If you have a tendency to bleed or bruise, let the collector know. To help prevent bruising to your puncture site, do not carry anything heavy or undertake strenuous exercise within 24 hours of your blood test. When the needle is inserted under the skin you might feel a slight sting and there may be additional discomfort when it is withdrawn. Try drinking water and exercise. Drinking 8 to 10 glasses of liquid a day helps blood flow better and makes the veins more likely to stick up and be found easily, so drink plenty of fluids for a day or two before your test.
You may also want to take a walk while waiting, or on your way to the test, to increase blood flow and keep the veins pumped up routinely doing hand and arm exercises also helps those requiring frequent testing.
Even eating well the day before, if fasting is not required, improves blood flow. Being warm increases your blood circulation, which makes it easier for the phlebotomist to find a vein. If you have difficulty with blood being taken, lying down and warming your hands under a heating pad and blanket usually provide good results.
Difficulty with blood being taken? If you are among those people who have small or difficult-to-access veins, or veins that are scarred or blocked from repeated punctures chemotherapy patients can have this problem you may need to work with the person taking your blood to create a process that works well for you. If you experience swelling, bruising, or pain then follow putting ice on the site, using the affected arm as little as possible, and taking an over-the-counter painkiller can help.
A blood test is an invasive procedure because a needle is inserted through the skin to reach a vein. It is however a very safe procedure. Millions of blood tests are performed in Australia every year. By far the most common complication is bruising at the site of the needle puncture. This usually appears within 24 hours and may range in size from a small spot to a large purple bruise.
It is caused by blood leaking from the punctured vein out into the tissues just under the skin. This can be reduced by using finger pressure on the site for a minute or so after the blood has been taken.
Bruising is more likely if the collection is difficult, if pressure is not maintained on the site for a minute or so, if you are taking anti-clotting medicines such as aspirin or warfarin, if you are an elderly person with fragile veins, or if you exercise your arm soon after the blood test — such as by lifting heavy shopping bags or going to the gym.
While bruising is unsightly it is not dangerous and will slowly disappear over a few days or weeks, depending on how extensive it is. Large bruises may become tender for a few days because the cells that are involved in mopping up the bruise release substances that cause the area to become sore. This is uncommon but again not dangerous. It is part of the healing process.
However, if the tenderness is bothering you, you should contact the person or clinic where you had the blood taken. Very rarely, a small artery, which contains blood at much higher pressure than in veins, will lie unusually close to or underneath a vein.
In this situation, the artery may be accidentally punctured. Results may take anywhere from a few hours to a few days to become available. This can depend on the specific lab where you get tested or how many tests you get done at once. If you order multiple tests, you may not get the complete results until all of the tests are completed. Sometimes a lab will only release results to your doctor, who reviews them and then releases them to you.
Your doctor typically orders blood tests for you during a physical, checkup, or an appointment intended for a specific condition. Blood testing is usually partially or fully covered by insurance.
Your doctor can also advise you on how to choose testing facilities that are reliable, well-managed, or convenient for you. You may end up paying the full cost by not going through an insurance plan, which can be expensive. And some blood testing facilities may not give you accurate results. One infamous case of this is Theranos , a Palo Alto, California, biotechnology firm shut down in when an investigation uncovered lies and fraud around the accuracy of its private blood testing technology.
A routine complete blood count CBC test checks for levels of 10 different components of every major cell in your blood: white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets.
Important components measured by this test include red blood cell count, hemoglobin, and hematocrit. Based on your results, your doctor will order follow-up tests to confirm abnormal levels and a possible diagnosis.
See our chart for normal results. Abnormal results may indicate kidney disease, diabetes, or hormone imbalances. Your doctor will perform follow-up tests to diagnose any of these conditions. A complete metabolic panel CMP includes all the measurements of a BMP as well as additional proteins and substances related to liver function:. Other abnormal levels can also indicate underlying conditions, such as:. This test checks levels of two types of cholesterol :.
Normal levels can also vary by age. A thyroid panel, or thyroid function test, checks how well your thyroid is producing and reacting to certain hormones, such as:. Your thyroid , a tiny gland in your neck, helps regulate bodily functions like your mood, energy level, and overall metabolism.
A specialist will examine the sample under a microscope. They may also test it with chemicals. It depends on what they are looking for. They will send the results to the hospital or to your GP. Some test results will be ready the same day or a few days later. Others may not be available for a few weeks. Your doctor or nurse will tell you when your results will be ready and how you'll get them.
Sometimes, receiving results can be stressful and upsetting. If you're worried about the outcome of a test, take a trusted friend or relative with you. For some tests, such as HIV or genetic testing, you will be offered specialist counselling to help you deal with your results. Page last reviewed: 22 December Next review due: 22 December Read our cookies policy to find out more about our cookies and how we use them.
Overview - Blood tests Contents Overview Common types. A blood test is useful for: checking your general health checking if you have an infection seeing how well certain organs are working - such as the liver and kidneys screening for certain genetic conditions A blood sample will be needed for your blood tests. This will usually be taken by a : doctor nurse phlebotomist a specialist in taking blood samples Find out more about common types of blood tests Preparing for a blood test The healthcare professional who arranges for your blood sample to be taken will tell you if you need to do anything before your test.
Depending on the type of blood test, you may need to: avoid eating or drinking anything fasting , except water for up to 12 hours stop taking a certain medication. Follow the instructions you're given If you do not, it may affect the result of your blood test.
During a blood test A blood test usually involves you getting a blood sample taken from a blood vessel in your arm.
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