[mochaccino]

I collected my hormone samples today but wasn't able to collect enough blood for the testosterone test. The lancet that came with the test is extra wide, like a thin blade rather than a needle. It comes attached to a tiny spring loaded device that can't be used twice. The blood test also comes with a small blotting paper with 12 roughly 1/2" wide circles that you're supposed to completely fill with blood. After jabbing my finger with it I was able to get enough blood to fill 5 of the 12 circles but then the wound closed and even after prying it open with a tip of thin knife (ow!), I could only get out enough blood to fill one more circle.

After that, I went out and bought a lancing device for diabetics. I got one that goes extra deep, but the tip is a very fine needle rather than a thin blade. I jabbed myself ten times with that thing on 3 different fingers. The holes would only give out one tiny drop of blood before sealing shut. I didn't get anywhere near enough to fill even one more circle. Now I have 3 bruised looking fingers, and still only half the test paper filled. I'm going to send my samples in tomorrow, and hope that they're still able to give me results. I really wish they'd just start including a second lancet in the packaging, since you apparently can't get the same kind of lancet at a pharmacy.

I really want to know what my testosterone levels are, and the combined cost of the test and the extra lancing device was around $50. This sucks Maybe if I complain, they'll send me another test that has two little lancing blade devices

EDIT: I just found another lancet in the package while packing it up to ship. Now I feel stupid I should really pay more attention.