We're afraid we can only provide our service to those living in the UK at this time. We are hope to offer our service to other countries in due course as we continue to grow.
We have strict processes in place to ensure the protection of our customers data. Following GDPR the company also operates under tight legal rules about the sharing of data which ensures that data is only shared if it is crucial to the delivery of our service. For example, our doctor’s see customer results at the time of review, however after review, access to results is withdrawn.
As a customer, you have the right to have your data anonymised. However, please bear in mind that if you ask us to do that after you have received your test results, your results will no longer be available via your online dashboard. One of the benefits of our service is to track how your results change over time as you take actions to improve.
Finally, if we were to share our data with any third party in the future (for means other than the delivery of our service), that data would be anonymised. This is set out in our terms and conditions. Unlike DNA, when you remove the name and address identifiers from our blood test results it is impossible to trace who they belong to.
We do our best to ensure our kits are easy to use, however, when difficulties do occur it is usually due to one of two things: dehydration and circulation.
Good hydration is hugely important and we strongly recommend that at least a pint of water is drunk an hour before collecting your sample.
If you do not knowingly have a circulation problem in your hands, it is a case of finding the technique that works for you. Getting the blood flow circulating well in your hands and fingers is key, so ensure that your hands are warm and do some hand exercises. Many find it easier to collect the sample after a bath or shower or if this isn't convenient, soak your hands in warm water for 4 minutes.
If you do suffer from circulatory problems in your hands (i.e your hands are always cold), then extraction via finger prick can be difficult. In such instances, we would recommend switching to a phlebotomy draw (blood drawn from a vein).
Tip: You can also try putting an elastic band around the middle knuckle of your finger as a tourniquet. This tends to trap the blood in the fingertip and you can see it go red if blood flow stops remove the band and you usually get a surge of blood as it flows back into your fingertip. When massaging your finger to extract blood, try massaging from the middle of your palm all the way to the tip.
Order A Replacement Kit
If you have been unsuccessful in collecting the correct amount of blood, you can order a replacement kit which can be done through the 'My Orders' section of your account. A replacement kit costs £10.00.
Arrange A Phlebotomy Appointment
If for whatever reason, you are having repeated problems collecting your sample via our finger prick kit, you may also wish to upgrade your order to a phlebotomy draw which allows you to have your blood taken by a nurse.
This can be arranged through Forth by requesting a home phlebotomy appointment during checkout at an additional cost of £55.00. We will arrange a suitable time and location for a nurse to visit you and take your blood sample.
Or you can order your test with a phlebotomy kit instead of a finger prick kit which is free of charge (select 'Organise a phlebotomist myself' option at checkout), and arrange an appointment at your local clinic so they can take your blood sample for you. Regardless of which option you choose, the nurse will give you the sample to return to us in the post the same as for the finger prick test.
PLEASE NOTE: Please do not send samples back to the lab unless they have reached the required fill line. In the case of the yellow tube, this is the 600 marker. If you do send insufficient samples, the lab may not be able to provide analysis but charges will still be incurred. If in any doubt please contact [email protected].
Yes, our kit will come inside a discreet grey or white plastic envelope with no branding or indication of what is inside.
If our FAQ’s are unable to answer all of your questions or if you have any further enquiries or suggestions, then please contact us via [email protected] or use the form provided.
Our customer service team is available from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays) and aims to respond within one working day.
We try and make our service as affordable and efficient as possible and it is for this reason that we do not offer a telephone service. However, you can be assured that any enquiry into our support team will be answered quickly.
Yes. Forth only uses laboratories with UKAS accreditation ISO 15189, this is an internationally recognised accreditation for laboratories. It is the gold standard in the industry and the same standard met by NHS laboratories.
You can read more in our Lab and Accuracy section.
Our labs operate a robust quality control programme to ensure equality standards are met on a day-to-day basis. Each biomarker analysed is validated for both accuracy and repeatability both through ISO 15189 and an on-going external quality assessment scheme which our lab voluntarily participates in.
Forth only uses laboratories with UKAS accreditation ISO 15189, this is an internationally recognised accreditation for laboratories. It is the gold standard in the industry and the same standard met by NHS laboratories.
