There are a few reasons why your results may not have been processed. If the majority of your results are unable to be processed, we'll automatically send you a replacement kit free of charge.
Haemolysis
When red blood cells in your sample burst before they could be tested, it means that the sample has haemolysed.
This is common with finger-prick tests, but can also happen when using the autodraw device. It usually happens if the finger was squeezed too firmly to get the blood out, or if the blood was shaken too much after collection.
When cells burst, they release substances into the rest of the blood. This can affect the accuracy of the test results, so the laboratory isn't able to provide a reliable reading from the sample.
Clotting
Results are sometimes unable to be processed due to clotting. This happens if the purple tube was not inverted quickly after collecting the sample, or if it took too long (more than a couple of minutes) to collect the sufficient amount of blood.
Insufficient sample
When collecting your samples, it's important to fill each collection tube to the correct fill line. The yellow tube should be filled to the upper line, while the purple tube (if included in your kit) should be filled to the lower line.
If you don't manage to fill the tubes as required, the lab might not be able to process the biomarkers in your test panel.
Sometimes your sample will be marked as "insufficient" even if you filled the tubes up to the required line. This means that there wasn't enough viable blood to run all of the tests in your panel. This can happen if the sample has clotted or haemolysed before it could be analysed.
Unlabelled or mislabelled sample
If your samples weren't labelled correctly, or if the return form with your sample doesn't exactly match your account details, 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 labeled correctly so they can run the tests. Because by labelling them, you're giving the lab permission to process the sample.
You didn't post both samples back to the lab
If you receive two tubes in your kit, they both need to be filled and sent back together. This is because each tube tests for different things. The lab needs both of your samples to process all of your selected tests.
If most of your results were successfully processed and only a small minority are missing, we'll credit your Thriva account for your missing results, so you can add them to your next test package free of charge
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:
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.
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.
What happens now?
GPs review all of our results and if the majority of your results of your results are missing, we'll send you a retest, free of charge. We'll email you letting you know that a new test is on the way.
If you receive your results and a few haven't been processed, your reporting GP will let you know. We'll credit your Thriva account for your missing results, so you can add them to your next test package free of charge.
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