DIAGNOSTICS

1

Take the test between Monday and Thursday only (so that there are no delays in getting it to the lab).

2

Take your test in the morning, ensuring that you've fasted for at least 8 hours overnight.

3

Drink two glasses of water within the 30 minutes before the test.

4

Post your sample shortly after drawing your blood. This helps provide a more accurate reading.

1

Open the package and check the contents of your kit. There should be a tube, lancets, alcohol wipes, plasters specimen bag and a security seal sticker.

2

Lay out the lancets, clean tissues, plasters and alcohol wipes on the table. Remove the cap of the tube and stand upright on a flat surface.

3

Wash your hands thoroughly
in warm water and soap.

4

Dry your hands with a clean towel and ensure they are completely dry, otherwise it can hinder the blood collection process.

5

Use the alcohol wipe to clean the tip of your ring finger of your non-dominant hand (the opposite hand
to the one you write with). Allow the skin to air dry completely.

6

Open the lancet by twisting off the blue cap - you are now ready to take your sample. You will get the best results if you keep your arm pointing down and below the level of your waist.

7

To pierce the skin, place the lancet to one side of the fleshy pad of your fingertip as indicated, and press firmly against your finger to activate the lancet - you should hear a click.

8

Wipe away the first drop of blood with a clean tissue.

9

Massage down to the pierced site but don't touch the pierced site directly. Guide blood droplets in with the lip of the tube until blood reaches the top line. Don’t scrape your finger on the tube as this can damage blood cells.

10

If you are not getting enough blood, wipe away the blood with a clean tissue and wait a few seconds for drops to reform. If there is still not enough blood, use another finger and go back to Step 5. Try using
the ring finger on your other hand, and don't use your pinky finger or thumb.

11

Collect blood to the top line
of the tube. Close the tube immediately after collecting the blood by putting the cap back on the tube and firmly pushing until you hear a click. Wipe away excess blood from your skin and put on
the plaster provided.

12

Gently turn the closed tube upside down 10 times. Don't worry if the blood looks like it hasn't mixed.

13

Fill in your details on the sticky label provided with the kit. Ensure all fields are populated and legible.

14

Place the tube in the centre of the sticky side of the label and bring the two ends together like
a luggage tag. Make sure the barcode is visible. Place the tube
in the specimen bag and seal it closed. Do not remove the absorbent pad from the bag.

15

Place the sealed specimen bag into the white collection kit box. Dispose of all used tissues, lancets and wipes. Place the blue security sticker over the dotted lines on the collection box and seal it closed. Post the kit in your nearest Royal Mail late collection postbox.

1

Open the package and check the contents of your kit. There should be a purple and a yellow tube, lancets, alcohol wipes, plasters, specimen bags and a security seal sticker.

2

Lay out the lancets, clean tissues, plasters and alcohol wipes on the table. Remove the cap of the tubes and stand upright on a flat surface.

3

Wash your hands thoroughly
in warm water and soap.

4

Dry your hands with a clean towel and ensure they are completely dry, otherwise it can hinder the blood collection process.

5

Use the alcohol wipe to clean the tip of your ring finger of your non-dominant hand (the opposite hand
to the one you write with). Allow the skin to air dry completely.

6

Open the lancet by twisting off the blue cap - you are now ready to take your sample. You will get the best results if you keep your arm pointing down and below the level of your waist.

7

To pierce the skin, place the lancet to one side of the fleshy pad of your fingertip as indicated, and press firmly against your finger to activate the lancet - you should hear a click.

8

Wipe away the first drop of blood with a clean tissue. Start with the purple tube.

9

Massage down to the pierced site but don't touch the pierced site directly. Guide blood droplets in with the lip of the tube until blood reaches the bottom line. Do not scrape your finger on the tube as this can damage blood cells. Only when filling the purple tube, swirl the blood every 30 seconds.

10

If you are not getting enough blood, wipe away the blood with a clean tissue and wait a few seconds for drops to reform. If there is still not enough blood, use another finger and go back to Step 5. Try using the ring finger on your other hand, and don't use your pinky finger or thumb.

11

Collect blood to the bottom line
of the tube. Close the tube immediately after collecting the blood by putting the cap back on the tube and firmly pushing until you hear a click. Wipe away excess blood from your skin and put on the plaster provided.

12

Gently turn the closed tube upside down 10 times. Don't worry if the blood looks like it hasn't mixed.

13

Repeat the process from Step 9
for the yellow tube. Do not swirl
the blood this time. Collect blood
to the top line of the tube and close the tube immediately. Do not forget to gently turn the closed tube upside down 10 times.

14

Fill in your details on both of the sticky labels provided with the kit. Ensure all fields are populated and legible.

15

Place the tubes in the centre of the sticky side of each label and bring the two ends together like a luggage tag. Make sure the barcodes are visible. Place one tube in each specimen bag provided and seal them closed. Do not remove the absorbent pads from the bags.

16

Place the sealed specimen bags into the white collection kit box. Dispose of all used tissues, lancets and wipes. Place the blue security sticker over the dotted lines on the collection box and seal it closed. Post the kit in your nearest Royal Mail late collection postbox.

1

Lay your kit out on a low table, so you can stand and have your hand below your elbow – gravity helps your blood flow.

2

Open the blood collection tube (B) by twisting off the lid and stand the tube upright into the holder on the clamshell (G).

3

Wash your hands with soap and warm water.

4

Soak your non-dominant hand in warm water for 4-5 minutes.

5

Swing your non-dominant arm around in a circle 10 times, fully extended if possible. Then clench your fist 10 times. This will help stimulate blood flow.

6

Wipe your chosen finger with the alcohol swab (C) provided. Ensure your finger is completely dry as blood will not form a drop on a moist finger. Your ring finger is usually best for sample collection.

7

Take a lancet (A) and rotate the protective cover once before carefully removing. Remain standing and place your whole hand on a hard surface with your palm facing up, this is important so the lancet can work properly.

8

Press the lancet firmly against the side of your fingertip until the lancet releases. Wipe away the first drop of blood with the sterile dry swab (D).

9

Massage your hand in a downward motion and guide the blood into the tube. Don’t squeeze too hard or too close to where you pricked your finger. You should stop at your knuckle before the tip of your finger.

10

If it takes more than 2 minutes to fill the tube, re-warm your hand for 4-5 minutes, repeat the exercises, and re-prick a different finger with a new sterile lancet.

11

Once the tube is filled to the top mark, wipe your finger with the sterile dry swab (D), wash and dry your hands and apply the plaster (E).

12

Place the cap on the tube and press until you hear a click. Gently rotate the tube at least 10 times but do not shake.

13

Place the blood collection tube into the clamshell (G) and seal.

14

Place the clamshell into the pathoseal bag (F) and seal by removing the metallic silver strip.

15

Ensure the sample collection details on the next section of the IFU (I) are filled in, URN (K) is attached and the IFU is placed into the return kit box.

16

Insert the sealed pathoseal bag (F) into the box provided and place the box (J) into the large UN3373 return envelope (H). Seal the envelope by removing the metallic silver strip.

17

Return your sample using the pre-paid envelope provided (H). Samples should be posted in a Royal Mail late collection postbox, or at a post office, before noon on the same day you collect your sample.