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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Post my poo through the letterbox?

74 replies

Zoesmummy1 · 31/10/2024 18:18

I was asked by my gp to do two stool samples after finding blood in my poo and some other worrying symptoms. I go on holiday tomorrow for two weeks so was wondering if I should post the samples through the surgery door before I go very early tomorrow morning? I would usually wait until I returned but am obviously very worried about my symptoms and have a family history of bowel cancer so don’t really want to wait two weeks extra. Is this ok or out or order on my part?

OP posts:
Bogginsthe3rd · 31/10/2024 21:32

saraclara · 31/10/2024 21:01

True, but that's the general population screening though. I've had several of those, but the one the GP asked for in response to specific issues was a pot which required a larger sample and had to be placed in a sample bin that morning, to go to the hospital lab.

I'm assuming OP 's is one of those.

Show quote history

It's exactly the same FIT test probably but the one from the GP (as opposed to national screening programme ) is processed to have a much lower threshold for detecting blood. This is because the OP most probably has symptoms which prompted the GP to ask for the rest. It's the same small sample with the small probe in its container.

Apollo365 · 31/10/2024 21:32

Also good luck and hope you get a quick negative result and can crack on with enjoying your hols

Bogginsthe3rd · 31/10/2024 21:33

If a sample to look for bacterial growth then may be a big ol' stool sample in pot to be fair.

ThinWomansBrain · 31/10/2024 21:35

I think the NHS bowel cancer home testing kit gets sent back to them in the post.

Frenzi · 31/10/2024 21:38

Post it through the letterbox. The receptionists will moan (gp surgery worker here) but honestly its nothing new!!!

They will put it in the bag to be collected and the lab will decided if it is usable or not. Worse case scenario - you will need to do another sample.

soundsys · 31/10/2024 21:40

Our surgery has a big sign saying not to do this. Which may be unique to them of course but makes me lean towards no

Frenzi · 31/10/2024 21:43

soundsys · 31/10/2024 21:40

Our surgery has a big sign saying not to do this. Which may be unique to them of course but makes me lean towards no

We tell patients not to do allsorts but they still do it!

Shove it through the surgery door - they will either send it off and it be accepted or rejected by the lab or the receptionist will destroy it. Either way you are not missing out!

saraclara · 31/10/2024 22:01

Bogginsthe3rd · 31/10/2024 21:32

It's exactly the same FIT test probably but the one from the GP (as opposed to national screening programme ) is processed to have a much lower threshold for detecting blood. This is because the OP most probably has symptoms which prompted the GP to ask for the rest. It's the same small sample with the small probe in its container.

Show quote history

Mine from the GP was not the same as the usual screening FIT test. It required a marble sized sample and didn't have the little ridged probe. There was a normal sized sample bottle and a little spade shaped thing to collect the much larger sample.

Dontsayyouloveme · 31/10/2024 22:11

If you can then yeah deffo.. the sample needs to be ‘fresh’.. can’t remember the number of hours exactly but don’t leave hanging around it until after holiday ..

AnotherMner · 31/10/2024 22:13

saraclara · 31/10/2024 21:01

True, but that's the general population screening though. I've had several of those, but the one the GP asked for in response to specific issues was a pot which required a larger sample and had to be placed in a sample bin that morning, to go to the hospital lab.

I'm assuming OP 's is one of those.

Show quote history

A poster was praising the system in Australia (general population) and didn't appear to know it exists in England.

AgainandagainandagainSS · 31/10/2024 22:17

OldTinHat · 31/10/2024 18:45

My friend had to send her sample off in the post (I don't know the ins and outs). The same day she posted it, as directed, with the label and packaging, her area was flooded, yes, including the post box.

I must ask her what happened about that!

My friend had to have a courier pick a poo sample up once. We thought it was so funny when the guy came to the office on his motorbike. My friend is one of those who still laughs at toilet humour so anything poo related is 'hilarious'.

Original poster
Zoesmummy1 · 31/10/2024 22:32

My sister says she may be willing to drop it in for me but she’s embarrassed (she’s only 18) 😂. Does anyone know if there’s a box she can put it in so she doesn’t have to tell the receptionist what it is? I think I do remember seeing a yellow box on the desk?

OP posts:
saraclara · 31/10/2024 22:39

Zoesmummy1 · 31/10/2024 22:32

My sister says she may be willing to drop it in for me but she’s embarrassed (she’s only 18) 😂. Does anyone know if there’s a box she can put it in so she doesn’t have to tell the receptionist what it is? I think I do remember seeing a yellow box on the desk?

That depends entirely on your GP practice. And we don't know yours. Mine has a box outside the front door. Others will vary.

saraclara · 31/10/2024 22:39

All she needs to say is that she has a sample to drop off. She doesn't have to say what type

NoCarbsForMe · 31/10/2024 22:45

Really thought this thread was going to be VVU 😂💩

BadNewsBelle · 31/10/2024 22:49

GP receptionist here 👋 we have a postbox outside our treatment room for completed samples, however we are always happy to help anyone unsure of the process etc. It sometimes works out better for us to double check too as our labs are super strict about labelling and marking on dates and times of samples, if its missing they will not test which would result in a repeat needed. Hopefully your Practice is the same and can assist your sister if she has any trouble finding where to leave the sample.

Mumandcarer80 · 31/10/2024 23:51

Zoesmummy1 · 31/10/2024 22:32

My sister says she may be willing to drop it in for me but she’s embarrassed (she’s only 18) 😂. Does anyone know if there’s a box she can put it in so she doesn’t have to tell the receptionist what it is? I think I do remember seeing a yellow box on the desk?

Ours has a rack on the reception desk to put them in. Similar to a test tube rack and they get collected to take to hospital at 12 noon. So have to be dropped off before then.

Happyasapiginmuck1 · 01/11/2024 00:30

I used to have a friend who tested the poo samples. She had to open them within a bag incase of explosions!

Hellohihi · 01/11/2024 01:03

Only do this if your GP surgery has a specific box for tests/biohazard NOT in a general postbox. Please consider surgery staff. I work in a GP surgery and we only accept samples handed into reception, which are then recorded on our system, processed and sent to the lab, so they have to be handed in by a certain time.

imastrangerheremyself · 01/11/2024 01:05

One time a receptionist took out a pair of tongs to take my sample 🤷‍♀️

SurelySmartie · 01/11/2024 01:15

Yes the national screening ones go in the post box.
The GP ones for testing when symptomatic usually go back to the GP.
Don’t leave it 2 weeks. Get your sister (or someone) to hand it in and just say here’s a sample.

Stealthmodemama · 01/11/2024 01:20

MyrtleStrumpet · 31/10/2024 19:52

For those who haven't given a stool sample, please don't be alarmed.

There's a tiny scoop attached to the sample pot lid. You scoop a pea sized bit of poo then screw the lid on the sample pot. Very quick and easy. The OP isn't pooing into a pot!

I wish this was more clearly explained.

A tiny amount of poo - not a pot full

Todaywasbetter · 01/11/2024 10:37

Tell your sister, this is the day she becomes an adult

Apollo365 · 05/11/2024 21:13

What did you do in the end OP?

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