Instructions for laboratory tests
Reliable results arise from good preparation for laboratory tests. Follow the given instructions so that the samples are comparable.
General instructions for preparing for laboratory tests
Preparation for laboratory examination directly affects the quality and comparability of results. Always follow sampling instructions, such as fasting and timed sampling. Avoid alcohol, coffee, tea, and strenuous exercise before a blood test. Only come for sample collection when you are healthy. If necessary, ask customer service for advice.
Sampling is smooth. Buy tests from the Puhti online store, book an appointment at a Mehiläinen laboratory, and undergo sampling. You will quickly receive laboratory results with a clear MyJournal report.
Sampling at Mehiläinen laboratory
Puhti laboratory tests are taken and analyzed at Mehiläinen laboratories. You can book an appointment directly through Mehiläinen online booking or in the OmaMehiläinen service. If your examination requires a specific sampling time (timed sampling) or a fasting sample, book an appointment for the morning.
Buy a laboratory package and book an appointment at a Mehiläinen laboratory.
Instructions for laboratory examination
Good preparation for laboratory examination ensures that the blood test and other samples are comparable to reference values. Only come for sampling when you are healthy and sit calmly for about 15 minutes before blood sampling, so that blood circulation stabilizes.
Checklist before sampling
Before blood tests, it is good to follow a few simple instructions to ensure the results are as accurate and reliable as possible. The checklist helps you prepare correctly:
- Avoid alcohol and tobacco the day before sampling.
- Do not consume coffee or tea just before the blood test.
- Avoid strenuous physical exertion during the preceding 24 hours, as it can affect the results of several laboratory examinations.
- Dietary supplements can alter results:
- Biotin can interfere with hormone examinations and vitamin determinations.
- Creatine can increase creatinine levels.
- Iron supplements affect iron levels.
- Medication should not be interrupted without a physician’s instruction.
If it is a follow-up measurement, keep daily routines as similar as possible regarding sleep, eating, and exercise. This makes the interpretation of laboratory examination results more reliable.
Sampling instructions by test type
Sample containers, sampling supplies, and sample return
For samples taken at home, you will receive sample containers, a collection container, and clear instructions from the laboratory. Follow the sampling instructions carefully and record the necessary information, such as time and date. Return the samples as instructed to the correct location. If necessary, customer service will advise on the correct sample return method and time.
Laboratory results and their interpretation
You will quickly receive laboratory results in the MyJournal report. The report clearly shows reference values in relation to your results, which makes it easier to review the values. Remember that the interpretation of laboratory examinations is based on the overall picture. If you are concerned about any value, book an appointment with a physician. You can book an appointment through Mehiläinen online booking or the OmaMehiläinen service.
Appointment booking and customer service
Book an appointment at a Mehiläinen laboratory through online booking or the OmaMehiläinen service if the location requires an appointment or the examination requires a specific time. You will receive sampling instructions in the order confirmation and, if necessary, at the laboratory. If you need help, Puhti and Mehiläinen customer service will assist with appointment booking, sampling supplies, and instructions.
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Compare test packages
Choose the test packages you want to compare. You can easily see which tests are included in each package. This is an easy way to find a package that suits your needs.
Locations
For Puhti tests, you have access to Mehiläinen’s extensive laboratory network: about 75 service points in over 50 locations. Body measurements can be done self‑service at 24 measurement points located in shopping centres around Finland.
Frequently Asked Questions About Laboratory Services
Laboratory Test | Ordering | After Laboratory Tests
Laboratory Test
Please note that most of the test packages do not require fasting. More detailed information can be found on the page of each test panel or individual test. Individual tests that require fasting are marked with a lowercase letter f in the test code.
Try to sleep, eat, drink, exercise and work normally during the days before the test. The day before the test, try to have your meals at your usual mealtimes. Heavy stress or an intense sports performance on the previous day or the same day, for example, can also affect the values.
First, order the tests on the Puhti website. After that, you will receive instructions for testing. The sample collection takes place at Mehiläinen laboratories, available in about 75 locations in 50 different cities. Please note! Most of the Mehiläinen laboratories serve customers only by appointment. You can see the locations of Mehiläinen laboratories here. You can book an appointment for laboratory testing here.
When making an electronic appointment, you will need to re-authenticate with your online banking credentials and, as a Puhti customer, click on “prepaid service” in the “Payment method” menu.
The tests in the order are taken at the same time; tests in the same order cannot be divided into different testing days.
LABORATORYTESTS
Sample collection for Puhti tests is possible at more than 75 locations in 50 cities. The sample collection takes place at Mehiläinen laboratories. First, order the test package of your choice on the Puhti website. The laboratories are centrally located in cities. You can check the locations of the laboratories here. You can make an appointment here.
BODY COMPOSITION MEASUREMENTS AS SELF-SERVICE MEASUREMENT
Puhti’s body composition measurements are done as a self-service in the largest shopping centers. You have access to 24 shopping centers across Finland. You can find these shopping centers on the locations page.
We recommend getting tested right away so that you can keep track of changes in your health. It is a good idea to find out the baseline before starting your exercise regimen or making other lifestyle changes so that you can see the effects of the changes in your test results. Seeing how your test results improve can motivate you to continue with your lifestyle changes. The baseline results and follow-up test results are updated on the same report in My journal, making it easy to see your progress.
If you have booked an appointment at the laboratory, you can register at the reception and take a seat and wait for your turn.
All you need to bring with you is proof of identity (such as your driver’s license, identity card or passport).
If you have placed a separate additional order and want to have all the tests taken at the same time, be sure to inform the laboratory.
Ordering
The results are displayed as an easy-to-read report in the My journal section. We have tried to make the report as simple and clear as possible. We have received a lot of praise from our customers for the clarity of our reports!
The results can be viewed on mobile or on a computer. The results are presented graphically, and the next time you get tested, the new results are updated in the same graphs. In certain tests, the value is not accurately determined after a certain limit, because it has no diagnostic significance.
If the value is marked with red, the value falls outside the reference values. If the value is marked with green, it falls within the reference values. Some of the values also have a yellow area between them, which indicates a small deviation from the reference values.
The results can be saved as a PDF file that opens with Adobe Acrobat, for example. If you wish, you can also print the results on paper.
See an example of a Puhti report here.
You can see the results in the MyJournal service, which you log in to with your Finnish bank account credentials.
We will clearly illustrate with a report which values are within the reference range and what the results mean. When all the results are ready, you can print or download them in PDF format. The results of body composition measurements will also be visible in OmaKanta from early 2026.
If you wish, you can order a remote doctor’s consultation directly from MyJournal for an additional fee. The service does not include automatic medical interpretation or diagnosis – if you suspect an illness or have symptoms, seek a doctor’s opinion.
Please note that most of the test packages do not require fasting. More detailed information can be found on the page of each test panel or individual test. Individual tests that require fasting are marked with a lowercase letter f in the test code.
Try to sleep, eat, drink, exercise and work normally during the days before the test. The day before the test, try to have your meals at your usual mealtimes. Heavy stress or an intense sports performance on the previous day or the same day, for example, can also affect the values.
LABORATORYTESTS
Sample collection for Puhti tests is possible at more than 75 locations in 50 cities. The sample collection takes place at Mehiläinen laboratories. First, order the test package of your choice on the Puhti website. The laboratories are centrally located in cities. You can check the locations of the laboratories here. You can make an appointment here.
BODY COMPOSITION MEASUREMENTS AS SELF-SERVICE MEASUREMENT
Puhti’s body composition measurements are done as a self-service in the largest shopping centers. You have access to 24 shopping centers across Finland. You can find these shopping centers on the locations page.
We recommend getting tested right away so that you can keep track of changes in your health. It is a good idea to find out the baseline before starting your exercise regimen or making other lifestyle changes so that you can see the effects of the changes in your test results. Seeing how your test results improve can motivate you to continue with your lifestyle changes. The baseline results and follow-up test results are updated on the same report in My journal, making it easy to see your progress.
You don’t need a referral. You can purchase blood tests directly from Puhti’s website and have the sample taken at a Mehiläinen location. If you suspect an illness or have worrying symptoms, contact your doctor. If you wish, you can order a remote doctor’s consultation for an additional fee after the tests are completed in the MyJournal service.
You can add the desired individual tests to the ready-made test panels. The tests in the order are taken at the same time; tests in the same order cannot be divided into different testing days.
You can add new tests by ordering them normally from the Puhti page. In the laboratory, the sampler will see all your open orders in the system and take the samples at once when you tell them you want to combine the samples. Puhti tests cannot be purchased at the laboratory cashier – the order is always made online. Please note that this does not apply to body measurements at the self-service point, which are done separately.
The order must always be filled in with the details of the person to be tested. If you want to order tests as a gift for someone else, gift cards are available. The gift card is used in Puhti’s online store, and the recipient of the gift can decide which test package they want to order.
If you want make changes to the tests you have ordered, you can request a change to your order from our customer service before visiting the laboratory. You can contact us via the chat on our website or by phone (+358 (0)10 338 7049).
If the order includes promotional or special offer products or test panels with a lower than normal price, we will not be able to refund the amount in full; in this case, we will refund the price paid for the product. If a product is exchanged for another, we will take into account the difference between the products and the lower price in the amount of refund.
Please note that we do not make changes to an order that has already been used. In other words, any changes to the order must be made before visiting the laboratory. After visiting the laboratory, we will not refund used orders or parts thereof.
After Laboratory Tests
The results are displayed as an easy-to-read report in the My journal section. We have tried to make the report as simple and clear as possible. We have received a lot of praise from our customers for the clarity of our reports!
The results can be viewed on mobile or on a computer. The results are presented graphically, and the next time you get tested, the new results are updated in the same graphs. In certain tests, the value is not accurately determined after a certain limit, because it has no diagnostic significance.
If the value is marked with red, the value falls outside the reference values. If the value is marked with green, it falls within the reference values. Some of the values also have a yellow area between them, which indicates a small deviation from the reference values.
The results can be saved as a PDF file that opens with Adobe Acrobat, for example. If you wish, you can also print the results on paper.
See an example of a Puhti report here.
Log in to My journal with your banking credentials. You will not be able to log in until you have ordered the tests from the Puhti website.
If you cannot log in to My journal, here’s what you can try:
Try using a different browser or computer/phone.
Try logging in to My journal again in about an hour. Server downtime may cause login errors.
Contact us via the chat or over the phone.
In our opinion, the interpretation of laboratory results does not need to be difficult. That is why we have made the report very visually clear and easy to read. The report shows whether your results fall within the reference values and what the different values mean. We will tell you what the different indicators are connected to and how you can influence them.
Through Puhti, you can also easily book a remote appointment with a doctor as a separate service, during which you can go through all the results.
However, our test packages do not include a personal interpretation or diagnosis of your results by a doctor. Always consult a doctor if you suspect a disease or have symptoms.
You can see the results in the MyJournal service, which you log in to with your Finnish bank account credentials.
We will clearly illustrate with a report which values are within the reference range and what the results mean. When all the results are ready, you can print or download them in PDF format. The results of body composition measurements will also be visible in OmaKanta from early 2026.
If you wish, you can order a remote doctor’s consultation directly from MyJournal for an additional fee. The service does not include automatic medical interpretation or diagnosis – if you suspect an illness or have symptoms, seek a doctor’s opinion.
Many of the results included in our test packages are usually completed the day after the sample collection.
As soon as the results are ready, we will send you email and SMS notifications. You can view the results on the My journal page.
After the tests, you can order a remote consultation with a Mehiläinen doctor as a separate service directly in the My journal report. The consultation with a doctor is not included in the price of the laboratory package.
Laboratory packages
Laboratory packages offer a clear overall picture at once. Whether your need is a general health check-up, mapping of vitality and recovery or monitoring of cardiovascular health, assessment of nutrition and vitamin stores or checking hormone balance, you get the results quickly and easily.
