STI testing kits FAQ

About our service

How will I receive my order?

Your order will be delivered to you via Royal Mail next-day tracked delivery in discreet packaging.

Are the home tests accurate?

Our STI tests are the same ones used by clinics and doctors, and are very accurate.

Please be aware that some STIs have an incubation period, during which they may not show up on tests. It is recommended to take the test after this incubation period has passed to ensure you receive accurate results.

Are my results sent to my GP?

We will not send your results to your GP without your consent. If you wish us to inform your doctor of the results you receive on your behalf, we are able to do so.

How do I begin my order?

To begin your order, press the green button and follow the on-screen prompts.

What is discreet packaging?

All orders are secured inside plain packaging which gives no indication as to what it is or where it came from.

The test kit is sealed in a plain box, fastened together with a sticker. The box is then put in a plain, opaque, grey bag. The only information on the bag is your name and address, which you provide us.

Who supplies our tests? (Laboratory)

Our tests are supplied by TDL pathology.

Will I need a prescription?

No, you do not need a prescription or referral to order a testing kit from our website.

How does the service work?

1. You order a testing kit from our website and we deliver it to you in the mail.
2. You provide the necessary samples and post them to our partnered lab, using the included free-post envelope.
3. The laboratory receive the samples and test them.
4. Your results are made available through your online Prescription Doctor account. Only you have access to this information.

Collecting your sample

What should I do if I use up all the lancets?

If you use all the lancets up while attempting to draw blood from your fingers, please call the number at the bottom of the instructions to get in touch with the laboratory.

They will be able to assist you with what you should do next.

What should I do with the used lancets?

Place the used lancets back in the box and mail them back to the laboratory. They will be able to dispose of them safely for you.

Do not throw away lancets via your household waste.

What should I do with any remaining lancets?

Place the unused lancets back in the box and mail them back to the laboratory.

Do not throw away any lancets via your household waste.

Does alcohol consumption affect the test?

Yes, alcohol can cause dehydration which can make collecting samples of blood and urine difficult.

You should avoid drinking alcohol before taking the test.

How do I collect my urine sample?

1. Make the urine collection box by squeezing the indicated sides.
2. Begin peeing into the box. Once the box is halfway full, continue urinating into the toilet.
3. Pour the urine from the sample box into the provided vial until it 3/4 of the way full. Discard of any remaining urine down the toilet and throw away the sample collection box.
4. Affix the cap to the vial and seal it inside the provided plastic wallet.
5. Put the plastic wallet back into the box and seal the whole thing inside the prepaid envelope. Post it at your earliest convenience.

How do I collect my blood sample?

1. Clean the finger with one of the provided alcotip swabs.
2. Remove the cap from one of the lancets and press the end firmly against the side of your fingertip. Apply pressure for the needle to prick your finger.
3. Wipe away the first drop of blood from your finger.
4. Holding your finger above the collection vial, gently milk the blood out of your finger. Do not squeeze the area around the site of the incision.
5. Fill the vial up the marked line and affix the plastic cap.
6. Gently invert the vial 5 to 10 times to mix the blood.

What should I do if I am struggling to collect my blood sample?

If you have trouble drawing enough blood to provide an adequate sample, there are several steps you can do.

Before taking your sample, run your hand under warm water. This encourages blood flow to the hands. If the skin on your fingers is particularly hard, warm water will help to soften the skin and make it easier for the lancet to penetrate.

Ensure you are standing up when acquiring your sample. This will aid in blood circulation and help you to provide a sample.

Relax your arm at your side to encourage blood flow to your fingertips before taking your sample.

Position your hand above the vial and point your finger down, allowing the blood to drip from your finger directly into the vial.

When extracting blood, milk your finger by rubbing from your knuckle to the point of incision. Avoid squeezing the incision point as this can cause the blood to clot.

Try changing the finger you are drawing blood from. The fingers to take blood samples from are the ring finger and pinkie finger. Use an unused lancet when taking each sample.

Try changing the hand you draw blood from. For example, if you struggle to draw blood from your right hand, try drawing blood from your left hand. Use a new, unused lancet when taking a new sample.

You can ask someone to help you collect your blood sample. They can hold the blood vial or help massage the blood from your elbow down to your fingers.

When is the best time to collect a blood sample?

The best time to collect your blood sample is in the morning.

How much urine is required?

You only need to fill the tube 3/4 of the way to provide an adequate sample.

How much blood is required?

The amount of blood required is indicated by the fill line marked on the collection vial. You need to fill the vial to the marked line in order for an accurate test result.

When is the best time to take the urine sample?

For the most accurate results, you should take your urine test first thing in the morning.

Do I need to refrigerate my sample(s)?

There is no need to store or refrigerate your sample(s).

Once you have collected your sample(s), you should post them to our partnered lab, using the free post envelope, at your earliest convenience.

Sending your sample to the lab

When is the best time to send my results to the lab?

Collect the sample on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday and post it the same day to ensure that the sample reaches the lab before the weekend.

Receiving your results

Who should I contact if I have a problem?

If you have any issues with your order, our friendly customer service team are on hand to help.

How long will it take for my results to come through?

Your results will be available 2 days after the lab receive your sample.

How do I access my results?

Your results will be made available to you via your Prescription Doctor account.

What should I do if I receive a positive result?

If you receive a positive test result, a member of our medical team will contact you with advice on what you should do next.

Who should I speak to about concerns with my results?

If you have any concerns about the results you have received, contact our customer service team for assistance.

General questions about getting tested for STIs

Should I still get tested for STIs even if I have no symptoms?

Many STIs can be asymptomatic, meaning that they do not cause any symptoms. The only way of knowing for certain whether you have an STI is by getting tested.

It is recommended to get checked for STIs every time you change sexual partners. For high risk individuals who are not in monogamous relationships, it's often recommended to get tested every 3 to 6 months.

If you are experiencing any symptoms of an STI, or have reason to believe you have been exposed to an STI, you should get tested to determine your status.

When should I take an STI test?

You should get tested as soon as you can after the incident of exposure to a sexually transmitted infection.

Depending on the infection, you may need to wait a certain amount of time before the infection will show up in tests.

Generally, you should wait 3 weeks before taking an STI test to ensure an accurate result.

The incubation periods for common STIs are as follows:

• Chlamydia = 1 day
• Gonorrhoea = 2 to 6 days
• Syphilis = 3 to 6 weeks
• Hepatitis A = 2 to 7 weeks
• Hepatitis B = 3 to 6 weeks
• Hepatitis C = 8 to 9 weeks
• HIV = 28 days to 3 months

Can tests come back incorrect?

There is a chance a false-negative or false-positive may occur, though instances of these are rare.

False-positive results are when the test incorrectly returns positive. For example, the test says you have an infection when in reality you do not. These rarely happen.

False-negative results are when the test incorrectly returns negative. For example, the test says you don't have an infection when in reality you do. A false-negative can occur if you take the test too soon or while the infection is in its incubation phase.

It is recommended to get retested for infections such as HIV, HPV and Hepatitis C to confirm the results.

When should I take a retest/follow-up test?

If you suspect a false-positive or false-negative, you should consider getting testing again. While the home test kits are accurate, they are most effective at detecting infections after their incubation periods.

It is also important to retest after receiving treatment to ensure the treatment has worked and the infection has cleared.

How is the home testing kit different from one from a clinic?

The only difference between our home testing kit and a test performed at a clinic is that you are in control of the testing process.

Our home testing kits allow you to conveniently test for STIs from the comfort of your own home at your own pace. Once you have collected your samples, you post it to our partnered lab at a time which suits you.

Table of contents

Questions about the service

Questions about collecting the sample

Questions about sending the sample to our partnered lab

Questions about receiving your test results

Questions about being tested for STIs