Blood test

Hmm from what I can remember, they might clean the area with an antisceptic wipe. Then they insert the needle and draw the blood out. Then stick a plaster on you.

That's basically it, simple procedure! They may ask you to grip/then ungrip/grip etc your hands and you may feel slight pins and needles in your hand.

And don't worry, you can look away and not have to watch it at all :smile:

sometimes people do feel a bit faint but just keep your breathing steady and don't panick too much about it

Edit: (probably better description ^)

Reply 3

ßlαcksωαn

17

holy geezus good luck :hugs:

Reply 4

P for Photographer

There is nothign to worry about, I had to have a test for a couple of things, and for some reasons, she told 6 tubes of blood, very small tube tho. and it didnt hurt at all. I think they would have to take 1 tube per a test or sth, still dunno why they needed 6 tubes from me...

I think you can expect the result from your GP within a week or sth, it depends on the area, I suppose...

Dont worry, the whole porcess should only take a couple of mins.

Reply 5

sauce

13

brimstone

I've gotta have a blood test tomorrow for the first time ever ( :afraid:

), and I'm just wondering what it entails really. I'd appreciate it if you could calm my nerves and try to answer my questions!

What is the actual procedure? Does it hurt? How much blood do they take and is it enough to make you feel faint, seeing as I'm not supposed to eat from 9pm tonight?

They're supposed to be testing for 'LFT' (whatever that may be :s-smilie:

) and cholesterol levels, so what can I expect from the results? If I had some random disease, would it show up on the results too? :s-smilie:

Thanks for your help.

I was really scared before my first one as well, but it went fine. I got the head of blood testing as well and my mum said that I was really nervous and he reassured me saying " it's nothing to be scared about :smile:

" and then he put this tightening thing on my arm to raise my veins or whatever which didn't hurt at all, it was fabric btw,found a vein in my inside creasy elbow thing or near it, it stung for a few seconds a little and felt a little strange and then he took it out and it felt a little funny :biggrin:

not painful though and then it was over. I think they take two tiny little tubey container things, like smaller and thinner than my little finger(I have small hands btw lol)Felt fine afterwards, bit more hungry than usual but that was probably just me :biggrin:

You'll be fine buddy! :hugs:

Reply 6

~Kirsty~

Like the others said, but i went dizzy after mine - i must be special! :smile:

Reply 7

FFCrusader

12

The cholesterol test is a fasting one...I believe so that food doesnt affect those levels or something like that

They take very little blood...the tube may look big but really it only holds like 5 ml per tube. It thinkness of the glass is for the vacuum inside which draws out your blood, relatively painlessly.

To keep your mind of things, maybe read the posters (if there are any on the wall), or talk to someone (nurse/family/someone in the room) and before you know it, it'll be over and done with :biggrin:

Reply 8

pixiepeep

13

Honestly, I am officially the worst person on the planet with needles, and the worst bit about the blood test I had the other week was peeling the plaster off afterwards cause it was really sticky...

But seriously, if you're nervous, tell the nurse/doctor who's doing it, and they'll calm you down and take you through it step by step. My nurse made a joke about me fainting which really put me at ease. It really didn't hurt that much, and my vein stopped giving halfway through so I had to tense my arm, which was a little painful, but not enough to make my eyes water or anything.

My arm ached for a day or so afterwards and I had a massive bruise, but it was kinda cool, lol!

Reply 9

happydinosaur

15

They don't take much blood at all. If you are a bit funny about blood and needles then look the other way and think about nice things. It will be over very quickly. I had a blood test last week and it didn't even hurt but that might be because I have had a so many. Sometimes it can not work properly...my veins often won't give the blood or they can't find a vein in the first place but as long as you don't get stressed and anxious it will be fine.

Reply 10

DodgyTrousers

7

They took about 6 llittle bottles of my blood when I had it done. I joked with the (massively flirty) nurse "OMG?! What are you testing me for?". She replied "everything!".

Therefore I now know that I don't have anything! Whatever that is.

I was most displeased they didn't so much as offer me a rich tea afterwards like they do if you give blood. Or a custard cream.

Or a bourbon :frown:

Reply 11

They suck out your blood. What more do you need to know?

Reply 12

happydinosaur

They don't take much blood at all. If you are a bit funny about blood and needles then look the other way and think about nice things. It will be over very quickly. I had a blood test last week and it didn't even hurt but that might be because I have had a so many. Sometimes it can not work properly...my veins often won't give the blood or they can't find a vein in the first place but as long as you don't get stressed and anxious it will be fine.

Jeeze I had it in for about 5 minutes. And I have accessable veins

As the person above, I had 6 vials filled. I wasnt that ill.

Reply 13

jenna_is_ace

9

I had one and my flatmate lied beforehand and said they take one little container of blood from you. So I was a bit confused when she took 3 lots from me. It doesn't hurt at all though.

I'm a bit of a weirdo really, I quite liked the feeling of the blood coming out (not very noticeable though). I'll probably end up being one of those blood-letting, kinky sex freaks.

Reply 14

~Kirsty~

i was given the option of sitting or lying down - i think its better to lie down - less likely to go faint.

Reply 15

jenna_is_ace

I had one and my flatmate lied beforehand and said they take one little container of blood from you. So I was a bit confused when she took 3 lots from me. It doesn't hurt at all though.

I'm a bit of a weirdo really, I quite liked the feeling of the blood coming out (not very noticeable though). I'll probably end up being one of those blood-letting, kinky sex freaks.

/wrists

Reply 16

~Kirsty~

i was given the option of sitting or lying down - i think its better to lie down - less likely to go faint.

But then you cant see as well, surely?

Reply 17

~Kirsty~