox x

[Insomania in reply to Oatsforlife]

I ran out of lancets for a test I did with TDL, thought I’d mucked it up but I still got the results. Good luck!

[sparkly]

Standing up while doing the test helps the blood to flow

[Oatsforlife in reply to sparkly]

Thank you - will try that x