What do you think about finger prick blood tests?

[BettyMumsnet]

Hello everyone,

We’ve been approached by Thriva, a company who offer personalised health reports and advice based on finger-prick blood tests which you can do at home.

As an example, Thriva’s baseline test would check your cholesterol, liver function, and iron profile, as well as your levels of vitamin D and B12. It would also give you access to a detailed breakdown of your results on your online dashboard — plus advice and recommendations from a GP.

There has been an increase in the number of preventative health care companies, like Thriva, in recent years, but this is uncharted territory for us - so we thought we’d ask you what you think. Would you be interested in hearing more about Thriva and other companies like it? What do you think about monitoring health this way?

You can take a look at Thriva’s website here.

Many thanks in advance for your input.
MNHQ

Thriva isn't a DNA testing company and they don't diagnose or prescribe.

Thriva hasn’t paid for this thread.

Mumsnet carries some affiliate marketing links, so if you buy something through our posts, we may get a small share of the sale (more details here).

It’s not a finger prick - you have to kinda milk your finger to fill a little vial. It’s fine but calling it a finger prick is misleading.

I thought it was a good service and liked feeling more in control of my healthcare but it is expensive.

I agree with flower777. I used one of those companies and it is not just a drop of blood. I could not gather enough blood and had to go and get the blood professionally taken and then send the sample to the company to be analysed.

I get this regularly from my GP at the bi-annual check ups.
If I want to control / check up on my levels I an get this done for about 5 € at most pharmacies (not UK).

So I do not really see a need - apart from that I would be handing information about me over to a commercial third party.

I tried to use a kit and couldn't get enough blood, they actually need quite a lot and its v hard to get enough, and get it in the tiny tube!

Why can't you tell me how much it will cost me without me having to give you my name/dob/email address?

bloodywhitecat yep hate it when companies do that. I thought it was reasonable ish, I payed £60 for approx 12 tests with a 50% off code (although had to get a refund -£7 for kit as couldn't get enough blood)

Google Theranos.

Self that's the first thing I thought when I saw the thread title!

I've used them recently. It was £25 ish because it was my first one. I'm glad I did it as it pulled a massive vitamin B12 and D deficiency so I've gone on a supplement (from the chemist not Thriva though they were similar cost)

I'll have another one to see if I've made a real difference to my levels in 3 month and if not then I'll see a GP to ask about a B12 injection.

I found it easy to get enough blood by making sure my hand was nice and hot as they suggested.

I was also interested in my liver function as I know I drink too much wine and I was really pleased it showed everything is good (for now) so that's a motivator for me.

I honestly don't work for them reading that back!! I just found it more convenient than booking a GP appt then waiting for a blood test appt and then another appointment for the results. Seems such a strain on the NHS for something I could do myself for £25.

When I could not get the blood required the first time I was told to run up and down the stairs, jump around and drink lots of water. Still did not work! I had to pay extra to get the blood taken professionally.

I was pleased with thriva. It was a pain in the bum doing the test and I struggled to get enough blood despite warm finger, massaging it etc. But I just did it and the results were quick.

I did lots of the tests as the first one was half price but I wouldn't do the full range regularly as it turns out I'm pretty healthy. I have a medical condition that means I'm more likely to get thyroid issues, so I was happy to see I'm bang on 'normal'. I was worried about vitamin B but that was ok, though vitamin D was low (not really surprising in mid winter) so I'm supplementing that for a while and will do so each winter.

I will use them again but less often that their recommended frequency. Maybe once to twice a year just to check on how my levels are doing. I was a bit heavier and not eating well when I did the test so it would be interesting to see how losing weight and eating a better diet has changed the results.

Getting the blood is a pain in the arse frankly. Massaging the finger, moving around and keeping it in hot water beforehand did nothing.

I have a problem getting enough blood for a blood sugar test, I’d put my house on not getting enough for this!

If it was a lot cheaper I’d give it a go. It’s something I’d like to do for myself, but at that price I’ll stick to the NHS faffing about.

I wouldn't, but in my case I don't bleed easily. Also, I try and limit my personal data exposure. Then there's the liability issue: an error that might cause me to ignore a serious condition, or to treat a non-existent one would open up a real can of worms.

I have these done at the doctors for free

I did the Thriva test when I got a half price (£25) offer through Popbitch.

I found it pretty easy and way more convenient than doing it through the GP. I kind of liked the packaging, it was quite nifty.

It was at a point when I was quite worried about my general health, and was tremendously reassuring as everything turned out normal (even my liver function ). It did make me realise how lucky I am not to have found anything wrong IYSWIM, and have been much more healthy-living ever since.

Wouldn’t feel I need to do it regularly though, perhaps again in a year or two.

Interesting. I have been looking at their website recently and others. I was put off by the price. All of the above tests I can do through my GP. I'm single, work full time.

The Thriva website does say about 30% of people can't get enough blood.

For a more specialised test - heavy metals or minerals I understand its more difficult to get these accurate.

I have done this once, not with the company you are talking about but another private service. It was very difficult to get enough blood out. Not sure I did. Sent it off anyway and the entire test got lost! No results ever obtained. Not exactly reassuring

Not doing it again.

I've used Thriva a few times, like others have said it is a little like getting blood from a stone but it's much more convenient than GP. Means I can see exactly what my results are rather than relying on the doc to not fob me off with "everything's normal"

It's expensive. As others have said, getting the blood sample isn't the easiest & it's not just a finger prick. They bombard you with faux-friendly emails, and kept doing so even after I unsubscribed which really annoyed me. I found that the testing gave me health anxiety - I'd rather see my GP & have test results talked through with me in person. I won't use then again.

So what happens if they diagnose you with B12 deficiency and your GP thinks it’s spurious? Do they then re-test you? Would be interesting to compare their results.

@Lellochip just to let you know you're legally entitled to all your records free of charge including copies of your blood test results with the exact results!

Thanks @mouldyhousemouldylife - I do take copies of GP tests too (though that really is like getting blood from a stone sometimes )

It just always seems like hard work though, see the GP about possible b12 deficiency, run a whole load of tests, get told it's fine, query it being right at the bottom of range, told it's fine, ask if folate is ok as that causes same symptoms, not tested it, repeat the entire load of tests, get told it's fine, read results myself and lab has flagged up a deficiency 🙄

Thriva doesn't give off the "wasting my time" vibe that doctors always seem to. That said, I'm also aware that general monitoring of my vitamin/iron/etc levels isn't the most essential thing the NHS can be spending on so I don't mind paying for private tests

Why can't you tell me how much it will cost me without me having to give you my name/dob/email address?

Because your personal data is valuable to them

Hello everyone, thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts - especially if you've used Thriva or a similar product before.

We'll bear all of your feedback in mind during any future discussions.