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How do I collect my blood sample for my at-home test?
How do I collect my blood sample for my at-home test?
Color Support avatar
Written by Color Support
Updated over a year ago

You can watch a video about how to collect your sample

  1. Fill out your information at color.com/test/activate. The lab cannot process your sample without this step!

  2. Remove all kit contents and read all of the instructions so you know what to expect.

  3. Unwrap the gauze dressing and bandage and set aside.

  4. Wash your hands with warm water for at least 30 seconds, then shake them vigorously towards the floor. This will help the blood flow to your fingers.

    Rub your hands together until warm to increase the blood flow. And keep drinking water to stay hydrated!

  5. Clean the desired fingertip with the alcohol wipe and allow it to air dry. It is best to use the ring or middle finger of your non-dominant hand.

  6. Twist off and discard the lancet cap. Do not pull off the cap. Make sure the collection card is in front of you.

    Note: The lancet can only be used to puncture once. Do not use it if the cap has been removed.

  7. Put your hand, palm facing up, on a firm surface. Select a puncture site on the right or left side of the finger. Press the lancet firmly against your finger. The lancet will make a click sound and you’ll feel a slight prick.

  8. Wipe off the first drop of blood with the gauze pad. Massage your lower arm and palm, but do not squeeze the tip of your finger. Standing up over the card can help! Allow 4–6 drops to fall freely onto the collection square.

    Note: Do not touch your finger to the card and do not put blood directly into the rectangle.

  9. Make sure that you put enough blood on the square so that it expands to the first line on the rectangle.

  10. When finished, use the gauze pad or cleansing wipe to clean your finger and apply the bandage. Allow the blood collection card to dry on a flat surface for at least 60 minutes at room temperature.

    Note: Do not use heat to assist drying.

11. Put the dried blood collection card into the biohazard bag, and seal it. Do not remove the silica packet.

12. Put the sealed biohazard bag into the return shipping bag, and seal.

Dispose the lancets and other used items in the trash.

13. Drop your sample at a USPS mailbox or post office.

Note: Samples should be mailed to the laboratory within 24 hours of collection

Troublehooting

Try again with the second blood collection card and lancets IF:

• You touched your finger to the card

• You put blood in the rectangle

• Your card looks like the photos marked with an “X”

If you weren’t able to fill up the card with one prick, use the extra lancet on another finger.

Examples of collection cards that will not be accepted by the lab

Not enough blood on the square and blood incorrectly dropped onto the rectangle.

Not enough blood dropped into the square, so it has not expanded to the first line on the rectangle.

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