How to Collect a Blood Sample

START OF “How to Collect: Blood Sample” VIDEO

A three-dimensional outlined polygonal shape rises onto the screen over a background of shifting red and orange gradient colors. The shape rotates as it zooms in towards the camera. As its edges expand, they reveal words, which shift as the edges of the shape continue to rotate. The words read: “your health journey begins here.”

Narrator: Congratulations on taking the first steps to uncover deeper insights about your health. 

The title of the video appears in text, reading “How to Collect: Blood Sample.”

Narrator: In this video, we’ll show you the simple step-by-step instructions for collecting and returning your blood sample. 

As the video continues, text emphasizing the narration appears on the left side of the video, while visuals appear on the right side. The text does not add any information not present in the narration. Unless otherwise noted, all shots in this video are top-down in an infinite white space with hands using the test kit objects to complete the test. The first visual on the right side of the frame is a shot of a woman’s hands setting down a tablet. Words on the tablet’s screen read “Activation Complete” as it displays a completed activation screen on thorne.com. 

Narrator: Before starting, it’s important you activate your test kit at thorne.com/activate. You can find the 6-digit activation code on the back of your plastic test box. 

The shot transitions to a blood collection test kit box. Hands come onto the screen and flip the box over, and then point towards the activation code.

Narrator: Once you’ve activated your test, you’ll want to read the instructional booklet completely before using this test to ensure correct timing for your blood sample collection. 

Hands flip through a booklet outlining instructions for completing the blood collection test.

Narrator: After reading the instructional booklet, it’s time to begin the collection process. Here are the items included with your kit: Bandaids, a Return Envelope, a Return Label, a Plastic Box, alcohol Prep Pads, a Blood Collection Card, safety Lancets, and two Gauze Pads.

After a shot showing all the test kit components at once, each item is emphasized in a solo shot of the hands placing it down in sync with the narration.

Narrator: Remember, you can take your blood sample on any day you’d like, but you will need to collect your sample within one hour of waking. Refer to the instructional sheet included with your kit for further collection timing tips and details. 

A smartphone sits in the middle of the shot. After a few seconds an alarm labeled “Wake up” starts to alert, displaying the time as 6:15. The woman’s hand groggily reaches into the frame and turns it off. The shot then transitions to one of the hands examining the blood collection card next to the directions in the instructional booklet.

Narrator: First, write your name and the date and time of collection on your card. Then wash your hands with soap and water, using a clean towel to dry your hands. 

After writing their name on the collection card, the woman washes and dries her hands on a towel.

Narrator: Being careful to avoid touching the filter paper, open the collection card and fold the cover away from the filter paper. Place the open card on a flat surface below waist level. You can tape the card to the surface if needed to keep it from moving. 

The woman demonstrates how to correctly open the card without touching the filter paper and then places it on the white surface.

Narrator: To encourage blood flow, rub your hands together. Then open the alcohol prep pad and sterile gauze. Select either your middle or ring finger for best results. Wipe the finger with the alcohol pad and let it air dry for 15-30 seconds. 

Held above the collection card, the hands rub together, and then select the gauze along with their middle finger and sterilize it with the alcohol pad.

Narrator: Twist the cap off the lancet and press the blue section firmly against the side of your sterilized finger until you hear a click. Wipe away the first drop of blood with the gauze. 

The hands twist off the lancet’s cap and press it into the middle finger. The shot transitions and the hands demonstrate how to wipe blood away from the finger. No real blood is shown.

Narrator: Position your finger over the first circle on your collection card. As the blood drop begins to fall, touch the drop to the center of the circle on the card (one drop per circle). If needed, you can press the base of your finger with your free hand to assist with blood flow.

The hands follow the narrator’s directions, and fake, animated circles fill the dots on the card demonstrating the approximate size each drop should be for collection. The shot transitions to show how to press on the finger if blood is not falling freely, squeezing and massaging to encourage the blood to flow out.

Narrator: Continue this process until at least six circles have been filled on the card. 

The hand continues to fill out the circles on the card, filling up more than the required six circles, just for safety.

Narrator: That’s it! When finished, apply the bandage to your finger. You’ll also want to leave the collection card open to dry for a minimum of 30 minutes. Once the card is dry, close the flap over the card, and you are now ready to return the samples. 

The woman puts a bandage on her middle finger, and deliberately places the collection card to dry, before transitioning to a new shot, where it is now later in the day when she closes the now dry collection card.

Narrator: Take your collection card and place it in the plastic box in which it arrived. Seal the box tight, and place in the provided return envelope. Apply the return label, and drop the envelope in your mailbox, or take it to a USPS drop box or post office. Shipping is pre-paid, so your sample should be on its way to the lab as soon as it is picked up. 

The woman follows the directions for packing up and mailing off the test kit. Once the envelope is assembled, the label is applied, she carries the package away to deliver it. After that, words on the screen emphasizing the final lines of narration appear, and cut to an animation of the Thorne logo on black.

Narrator: That’s all there is to it! Now you are just days away from starting your new health discoveries. 

END OF VIDEO