Stability of samples.

How We Keep Your Blood Sample Stable During Postal Testing

We use the same types of collection tubes used in clinics and hospitals. Each tube contains specific additives that help the blood settle into the correct state for analysis. These additives are not preservatives, but they do slow down natural changes in the blood long enough for your sample to remain stable during its short journey to our laboratory.

Ensuring Accuracy

We carry out ongoing stability and comparison studies to make sure that postal samples provide results comparable to those taken in a clinical setting, provided they arrive within the recommended timeframe.
If any part of your sample has broken down (known as haemolysis), we will clearly highlight this in your report.

Posting Your Sample

To keep your sample in the best possible condition:

• Post it as soon as you’ve collected it

• Send it Monday to Thursday, so it isn’t held in the postal system over a weekend

• Avoid posting during very hot weather, as high temperatures can affect some markers

Markers Not Suitable for Postal Testing

A small number of markers, such as potassium, change too quickly once the blood leaves the body. Because they aren’t stable enough for postal transit, you won’t find these markers included in our home-collection tests.
We only include markers that have been proven to be reliable and stable using our postal testing process.