At-home labs · FAQ
Do at-home labs have side effects or collection risks?
Short answer
At-home labs can have collection risks, especially when blood is needed. These may include brief pain, bruising, bleeding, dizziness, or infection. Saliva or cheek collection may cause minor discomfort. Tell the clinician about bleeding problems, blood thinners, fainting, or trouble collecting a sample before ordering.
Testing does not cause the same side effects as taking a medication, but sample collection is not risk-free. Blood collection can cause pain, bruising, lightheadedness, or bleeding. Infection is also possible when the skin is punctured. The risk depends on the collection method and your health history.
Tell the clinician if you take blood thinners, have a bleeding disorder, faint with needles, or have skin problems where a sample would be collected. Never stop a prescribed blood thinner on your own to prepare for testing. Use only the supplied collection tools as directed, and do not reuse or share them.
Saliva or cheek collection may cause minor irritation. Test reports can also cause worry or lead to more testing, even when a finding is uncertain. Results vary. Follow the kit’s instructions for collection problems. Seek medical care for bleeding that will not stop, fainting that does not quickly resolve, or signs of infection such as spreading redness or fever.
Sources
Written by the Verra clinical team · Medical review pending
General information, not medical advice. If you're in crisis, call or text 988.