About Food For The Brain Foundation & Blood Tests
Food For The Brain Foundation offers a free online Cognitive Function Test for you to gauge where you are at now and a free Dementia Risk Index score which is based on your answers about your current diet & lifestyle. You can then choose which domain you want to work on if you feel improvement is needed and you will receive educational emails on this domain. You need to create an account on our website and be logged in to take these tests.
We recently introduced blood test kits to support the Cognitive Function Test and Dementia Risk Index which allow you to measure your nutritional status in four areas that are key for brain health: omega-3 and vitamin D (brain fats); homocysteine (B vitamin status) and HbA1c (blood sugar regulation). The tests give you feedback on your nutritional status and repeat testing allows you to track progress as you make dietary changes. The tests are reasonably priced and can be done in the comfort of your home, requiring a simple finger-prick of blood which you drop onto a collection card. You then post the card off to the lab for analysis and then you can view your results on your dashboard as the Dementia Risk Index functional Testing (DRIfT) Score.
What’s the process for getting blood tests done?
An order is placed on our website and you will receive an order number. The test kit is normally despatched within 2 working days. On receipt of your test kit, unpack it and check that all the items are there. Read the instructions thoroughly and follow them when you are ready to collect your blood sample. You will need to register your sample collection card on our website (see below). Pop your completed sample collection card in the post. You will receive an email with your result once the lab have analysed your sample and the data will be on your DASHBOARD too.
Who do I contact if I have a question?
If you don’t find the answer within the FAQs, send us an email to tests@foodforthebrain.org with as much information as possible, such as type of test, barcode on the card, purchase order number, etc and we will respond to you within 24 hours.
How to register your sample collection card
Your sample collection card has a unique barcode on it which the lab will use to track your sample collection card through the analysis process and reporting of results. Please keep a note of the barcode.
It is important to register your sample collection card on the Food For The Brain Foundation website before collecting your blood spot.
Please log in to your account on the Food For The Brain Foundation website and go to Tests and books, then select Test Kit Registration on the drop down menu. You can also reach the registration page by typing in foodforthebrain.org/start in the search bar.
Alternatively log in to your account on the Food For The Brain Foundation website and scan the QR code on the Instructions For Use. Please note you must be logged in first for the QR code to take you to registration.
Information Required to Register Your Card
Please log in to your account on the Food For The Brain Foundation website and go to Tests and books, then select Test Kit Registration on the drop down menu.
Test – this is the test kit type e.g. homocysteine, DRIfT (4-in-1)
Barcode number – on the card and may be a mix of letters and numbers or just all letters
Date of collection – date you do the finger-prick
Email – auto-filled when you log in to your account & cannot be changed
First name – auto-filled when you log in to your account & cannot be changed
Last name – auto-filled when you log in to your account & cannot be changed
Date of Birth – fill in by working backwards. Click on “year” then scroll back to your birth year and select. Then use the left/right arrows to scroll to your birth month. Finally click on your birth date.
Gender – select male or female
ZIP or Post Code – enter your postal code
Country – select your country
I forgot to register my sample collection card.
If you have forgotten to register your sample collection card before posting it , your sample may not be analysed and you may not receive your result. We will try to match unregistered cards to the handwritten information on the card and we will retrospectively register your card for you, if possible.
Can I register a card for someone else on my account?
No, because their result will come back to your account, not their account, unless that is the arrangement you want.
Returning your completed sample collection card to the lab for analysis
A reply-paid envelope is provided for you to return your completed sample collection card. Follow the instructions with regards to allowing the blood spots to dry thoroughly before folding the card, placing the card in its sleeve, plastic or foil pouch, and into the envelope. Do not allow the card to become wet.
Where is my order?
We use tracked delivery services, such as Royal Mail 48-hour Tracked, to ship our orders, so if you haven’t received your test kit within 3 to 4 days get in touch and we will check this for you.
Orders from the EU (outside of the UK)
We ship to EU countries, however, the purchaser is responsible for any import duties & taxes as required by customs in the destination country. Please check before placing an order.
What countries do you deliver to?
We ship to the UK, EU and US, however, if you don’t get a shipping option at checkout for your location please get in touch with your postal address and we’ll check this for you.
How do I remove unwanted items from my cart?
Log in to your account and click on the shopping bag symbol to view your cart or type foodforthebrain.org/cart into the search bar. You can click on the red X to remove items.
When will I get my results?
Please allow 2 to 4 weeks from the date you posted your sample collection card. Your result will be emailed to you and the data will also be on your DASHBOARD in your account. If you have not received your results please get in touch at tests@foodforthebrain.org to let us know.
What’s special about my sample collection card?
The collection circles on the sample collection card are treated to stabilise the blood and fix the biomarkers, to ensure stability of the sample in transit to the lab until it can be analysed.
How long is the blood spot on my sample collection card stable for?
The stability of the biomarkers in the dry blood spot on the card have been assessed by the lab and the biomarkers are stable for up to 8 weeks. However, it is advisable to pop your card in the post on the same day as you take your blood sample so it is on its way to the lab. If for any reason you are unable to post it straight away then place the card in the plastic or foil pouch, then in the envelope and keep it in a dark, dry, cool place such as a drawer until you can post it.
Why has my blood test failed?
Occasionally a blood test may fail due to either a Quantity Not Sufficient, when not enough blood has been collected in the collection circle on the card, or a Quality Not Sufficient, for example, if the blood spots have not been allowed to dry sufficiently before the card has been folded and placed in the envelope.
Test Kit Subscriptions
You get a discount on your test kits if you subscribe to buy repeat test kits at 3, 6 or 12 monthly intervals. This discount will apply to the test kit price at the time of purchase and test kit prices may rise in line with inflation over time.
Will the blood tests diagnose a disease?
No. The blood tests are to assess nutritional status. The blood tests are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, prevent or mitigate any disease.
