Is it normal to struggle to get blood from finger prick test?

[BlackLotus]

I'm concerned that now I have a blood clotting issue or something.

Did one of those finger prick blood tests from medicheck and despite massage,water and heat before placing lancer on my finger, it did indeed draw blood but the blood was not dripping. I couldn't get enough to fill the vial. It didn't make me bleed much and when it did the blood was immediately clotting and not dripping.
Is this normal ? Or is this something I should he concerned about ?

No reason to be concerned. Sometimes I can’t get a sample, other times I can’t stop it bleeding. Depends on where the lancet hits you tbh just try a different spot.

I couldn't do it either, sent my test back and got a full refund. It's ridiculous to expect a sufficient amount of blood from a finger prick. It's not you.

I know a lot of people have the same issues. I only easily get blood from my ring finger, fill up that little tube really quickly. My middle finger is useless 😂

I work out first, then have a shower, and do it straight after my shower, in the bathroom.

When I had to fill a little vial with blood for a covid antibody test the instructions were to drink water and exercise the arm first to get the circulation going.

There is a bit of a knack to it. I did monthly ones for research during covid. You have to really get your heart rate up before you start. Jumping jacks and swing your arms round.

I have to do regular finger prick tests and my trick is too so it on the side of the finger- not the plump finger 'pad'. So between the nail and the squishy finger print area

I tried to do one for a Thriva test. Followed all the instructions, leapt about, drank pints of water, windmilled my arms, put my hands in warm water etc and couldn't squeeze more than a few drops out. I sent what I'd got but received a message back saying the blood cell walls were all ruptured because I must have massaged my finger too hard 😳

She's already said she's done that.

Unless you have other concerns then no it wouldn't be concerning to me on its own (caveat with of course speak to someone if you are worried). There are lots of tricks to get samples and if you haven't done them before then you won't know them, quite often on the home ones people are (understandably) a bit hesitant and don't go to town as much as they could sometimes.

It is normal if you don't try the stuff @Lilacshade did.

Personally with medichecks and other multiple blood tests from similar companies it is worth paying the extra to go to a hospital/clinic where a phlebotomist can take the blood from you.

I couldn't get it flowing at all the first time, had to ask for a new kit, still a struggle. Then another company (Blue Horizon) included small elastic bands to go on your finger/thumb and that made it so much easier (used them along with all the other advice). They are not tight but just keep a little constant pressure.

Completely normal. I fought and fought to get even half a vial of blood using one of those stupid things recently, then went to give blood a few days later and was done in no time. Think it really is just down to chance and where you end up piercing it.

I struggle too. Last time I had sore hands for days after, I'd made so many attempts. It still got rejected. The blood seemed to clot straight away and not go into the tube.

Could you be dehydrated? If I haven't had enough to drink I can't get a drop, whereas if I'm well hydrated it's like a tap.

I was on a trial where I needed to produce 5mls every month, I got very good at it.

Eat
Drink a pint of water an hour before
Go for a walk
Hold your hand in warm water for 3 minutes ( time it!)
Do a double prick and hold the vial lower than your heart.

Do all of the above. It might still take 10 mins to collect enough.

Don't worry, if you had a clotting issue it wouldn't stop bleeding. Your issue is perfectly normal.

I'm terrible at finger-prick blood samples. I got sacked from the blood test bit of the ONS random Covid tests despite trying my hardest. But I've given gallons and gallons of blood over the years and none of the recipients have ever complained so I assume there's nothing wrong with it.

Thanks for the replies. It's helped rest assure me its normal.

Unfortunately my blood test results did come back failed as the cells were ruptured due to straining to obtain the sample.
I guess it was a waste of my time and money doing a finger prick test with them. They offered to send a replacement test to repeat but it's useless to me as it was a progesterone test to confirm ovulation which has to be taken on day 21 of cycle :( I can't retake it as I'm passed the cut off for such sample

Huh?

You just wait until your next cycle and retake the test.

Medichecks mucked up a hormone test I paid for my sending me the wrong vials. So I had to wait for my next period to retake the tests. In my case I had to book an appointment locally with the phlebotomist dept of my local hospital when my next period was predicted.

In my case I was annoyed as the hormone test was an add on to other stuff I actually needed, but in actual fact the hormone test helped in the end.

@Reugny I don't have periods naturally.. I'm on fertility medication to induce period and ovulation and after last month was unsuccessful, I didn't ovulate on it , I decided that if I don't ovulate this month on it , I won't be continuing with all the medications as it makes me too ill . In which case I won't be able to repeat next month