FAQs

Do you have any advice on how to extract sufficient blood from a finger prick?

You should use your ring finger or little finger. Make sure your hands are warm as this will increase blood flow. Massage the finger downwards towards the tip rather than squeezing.

Will I get a kit reissued if I cannot fill up the tube?

Yes, we can send you a new test kit by post. Alternatively, you can visit one of our branches to have a phlebotomist take your sample for an additional £30 fee.

When you receive your new kit, on the Test Request Form, you will need to write ‘Repeat’.

How can I order the category baseline tests & IgM and how much do they cost?

It is more beneficial to opt for one of our profiles since this will be able to tell you more than just the individual tests. Individual tests cannot be ordered in advance but can be done as a walk in at one of our depots.

IgM antibody tests can only be arranged through pharmacies approved by the Chinese government, since this is a requirement for entry to China. Everwell or Optipharm are pharmacies that frequently provide this service.

How long will it take to get my blood results?

Your results will be sent by email 24-48 hours after your sample arrives at the laboratory. For sexual health profiles, your results will be sent 2-3 days after your sample arrives with us.

Is there always a phlebotomist available at all sites at all times?

Yes

Are all depots trained to bleed children, if not to who and where should they be directed?

Currently only Putney has a phlebotomist that is trained to bleed children, however, we will soon be increasing our compliment of staff trained in this capacity. If you would like to attend our Putney clinic with your child, we will need advance notice of your appointment.

What is the youngest that a child can be to have a sample taken via:

Phlebotomy?

Our phlebotomists will not take blood from children younger than 16 years old.

Finger prick?

We do not recommend attempting to take a finger-prick sample from anyone younger than 12 years old. However, this type of sample is likely to be easier to take than a draw from a vein, parents or guardians are advised to use their own discretion.

Do you have needles for thinner veins?

We have the butterfly blue needles in stores which is good for thinner veins. There is no need for any arrangement to be made in advance.

How high do I need to fill the tube and why?

All tubes must be filled as high as possible, this is to ensure that after ‘spinning down’ the sample, there is sufficient sample to provide a result.

Are all tests quantitative?

No, our sexual health checks will simply provide positive or negative results. Other types of test are quantitative.

Once I get my results, who will be able to interpret the results?

We are not a clinical laboratory and will not be able to provide interpretation of your results, kindly contact your GP.

Can you provide me with my results even though they are not verified by a doctor?

No, our doctors will need to assess the values your results and advise you if these lie outside the normal ranges.

What do the numbers on the IgG antibody test mean?

We are not a clinical laboratory and will not be able to provide interpretation of your results, kindly contact your GP.

Do I need to fast before I take my blood test?

You do not need to fast for our tests. If you have been requested to by your GP you will have to write ‘fasting’ on the Test Request Form.

What does it mean when a sample is ‘haemolysed’?

Haemolysis is when the red blood cells break up and the serum or plasma will have a slight red colour which may affect the result.

How does haemolysis occur?

Haemolysis can occur if a sample faces delays when reaching the laboratory. It can also occur when samples are exposed to heat. It can occur with any sample.

Why does a sample clot, what types of sample are more likely to clot and how can it be avoided?

Unfortunately, there is no way to completely guarantee that a sample will not clot. We will not be able to tell if clotting has occurred until the sample arrives at the laboratory for testing. To give the sample the best chance of avoiding clotting, make sure you mix the tube if it has a green or purple top.

What types of things can cause my results to be delayed?

Results can be delayed for the following reasons:

Late delivery of sample
Analyser downtime
Maintenance on machine and subsequent quality controls
Human error

Are you able to arrange for someone to come and take my blood sample from me at home or at my office?

We will be able to arrange this for you at an extra £80 cost, as long as we are given advance warning.

Can all blood tests be done at home?

No, any blood profiles that include a full blood count (FBC) can only be done on site.

How do I book an in-store test and how does it work?

We offer multiple testing options. To order an in-store test just add the test to your basket, continue to check out, fill out your personal details, choose your nearest store and confirm the date and time of your appointment.

If you order an in-store test then you do not have to wait for a test kit to be delivered to your address and you avoid the possibility of postal delays. Simply arrive for your appointment and our friendly medical team will conduct your test for you on-site.

Are there any dispatch time constraints on postal test kits?

We can only dispatch postal kits on weekdays. We can dispatch kits on the same day if ordered before 1pm. If you order a postal test kit after 1pm on a Friday, or on the weekend, then your test will be dispatched the following Monday. Please consider this delay when ordering any time-sensitive at-home postal test kits.

Can I make an order over the phone?

Unfortunately, we cannot complete your order over the phone. However, our website has been designed to make the ordering process as easy as possible for you. But if you do have any questions, then please contact us and our team will be happy to guide you through the process.

Are London Medical Laboratory qualified to provide pathology testing?

We are also registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC)—the independent regulator of health and social care in England— and process all of our tests through a UKAS accredited laboratory.