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Blood sample collection

Please read all the instructions provided in your kit, including the warnings

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1. Before you start

Illustration of the instruction bookletIllustration of the instruction booklet

Before you collect your sample

Read all of the instructions, including the warnings included in your kit box.

Collect your sample in the morning Monday–Friday and return on the same day.

Please visit our website and select your test to review the 'When to Test' section for more information on when to collect your sample.

UPS truckUPS truck

Arrange your UPS return

Please contact UPS to arrange a pickup, or find a drop-off point before you collect your sample. Visit the UPS website or call 1-800-742-5877 to schedule a pickup or find a UPS drop-off point.

Illustration of phone and bagIllustration of phone and bag

Activate your kit

Before collecting your sample, activate your kit on the LetsGetChecked App or online at LetsGetChecked.com/activate. Your unique activation codes are located on the biohazard bag. Make sure to use your own personal LetsGetChecked account when activating your kit. The information and sample you provide must be your own.

label on biohazard bag illustratedlabel on biohazard bag illustrated

Complete the details on the label

It is important to fill in the label located on the biohazard bag with the date of collection and your date of birth and sex.

This is essential for the lab to process your sample. Please do not remove any labels from the kit components as they are required for sample identification.

2. Blood Sample Collection

shower head with water flowingshower head with water flowing

Prepare for your sample collection

It may be easier to collect a sample if you are warm. Taking a shower or running your hand under warm water before collecting your sample can be helpful. Ensure you are well hydrated when taking your sample. Nails that are too long can make it more difficult to collect your sample.

washing handswashing hands

Wash your hands

Wash your hands in warm, soapy water and dry thoroughly.

Illustration of cap of blood collection tube twisting and removing.Illustration of cap of blood collection tube twisting and removing.

Open the blood collection tube

Twist the cap to open the blood collection tube and place it so that it will be easy to collect your sample.

hand with left side of the top of the ring finger highlightedhand with left side of the top of the ring finger highlighted

Select the finger for sample collection

We recommend selecting your ring finger (4th finger) on your non-dominant hand to pierce. Do not pierce or collect blood from the smallest (baby/pinky) finger, or any other body part not indicated in the instructions.

Please ensure you are seated when collecting your sample.

twisting cap of lancet to removetwisting cap of lancet to remove

Prepare the lancet

Take a lancet from the kit box. Twist and remove the thin tab. The lancet is now ready to use. We provide extra lancets in case you need to pierce extra fingers to collect your sample.

Lancet pushing against side of ring finger to pierceLancet pushing against side of ring finger to pierce

Pierce your finger

Clean your finger with the alcohol swab provided and allow your finger to dry.

Position the lancet on the rounded end of the right or left of your chosen fingertip. Press down firmly until you hear a click.

Illustration of gauze wiping first drop of blood.Illustration of gauze wiping first drop of blood.

Wipe away the first drop of blood

After piercing the skin, a small drop of blood will form. Wipe away the first drop of blood with the gauze provided.

Ensure your hand and arm are angled downwards. Firmly massage your hand and finger to form new droplets of blood. Do not touch or squeeze the fingertip.

blood dropping from finger into tubeblood dropping from finger into tube

Collect your sample in the blood collection tube

Lightly tap the droplets of blood against the inside of the blood collection tube. It must be filled to the top line marked on the side of the tube. An under-filled blood collection tube will not be accepted by the laboratory.

Note: If the blood flow stops, you will need to use the same finger on your opposite hand, or your middle finger.

Clicking blood collection tube cap to close itClicking blood collection tube cap to close it

Firmly seal the blood collection tube and mix your sample

Once you have finished collecting your sample, wash your hands and apply the adhesive bandage to your finger. Replace the lid on the blood collection tube and press down firmly until you hear a click. Turn the tube upside down ten times to mix your sample. Ensure the blood collection tube is properly closed before you do this. This is vital to ensure the sample is preserved for the laboratory.

3. Package and Return

blood tube being sealed in bag.blood tube being sealed in bag.

Seal the sample in the biohazard bag

Place the blood collection tube in the biohazard bag. Do not remove the white pad located in the biohazard bag.

To seal the biohazard bag, remove the plastic strip and fold down the flap.

Ensure you have completed the label which is located on the biohazard bag.

folding biohazard bag flap to seal and placing it in the kit boxfolding biohazard bag flap to seal and placing it in the kit box

Place the biohazard bag into the kit box

Place the biohazard bag back into the LetsGetChecked kit box. Ensure you have folded the biohazard bag flap to seal it.

Placing kit box into UPS envelopePlacing kit box into UPS envelope

Return your sample

Place the kit box in the return envelope provided. Send the kit back on the same day with UPS.