Most people don’t understand how blood tests are done or why they must be done. They might know their cholesterol level is high, but they don’t know why it’s high or what it means in general terms of their health. When you want to learn more about your blood test results and what they mean, you can use this guide on how a blood test from any lab, like essa lab, is done to get the information you need.
What is a blood test?
Before you can understand how a blood test is done, it’s essential to know what it is and why you might need one. Although it sounds scary, having your blood drawn is not usually dangerous and shouldn’t cause any undue pain. We talked to Dr Robert Casper, M.D., an infectious disease specialist at Scripps Mercy Hospital in San Diego, California, about some standard blood tests from any lab like essa lab to be better prepared for your next visit to your doctor’s office.
Types of tests
There are various tests from different labs like essa lab that can be done using blood samples. If you have reason to believe that you’re suffering from one of many possible conditions, your doctor may order a screening test to determine whether or not you’re actually at risk for said disease. These tests usually only require one sample, but they often don’t provide specific information about what might be causing your condition. In these cases, follow-up tests will be necessary.
Urine analysis
The initial step of urine analysis is to collect an adequate sample. The physician usually instructs you to urinate directly into a container that contains an antibacterial agent to prevent contamination of the specimen. The next step is to have someone hand-deliver it to a laboratory for processing, usually within four hours. Samples are analyzed using several tests, including ones designed to check for blood and albumin in urine, which may indicate liver or kidney damage.
The process of collecting the sample
Your arm will be gently squeezed to get a blood sample from any professional lab like essa lab to stimulate blood flow. Next, a butterfly needle is inserted into a vein in your arm and guided with ultrasound. You may feel slight pressure when the needle goes in, but most people tolerate it OK—and it’s over in seconds. Once in place, all you need to do is sit still for about 15 minutes as an attached vial fills with fluid.
When should you get tested?
It’s generally recommended that you get tested for HIV at least once a year. That said, if you engage in risky sexual behavior—having unprotected sex with multiple partners or with someone who is HIV-positive, having sex while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, having anal or vaginal intercourse without using condoms, and so on—you should probably get tested more often than that.
When should you avoid testing?
If you’re still sick or suffering from a recent illness, it may be best to wait to have your blood tested. You may end up with false results due to fluctuations in specific vitamins and minerals associated with viral infections, such as vitamin C, iron, zinc and selenium. If you think you’re ill, call your doctor. They can order lab tests for free if they believe it is necessary for diagnosis.
How does a blood test work?
What exactly is a blood test? And how does it work? How can something like your blood tell doctors so much about what’s going on in your body? Many people don’t understand how blood tests work, but there are quite a few different tests that can help doctors determine whether you have an illness or disease or if you need treatment for something you already have.
