Vitality Blood Test FAQs

• Nurse Appointment Guidance
  Before your appointment:

  • You will be asked to show photo ID to the nurse and confirm your name, date of birth and address.
  • Please remember to reschedule your appointment if it’s no longer convenient. You can reschedule within 48 hours before your appointment. If you cancel within 48 hours you will be charged for the appointment.
  • Drink plenty of fluids before your appointment. 
  • The nurse will be wearing appropriate PPE to conduct the venous draw.

  After your appointment:

  • Keep your plaster on for up to 6 hours after your blood was taken.
  • Make sure you eat as normal and drink plenty of fluids.
  • Take it easy – don’t do vigorous exercise or lift heavy objects, as this could cause more bruising
  • Expect to have some bruising around where the blood was taken – this is nothing to worry about and will go away within a few days
  • It’s not likely that you’ll feel any after effects, but seek medical advice if you feel unwell
• How long does it take to receive my sample and how will I know when you have received it?

  Your nurse will send your sample to the lab with a Track24 envelope, meaning it should arrive at the lab within 1 working day.

  A Vitality GP will review your results within 48 hours of receiving your results from the lab. Please note the lab is operational Monday to Friday.

  A Vitality GP will send the results to you by email once they have been reviewed and advise on any next steps. Please do not worry if you have not heard from us for a few days following the return of your kit.

• Why have some of the tests that were requested not produced results?

  Sometimes we do not receive results for all of the tests that have been requested. This is usually for one of two reasons. The first is that sometimes blood specimens are affected by the process of collection and transportation to the lab, meaning that occasionally the tests do not produce accurate results when they are analysed. The second reason is that sometimes patients are not able to collect a sufficient amount of blood for all of the requested tests to be processed by the lab. 

   

  If either of these situations occurs then the Vitality GP reviewing your results will decide whether a repeat specimen is needed and will take the necessary steps to organise this as appropriate.

• Do you offer a phlebotomist option?

  Yes, some tests require a blood sample to be collected by a phlebotomist. In addition if your GP feels it is clinically appropriate for your test to be carried out in this way then they will recommend this, and if you would prefer not to collect your own blood sample then please inform the GP and they will arrange a phlebotomy visit.

  
  Our Phlebotomy partners are Inuvi  - https://inuvi.co.uk

  For Phlebotomy Support please call: 0118 467 0555

   

  Performing a Capillary test

  How is the test performed?

  A test pack will be sent direct to your home. The pack contains all you will need to take a blood sample from your finger. It includes a detailed instruction leaflet, sample tubes, lancets to prick your finger and a return postal envelope.

   

  There is also a video which provides clear instructions: https://www.exeterlaboratory.com/instructions

  

   

• I have received my sample kit, should I fast to get more accurate results?

  Our tests don’t require you to have fasted. However, tests of cholesterol (also called lipids) can be more accurate after fasting. To achieve fasting, you need to have not eaten for at least eight hours and have only drunk water before taking your sample.

   

• What if I can’t collect enough blood?

  If you carefully follow the instructions provided, you should be able to collect sufficient blood. 

   

  It is particularly important to ensure that you are well hydrated and that your hand is warm before you start trying to collect your sample. Please make sure to read the instructions carefully and watch the video linked below so that you are confident with the process that you need to follow.

   

  However, should you not be able to produce enough blood to reach the indicated line on the tube, we recommend that you send the sample in anyway, as sometimes we are able to produce results with a smaller volume.

  https://www.exeterlaboratory.com/instructions/