FAQs

Our phlebotomists will not take blood from children younger than 16 years old.

Our phlebotomists will not take blood from children younger than 16 years old.

We do not recommend attempting to take a finger-prick sample from anyone younger than 12 years old. However, this type of sample is likely to be easier to take than a draw from a vein. Parents or guardians are advised to use their own discretion. 

We have a variety of needle sizes in store to make your blood taking experience comfortable.  

All tubes must be filled as much as possible, ideally to the top of the tube. This is to ensure that there is sufficient sample to provide a result. Please use as many lancets as necessary and follow the instructions provided with your kit. 

As quickly as possible – blood samples can deteriorate over time so do not post on weekends, bank holidays and at times when there is likely to be a delay. 

You do not need to fast for our tests. If you have been requested to by your GP or health-care provider to fast, please write ‘fasting’ on the Test Request Form or call our Customer Service line at 020 7183 6122

Start by making sure your hands are warm as this will increase blood flow. Massage your finder downwards towards the tip rather than squeezing and make sure you prick your middle or ring finger.

Yes, for any NHS staff we are offering some tests at a discounted rate. Please email info@londonmedicallaboratory.co.uk for more information. 

Yes. All our locations accept walk-ins.

Select a test on our products page. Register the test by inputting all your information. Pick a location and appointment time that is convenient to you.  

We ship all our products using a next day service. If there are any delays to your shipment, you will receive a notification. Please call our Customer Service team at 020 7183 6122 if you have not received your products after 3 working days.  

Unfortunately, we cannot complete your order over the phone. However, our website has been designed to make the ordering process as easy as possible for you. If you have any questions, please call our Customer Service team at 020 7183 6122 and our team will be happy to guide you through the process. 

Please call our Customer Service team at 020 7183 6122 or write to us at info@londonmedicallaboratory.co.uk

Please allow 10 working days to process the credit once the products have been returned and checked. 

Yes, we can send you a new test kit by post. Alternatively, you can visit one of our branches to have a phlebotomist take your sample for an additional £30 fee. 

Unfortunately, there are certain situations when your results can be delayed. We’ve listed a few reasons below:  

1. Late delivery of sample 

2. Maintenance of laboratory equipment  

Haemolysed blood means that the red blood cells have been damaged during the blood collection or transport processes. Heat can cause it too. Haemolysed blood can be difficult to test and can mean that the blood test needs to be repeated. 

Unfortunately, there is no way to completely guarantee that a sample will not clot. To avoid clotting, make sure you gently turn the tube over a couple of times to mix the blood if it has a green or purple top. 

All our results include a GP-reviewed report with an interpretation and explanation of your results. Blood tests alone are not a substitute for seeing a doctor, particularly if you are feeling unwell. You should not make a diagnosis or start any treatment without a consultation with a doctor or a suitably trained health care professional. All results need to be interpreted in the context of the rest of your health and this can only really be determined with a full clinical history and examination. For further information regarding your results, we recommend you contact your GP. 

In some cases, only certain tests within a profile can be performed. This can happen for several reasons including where the sample was of insufficient volume or quality. In these cases, our team will be in touch to assist you.  

If the laboratory cannot analyse the requested test or blood profile in its entirety, we will either (at our discretion) send another testing kit free of charge, arrange an appointment for a repeat test, or issue a refund.  

Please note that if you have requested a blood test and a small number of biomarkers are unable to be tested, we will try our best to arrange a repeat test for those particular invalid biomarkers. We are unable to provide a partial refund for invalid or rejected biomarker(s) unless the sample is rejected and the profile cannot be tested in its entirety.

This means that the result is difficult to interpret as it is borderline between positive and negative. It is difficult to say whether this is due to a past infection or the start of a new one. We recommend that you repeat the test as soon as possible. 

Unfortunately, on some occasions our laboratory cannot perform a test on a sample. This is due to a sample falling short in terms of quality, volume or some other eligibility criteria. In these cases, the laboratory may need to reject the sample, and not carry out processing. Sometimes the laboratory is able to compensate for a suboptimal sample, although this often leads to delays and turnaround times may be affected.  

The normal ranges for tests can vary over time because we constantly revise the ranges to take into account any change in our testing equipment, chemical reagents used in the testing process and the analysis techniques. 

Results will be sent the day after your sample arrives at the laboratory. For sexual health profiles, results will be sent 2-3 days after your sample arrives with us. For allergy testing, results will be sent 5 days after your sample arrives with us. 

As quickly as possible – blood samples can deteriorate over time so do not post on weekends, bank holidays, and at times when there is likely to be a delay.