FAQ
On this page, you will find all of the questions frequently received by our laboratory. However, if you cannot find the answer to your question, feel free to contact Ketterthill Laboratories on (+352) 488 288-1.
Preparing for your blood test
- I’d like to do a blood test. Should I make an appointment?
For most routine tests, there is no need to make an appointment. Simply come to the blood collection centre of your choice and talk to the receptionist.
Certain specialist exams do require you to make an appointment. You can ask directly at the centre of your choice or call us on (+352) 488 288-1.
If you have any doubts or further questions, please do not hesitate to contact our laboratory. - I need to do a test at home. How do I make an appointment?
Where expressly prescribed by your doctor, you can request home testing. Make sure this is stated on your prescription.
To make an appointment, call Ketterthill Laboratories directly on (+352) 488 288-1. Our hotline is available Monday to Friday from 07:00 to 18:00 − outside of those times, feel free to leave us a message. - Are your centres suitable for people with reduced mobility?
Certain blood collection centres in our network have indeed been adapted for people with reduced mobility. For a full list of centres and their opening times, please visit the Our centres page.
- Are your centres open on Saturdays? Some of our centres are open Saturday mornings so that you can do your tests outside your working hours. For a full list of centres and their opening times, please visit the Our centres page.
- Can I contact a particular centre directly?
We offer a hotline available on (+352) 488 288-1, Monday to Friday, 07:00−18:00, to answer any questions you may have concerning your blood tests or a particular blood collection centre.
- Is my prescription still valid?
The validity of a prescription for claiming reimbursement of tests from the CNS is:
- 2 months
- 6 months for repeat prescriptions from the date prescribed
- I can’t find my prescription. Can you still perform my tests?
No, your prescription contains the information we need regarding the tests to be performed and will also be required by your health insurance provider. However, you can ask your doctor for a duplicate.
- Can I do medical tests without a medical prescription?
Yes, it is possible to do medical tests without a prescription − simply complete the ‘Patient test request form’. However, the tests will not be covered by the CNS and you will be billed directly.
- Are tests reimbursed by the Luxembourg National Health Fund (Caisse Nationale de Santé)?
Most tests are covered by the CNS. However, certain medical analyses and genetic tests are not covered and will thus be payable by you. Check the list of tests not reimbursed (in French) by the Caisse Nationale de Santé.
Specimen collection
- Why is my blood so dark?
Brave patients who like to watch their blood being taken sometimes worry that it is very dark.
Not to worry − it’s normal! Your blood is dark because it is venous blood returning to the heart and contains very little oxygen.
Arterial blood leaving the heart after being oxygenated in the lungs is rich in oxygen and therefore looks redder and not as dark.
So, you have nothing to worry about! Blood is only bright red in films. - What do I need to do for a urine test?
Before any urine test, please collect a sterile container from your doctor or our laboratory.
General cases − mid-stream urine sample
Please follow these steps in order:
1. Wash your hands with soap
2. Gently clean your genital area
3. Open the sterile container provided
4. Discard the first part of your urine stream in the toilet
5. Collect your remaining urine, being careful not to touch the top edge of the container
6. Close the container carefully and label it with your surname, first name and date of birth
7. Drop off the sample as soon as possible at the laboratory. Beyond 30 minutes, keep it cool (between +4 °C and +8 °C)
To help you get it right, a cartoon depicting these steps is available in the Useful documents area of our website.
24-hour urine test
The goal here is to collect all urine produced by the kidneys in a 24-hour period. Please follow these steps in order:
1. When you wake up, empty your bladder and discard the first urine in the toilet
2. From this moment, note down the time on the prescription. This is the start of the 24-hour period
3. Use the container to collect all of your urine throughout the day and night. We recommend you keep it in a cool, dark place
4. The next day, at the time you noted down, urinate one last time and collect the final urine
5. Label the container with your surname, first name, date of birth and the time of the final collection noted on your prescription
6. Bring the container to the laboratory within 24 hours after final urine collection
To help you get it right, a cartoon depicting these steps is available in the Useful documents area of our website. - What do I need to do for sperm enrichment?
First of all, contact our laboratory to make an appointment on (+352) 488 288-560 and take note of the practical information regarding collection.
1. At the appointment, you will be given a sterile container for collection of your sample, which will be performed on-site
2. Enrichment will be carried out in our Fertility Department
3. The enriched sample will then be placed in a suitable device for transport
4. Come back to the laboratory at the time stated
5. Take it to your doctor as soon as possible
Results
- How long will it take to get my results?
For most routine tests, we guarantee doctors and patients availability of results on the same day after 15:00 if done in the morning.
Certain tests may take longer, as is the case for bacteriological cultures, allergy testing or certain serological tests, for example. You will be told when to expect your results at the time of the test.
- In what format can I receive my results?
You have the following options for receiving your results:
- Via our results serverfor patients and Cyberlab for doctors − available on our website or using our mobile app. Discover all the advantages of using our electronic results server.
- In person − come to the blood collection centre with your CNS card, EHIC or ID
- By post
- Can I get my results over the phone?
No. For confidentiality reasons and in order to prevent transcription errors, results are never given over the phone.
- Can I get my results by e-mail?
No, as with our telephone policy, we do not send any results by e-mail for confidentiality reasons.
If you would like to receive your results electronically, you can use our online results server. Simply complete the registration form and return it to us by post. - I lost my test results. Can you give me another copy?
Yes, we can send you a duplicate by post to the address provided in your file.
- I haven’t received my results yet. Is that normal?
Results will only be sent to you if you have requested them. Your results will be sent via the method of your choice within a maximum of 48 hours after they have been validated by our medical team.
If your results are not delivered within the times stated, please feel free to contact the laboratory on (+352) 488 288-1. We can send you a duplicate at your request. - Will my doctor receive my results?
Yes, we systematically send a copy of your results to your doctor.
Technical assistance
- What is the results server for patients?
It's an online service created in 2008 and provided by Ketterthill Laboratories for patients. It offers you the opportunity to receive and view the results of your last medical test securely via a personal login system.
Your results server is available both via our website and from a smartphone or tablet using our mobile app. - I’d like to register to the results server. What do I need to do?
You can register:
- by post − simply return the duly completed registration form to us. Once our IT Department has received and validated your request, you will receive your login information together with an explanatory note
- directly at one of our blood collection centres. You will then receive your login information and explanatory note immediately
- by post − simply return the duly completed registration form to us. Once our IT Department has received and validated your request, you will receive your login information together with an explanatory note
- I’m logging in for the first time. What is the ‘security key’?
When your results are ready and if you have asked to receive them via the results server, we will send you a text message with a security key to ensure the confidentiality of your results. You will be asked for this security key when you log in to iLab, together with your username and password.
It is therefore important that you tell us if you change your mobile phone number after having registered for our service.
- I’ve lost my code. What should I do?
If you lose your code, contact our technical support team directly on (+352) 488 288-001. They will be able to reset your code.
- I can’t log in to my account. What should I do?
If you encounter any technical problems with your account, please do not hesitate to contact our dedicated team on (+352) 488 288-001.
- How can I download the Ketterthill app?
The Ketterthill app is available free for download on Apple or Android smartphones.
- Download from the App Store
- Download from Google Play
- How do I pay online?
For tests which are not covered by the CNS, you can pay online directly via our website.
You will need the invoice posted to you for your statement number and the amount due.Make sure you give us a valid e-mail address, as it will be used to send you confirmation that your payment has been successfully processed (your e-mail address will never be used for marketing purposes or communicated to third parties).