Finger-prick kits put you off? Meet upper-arm blood collection
The idea of a home blood test can sound convenient right up to the bit where you have to prick your own finger. If that is where you lose interest, the collection method matters.
SHIFT is trialling another option: a small device that sits on your upper arm and collects a sample there. It gives us a different way to approach home collection for people who find finger-prick kits off-putting. The option is not available to order.
Why we’re exploring it
When you’re trying to understand your health, the practical details can decide whether you take the next step. Where do you go? What do you have to do yourself? Can you see what is involved before deciding?
We want those answers to be easy to find. That includes showing how collection works before asking anyone to choose a package. You should be able to compare the options, understand the limits and decide whether the process suits you.
For someone whose first reaction to a finger-prick kit is “absolutely not”, an upper-arm option may make that conversation easier. That is the reason we’re giving it proper space on SHIFT Bloods.
What is an upper-arm collection device?
Broadly, it is a device positioned on the upper arm to collect a small blood sample into a container. The exact mechanism, preparation and collection instructions depend on the model supplied.
Some devices in this category use a lancet to puncture the skin. An upper-arm device should not automatically be described as needle-free, painless or non-invasive. We won’t promise that you will feel nothing, or that everyone will find it easier.
A 2024 study published in PLOS ONE explored a particular self-collection device in Canadian research settings. It looked at sample volume, discomfort and acceptability. It supports taking this approach seriously, while also showing why collection systems need validation. It does not establish the performance of SHIFT’s proposed service or identify the device we will supply.
Does it change what the blood test checks?
The collection method and the laboratory panel are separate choices. The panel determines which markers are measured. The collection method determines how the sample is obtained.
A different collection device does not automatically add more markers, produce a diagnosis or make every panel suitable for home use. The laboratory needs a suitable sample for the exact tests requested.
Our current proposed options are:
- Baseline Health: cholesterol, liver function and kidney function essentials, with finger-prick or upper-arm collection being trialled.
- Advanced Health: the core areas plus thyroid, selected vitamins and minerals, and testosterone, with the two home methods being trialled.
- Complete Health: a broader proposed panel requiring a professional venous sample, through a clinic or nurse home visit under the current proposal.
SHIFT Bloods tests and collection kits are not available to order. Explore the blood-test guide.
Will the upper-arm option cost more?
The upper-arm collection option is not currently available to order.
Before you pay for any blood-testing service, check the complete cost. Useful questions include whether the price covers return postage, laboratory analysis, explanation of results and any repeat collection if the sample cannot be analysed. Follow-up arrangements matter as much as the collection kit.
Can I see how it works first?
Yes. The SHIFT Bloods page includes an expandable section and a short illustrated overview. You can open it when you want more detail without scrolling through a long set of instructions.
The overview illustrates the collection concept. It does not show the final supplied device and must not be used as instructions for taking a sample. Follow the instructions supplied with your own collection kit.
What if I’m worried about blood collection generally?
It is useful to say so. The NHS advises telling the professional taking your blood if needles worry you. If collecting a sample yourself feels unsuitable, ask a healthcare professional about an appropriate alternative.
If symptoms are the reason you are considering testing, start with the clinical question. A home kit should not delay assessment of a new or persistent health problem.
Our aim is straightforward: give you a clear view of what testing involves, including a collection option you may not have considered. You can then decide what to ask next, with the practical details in front of you.
SHIFT Bloods is coming soon. Ordering is closed. Explore the panels and collection overview.
General information for UK adult readers. Sources checked 18 October 2026; independent clinical review is not claimed. The cited study was published on 29 May 2024 and concerns a specific device and research setting.
Related: Understanding blood-test results and follow-up | SHIFT.
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