FAQs

1. Is a home testing kit easy to use?
2. How do I take a testing sample at home?
3. How do I know that I am taking my sample correctly?
4. How does the testing process work?
5. What should I look for when choosing a testing laboratory or laboratory supplier?
6. Why is it important to provide consent?
7. Do I need to consult my doctor before I take a home lab test?
8. Do I need to visit or consult my doctor after taking a home lab test?
9. How does online ordering work with LabsDirect?
10. Is there an age limit for buying a home lab test online?
11. Do I need to do anything to prepare for taking a home lab test?
12. How accurate are home lab tests?
13. Can I view my results online?
14. Will my results be passed on to anyone else?
15. How long does it take for my results to be available?
16. Is my test and personal information confidential?
17. What do I do if the results indicate a problem?
18. Do you offer next day delivery?
19. What should I do if I am having trouble ordering?

Is a home testing kit easy to use?

Yes, all of our testing kits come complete with detailed instructions for taking and preparing for the test. Collection of your urine, swab or finger prick samples is completely safe and will only take a few minutes.

How do I take a testing sample at home?

Different samples are required for the various tests that we offer. Our STI testing kits require you to provide a urine sample, our DNA testing kits require you to provide an oral cheek swab sample and our Allergy testing kits require you to take a small pinprick sample of blood from your fingertip. Comprehensive instructions for taking each individual test are provided with all of our home testing kits, so you don't need to worry that you will be unsure of how to take the test once you have ordered it online.

How do I know that I am taking my sample correctly?

A step-by-step instruction sheet is included in all of our test kits, so as long as you follow the instructions carefully when you take the test, you don't need to be concerned that you will make a mistake. You should be very careful to correctly label the samples you collect, provide an adequate sample amount of urine, blood or cells for the laboratory, and that the correct person is being tested and labelled accordingly.

How does the testing process work?

When you receive your test kit at home, you will need to follow the instructions provided with the test kit and provide the relevant sample (urine, swab, blood). You will then complete the required collection forms and and place both the forms and your test sample in the pre-paid envelope included with your test, and send the sample to our partner laboratory (the laboratory's address should already be printed on the envelope). Our partner laboratory will then process the sample at their premises and we will notify you via email when your results are ready.

What should I look for when choosing a testing laboratory or laboratory supplier?

The most important thing you should be aware of when ordering home lab tests online is that the website you are ordering from is partnered with labs who are accredited by the official governing bodies such as the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) and International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 17025. Look out for accreditation logos throughout the site you are purchasing your tests from.

Why is it important to provide consent?

At LabsDirect, we require that every person who provides us with a sample for testing gives us their express consent to perform the test. Consent is required before our partner laboratory can carry out the test so that we can ensure that the person being tested in a willing participant in the testing process.

Do I need to consult my doctor before I take a home lab test?

It is always a good idea for your doctor to be fully up-to-date with matters regarding your health, but we do not require you to do so before ordering one of our tests.

Do I need to visit or consult my doctor after taking a home lab test?

You do not need to visit your doctor after taking a test, as home lab testing is very simple and conclusive. However, if you receive a result that concerns you personally, we highly recommend that you get a second opinion from your doctor or medical professional before you make any changes to your lifestyle on the basis of your test result.

Home testing is only suitable for informational purposes, and cannot be used in court or for legal reasons.

How does online ordering work with LabsDirect?

We try to make our online ordering process as simple as possible for you. Once you have selected the test you require, you simply click to order, choose your preferred delivery method and enter your personal and payment details. LabsDirect is verified by McAfee Secure and RapidSSL, guaranteeing that any private information you provide us with is secure and cannot be accessed by any third party. Once your order is complete, your test will be dispatched to you either from our premises in London or directly from our partner laboratory, depending on which test you order. You will receive your test kit within a few days of placing your order with us online.

Is there an age limit for buying a home lab test online?

Yes, you need to be over the age of 18 to buy any of our home tests online. If you are under the age of 18, you may request that your parent or guardian purchase the test on your behalf, but you need to ensure that both yourself (the minor) and your parent or guardian sign the relevant sample collection forms included in the test kit.

Do I need to do anything to prepare for taking a home lab test?>

The majority of our home tests do not require any special preparation, but special instructions will be clearly stated on the instruction sheet of any that do. Urine samples should ideally be provided first thing in the morning, using a first-catch sample (the beginning of the urine stream). Swab samples should be provided after two hours of food or drink consumption, with a clean mouth. You should also avoid coffee, tea, alcohol and tobacco products for at least four hours before providing a swab or blood sample.

How accurate are home lab tests?

All of the home tests we offer are highly accurate, sometimes by almost 100%. Our partner laboratories are licensed and accredited with the relevant governing bodies and patient samples are tested twice to guarantee complete accuracy.

Can I view my results online?

Yes. Your results will be made available to you in the secure member's area of LabsDirect. You will receive an email informing you that your results are available to view, at which point you will need to log in with your password to access the information.

Will my results be passed on to anyone else?

No, we will never pass on your results to anyone else, including your doctor. When we receive your results from the laboratory, we will email you to let you know that your results are ready and then ask that you log in to your secure members area on LabsDirect to view your results.

How long does it take for my results to be available?

This will depend on which home lab test you have taken. The results for our STI test kits are usually available within two to five working days after your sample arrives at the laboratory. DNA results can take anything from one week (paternity, maternity, etc) to two weeks (ancestry) to six weeks (genetic predisposition) after our partner laboratory receives your sample. And allergy tests will take about one week to process after receipt.

Is my test and personal information confidential?

Yes, LabsDirect ensure complete confidentiality for all of the home lab tests we offer and we will not pass your personal details on to a third party, in compliance with the Data Protection Act 1988 and laid out in our Terms and Conditions. Your results will only be made available for you to view through our secure member's area. We will send your test kit in discreet packaging, with no mention of the type of test included or laboratory on the outside packaging.

What do I do if the results indicate a problem?

Some test results can be distressing, but at LabsDirect we will provide all of the information we can to help. For example, if you test positive for an STI such as chlamydia, we will recommend which medications are available to treat the infection and where you can order the treatment. If you receive any results that concern you, we recommend that you visit your doctor or medical professional for help and advice.

Do you offer next day delivery?

Yes. Standard delivery is included for free on all orders placed at LabsDirect. We also offer a next-day delivery service at an additional cost.

What should I do if I am having trouble ordering?

If you have encountered a problem with any section of our website or stage of the ordering process, you can contact us by phone or email to discuss the issue here.