Here are some helpful resources and articles.
When blood cells burst open, we call it hemolysis. Although it sounds dramatic, hemolysis happens naturally in the body (in vivo) at relatively low rates.1
But when hemolysis happens outside the body (in vitro) during blood sample collection, it can cause inaccurate test results. Hemolysis is the most common reason for sample rejection.
Hemolysis can occur during blood sample collection, storage, handling or lab analysis, and can get worse if there’s a significant delay between collection and testing. When hemolysis occurs, the contents of the burst red blood cells are released into the sample, which may artificially elevate serum levels of biomarkers3 (aka, the things being measured, like cholesterol, vitamin D, PSA, TSH, etc).
Labs have protocols in place to minimize the chances of hemolysis during processing, but individual test takers can prevent hemolysis during at-home blood sample collection by:
If you’re experiencing an issue with collecting blood, instead of squeezing the tip of your finger, you should try “milking” the finger, starting behind the knuckle. If that doesn't work, firmly wiping the puncture site with gauze will release any clot that may be forming and allow blood to flow freely. You can also use one of the two extra lancets in your test kit, and try again on a different finger.