Help. I can get myself to bleed for this test

[fluffypinkslipper]

I'm trying to take a home thyroid testing kit. My doctor has decided no one ever needs to see them again until this corona virus has all blown over. Getting an appointment with them is like breaking into a bank. I can get a telephone call but is lots of ummm ahhhs.

I gave up and ordered myself a home thyroid test. I have managed to prick two fingers and both literally drop out a couple of drops of blood.

This is after warming my finger up, endlessly massaging it, standing up and finger down.

Anyone got any ideas? I forgot this might be an issue for me. I have had blood tests done in the arm where I've had to come back another day as they can't get anything out of me. I'm so annoyed. I tick every thyroid symptom but have recently also started to lost the ends of my eyebrows which is really depressing. I'd just like reassurance as to if somethings wrong and if so what I need to do next.

Oh ffs thread title should read can't !!

What are using to prick with?

It came with a little device that stabs me when I press it down into my finger. Hope that makes sense!

I've done these. Get your hand warm, maybe sit with it in warm water, then get circulation going by waving it about a bit. Then make sure you prick the finger quickly, don't be scared. I normally stand with finger above the pot and massage downwards. Good luck.

Also make sure you're really well hydrated, not just a pint of water just before the test, but making sure you drink plenty for the 24 hours before the test really helps

I also have reluctant veins for blood tests, get as hydrated as possible for hours before, to the point where you are peeing hourly.
Also a hot water bottle on your hand for 30 mins then try.
Good luck 🍀

Also get your heart pumping a bit - do star jumps, skipping outside etc.

I used to have this before blood tests and I used to literally run to the surgery with gloves on and hope they could see me as soon as I arrived!

Is this the Thriva test?

My GP Nurse really struggles to get blood from my arms, so I was worried this would never work for me.

I hydrated well before starting the test and followed their instructions to the letter. At the beginning I had problems, but strangely, once I relaxed the blood flowed.

What I did find is that different fingers gave blood at a different rate.

I was delighted with the information Thriva provided. I now know more about my Thyroid than 40 + years of GP Appointments and two Consultant visits ever taught me.

@inmylifeIlovedthemall it's not the thriva test but probably similar.

Thanks for all of this advice. I think perhaps I'm dehydrated. I will try to drink as much as I can through till tomorrow and try again.

Press hard use thumb
I’m not sure if I can go for blood tests I’m way way overdue thyroid bloods
Really hope you manage it, those prickers are really sore too

Put your finger in warm water

You sound underactive? I'm over and I bleed distressingly when my thyroid is going crackers

Thanks all. Yes is for under active.

Thanks for the sympathy as well. I had my dh prancing around me at the time, saying oh come on, seriously it can't hurt that much. But after the first one being so disappointing plus I thought it actually hurt so much it took forever to get myself together for the next one.
Will be attempting it again tomorrow. Wish me luck. I will be rereading this as I do it

I have to prick my finger around 6-8 times a day. My little fingers are by far the fastest bleeders, not right on the top but to the side about 0.5cm from the nail. I have to warm up my hand before pricking it.

GOOD LUCK!!

@Otocinclus

Good luck, have you done it yet?

When you're successful, make your unsympathetic DH take a lancet to the finger. It hurts like a bastard, and I have a high pain tolerance. I'd rather take a regular blood test!

The only finger my pricks hurt is on my index finger on both hands, but it's a twinge, not proper pain.

Embarrassing update.
I was too much of a coward to use my final reminding lancet all by myself. So I called in dh to do it for me.
He promptly removed the top of the lancet and said so how does this thing work and stabs himself with it. Absolute twit. So in between me laughing and being angry all at the same time I have now ordered some on Amazon and they won't come until Saturday.

Gosh I feel for anyone having to do this regularly @PDof

Remaining not reminding!

Do you know someone with diabetes or gestational diabetes who might be willing to lend you their stabbing pen? Those are made really well and it simply "snaps" against your skin similar to the feeling of a rubber band. No pain and you can still get as much blood out as you need.

I ordered an accucheck pen in the end because the reviews sounded like it may be much less painful. £14 but I am willing to do anything to reduce the pain.

And yes. My dh is now a member of the official finger stabbing hurts club now. He now reckons he won't be doing mine if I have to get him to do it as in his words 'those things are evil'

[quote Otocinclus]@PDof I've had prick tests for blood sugar, and they barely register. I needed a larger volume of blood for another test (about 4ml) and those lancets seriously hurt. The first one I did, I was actually expecting a tiny prick like the blood sugar ones and I flinched badly enough to have to do it an extra time. The needles are a lot bigger and longer when you're taking more out.

@fluffypinkslipper, does he agree it hurts now? 😁[/quote]
Hi, is it a lancet device, like a reusable pen like device? I can't use those (registered blind) so use the 3.1mm safety lancets where you twist the top off and go. I had the 2.2mm ones and struggled to get the tiny amount needed.

I really feel for people having to do this when they find it painful, especially when it is so frequent every day. Could you use one like the ones I use? I can send details if it could help you. It's awful for you when something less painful could be used. I'm not sure how much 4ml is to look at; I could get around a teaspoon so that's probably nowhere near what you need, I'm so sorry it's really painful for you.

They are surprisingly painful aren't they? DH had to do a home test and couldn't do it on himself after the first one!
I'm a nurse and do these on people frequently. Always go for the side as a PP mentioned and ideally not index finger. You've had all the tips about warming up your hand and swinging arms around.
Unfortunately underactive thyroid tends to mess with circulation which won't be helpi. My fingers used to go white in the cold, which was how I ended up being diagnosed.
I have mine done when I give blood and am always shocked at how much they hurt! My patients are usually used to them and don't even flinch...

@Otocinclus hello, from the muppet of the day... My lancet managed me to get about, well, and I'm not sure exactly but just over half a teaspoon's worth.

@fluffypinkslipper please don't listen to me; I need a new username after my little experiment!

Anyhow, if you're struggling and live near me, I'm happy to stab you finger

Yep, definitely the side of the finger is better. Warm hands and accuchek ones are good! I also agree that little finger or ring finger bleeds better.

I always use my own ones if I have to go into hospital because generic ones are evil!