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Original poster

New LFT not really working

54 replies

StrongLegs · 09/12/2021 07:52

Hi,

Is anybody else finding that these new lateral flow tests are not really working that well?

Half the time when I our family do them, the liquid doesn't ever make it to the control line, and then if it does we always get a big smudge at the T line, which makes it really hard to tell if it is possive or not.

With the old tests it was always either definitely negative or clearly positive.

OP posts:
Original poster
StrongLegs · 09/12/2021 07:52

The boxes for the new ones say "Flowflex" on them.

OP posts:
MyCatHatesWhiskas · 09/12/2021 07:53

Yes! Is it me or is there barely any liquid in the vial thingy?

MyCatHatesWhiskas · 09/12/2021 07:53

Mine aren’t Flowflex but it’s as if something changed.

Original poster
StrongLegs · 09/12/2021 07:56

This is our latest two.

New LFT not really working
OP posts:
underneaththeash · 09/12/2021 07:57

Are you squeezing the swab with the sides of the vial before removing? That will give you a bit of extra liquid.

Jobseeker19 · 09/12/2021 07:58

Omg yes. The liquid is shit. I have to open two liquids.

Original poster
StrongLegs · 09/12/2021 07:58

The flowflex ones have the liquid in the test tube and a foil lid on it. There is a lot more liquid but it still is often not enough.

The ones with a vial had a tiny amount of liquid and in the last few kits I had, it was not enough to reach the control line either. The tests are going downhill I think.

I am making sure to register all the dud tests as well as the good ones, so they know how much waste there is.

OP posts:
HighHighHopes · 09/12/2021 08:00

I don't put the top on the dropper thing. I pour all the liquid on the test spot (technical term) 😁

If I put the top on, half the liquid disappears

SallyOMalley · 09/12/2021 08:03

We get the flowflex one through work. The liquid does seem to get more viscous once you've stuck the swab in, but I've never had tide marks like that.

toomuchlaundry · 09/12/2021 08:03

There is always plenty of liquid for me. Do sometimes struggle to get the foil top off though.

Are you looking at the results after 15 minutes because mine go like that after time, but are easy to read at 15 minutes?

CheesyFootballsAreEvil · 09/12/2021 08:04

Mine works fine. Your tests look like they might be positive though?

Original poster
StrongLegs · 09/12/2021 08:05

That's very smart HighHighHopes. I'll try that.

Good point toomuchlaundry. Maybe I need to be really specific about the timing. I didn't actually look at what the timing was. I assumed it was still half an hour. who has time to read the whole booklet every time???

OP posts:
CheesyFootballsAreEvil · 09/12/2021 08:05

It's 15 minutes

CheesyFootballsAreEvil · 09/12/2021 08:06

And it says very clearly to read it as it might be different. So you probably haven't done it properly

nannynick · 09/12/2021 08:06

Works fine for me. Instructions say 4 drops but I find 3 drops is enough to get to the control line and minimises the dye spread.

NeverTalksToStrangers · 09/12/2021 08:06

I find the ones with the foil top fine (got those from DS1's school) but he had been sent home with several dud batches before where the liquid vanished.

orangina01 · 09/12/2021 08:09

Are you doing four drops on the flowflex? I always have to remember that as the old style ones are only two drops. Ours haven't appeared like your photo so seem ok.

Blabla81 · 09/12/2021 08:10

They’ve been fine for us. I thought it was 3 drops for these ones? (Someone mentioned 4?) I could be wrong.

Blabla81 · 09/12/2021 08:14

It is 4 drops, I’ve been doing 3 all this time (the 30 seconds must have made me think 3). However, maybe 4 is too much as 3 has been working perfectly for us.

DrHildegardeLanstrom · 09/12/2021 08:16

The instructions for the flow flex are different so make sure you read them

idiotfacelicker · 09/12/2021 08:24

At flowflex the nose only ones? If so I agree, they're shit. Half the time I can't even get the damn foil off! Often there not enough liquid and have to pour it like a PP described. Rubbish.

museumum · 09/12/2021 08:28

I’ve honestly never had an issue. But the instructions ARE different.
You must squeeze the swab out fully like they show you. I’ve never not had enough for 4 drops.
If you haven’t read the instructions how do you know you’re doing the nose bit properly or the swishing the swab in the liquid properly.

Chemenger · 09/12/2021 08:33

Other than the foil being virtually impossible to get off I haven’t had a problem. It is 4 drops and 15 minutes, as PPs have said. The instructions are very clear about squeezing out the swab, otherwise there wouldn’t be enough liquid. I would imagine adding extra liquid invalidates the result.

Whinge · 09/12/2021 08:34

The only issue i've had with flowflex tests is the bloody plastic vial splitting.

PintOfBovril · 09/12/2021 08:35

DONT use two liquids!! The volume of the extraction buffer is specific to the test process - the right enzyme concentration needed to break and identify the proteins. Similarly, don't use more or less fluid on the test cassette as this renders the test invalid. You won't get an accurate result.