blood test issues

[Agrippina]

So I did it - I did the gluten challenge for 7.5 weeks, and I hated every second of it. I got the Imaware at-home test, did the finger stick, and shipped the blood sample through UPS as instructed. UPS shipped to the lab via 2nd-day air. It was supposed to arrive yesterday (Fri 2/25), but I refreshed the tracking page this morning and it's been delayed (till Mon 2/28 ... if they even manage to deliver it correctly this time). Ugh!

My question is - does anyone know how long the blood sample will stay viable? Is my test ruined because of the 3-day delay in the mail?

And if it is and I need a new test, does the 3-day gap in gluten intake mean that I have to start the challenge all over? I had a couple bites of bread this morning out of sheer panic. Don't know what I should be doing right now. Assume the test will be fine? Overload myself with gluten to make up for the 3 days I missed just in case I have to re-take the test? Start from scratch?

Have contacted Imaware (via email, they don't have a phone number) and have yet to hear back.

P.S. Sorry, I'm freaking out - massive anxiety problem, and the gluten is not helping.

[knitty kitty]

@Agrippina, 

I would be wary of that test sample, too.  

Stay on gluten, but don't go overboard to catch up.  Hopefully you will hear from the company soon. 

Maybe @RMJ has more advice about this.    

[RMJ]

The company should have data saying how long the sample can be stored.  Too bad they don’t have a phone number.  I hope they email you back early Monday morning with an answer!

[RMJ]

Hopefully Imaware will say the sample is fine, but if not, redo it when you can ship on a Monday or Tuesday.  Then if there is a delay it still won’t sit somewhere over a weekend.  This is an old trick used for shipping samples during clinical trials!

[Agrippina]

Thanks for the responses! Helped with the anxiety, at least.

Imaware received the sample today, and they say it should be fine. In case anyone else runs into this kind of snag in the future, here's the response I received:

"The good news is we have designed multilayer packaging and our collection devices help the sample remain stable at ambient temperatures for up to 14 days."