Has anyone used the THRIVE at home blood test screen service?

[springsummerimwaiting]

GP did full blood test end of last yr but they say came back ok. I’m going to go in and ask for a proper printout of the results.

Heard many on here and elsewhere say GP/NHS have such a wide window of what they say ‘is ok’. And I just haven’t felt right for so long.

So was wondering if it’s worth spending out on these ‘Thrive’ at home tests. They seem more up to date where they have a device that takes blood from your arm, than the old fashioned type at home tests where was finger prick test.

Before I spend out on it, would be good to know if anyone else did one and found it helpful?

Many thanks

Yes, I've used them three times. The first was with the finger prick which was a bit of a nightmare, I didn't manage to get enough blood for the HB1AC test. After that I opened for the auto draw as I used one for the Zoe programme and it was really good, not painful but easy to fill the little blood bottles.

Yes I did a few months ago and really recommend it, the autodraw device works really well and is painless.

I put the results into ChatGPT afterwards and it explained everything to me!

I must say I couldn't get the device to work at all. They gave me a refund. They will send someone to take your blood though at home. Costs more obviously! I had used them before and liked the interaction and the results table.

It's Thriva not Thrive just to say x

Ahhh I know someone who’s a paramedic who does all sorts on the side (IV drips, Botox and such)
maybe if I fail I can get him to pop over and do the blood draw for me if the arm technique fails.

Much appreciated for the feedback everyone.

Need to figure out which of all the differing tests to go for. Will go back on their site tomorrow and have another look over it.

Can I ask what you did with the results when you got them..
Added supplements? Went to GP if any concerning results? Lifestyle change
-is that basically what is helps to recommend if results show up things that need addressing?

Many thanks

I added supplements for the things I needed. And lost weight!

Don’t go just having random blood tests done. You need to know what was actually done by the GP and what the results were. And then based on your symptoms, you need to go back to the GP to push for further investigations for anything that’s missing.

You can feel rubbish, but have your blood tests be fine. That’s not really the point. I felt not right for a good while. My bloods were normal. I had stage 3 cancer. I still have cancer and am on treatment. My bloods are still normal! I am on paper very healthy, but I’ve still got advanced metastatic cancer. 😂

If you’re having bowel issues, you need more than blood tests, you need stool samples and a colonoscopy. If you’re having headaches, you probably need a CT scan. If you’re feeling blah but nothing specific, what lifestyle changes have you made? Exercising regularly? Eating well? No alcohol? It’s much more nuanced than just spending money on blood tests and I’d explore more pointed investigations and lifestyle changes first.

You can view your blood test results in the NHS app.

That's how I learned the NHS version of OK ferritin is quite high compared to other places and I gently pushed to be treated.