Anyone used a home blood testing kit/service?

[redrabbit29]

I've been a bit paranoid recently that my testosterone is low. I match a lot of the symptoms. I am 40 years old, generally healthy with no major health issues.

My work does provide Bupa cover, but when I use the app, it says about in-person appointments should just go through my GP.

I really don't like going to my GP as when I've been before, they've fobbed me off - lots of times. I feel they may do the same here, or just say "get some more sleep". This is all aligned to my previous experiences.

So I am wondering about a home testing kit.

A 1 second Google search brought up a kit costing £40.

Has anyone done this before? It seems to be good as it also highlights other things which may below normal ranges.

Thanks all

[AB]

https://www.medichecks.com/

I used this when I had a similar gut feeling something wasn't right. T levels were low so I ordered another one for a couple of weeks after and they were normal again, which coincided with me feeling better. There's something going on.

Have been referred to an endocrinologist through my private healthcare for further checks but it was a good way to not have to go to my GP and get the ball rolling. Can take months apparently.

[alscar]

Can't help with the home test q but I also have cover with Bupa albeit privately and I seem to recall as part of said cover they offered "private " GP consultations at an extra cost of £20 as and when ?

[redrabbit29]

AB said:

I ordered another one for a couple of weeks after and they were normal again, which coincided with me feeling better.

Thank you - do you know why they changed and corrected themselves? Did you do anything different or was it just your body dealing with it?

alscar said:

Can't help with the home test q but I also have cover with Bupa albeit privately and I seem to recall as part of said cover they offered "private " GP consultations at an extra cost of £20 as and when ?

I can see on the app the option of a virtual GP appointment, but the bit that says in-person just says to go to my GP.

The app is quite confusing sometimes - they keep changing it. I may call them or something. I wasn't aware of the extra options available.

Thanks

[AB]

redrabbit29 said:

AB said:

I ordered another one for a couple of weeks after and they were normal again, which coincided with me feeling better.

Thank you - do you know why they changed and corrected themselves? Did you do anything different or was it just your body dealing with it?

Absolutely no idea hence the referral. I can pretty much predict when my levels have taken a dive as I feel rundown, irritable and tired etc. I've done 4 tests in total, bought the last one to do when I felt like that and low and behold... it was low.

I didn't do anything differently.

[Quattr04.]

I did a testosterone check with numan, as i thought i had low, turns out I actually have high testosterone.

Also did visit the GP and told them what I wanted which they obliged too and found the same

Since that, nothing

[grumbledoak]

I use https://www.medichecks.com/ annually out of curiosity. It is easy enough to do.

I'm not sure that one reading will tell you much though.

[horsemeatscandal]

I've used numan. It did what it said it would but it was also expensive.

[AB]

grumbledoak said:

I use https://www.medichecks.com/ annually out of curiosity. It is easy enough to do.

I'm not sure that one reading will tell you much though.

That's my experience too. I opted for the doctors report too for them, which suggested after the first one to do another (surprise surprise, they want your £ I know) - I've had two normal and two on the low side, seems no connection that I can make as to a reason, but I knew what the results were going to say before I did them from how I was feeling.

[alscar]

redrabbit29 said:

I can see on the app the option of a virtual GP appointment, but the bit that says in-person just says to go to my GP.

The app is quite confusing sometimes - they keep changing it. I may call them or something. I wasn't aware of the extra options available.

Thanks

I didn't get the app - the phone seemed to work fine.
They also recently added annual Dental checks -got letters for both.

[Takemeaway]

I’ve got one I need to do via my health insurance from aviva.

They’ve sent me the kit but I’ve not done it yet as I’m supposed to prick my finger enough to fill up a small (looks big though) vial with my blood. Eek

Planning on manning up tomorrow

[Sideways Tim]

I've literally just filled a vial for a testosterone test using Manual (it was on offer reduced to £30).

I've got all sorts of things going on at present since an episode that ended up with me in A&E Christmas eve and coming out four days later. At least I got a proper good heart check up whilst in, scans, x-rays, angiogram, four days of ECG monitoring, a drip to dilate my arteries etc. The upshot of that lot was that my levels of everything were all over the place, but my heart is in excellent condition.

I've been to the GP, both before and after the event as a lot of what's going on ties in with low testosterone. The GP's have been almost instantly dismissive of that being a possibility, so I decided to get it checked out privately as I'd rather pay a few quid to find out its normal or get checked quickly and get a solution sorted if it is low.

Sample was easy enough to take, but it did seem like a lot of blood to collect from a finger prick. However, there's now about a pint of it all over the kitchen as I needed to prick two fingers, the second of which was much more cooperative.

Pop the box in the post and see what, what.

Manual have been very good at explaining the process will be interesting to see what the next steps are.

[lizardbrain]

I've just posted by quarterly lipid test. Cost 30 quid a pop.



GPs don't like DIY tests but i find them quite motivating for lifestyle stuff, seeing lipids go up is much more of a kick up the ass than standing the scales for me

[dxg]

Takemeaway said:

I’ve got one I need to do via my health insurance from aviva.

They’ve sent me the kit but I’ve not done it yet as I’m supposed to prick my finger enough to fill up a small (looks big though) vial with my blood. Eek

Planning on manning up tomorrow

Go for a run or otherwise do something to get your blood pressure up beforehand. Will make it easier.

[Takemeaway]

dxg said:

Takemeaway said:

I’ve got one I need to do via my health insurance from aviva.

They’ve sent me the kit but I’ve not done it yet as I’m supposed to prick my finger enough to fill up a small (looks big though) vial with my blood. Eek

Planning on manning up tomorrow

Go for a run or otherwise do something to get your blood pressure up beforehand. Will make it easier.

Still haven’t done it. Taking on board your advice, I may do so after walking the dog

[redrabbit29]

Takemeaway said:

Still haven’t done it. Taking on board your advice, I may do so after walking the dog

Send them your dog's blood. I want to see firstly, if they detect it's non-human, and if they don't how they respond. E.g. "Please, urgenty attend any hospital in your vicinity immediately"

[CHLEMCBC]

Tried to, can't get any blood to come out of my fingers. The pricks hurt for days, though!

[lizardbrain]

I find if i hold my arm and wrist under a warm tap for a couple of minutes, and gently wash my wands, then I get more blood than I need

[CHLEMCBC]

lizardbrain said:

I find if i hold my arm and wrist under a warm tap for a couple of minutes, and gently wash my wands, then I get more blood than I need

Thanks for the tip. I might order another kit