How testing works

This depends on what you’re looking for. 

A finger prick test is a good choice if you want to do the test yourself and you don’t want to wait for an appointment. Finger prick tests are also less invasive than venous blood tests (where blood is collected from a vein in your arm). However, it’s not always possible to test every biomarker with a finger prick test – especially when the test requires a large volume of blood.

If you want a more comprehensive test, then consider our phlebotomy service, where a trained phlebotomist collects blood from a vein in your arm. This type of test requires more blood than a finger prick test, but it measures a greater range of biomarkers and is an ideal choice for getting a more detailed picture of your health.

You’ll be able to view your results on theIvie Wellness appwithin 48 hours of our lab partners receiving your blood sample. You can also download a PDF version of your results, along with the doctor’s report, to keep for your records

You should do your finger prick test between Monday and Thursday. Please don’t do it on a Friday, Saturday, Sunday, or Bank Holiday because of the potential for postal delays. It's best to do your test first thing in the morning, just after you wake up. Taking your test in the morning gives you time to post your sample later on the same day

Blood tests measure biomarkers that can be a sign of many different conditions and deficiencies. Some examples of things blood tests can check for include diabetes risk, high cholesterol, vitamin D deficiency, inflammation inside your body, anaemia, and underactive or overactive thyroid.

At home blood tests are reliable, but there are a few things to bear in mind. The main thing that can make a blood test unreliable is if the sample takes too long to get to the lab and starts degrading. If your blood sample isn’t posted back right away, it can start to degrade, making it harder to interpret your results. To stop this from happening, always post your sample back the same day you do your test.

You can do a few things to prepare before a finger prick blood test. Here are some tips to make the process as smooth as possible:

• Drink plenty of water 30 minutes before your test 
• Do your test right after a hot shower or bath, or soak your hands in warm water first
• Jump around to get your blood flowing
• Take a few deep breaths – it’ll help you relax
• Stand up while taking your sample – let gravity do its thing
• Don’t squeeze your finger – use gentle pressure in a downward motion instead