At-Home Health MOT (One-Off)

Collecting a blood sample using a blood test kit like the At-Home Health MOT is relatively simple. However, it’s important that you know how to use the At-Home Health MOT correctly to get the most accurate blood test results possible.

Below is a summary of how to use the At-Home Health MOT (One-Off):

1. Before taking your sample, wash your hands for 4 minutes with warm water.
2. Prick your finger using the lancet provided to collect your 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 includes everything you need to take a blood sample safely and effectively from home. It 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 (One-Off) also includes a free review from one of our clinicians, who will look at your results to make sure they’re normal. They will give feedback based on the outcome of your test and, if needed, organise a free phone consultation with you to discuss your results in further detail.

Blood tests show you what’s going on inside your body so you can keep track of your health and, if necessary, take specific action to manage it.

The At-Home Health MOT (One-Off) is a home blood test that measures a range of health indicators 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.

Additionally, you may want to use the At-Home Health MOT (One-Off) if you have concerns about:

• Tiredness: excessive tiredness (known as 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: the At-Home Health MOT measures your testosterone level - an important hormone that plays a role in fertility and maintaining sex drive (libido). If you’re experiencing low sex drive, erectile dysfunction, or fertility issues, it’s recommended that you have some blood work done with an At-Home Health MOT to look at your testosterone levels.
• 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, which is key when looking at long-term health as the body relies on these organs to flush out toxins.
• Muscle and bone health: around one-fifth of people in the UK have low vitamin D. Vitamin D plays an important role in the maintenance of muscle and bone health, as well as in the maintenance of the immune system. The At-Home Health MOT includes a blood test for vitamin D to show you if you have healthy vitamin D levels, and it can also indicate if you’d benefit from taking a vitamin D supplement to support your health.
• Vitamin and mineral levels: vitamins and minerals play key roles in keeping the body in working order. The best way to know if you have healthy levels of vitamins and minerals in your body is to take a blood test. 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 get your blood test results via email three to five working days after you post your samples. They will be visible on your Numan Account and can be accessed 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 based on the outcome of your test. If you have particularly abnormal blood test results, they may offer you a phone consultation to discuss them and offer advice on next steps.

After you receive your blood test results, one of our clinicians will give you feedback related to your test. Please be aware that our clinicians personally review each test, so it may take a few days for their feedback to get to you. When it does, they’ll be able to give you tailored advice to help you manage your health as effectively as possible.

Learn more

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

To help you decide which home blood test to use to monitor your health, here are the similarities and differences between the At-Home Health MOT and the One-Off version:

Similarities

• Both are finger-prick blood tests that can be taken at home.
• Both test for the same biomarkers and health indicators.
• Both come with a free test result review from a UK clinician.

Differences

• The At-Home Health MOT (One-Off) is a blood test that is only taken once, whereas the At-Home Health MOT is a repeat blood test that is delivered to you every three months so you can monitor your health over time.
• The At-Home Health MOT gives you ongoing health support. This is because taking a blood test every three months allows you to receive regular feedback from our clinicians who can make lifestyle suggestions to help you optimise your health.

You might feel a small scratch when taking a blood sample using the lancet provided with your blood test kit, but this is nothing to worry about and any discomfort should subside shortly afterwards.

Once you’ve taken your blood sample and sealed it in the prepaid envelope provided with your blood test kit, you can post it in any UK postbox to send it to the lab free of charge.

Before you use the At-Home Health MOT (One-Off)

You should set aside about 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.

Make sure you read the instructions provided with your blood test kit thoroughly before you begin. This will help you to take the blood test properly and ensure the most accurate results.

How to use the At-Home Health MOT (One-Off)

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.