At-Home Health MOT

Collecting a blood sample is straightforward and usually only takes a short amount of time. However, it’s important that you know how to use the At-Home Health MOT correctly to get the most accurate blood test results.

A summary of how to use the At-Home Health MOT:

1. Wash your hands in warm water for 4 minutes and then dry them
2. Use the lancet provided to prick your finger and collect a blood sample
3. Post your sample to our accredited partner laboratory using the pre-paid envelope included with your At-Home Health MOT.

Full instructions are provided with your At-Home Health MOT, which you should read thoroughly before use to ensure the best results.

Learn more about how to take a blood sample with the At-Home Health MOT here.

The At-Home Health MOT comes with:

• 1x Sample collection booklet.
• 1x Test request form.
• 1x Blood collection vial.
• 1x Blood collection vial transport clamshell.
• 1x Blood vial label.
• 3x Lancets.
• 2x Saline wipes.
• 2x Plasters.
• 1x Prepaid postage return-to-lab envelope.

The At-Home Health MOT also includes a free review from a clinician who will personally check your blood test results to make sure they’re normal. They will give feedback based on the outcome of your test and, if necessary, organise a free phone consultation with you to discuss your results in further detail.

Routine blood tests like the At-Home Health MOT are important because they are able to give you a clear and accurate insight into your health. This is especially useful if you’re thinking about making lifestyle changes and want to see the exact impact these changes have on your body.

Once you’ve taken your first Health MOT, a clinician can track your progress over time and offer tailored health advice based on your needs. With the clinician’s support, you’ll be able to make informed adjustments to your lifestyle that can help to optimise your health and wellbeing.

Additionally, you may want to have routine blood tests if you have concerns about:

• Tiredness: extreme fatigue can sometimes be caused by low vitamin B12, low folate, low ferritin, low vitamin D, low testosterone, or thyroid problems. The At-Home Health MOT measures all of these key health indicators, as well as your testosterone level and thyroid function, to help you get to the bottom of your tiredness.
• Sexual function and fertility: testosterone is crucial for male fertility and plays an important role in maintaining a healthy sex drive (libido). Low testosterone can contribute to erectile dysfunction (ED) and fertility issues, which is why it’s recommended that you have your testosterone level measured with an At-Home Health MOT if you’re experiencing ED, or have problems with your fertility.
• Long-term health: the At-Home Health MOT can determine heart disease risk by measuring the level of cholesterol and other fats in your body. It also includes a liver and kidney function test to see if these vital organs are performing normally. This is important, as they play a crucial role in keeping the body free of toxins.
• Muscle and bone health: vitamin D helps to maintain muscle and bone health. However, about 1 in 5 people in the UK are low on vitamin D. Therefore, it’s a good idea to measure your vitamin D level with an At-Home Health MOT, as it can indicate if you are likely to benefit from taking a vitamin D supplement to help you maintain your muscle and bone health.
• Vitamin and mineral levels: vitamins and minerals play key roles in keeping the body healthy, which is why it’s important to make sure you have normal levels of these nutrients. The At-Home Health MOT measures your magnesium, zinc, vitamin B12, and folate levels to give you a clear picture of your nutrient levels, and help you decide if you should take supplements to give your body extra nutritional support.

You should receive your blood test results three to five working days after you post your samples. Your results will arrive via email, so keep an eye on your inbox so you don’t miss them.

You will also have access to your blood test results on your Numan Account. These can be viewed whenever you wish to help you track your progress over time.

Your blood test results will be displayed in an easy to read format and any readings that aren’t optimal will be highlighted clearly. Your results will also be reviewed by a clinician who can offer feedback and advice based on the outcome of your test. If you have particularly abnormal blood test results, they may offer you a phone consultation to discuss next steps.

Once you receive your blood test result, a clinician will give you feedback related to your test. Please note that our clinicians personally review each test, so it may take a few days for their feedback to come through. When it does, you’ll be able to use their guidance to make lifestyle choices that help to optimise your health.

Learn more

All blood samples are carefully processed by County Pathology: a fully accredited, UKAS approved UK laboratory.

Both At-Home Health MOTs can be taken in the comfort of your own home, and both test for the same biomarkers and health indicators. What’s more, both come with a free review from a UK clinician who can give you personalised health advice based on your test results.

The main difference between the two is the At-Home Health MOT (One-Off) is a blood test that you take once, whereas the At-Home Health MOT is a recurring blood test that you take every three months.

The test you choose depends on how you’d prefer to monitor your health. The At-Home Health MOT (One-Off) provides a one-time snapshot of your health, which one of our clinicians can review to give you expert health support.

On the other hand, the At-Home Health MOT is ideal for tracking your health over time. By taking a blood test every three months, you and the clinician can accurately monitor your health and chart your progress. The clinician will be able to give you personalised lifestyle advice to help you improve your health, and may also suggest medication or supplements to complement any lifestyle changes you make.

The At-Home Health MOT is a finger-prick blood test, so you may feel a small scratch when you use the lancet provided with it to take a blood sample. This is only temporary, and any discomfort should subside swiftly afterwards.

Once you’ve completed your At-Home Health MOT and sealed your blood sample in the prepaid envelope provided with it, you can post it in any UK postbox to send it to the lab free of charge.

You should set aside around 20 minutes to complete the whole process, especially if it’s your first time taking a home blood test. It’s also important to stay well hydrated before taking a finger prick test to avoid any fainting or dizziness. If you think you might feel faint at the sight of blood, we advise taking the test in a comfortable, safe environment and asking someone to help you take your sample.

How to use the At-Home Health MOT

1. First, check that you’ve received the components listed on the back of your At-Home Health MOT instruction sheet (provided with your At-Home Health MOT).
2. Complete the form and vial label provided. These must be returned with the blood sample in the return pre-paid postage envelope.
3. Remove the blood collection vial from the clamshell.
4. Remove the lid. Make sure you keep the lid and vial together so you don’t lose the lid.
5. Position the vial you intend to fill into the groove on the clamshell (a diagram is provided in the At-Home Health MOT instruction sheet).
6. Wash your hands in warm water for four minutes (40°C is ideal) and dry them afterwards. You can also shake your hands for a few seconds at waist height to help encourage the required blood flow.
7. Wipe your chosen finger (one of the middle three is best) with the alcohol wipe provided and allow it to air dry.
8. Twist off the blue tab from the end of the lancet. Place the exposed hole of the lancet on your fingertip at a slight angle. Press the lancet against your finger and the blade will prick your finger and return inside the device. Gently apply pressure to the area around the cut and use the alcohol wipe to wipe away the first drop of blood.
9. Next, fill the vial to the upper line (indicated on the side of the vial). The vial must be inverted several times as soon as possible after filling to ensure the additive in the tube mixes with the blood.
10. If you can’t get enough blood from your finger to properly fill the vial, then repeat the procedure with a different finger.
11. After you’ve filled the vial, gently press the alcohol wipe onto the wound to stem the flow of blood. You can also use the plaster provided.
12. Place the lid back onto the vial and apply the completed label, making sure all the details are correct.

Returning your sample

1. Pack the vial into the clamshell as originally provided and firmly close the lid.
2. Pack the clamshell with the completed request form into the prepaid envelope and seal it. Post the same day or following morning, ideally between Monday and Thursday.

You should receive your results via email within three to five working days after posting your sample. In case of an urgent medical problem, please contact NHS 111 via 111.nhs.uk or by calling 111. NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.