By Mike Kocsis | 3 minutes read | Last updated: September 23, 2025 Categories: Testosterone
Medically Reviewed by Dr. George Touliatos
Finger prick blood tests provide a convenient way to check hormone levels without having to visit a laboratory. Their at-home test kits come with clear instructions which makes them quite easy to do but they can still be difficult for people with no prior experience.
We often get asked how to do a finger prick blood test, so we decided to do a short video about it:
How to do a finger prick blood test at home?
Follow these key steps and instructions to do a finger prick blood test in the best possible way:
- Prepare your table where you will take the blood and ensure it’s wiped down clean.
- Wash your hands for a few minutes with warm water and soap.
- Open your blood test box received in the post from Balance My Hormones.
- Open up the plastic clamshell packet with two tubes (purple and yellow ends) and stand them both upright on a flat level table.
- Identify the finger you wish to use for drawing blood, ideally the middle finger.
- Start squeezing your hands to get blood flow going for a minute or so. Gently massage your finger tip.
- Use the alcohol wipes provided and clean the finger you will be using to draw blood.
- Open the lids of the two purple and yellow tubes. Take the tool provided to lance your finger and remove the end cap.
- Press the new lancet firmly into the bottom outer part of the finger and push on the finger with your thumb to help the blood come out.
- Touch the blood on the lip of one of the blood tubes and let it drop in. Fill up to the top line on the tube and put the lid on then gently shake the tube.
- Put one of the plasters supplied on the finger.
- Repeat the steps again on a different finger to fill up the second tube and again shake gently.
- Take the tube extenders out (tubes with labels on) and fill out the labels with the date/time of the blood extraction.
- Put the tube extenders around each of the two collection tubes with blood in.
- Put the completed blood samples back in the plastic clamshell packaging or specimen transport bag they came in.
- Put your form and clamshell plastic package into the large self-addressed envelope and post.
Which finger is the best to prick for blood test?
It is best to prick your middle or ring finger of your non-dominant hand. These fingers are less sensitive compared to the thumb and index which are used more often; hence, they are more sensitive.
Where to prick finger for blood test?
Prick the side of the fingertip rather than the tip of a finger. It’s because sides are less painful as they have fewer nerve endings.
What is the best time to do a finger prick blood test?
The best time for a finger prick test depends on what you are doing it for. For example, if the test is for testosterone levels, it is best to do it early in the morning, around 9 am. And if it’s a blood glucose test for diabetes, it is recommended to do it before meals or when you wake up.
How to get enough blood for finger prick blood test?
Do a light exercise, drink water to hydrate yourself or take a hot shower before a home blood test as these methods can help increase blood flow/circulation and make it easier to get a good blood drop. Keep your arm straight and hand below the waist to encourage blood flow toward the fingertip.
What can a finger prick blood test show?
A finger prick blood test can be used to show various substances present in the blood. These include, but are not restricted to:
- Total testosterone
- Free testosterone
- Sugar
- Cholesterol
- Red blood cell count
- Other blood cells
Are at-home testosterone tests accurate?
At-home testosterone tests provide good results but in-person blood tests done by health care professionals are likely more reliable.
Small errors in mailing or collecting a sample can impact test results.
If you are looking to get started on TRT or have questions about our HRT/TRT blood testing services simply fill out the form below, telephone us or speak to us on our LiveChat in the bottom right of this website.
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About the Author: Mike Kocsis
Mike Kocsis has an MBA with a focus on healthcare administration and is an entrepreneur and medical case manager for Balance My Hormones which offers medical services in the UK and Europe. Mike has over 20 years of experience in the healthcare sector, much of that working with people who have hormone imbalances. Mike has appeared on podcasts and radio and is an expert speaker on the subject of hormone imbalance. He specialises in Testosterone Replacement Therapy and Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) and has helped thousands of people suffering from hormone imbalances recover and regain control of their lives. You can follow him on LinkedIn and on the Balance My Hormones YouTube Channel.
Last update: September 23rd, 2025
