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Getting Tested
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By *aldy321 OP Man 20 weeks ago
Huddersfield |
As a responsible bloke I do go through blood tests now and again. Started with the free NHS ones but difficult to book over and over again. Tried the home test kits but find them difficult to draw blood. Yesterday went through an agency, I assume they are an agency, who got me a private appointment for £325. Being part of the fab community testing from time to time is essential. But at £325 a pop? Anyone have other alternatives that aren't the home test kits? |
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I just pop up to my local clinic every few months. Doctors surgeries aren't keen on forever dealing with it when there's proper GP work to do, but I think most places will have specific sexual health clinics that'll do it for free 💜 |
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"SH24 are free and fast
Isn't this for people under 25 ?"
no as I use them for my tests. But they are home tests so no good for the op.
Op I normally use the home ones but when I'm not i just pop into my local clinic |
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"I just pop up to my local clinic every few months. Doctors surgeries aren't keen on forever dealing with it when there's proper GP work to do, but I think most places will have specific sexual health clinics that'll do it for free 💜"
I do the same and the NHS sexual health clinic that I use are always happy to do regular testing for me  |
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"I just pop up to my local clinic every few months. Doctors surgeries aren't keen on forever dealing with it when there's proper GP work to do, but I think most places will have specific sexual health clinics that'll do it for free 💜I do the same and the NHS sexual health clinic that I use are always happy to do regular testing for me "
Are these full tests do you know or just for the main few? |
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"I just pop up to my local clinic every few months. Doctors surgeries aren't keen on forever dealing with it when there's proper GP work to do, but I think most places will have specific sexual health clinics that'll do it for free 💜I do the same and the NHS sexual health clinic that I use are always happy to do regular testing for me
Are these full tests do you know or just for the main few?"
mine offer a full range of testing... but have to push for throat swabs as apparently don't need them.. yet it's the one I need most |
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If OP struggles to draw enough blood, I had the same problem but if you rinse your hands in hot water just before, it’s much easier! We use SHL 4 times a year for me and my husband also does 4 times a year so I feel we get enough tests as a couple. If you need more than 4 in a year, SHL might not agree. |
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"I might try soaking my hands. All I get is a dribble of blood. This is the second attempt I've tried though "
i struggle.. I just get them to send me more of the lancett things.
I do find hot water and being well hydrated helps to
Cali |
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"I just pop up to my local clinic every few months. Doctors surgeries aren't keen on forever dealing with it when there's proper GP work to do, but I think most places will have specific sexual health clinics that'll do it for free 💜I do the same and the NHS sexual health clinic that I use are always happy to do regular testing for me
Are these full tests do you know or just for the main few?"
They'll try and get away with only doing the main few unless you prompt for more at mine.
Being able to say I have a bisexual transgender former heroin addict and sex worker as a regular partner has made the fight to get the full range done much less than it used to be 💜 |
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I'd expect a private suite and medic, for that price 
Probably better to travel a little further, to where good free NHS services exist! Most tests are every 3 months or some do monthly. I'd not consider paying when local clinics are so good |
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By *orny PTMan 20 weeks ago
Peterborough |
"I have the same problem with thick blood. It took 3 visits to the GP to get it enough red stuff out of my two arms.
Has your GP suggested taking daily aspirin ?"
Not with GERD/long term heartburn. That's gonna cause more aggro for my stomach. |
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"SH24 are free and fast
They don't cover all areas tho? Neither do Northern health services anymore 
Can anyone help with other alternatives?
Ive just done a SH24 test & I'm in Rochdale."
Do you mind if I message you for some help please?
(I'm not the best with technology so it could be something I'm doing wrong but when I tried last week got a message to say I wasn't in an area they currently cover) |
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I pay £290 with a private GP.
Full range of tests every STI known to science.
Blood draw & urine sample.
Local postal kits only offer 4 tests and backed by an STI clinic which is over subscribed and under resourced. |
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"As a responsible bloke I do go through blood tests now and again. Started with the free NHS ones but difficult to book over and over again. Tried the home test kits but find them difficult to draw blood. Yesterday went through an agency, I assume they are an agency, who got me a private appointment for £325. Being part of the fab community testing from time to time is essential. But at £325 a pop? Anyone have other alternatives that aren't the home test kits?"
If you find it difficult to get enough blood from a finger prick..do it after a hot bath. You'll bleed better |
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Do not pay that ort if money, not without good reason anyway.
There are plenty of free clinics, offering different levels of service. Check out the ones around you.
The home kits can vary a lot so they are not always reliable as people don't do them properly, but still an option to for many so don't rule it out. |
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I use SH24 - super quick and reliable.
For those who struggle drawing blood I have found that having a really hot shower and keeping your arm low will get loads of blood in the fingers. Turn the shower off, dry your fingers whilst keeping the hand low and then use the needle - I went from really struggling to get anything to turning the shower into a murder scene this way. |
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"As a responsible bloke I do go through blood tests now and again. Started with the free NHS ones but difficult to book over and over again. Tried the home test kits but find them difficult to draw blood. Yesterday went through an agency, I assume they are an agency, who got me a private appointment for £325. Being part of the fab community testing from time to time is essential. But at £325 a pop? Anyone have other alternatives that aren't the home test kits?"
Stick tp the home tests - just learn how to do the bloods properly - warm up etc |
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I used to struggle getting enough blood. Best suggestion is drink plenty of water in the few hours ahead, take a hot shower before and do some exercises to get your HR up - I run on the spot, do jumping jacks etc before 😂 it’s really helped me.
I’d also say be prepared for it to take some time. I keep at it patiently, a drop at a time, and get there eventually - even if it takes a good 20 minutes. |
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"I have the same problem with thick blood. It took 3 visits to the GP to get it enough red stuff out of my two arms."
That is normally down to dehydration. Try drinking plenty prior to having blood taken. |
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By *aldy321 OP Man 20 weeks ago
Huddersfield |
"I have the same problem with thick blood. It took 3 visits to the GP to get it enough red stuff out of my two arms.
That is normally down to dehydration. Try drinking plenty prior to having blood taken. "
Thank you. Ill give that a try |
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"I’ve just ordered my from sh.uk should be here in a few days. I like the fact you can generate a secure link that works for thirty days so you can share your results. "
I've never had that option on mine. Think it's area specific.
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"We use SH24 for the tests, then pop into clinic for them to take our bloods. - all free. Went yesterday a great day out.  glad it's not just us that makes a day out of the test trips x"
You could have a night in a 4 star London hotel, for less than OP paid, if going to a free NHS clinic . |
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"You can only get test kits from SH24 every 17 weeks.
If you want more frequent tests, you need to go to a clinic. No need to go to a privately run one.
"
Use 2 diff mobile numbers you can then get more often. |
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By *bi HaiveMan 20 weeks ago
Forum Mod Cheeseville, Somerset |
"I’ve just ordered my from sh.uk should be here in a few days. I like the fact you can generate a secure link that works for thirty days so you can share your results. I've never had that option on mine. Think it's area specific. "
It's on the mobile version, below your results and says "share my results".
I've never seen the point in having that optiosn myself. Like a car MOT any test is only really valid on the day it's samples are taken. It's theoretically possible to do your tests, send them off and in the few days between the two, have sex and pick something up. 🤷♂️
But anyone not testing regularly for their own welfare as much as anyone else's, needs to give their head a wobble. |
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"I might try soaking my hands. All I get is a dribble of blood. This is the second attempt I've tried though i struggle.. I just get them to send me more of the lancett things.
I do find hot water and being well hydrated helps to
Cali "
well hydrated.... of course i never twigged... when i last had a blood test (not sex related) the nurse moaned at me your bloods thiclk you need to drink more water ...thanks cali i will drink more before i do a home test and see if i am a bleeder. |
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By (user no longer on site) 20 weeks ago
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Proper sexual drought going on here but I decided to take a test myself recently..all clear..used a company called Zults..all very easy, self-explanatory, super efficient and free too |
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