what should you not do before a blood test

If you manage type 2 diabetes with noninsulin medications or with diet and exercise alone, you may not need to test your blood sugar daily. Phlebotomists have the technical knowledge and skill, but ultimately you know your body more than anyone else. Recent food intake does not influence the results of most blood tests, so Giving blood is vital as it saves millions of lives every year. Latex can be found in gloves, tourniquets, and bandages, and an exposure can be life-threatening in a person with an allergy or sensitivity. You may also be told not to smoke before your test. Last Updated: November 29, 2020 However, in the future, I think I will just be on the safe side and make sure I take it easy before I have any blood work done. What about supplements and medications? Having your pet properly prepared for a blood test helps to ensure that the results are as accurate and reliable as possible. A fear of needles, also known as ‘needle phobia,’ is very common. What if you have a continuous glucose monitor (CGM)? Trustworthy Source Blood tests aren’t always accurate right after contracting an infection. After the needle is taken out, a bandage or piece of gauze is placed over the puncture site to stop the bleeding. Semen released during sexual activity can cause PSA levels to rise … However, don’t just talk to your family doctor. You could ask your doctor to test for your blood type as well as many other types of blood tests. Fasting means that, with the exception of water, you refrain from eating or drinking for a minimum of 8 hours (10 to … Water is not avoided before a blood test. Some tests require fasting. Support wikiHow by % of people told us that this article helped them. I mean, granted — and I will tell you, number one, we do not base thyroid doses on blood tests alone. Call the doctor’s office 36 to 48 hours after the results should have arrived if you are not notified. If your provider orders blood work during a visit, be sure to ask your provider if you need to fast beforehand. The point is to help you feel stronger and more capable of tackling your fear. Diuretics make your pass more water, more often. A local anesthetic is normally available on insurance, while general anesthetic is not. For accurate results, try to avoid intense workouts before blood work. If you’re prone to fainting at the sight of blood or needles, staying hydrated can help. unlocking this expert answer. Never have been and probably never will be. If you are taking vitamin C, you should stop doing so 24 hrs before the test. If your doctor has confirmed that you should not eat anything before the test, you should not ignore their instructions. Using a smaller needle which damages the cells as they are drawn into the tube. This list of “don’ts” will help ensure your test results are as accurate as possible. Iontophoresis is a method of anesthesia which involves an electric current. You must fast for 12 hours (overnight) before your blood test, but you have a real dependence on coffee or caffeine. One common anesthetic is EMLA, a mixture of lidocaine and prilocaine. This can affect the results of a blood test that’s designed to measure kidney function. It’s much better to get the test out of the way and find out if there’s a problem. You may need to test only before breakfast and dinner if you use just an intermediate- or a long-acting insulin. Can Working Out Before a Blood Test Affect the Results? It depends on the blood test. The point is that the more blood in an area, the easier it is for your phlebotomist to find a good vein. Preparation for these two types of tests is slightly different. Do you feel nervous in the run-up to your blood test, no matter how much you prepare? 13 Things You Should Never Do Before a Medical Test. I am a Licensed Phlebotomist and Certified Medical Assistant of 15+ years with 14+ years of clinical experience. If you’re dehydrated, it can be more difficult to find your vein. A local anesthetic numbs the area that it’s applied to, unlike general anesthetic, which knocks you out cold. How can I avoid a bruise after getting my blood drawn? Having blood tests is part of a healthy person’s routine. You may, in fact, be required not to drink at all for at least 24 hours before the test. For a fasting cholesterol test it can be 9 to 12 hours. Research and education center within the National Institutes of Health A study published in the … Talk to your doctor before stopping any … It uses similar chemical substances, but the anesthetic is spread by use of the current. Your doctor’s recommendations are for your good. Before certain types of blood tests, doctors tell patients to fast — to avoid eating or drinking anything for 8 to 12 hours before the test. Phlebotomists work in hospitals, specialist clinics or research. Sadly, not everyone who should get an annual blood test actually does, and for some folks, there’s still some confusion about the process. As low blood pressure—a side effect of dehydration—causes dizziness and fainting. It can be the difference between getting through the procedure comfortably, or not being able to have your blood drawn at all. Unless you have been told not to, have a drink of water before your test. But it does affect the blood—warmth improves blood flow to certain parts of your body. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Tests for monitoring certain medications, such as tacrolimus, are ordered as either pre-dose (before the next dose) or post-dose (2 hours after you take the medication). Every dollar contributed enables us to keep providing high-quality how-to help to people like you. Blood tests are the only way to detect high cholesterol levels. One particular gray area is if you’re taking herbal remedies. It works somewhat like a crystal ball, but what you do in the hours before could have a negative effect on your blood test results. You should not eat anything at least 8 hours prior to your test. You also shouldn’t do anything that requires too much exertion, smoke, or even chew gum. What Does Blood Draw or Venipuncture Training Involve? Drinking more water than usual is quite important for anybody who might not like blood tests. Specifically, blood tests are done to evaluate the function of certain organs, such as the liver or kidneys, diagnose disease, determine risk factors, check medications you are taking, and assess blood clotting. The period blood doesn't circulate through your body, it just comes out. Send thanks to the doctor. After your blood is drawn, you may resume your regular diet. A 48-year-old member asked: can eating before a cholesterol test mess it up? For an HIV infection, for example, you may need to wait at least a month before a blood test can detect the virus. Lipid testing: You can have water before a lipid blood test, yes you should take your medications. Preparing for a blood test. But if you're having a "fasting blood test", you will be told not to eat or drink anything (other than water) beforehand. It is important to fast for at least 12 hours if your doctor has ordered lipid tests … Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. References It would certainly affect a urine sample, though. While this isn’t too debilitating in everyday life, it makes medical testing awkward and stressful. 0. You should consult with a licensed physician to determine what blood tests are best for you, to help you … Preparation for these two types of tests is slightly different. There are two easy ways to keep your arms warm before a test. Apply it directly to your inner arm. Get a prostate massage. I am a Licensed Phlebotomist and Certified Medical Assistant of 15+ years with 14+ years of clinical experience. Should I goto er, or just f/up with GP tomorrow. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. They have to repeatedly inject the needle until they find the right spot. Sitting on the exam table in … We do take into consideration, you know, a huge factor of your symptoms. Take a deep breath right before the phlebotomist inserts the needle. Open pop-up dialog box. Wear warmer than normal clothes for the season when you go in to get your blood drawn. This is because tests that assess liver health may be skewed by alcohol remaining in the bloodstream. This article has been viewed 158,505 times. Any time that you need blood drawn for lab work,…, A phlebotomist will need to find a good, strong vein from which to draw blood. If more tubes are required, the needle remains in place and another tube is put on the end of the needle. Additionally, you can put a warm compress on the vein where the blood will be drawn to improve your circulation. So, it may hurt a little. Read food labels for cholesterol content, paying close … This is because other drinks can most certainly affect the results of your test. Medical professionals order blood tests for a variety of reasons. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute If you’ve read this far, you’re probably thinking: “How on earth can I do all of that? You should also let them know if you’re taking any medications or supplements that might affect your test. You have a problem. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. Make sure you are able to stay in the lab for the whole duration. Vitamins, pain killers or herbal treatments will not normally affect your test unless they contain sugars or fats. So if you experience any symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency or if you doctor has recommended a Vitamin D blood test, then here is what you need to know before undergoing the Vitamin D test. You will be asked to withhold any drugs or medications for 6-8 hours before the drawing blood for a thyroid test as they may interfere with test results. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Your doctor may order these tests as random, meaning fasting isn't needed. This means no coffee or tea, so save that morning trip to the café for after your draw. Before getting your blood drawn, drink plenty of fluids to help your blood flow better. Unfortunately, because of time pressure and the fact that there’s a lot to take in, it’s easy to forget exactly what was said. They can advise you further on whether you need to fast, whether you need to take any special precautions with medications or prepare in any other way. In addition, do not exercise strenuously before the cholesterol tests as it could result in temporary rise of HDL levels. Matt Garcia. Some the test which allows eating before the test is carried out include fecal occult blood test though individuals are discouraged from taking some food such as broccoli and red meat. How to Make Your Veins Pop Out to Give Blood. Leaving the tourniquet on for more than one minute. You sit and think: worrying about what could go wrong. Something as seemingly benign as eating the wrong thing can give bogus results, and now research suggests that you can affect blood pressure readings by just moving your arm. Even so, the idea of not eating or drinking, even for … Plant fatty foods like palm oil, coconut oil and cocoa butter also tend to increase the bad cholesterol levels. Blood tests are the only way to detect high cholesterol levels. Will it hurt more if I have low blood pressure? Interestingly, 80% of people with a phobia of needles report that they have a first-degree relative also has a strong fear of needles. It's possible this fear is partially genetic. A raised level of PSA can be a sign of a prostate condition, such as: enlarged prostate infection or inflammation of the prostate (prostatitis) prostate cancer; Before having a PSA test, men should not have ejaculated during the previous 48 hours. But, as you may know, you can’t go for a blood test straight away. If the bruise is painful, wrap some ice in a cloth and hold it against the area for about 10 minutes. Your doctor will first note down your entire case history to understand if you need a thyroid blood test. For accurate results, try to avoid intense workouts before blood work. Whether you're taking the SAT, the ACT, an SAT Subject Test, the PSAT, an AP exam, a final, or any other test for high school, it's essential to know what to do beforehand so you can give yourself the best shot at getting a high score.. None of this should be interpreted as medical advice or recommendation. Their wide use is why doctors often take blood tests during regular health check-ups. If you’re unsure, just ask. If that doesn’t sound appealing, try a warm compress. There is one way to reduce the sugar level in the blood, which sounds odd: after eating sugar, the insulin which is already stored by the beta cells is released quickly, as a peak (a second slower wave comes later). It is important that you follow these instructions exactly to ensure accurate test results. If you have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, however, it might be your best option. It should dissipate within a day or two. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Above all, remember the rule: don’t stop taking prescribed medication unless your physician tells you. Blood tests aren’t like surgery, which requires you to avoid eating or drinking entirely. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Research and education center within the National Institutes of Health, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/9f\/Prepare-for-a-Blood-Test-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Prepare-for-a-Blood-Test-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/9f\/Prepare-for-a-Blood-Test-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid1426342-v4-728px-Prepare-for-a-Blood-Test-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"