Completing Your Freddie Home Lab Test Kit

Lab tests help determine if PrEP is safe for you (spoiler alert: it is for most people). Remaining HIV-negative and monitoring kidney health are some of the key areas being screened. An additional benefit is STI screening to help ensure your overall sexual health. 

Watch our self-testing guide to learn how to complete your at-home lab kit! You can also find written instructions below.

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Blood Test

Your blood test checks your kidney function and tests for syphilis and HIV. Here’s how to do it:

1. Place all the items in front of you and read the instructions. 
2. Open the collection card and write your name, date of birth and the date of the test. 
3. Wash your hands with warm water and vigorously shake them for 30 seconds to encourage blood flow. 
4. Clean one to two fingertips with an alcohol pad in the kit. 
5. Remove the cap on the lancet by spinning it and then place it on the side of your finger. 
6. Press until you hear a “click” - this is the needle popping out. 
7. Fill each circle on the collection card with three to five drops of blood. To make this easier, firmly rub the finger from base to tip.
8. Leave the card to air dry for 30 minutes.
9. Once dried, fold the card back into its envelope shape and place it inside the biohazard bag with the silica packet. Also place the used lancet in the biohazard bag and then seal the bag shut.

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Urine Test

Your urine test checks for gonorrhea and chlamydia. To begin, make sure it’s been at least an hour since you last urinated. Then follow the next steps:

1. Place all the items and instructions in front of you. Don’t empty any of the liquid in any of the tubes. 
2. Urinate into the collection cup. It has to be the first 30mL or ounce of pee that comes out.
3. Unscrew the cap of the collection tube marked “urine”. Draw up the urine from your collection cup using the pipette and transfer it to this tube. 
4. Fill the urine tube to a level between the dark lines. Do not go over the maximum.
5. Close the tube tightly, then write your date of birth and the collection date on the tube.
6. Place the sealed urine tube into a biohazard bag with a cloth insert and seal the bag shut.

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Oral Swab

You will need to do an oral swab if you have performed oral sex on someone. This is how:

1. Unwrap the swab marked “oral”.
2. Hold the swab above the dark line but below the cotton top. Insert it into your mouth and rub it over the back and sides of your throat for 10 seconds.
3. Unscrew the cap of the collection tube marked “oral”. Make sure not to spill any of the liquid inside.
4. Insert your swab and then bend it – it should snap at the dark line.
5. Close the tube tightly, then write your date of birth and the collection date on the tube.
6. Place the sealed oral tube into a biohazard bag with a cloth insert and seal the bag shut.

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Anal Swab

You will need to do an anal swab if you’ve bottomed. That’s any kind of anal play including hands, toys or a penis. Just follow these steps:

1. Unwrap the swab marked “anal”.
2. Hold the swab above the dark line but below the cotton top. Insert it into your butt about one to two inches deep and then rotate it for around 10 seconds.
3. Unscrew the cap of the collection tube marked “anal”. Make sure not to spill any of the liquid inside.
4. Insert your swab and then bend it – it should snap at the dark line.
5. Close the tube tightly, then write your date of birth and the collection date on the tube.
6. Place the sealed oral tube into a biohazard bag with a cloth insert and seal the bag shut.

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Posting Your Kit

Almost done! Posting your kit is a simple process.

1. Ensure each of your tests has your information correctly labeled and is in its own sealed biohazard bag. The urine test, oral swab and anal swab should be in bags with cloth inserts. Your blood test should be in a bag with your used lancet and a silica packet.
2. Place all your biohazard bags into the prepaid envelope and seal this well.
3. You’re ready to post!

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