Take your blood sample with a finger prick device
- Lay your kit out on a table lower than your elbow
Do this on a low table – so your hand can be below your elbow during the test.
- Read the printed instructions in your kit
Read the printed instructions in your kit This guide is here to take you step-by-step through the process of taking a sample quickly and easily. Before you start, make sure to read the printed instructions that come with your kit. They include important health and safety information, including any risks.
- Get a clean tissue and a clean towel
- Fill a large bowel with warm water
Around the temperature you'd have in a bath.
If your kit has a RED tube check your emails (and spam folder), you may have more instructions from us.
- Remove the cap from the first tube
- Stand this tube in your kit using the hole inside the box
Keep the cap next to the tube so you remember which colour it is.
- Wash your hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds
Dry with a clean towel.
Please ask someone to help you identify the colours of your tube(s)
If your kit has 2 collection tubes, the YELLOW tube should be used first and the PURPLE tube should be used last.
- Put your whole non-dominant hand in the warm water for 2–3 minutes
Do this for 2-3 minutes – until your fingers are slightly dimpled. Then dry with a clean towel.
- Get your heart rate up
For 1 minute:
- do some jumping jacks or swing your arm—if it’s safe for you to do so
- clench and unclench your fists
Before you get started collecting, take care to:
- Stand up for the whole process
If it's safe for you to do so, as gravity helps your blood to flow. - Keep the tube on a low table, so your arm hangs completely straight
- Lie down and raise your legs if you feel faint
If you continue to feel unwell seek medical advice.
- Clean the ring finger with an alcohol wipe
- Take the cap off the lancet
- Place the palm of your hand up on the table
Don’t use your little finger and avoid your thumb. Don’t use a finger if it’s hot, red or swollen. If you've had a mastectomy, use the opposite hand for the finger-prick test.
- Press the lancet down on the outer centre of your fingertip
Do this until you hear a click. You can only use each lancet once.
- Wipe away the first drop of blood with a clean tissue
- Massage down your whole hand every 3-4 seconds
Go to just before the prick — squeezing too close damages the blood.
- Tap the blood into the correct tube
If your blood stops flowing, wipe your finger with the tissue while applying pressure to get it flowing again.
If this doesn’t work, go back through the steps above to get your blood flowing.
Fill first to the top line - marked 600 or 0.8.
Fill to the top line - marked 500.
Fill last, to the top line - marked 250.
If any of your tubes aren’t full (whether it’s one or both), unfortunately, we won’t be able to process them. Please dispose of them and drop us a message at hello@thriva.co. We’ll send you a replacement kit, completely free of charge.
- Place the correct coloured cap onto the tube(s) and push down until you hear a click
- Clean your finger with the cleansing wipe and apply a plaster (if you are not allergic)
Apply firm pressure to the wound site and raise your arm. If this doesn’t work, seek medical advice.
- Mix your tubes in the order below:
- Mix the purple tube first
Swirl tube slowly for 20 seconds, ensuring the blood touches the sides of the tube. Your blood will remain liquid.
- Mix the yellow tube next
Turn it upside down at least 10 times. Your blood will become thicker and solidify. It shouldn’t mix with the yellow gel.
- Your do not need to mix the red tube
Before you get started, take care to:
- Follow these steps carefully
We’ll help you make sure you’ve attached the correct labels and included everything in your return package. - Post your sample today
It’s important to post your sample the same day you’ve taken it, to ensure it reaches our lab on time and your results are accurate.
- Add the labels
Peel each label from the return form and apply to each tube vertically along the length of the tube, matching the colour of the label border to the colour of the tube.
- Put each tube in its protective plastic case and close firmly
- Fill in the returns form
The lab needs to know when you collected your sample. Match your details to your Thriva account information.
Please ask someone to help you identify which label goes on which tube.
- Pack your sample and form back in the box
Using the box your kit arrived in, put the following into the section of the box labelled ‘03 SEND’:
- Protective case(s) containing the labelled tube(s) filled right up to the required line(s)
- Completed return form
- Put the box into the prepaid envelope
This envelope has the lab’s address on it.
- Seal the prepaid envelope
- Post your sample
- Dispose of cardboard box in household recycling
Everything else should go in normal household waste.
