Here are all the reasons why your blood sample may not have been processed or ended up being “not diagnostic”, and what to do now.

1. Sample haemolysed. This means that the blood cells in the sample are damaged. It can happen if you squeeze your finger too hard during the collection process, or if you shake the sample too hard afterwards.

2. Sample clotted. This happens if the vial was not inverted quickly after collecting the sample, or if it took too long (more than a couple of minutes) to collect a sufficient amount of blood.

3. Insufficient sample. This means there is not enough blood. Always make sure you fill the tube to the upper line. Sometimes your sample will be marked as "insufficient" even if you filled the tubes up to the required line. This means that there was an insufficient amount of viable blood to run all of the tests in your panel. If this is the case, your sample has either clotted or haemolysed.

4. Unlabelled or mislabelled sample. If your samples weren't labelled, or if the label on the sample doesn't match your return form, the lab won't be able to process your samples. Our labs are UKAS-compliant and regulated by the CQC. They need the samples to be labelled correctly so they can run the tests. Because by labelling them, you're giving the lab permission

5. You didn't post both samples to the lab. If you receive two tubes in your kit, then both need to be filled. This is because each tube tests for different things. The lab needs both of your samples to process any of your tests.

6. LDL cholesterol results. Our labs' blood analysers directly measure the total cholesterol level, triglycerides and HDL level. The LDL level is not directly measured using the machine but is calculated using the total cholesterol, HDL and triglycerides, using the following formula: LDL = Total cholesterol - HDL - (triglycerides / 2.2). To calculate LDL levels, we need readings for total cholesterol, HDL, and triglycerides. Missing LDL cholesterol levels are typically due to one of the following reasons:

1) HDL is much more sensitive to haemolysis than total cholesterol, so it is possible to get a total cholesterol level back without an HDL level. Without the HDL level, it is not possible to calculate the LDL level.

2) If your Triglyceride levels are too high (over 4.5), then the formula does not work. If this is the case, it might be worth fasting overnight, and repeating the test in before breakfast as this can affect the triglyceride levels.

7. Reason unknown. Unfortunately, sometimes the blood breaks down before the lab is able to process it. This can be due to heat, delay between collecting the sample and processing, or a number of other factors.

8. Contamination. Contamination of the blood sample can occur if you are taking hormone medications, especially if it’s a cream or lozenges. If you use a hormone cream or lozenges there is a substantially increased chance of the sample becoming contaminated. This is because trace amounts of cream or lozenges (after touching them) remaining on the skin can mix with the sample, producing an elevated result. There are a few ways to minimise sample contamination by cream. You should wear gloves while applying the cream or taking the lozenge, it will reduce the chance of contamination. You should always thoroughly wash your hands with soap and warm water and dry them with a clean towel after applying the cream or taking the lozenge, and before taking a blood sample. To avoid the need for a retest, you may also want to consider using a trained phlebotomist to carry out the test at your home via a “venous draw”, as it can substantially reduce the risk of contamination. Please note that there is a difference in price between the finger prick and venous draw blood test, visit our price page for more information.

What happens now?

There can be two different situations:

a) Blood test done ahead of you consultation with your Harmon Doctor. Your Harmon Doctor will review all of our results during your follow-up consultation and if they don't have the majority of your results or if your blood sample has been contaminated by your hormone medication, they’ll ask for a retest, which will be automatically sent to you free of charge. We'll email you letting you know a new test kit is on the way. To avoid the risk of your blood sample being contaminated again by your hormone medication, your Harmon Doctor may recommend you to carry out the test via a “venous draw” at your home. A trained phlebotomist will call you to arrange the appointment at the time and day that works best for you. The venous draw collecting method can substantially reduce the risk of contamination. Please note that there is a difference in price between the finger prick and venous draw blood test, visit our Pricing section page for more information.

b) Blood test done without having a consultation with your Harmon Doctor scheduled. If you’ll receive a blood test report with some results missing or with extremely high hormone results while taking hormone medications, there is a high chance that your sample may not have been processed or ended up being “not diagnostic”, as contaminated by the hormone medication. Please get in touch with us asap by calling at +44 (0)20 4599 3550 or through our chatbot, by emailing at [email protected]. In this last case we’ll aim to respond within 1 working day. We’ll offer you assistance helping you repeat your blood test either with the finger prick or through a venous draw. Please note that there is a difference in price between the finger prick and venous draw blood test, visit our Pricing section for more information.