How well are you managing your health? In the not-very-distant past, the only way to get information on indicators like your HbA1c or kidney function would be to ask your doctor to recommend blood tests. But now, you can do your blood test at home and simply post your sample off for analysis.

Feeling nervous or a little bit squeamish? It’s not as difficult as you might have thought, and you don’t have to collect much blood either. It’s just a matter of filling 2 small vials - and if you can’t bear the sight of blood, a friend or family member can help you out. Let’s look at the process you’ll follow for a successful at-home blood test.

1. Unpack Your Kit

Your kit arrives in the post and your first step is to unpack it and familiarise yourself with its contents. Choose a clean surface and unpack your kit. You’ll be standing up when you collect your sample, so a kitchen countertop is ideal.

Lancets: Your kit will contain lancets that you will use for the finger prick. The needle is hidden from sight, and the lancet ensures that the needle goes in to the right depth, so there’s no danger of an overenthusiastic finger prick.

Cleaning wipes: To avoid accidentally causing an infection when you do the finger prick blood test, wash your hands in warm soapy water. Then, you can use the cleaning wipes to get rid of any remaining microbes before doing the finger prick.

The vials for collecting your sample: Once you’ve pricked your finger, you will collect the blood in two vials that you can seal after use and send in for testing.

The holder for the vials: The vials should be placed upright in a special holder so that you can easily collect your sample and avoid any spills.

Sticking plaster: A final touch that saves you hunting about for plasters. As soon as you’ve collected enough blood, use the sticking plaster and carry on with your day as normal.

Instructions: Review the instructions and make sure you’re familiar with the process. It’s very easy, so this won’t take long.

Now that you’ve unpacked your kit and know what’s what, you can get started!

How to Do a Finger Prick Blood Test

Here’s your simple step-by-step guide on how to do a finger prick blood test and collect a good sample for the lab to analyse for you.

  1. Hydrate: Drink a glass of water about an hour before you collect your sample. It will help the blood to flow more easily.
  2. Get your circulation going. Give your hands a wash and soak in warm water or go for a warm shower. You could also do a little cardio. Don’t worry! It doesn't have to be anything strenuous. Windmill your arm, walk up and down stairs, or do a couple of star jumps. Your hands should feel warm to the touch.
  3. Prepare your finger. The best finger to choose is the ring finger of your non-dominant hand. You will prick the side of its fingertip. But before you do, make sure your hands are properly clean and use the wipe you got with your kit to sanitise the spot you’re planning to prick.
  4. Get gravity on your side. Stand beside the table or countertop you’ve chosen to do your test. Your elbow and hand should be higher than the vial so that gravity helps with the blood flow to your fingertip.
  5. Prick your finger: Place your hand palm upward on the countertop or another hard surface and use the lancet to prick the side of your fingertip. Remember, you don’t have to worry about controlling the needle. It’s retracted inside the lancet and will make a small prick when you press down on it.
  6. Collect the sample using the vials. You can help to speed the process by massaging your hand with downward motions, but don’t press down below the top joint of the finger you pricked as that may damage the blood cells you’re collecting. If it’s taking too long (longer than two minutes) to fill the vials, you may have to warm your hand, do a little light exercise, and use a new lancet to prick another finger. You’re nearly done!
  7. Cap the vials, fill in the label, and return it using priority post. Close the vials tightly, ensuring that they are properly sealed. Now, swirl each one gently, and turn it upside down. Fill in your details on the labels provided. Return your sample by priority post, dispatching it on the same day you collected it. You’ll have your results faster than you may have expected!

If you’re very nervous about pricking your finger, get someone to help you and look away. The worst you should feel is a little stinging sensation, and the results will be worth it in more ways than one. ‍

‍

Reviewed by Dr. Kingshuk Pal