Antibody blood test tips

[HelloMist]

Sorry if posted twice, couldn't find the post I thought I made this morning.

I'm doing an antibody blood test later (finger prick, about 0.5ml). Have done before and found it difficult to get enough blood!

This one's a government one you can opt into after a positive PCR but there are tests you do for the Zoe app, ONS study and others too.

I'm trying to drink more water and will put my hand in (quite) hot water to get the blood to my fingers. Any other tips? Thanks

Gravity works for me. I let my hand hang low, but keep a keen eye on the drips forming! I swing my arm if the flow slows.

Drink 2 pints a few hours before hand and also eat something. Soak your hand in quite hit water for 2 mins ( this is longer than you think so time it) swing your are round and around and do some star jumps. Prick in the pad of your middle finger. Repeat if blood flow slows down.

I do them every month, this is the method that works best in my experience..and dh's.

Oh yes, hand lower than your heart.

Thank you! Yes, last time I lost several drops - missed the tube - and then flow seemed to stop. Had to use 3 fingers in the end! It was over the bath at least so the clean-up was easy.

I used to do capillary bloods as part of my job on preemies and sick children/ adults also. it’s not good advice to use the middle part of your finger - prick should be on the side.
I now do them as part of the ONS study for myself and DH and ds - still using the side of the finger. there is a risk of losing sensation in the finger pad if you use that area and that can lead to burns etc.
if you can’t feel where you put your fingers.
Also try “milking” your finger to get the drop and don’t let the drops get too big. Keep wiping off any blood around the area to help the drops form.

If you’re at home have a hot shower or bath immediately beforehand

It does get easier with practice (I've done dozens of the wretched things). My tips:

Make sure you are warm
-Drink 1/2 pint water/tea 30 minutes before you plan to test.
-Do a bit of light exercise if you can
Open the plaster and wipes BEFORE you start.
-Look at your fingers; e.g I can see a vein running up the side of my ring fingertip. I stab there. I don't stab the tip because I realise that I use my fingers a lot typing etc.
-Place the tube in a holder somewhere just about knee height so you have to lean over a bit, but not too much. Make sure you have something you can wipe underneath
-Pop your chosen hand in a basin/bowl of hot water for a minute.
-Banish pets (they find it fascinating)!

-Take a deep breath...stab...swear when you miss the tube. I tend to hold my finger just above the tube to form drips and then wipe those in.

When done, stick your hand up above your head for a bit.

Amazing, thank you all for these! I feel a bit more prepared now. Haven't tried a shower/bath beforehand so I'll do that if I can, along with some of the others.

I had a hot shower to do a blood test like this yesterday and filled the vial in record time. Honestly was practically running out. Normally have to use more than one finger so definitely recommend hot shower. And keeping hand lower than heart

Having been warned it was really hard I drank lots of water that day, ran a basin of hot water, did some star jumps, ran up and down the stairs a few times and then danced around the basin while holding the relevant hand in the water and pressed then on. It was like a bloody fountain…….. 😂

I was scared I wouldn't get enough for the one I have done. I did it after a boxing session. The instructions said to wave your arm around a bit beforehand and clench your fist, so it seemed a sensible time to do it. I had spent the whole day before making sure I drank plenty of water and I drank plenty before the test. I made sure I was warm (if you are cold the body directs blood away from your extremities) and I dunked my hand in water that was so hot it was only just bearable.

I need not have worried. I bled like a stuck pig and blood went everywhere. So I suggest you wear old clothes and have plenty of tissue to hand.

Also, be prepared for bruising and tenderness. I had no idea how much I actually do use my ring finger and have been cursing under my breath regularly as I bash it yet again.

I got on a bit better yesterday, thank you, you've all been so helpful! question coming up if anyone can help:

Is it ok to complete and post the government antibody test on a Saturday? The video linked in the instructions says not to but the website says it's been updated to remove the reference to not doing it on a Saturday. Sounds as if this is OK but would like a second opinion/reassurance so my sample doesn't go to waste!

www.gov.uk/taking-antibody-blood-sample

Yesterday was for ONS. The shower seemed to help although I still had to prick a second finger to collect enough.

Glad some of you managed to get plenty! It was messy but I have done the test a few times and rarely seem to bleed more than the minimum necessary. I tried star jumps, hand lower than heart, hand in hot water - forgot to try clenching though thank you @CovidCurious for the reminder. I get cold hands and feet normally unless I'm really warm so perhaps my circulation isn't all that good.

If anyone reading needs more tips, gently squeezing the finger with my thumb so it went pink before using the lancet seemed to help a bit (I saw it on a YouTube video). The bruising (side of finger not middle of fingertip) isn't too bad except if I catch it on something.

I did a bit of the "milking" action too but only when drips were slowing down.

sorry I wrote so much but really, a big thank you to everyone who replied, it felt like a handhold before doing something I find pretty stressful! I'm not squeamish but it's difficult, and when ONS come there is a time pressure as well. Can't be done until they give me the kit and they are waiting to take the sample (sometimes to a courier at a certain time).

Just a tip @HelloMist don't today soak your fingers in acetone to remove gel polish, it really hurts if you get it in the blood taking hole

So glad it went well, although that time pressure does sound stressful!

@LefttoherownDevizes yikes! No I won't

Still looking for an answer about posting at the weekend? I missed the Saturday collection near me and there isn't one until tomorrow (you can look up priority post boxes, some do have a Sunday one). Text message says to complete it as soon as possible but I think I'll wait until tomorrow as I'm unsure about it sitting in the post box. Maybe it would keep (at least it's cold now) but I'm not sure.