Sample Collection Guide

On this page, you will find clear, step-by-step advice designed to help you make the collection process easier and achieve reliable results. Reviewing these tips before taking your sample will help you feel confident, prepared, and ready for a smooth testing experience.

Following the blood collection tips is essential to ensure your sample is collected smoothly. Proper preparation, such as hydrating well, warming your hands, and understanding how to collect your sample without pressing or scraping your finger too much, significantly improves the quality of your sample.

This page also contains instruction videos explaining the sample collection methods used in all Homed-IQ tests. Each video demonstrates a different sample collection method.

Blood Collection Tips

• Drink plenty of water 30 minutes before collection.
• Warm your hands well. Take a warm shower beforehand or run your hands under warm water for a few minutes.
• Do jumping jacks or swing your arms and clench and unclench your fists for 1 minute.
• Stand up, keep your finger downwards and below your waist.
• Start by pricking your ring finger, slightly to the side of the fingertip where the skin is soft.
• Do not prick your finger with anything other than the lancets provided in your test kit.
• Wipe the first drop of blood away with the included alcohol-free disinfectant wipe.
• Massage your hand, starting with your palm and first two thirds of the finger.
• Avoid applying too much pressure to the fingertip as this can damage blood cells and cause the sample to become unusable.

If using a collection tube:

• Don’t scrape your finger on the edge of the tube.
• Let the blood drip into the tube or gently touch the blood droplet to the edge of the tube.
• If you need to prick a second finger, use the middle finger next.
• Once you have filled the blood tube, gently invert the tube 8-10 times.
  

If using a DBS card:

• Wait until a blood droplet forms and let it drop onto the card.
• Ensure you fill in at least 3 full circles up to the edges.
• If you need to prick a second finger, use the middle finger next.
• Once you have filled the circles, let the card dry for 3-4 hours away from direct heat.

If you have used all included lancets and could not obtain enough blood, contact us at support@homediq.com.