Frequently asked questions
You’ll find on this page all the questions frequently received by our laboratory. If you haven’t found the answer to your question, please contact us : (+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, you don’t need to make an appointment. Simply go to the laboratory of your choice and report to the reception desk.
Some specialized tests require an appointment. You can go directly to the laboratory of your choice or call 488 288-1.
If in doubt, or if you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact our laboratory.
I need to do a blood test at home, how do I schedule an appointment ?
You can request a home blood test on the basis of an explicit prescription from your doctor. Please check that this is mentioned on your prescription.
To make an appointment:
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- Do an online appointment request (service available only to patients with an account on the patient results server)
- Or call Laboratoire Ketterthill directly at 488 288-006. We are open from 7.00 am to 6.00 pm, Monday to Friday. Outside these hours, you can leave your request on our voicemail.
Are your laboratories adapted for people with reduced mobility ?
Several laboratories in our network have been adapted for people with reduced mobility. For a complete list and opening times, please visit the page our laboratories.
Are your laboratories open on Saturdays ?
Several of our laboratories are open on Saturday mornings, so you can carry out your analyses outside working hours. For the full list and opening times, go to the “Saturday opening” page.
Can I directly contact one of your laboratories ?
We have a hotline available on 488 288-1, Monday to Friday, 7am to 6pm, to answer any questions you may have about your blood tests or one of our laboratories.
Is my prescription still valid ?
- 2 months
- 6 months for renewable prescriptions, from the date of prescription
I can't find my prescription, can you do my sample ?
No, your prescription specifies the tests to be carried out and enables your health insurance fund to pay for them. You can, however, ask your doctor for a duplicate.
How can I get medical tests without a prescription ?
Yes, it is possible to carry out medical tests without a prescription, by filling in the “patient-requested test form” beforehand. In this case, you will not be reimbursed by the CNS, and your tests will be billed directly to you.
Are analyses refunded by the CNS ?
Most analyses are covered by the CNS. However, some medical analyses and genetic tests are not covered by the nomenclature, and you will have to pay for them yourself. Consult the list of analyses not reimbursed by the Caisse Nationale de Santé.
Biological tests
Why is my blood so dark ?
“Courageous” patients who watch their own blood being drawn find it very dark and sometimes worry about it.
Don’t worry, it’s normal ! Your blood is dark because it is venous blood that returns to the heart and is very low in oxygen.
Arterial blood leaving the heart, after oxygenating the lungs, is rich in oxygen and therefore appears redder and less dark.
So don’t worry ! Blood only looks bright red on a movie screen.
What are the recommendations for a urine test ?
Before any urine examination, please ask your doctor or our laboratory for a sterile bottle.
General case – Midstream urine
Please follow the steps in chronological order:
1. Wash hands with soap
2. Perform thorough intimate hygiene
3. Open the sterile bottle supplied by our laboratories
4. Dispose of the first urine stream in the toilet
5. Collect the urine in the bottle, taking care not to touch the upper edge of the container.
6. Close the bottle carefully. Label the bottle with your full name and date of birth.
7. Return the sample to the laboratory as soon as possible. After 30 minutes, store in a cool place (between +4°C and +8°C).
24-hour urine test
The aim is to collect all the urine produced by the kidneys over a 24-hour period. Please follow the steps in chronological order:
1. On waking, empty the bladder and flush the first urine down the toilet
2. From then on, note the time on the prescription. This is the starting point for the 24h
3. Collect all day and night urine in the bottle. Store in a cool, dark place.
4. The next day, at the time noted on the previous day, urinate one last time and collect the last urine passed.
5. Label the bottle with your surname, first name, date of birth and time of last collection on your prescription.
6. Return the bottle to the laboratory no later than 24 hours after collection.
What are the procedures for sperm enrichment ?
First of all, please contact our laboratory to arrange an appointment at 488 288-560 and find out about the practical details of collection.
1. At your appointment, you will be given a sterile vial for on-site collection.
2. Enrichment is carried out in our fertility department.
3. The enriched sample is then placed in a suitable transport device.
4. Return to the laboratory at the time indicated.
5. Take it to your doctor as soon as possible.
Results
How long does it take to receive my results ?
For most routine analyses, we guarantee that doctors and patients will receive their results on D-0, after 3pm, if they have been carried out in the morning.
Some analyses may take longer, such as bacteriological cultures, allergology analyses or certain serologies. In these cases, you will be informed of the turnaround time when your sample is taken.
In which format can I receive my results ?
Can I get my test results by phone ?
No, for reasons of confidentiality and to avoid transcription errors, results are never given over the phone.
Can I get my test results by email ?
No, just like the telephone, we do not transmit any results by e-mail for reasons of confidentiality.
If you wish to receive your results electronically, you can use our online results server. Simply fill in a registration form and return it to us by post.
I've lost my test results. Can you give me a copy ?
Yes, a duplicate can be mailed to the address indicated on your file.
I haven't received my results yet, is this normal ?
Results are sent only if you have requested them. Your results are sent via the medium of your choice within 48 hours of validation by our medical team.
If your results are not delivered within the stated timeframe, please do not hesitate to contact the laboratory on 488 288-1. A duplicate can be issued on request.
Will my doctor receive my test results ?
Yes, we systematically forward a copy of your results to your doctor.
Technical assistance
What is a patient results server ?
This is an online service created in 2008 and provided by Ketterthill Laboratory. It enables you to receive and view the results of your latest medical biology analysis in complete security, via a personal login system.
Your results server is available on our website and also from a smartphone via our mobile application.
I'm logging on for the first time, what is the security key ?
When your results are ready and you have requested to receive them via the patient results server, we send you a “security key” by SMS, which guarantees the confidentiality of your results. You will be asked for this key when you log in, in addition to your login and password.
It is therefore important to inform us of any change of mobile number once you have registered for our service.
I've lost my password, what should I do ?
Contact our technical support by phone at 488 288-001, who will be able to reset it for you.
I can't login to my account, what should I do ?
If you encounter a technical problem with your account, please do not hesitate to contact our dedicated team on 488 288-001.
How do I make a payment online ?
For analyses not covered by the nomenclature, you can pay online directly via our website.
You’ll need your invoice, sent to you by post, which you can use to enter your statement number and the amount due.
Please provide us with a valid e-mail address, which will be used to confirm that your payment has been processed (the e-mail address will under no circumstances be used for commercial purposes or passed on to third parties).
