Blood testing kit and collection instructions:
Thanks for ordering a bodymapping blood testing kit! You should shortly receive a kit in the post or delivered to your ‘safe place’ if you are out.
Please watch the unboxing video below, the box you received the kit in is the same box in which you will return your samples to the lab, so take care to open the box correctly.
As instructed in the video:
Apply the new Nationwide Pathology address label over your old address label on the Postage Box ready for when you return the kit.
Take the Polystyrene Box out of the Postage Box and place it in your home freezer at least 2 nights before the day of your blood collection (phlebotomy). The polystyrene box contains two ice packs that will sandwich the black envelope containing your blood sample. There is a blanking slab of polystyrene that sits between the two ice packs to ensure that they freeze uniformly and allow space for your sample.
Call Nationwide Pathology* lab to book your blood collection at a local clinic on 01858 571 322 - The lab booking team will ask for your name and DOB to locate the email that we will have sent them to alert them to your blood test. Please advise them that you are working with Dr Bazlinton from the bodymapping clinic.
*NB Clients who wish to attend Doncaster Royal Infirmary (DRI)Phlebotomy department do not need to call the lab, you just need to walk in with your testing kit. Please let me know if this is your intention, I will include a DRI booking form with your kit which you will need to attend. Please note you cannot attend the phlebotomy departments of other hospitals, only the DRI.
The blood test must be a fasting blood test, ideally before 10 am. The blood test must be early in the week; Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday, to allow the sample to reach the lab for testing before the weekend. Please note that you should not be charged for the blood collection at the time of the blood test as this is included in the original cost.
The test should be done after an overnight FAST. Please avoid high-intensity exertion/training/exercise for 3 days before the test - light exercise such as walking is fine. In the 24 hours before the test, eat normally while ensuring you are hydrated. Please drink 2-3 litres of total fluids per 24 hours for 3 days before the test.
On the day of the test please miss breakfast and don't drink any tea or coffee - just water. Please drink 300 - 500 ml of water 2 hours before the test.
Remove the Polystyrene Box from the freezer 2-4 hours before the appointment time for your blood collection on the morning of your blood test.
Place the Polystyrene Box back in the Postage Box along with the black envelope and travel to the clinic to collect your blood sample.
The clinic will need the blood bottles and once they have collected your blood they will label the bottles and place them with your Electronic Request Form into the black envelope which can then be sandwiched between the two ice packs in the Polystyrene Box ready for posting.
You will need to then reseal the Postage Box and take this to a local Post Office before the last collection of the day and post it Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed by 1 pm the next day. Some post offices have collections up to 4 pm but please check to ensure the sample is sent the same day. You will need to pay for this postage.
We should receive your results which we will share with you via the Health and Data tracker 3-5 days after your blood collection.
Finally, while you wait for your results please don’t forget to upload your current weight and waist circumference to the Health and Data Tracker. Watch the how-to video here: “How to add weight and waist circumference”
The kit is designed to keep your blood samples between 2 and 8 Celcius for up to 36 hours as they travel to the lab. Not too cold and not too warm. Your four Sample Tubes (#1) are returned in the Black Insulated Envelope (#2) with your personal Electronic Request Form (#3).
We also supply a Needle Kit (#4) in case you have arranged your own phlebotomist to collect your blood sample.
Your Black Insulated Envelope (#2) then needs to be placed between the two Ice Packs (#5) in the Polystyrene Box (#6) before returning them to the lab in the Postage Box (#7).
Please do email us if you have any questions.