What are blood tests?
Blood tests are laboratory analyses in which a large number of health indicators are measured from a blood sample — from the number of blood cells, through the levels of glucose, fats, minerals and vitamins, to the function of the liver, kidneys, thyroid and other organs. From a single blood draw a whole range of values can be obtained that together give a detailed picture of the state of the body.
Blood is most often drawn from a vein in the arm at the bend of the elbow, and the sample is then processed in the laboratory with modern, reliable methods. The results are shown as measured values alongside reference (expected) ranges, so the doctor easily notices what deviates and what it means for your health.
The advantage of blood tests is that they often detect changes early, before complaints appear — for example elevated glucose or cholesterol, anemia, a lack of iron or vitamins, or a thyroid function disorder. That is why they are the foundation of both preventive and targeted check-ups.
At the Medical Time laboratory the blood draw is done by experienced staff with minimal discomfort, the samples are processed reliably, and a doctor interprets the results, so that you quickly get not only numbers, but also a clear explanation of what they mean and what to do next.
When are blood tests done? Indications
Blood tests are done both as a regular, preventive health check and for specific complaints, as well as to monitor already-known diseases and therapy. Which tests are done depends on your complaints, age and the doctor's assessment.
The most common reasons for which the tests are done are:
As a general rule, a regular blood check-up once a year, as well as any unclear, persistent weakness or complaint, justifies blood tests — because this is how many changes are detected early, while they are still easily treated.
- a regular, preventive health check and routine check-ups
- fatigue, weakness, pallor and suspected anemia
- checking blood glucose and the risk of diabetes
- checking cholesterol and blood fats (risk for the heart and blood vessels)
- monitoring the function of the liver, kidneys and thyroid
- suspected infection or inflammation in the body
- monitoring chronic diseases and the effect of therapy
- checking the levels of iron, vitamin D, vitamin B12 and other indicators
Preparing for blood tests
For many blood tests you need to be fasting, because food temporarily changes some values — above all blood glucose and fats. That is why for such tests it is recommended not to eat or drink anything except water for 8 to 12 hours before the draw. Water may and should be drunk, because it makes the blood draw easier.
Not all tests are tied to food — for some no preparation is needed. Whether your specific tests require you to be fasting and whether there are other instructions, we will tell you at scheduling, depending on what is being determined. You take your regular therapy as prescribed, unless the doctor explicitly says otherwise.
What it is good to keep in mind before the blood draw:
- for tests done fasting, do not eat for 8 to 12 hours before the draw; drink water normally
- avoid alcohol the day before and strenuous physical exertion immediately before the draw
- blood is most often drawn in the morning, when the values are most stable
- tell the staff which medications you take, especially blood-thinning therapy
- bring earlier laboratory findings if you have them, for comparison
What a blood draw is like — the course
The blood draw is short and simple. You sit or lie down, and the staff place an elastic band around your upper arm and find a suitable vein, most often at the bend of the elbow. The puncture site is cleaned, and then the needed amount of blood is drawn with a thin needle into one or more tubes, depending on which tests are being done.
The puncture itself lasts only a moment and feels like a brief pinch. Drawing the blood into the tubes then takes only a few seconds to a minute. Once the sample is taken, the needle is removed, and a piece of cotton wool is placed on the puncture site, which you press briefly so that a bruise does not form.
The whole procedure, with preparation, usually takes only a few minutes, after which you immediately return to your usual activities — there is no recovery or restriction. It is only desirable to eat a light meal after the draw, especially if you were fasting.
For people who are afraid of needles or feel faint during a blood draw, the staff are especially careful — the draw is done lying down if needed, calmly and without rushing.
When you get the results and interpretation
The time until results depends on the type of analysis. Basic analyses, such as the blood count, glucose or cholesterol, are most often ready the same day, while more specific tests may require somewhat more time. You find out the exact time frame for your analyses at the blood draw.
The results are shown as measured values alongside reference ranges, so it is clearly seen what is within limits and what deviates. Still, the numbers alone do not tell everything — that is why it is important for a doctor to interpret the findings, viewing the values together, in relation to your complaints, age and therapy.
Based on the results the doctor gives a conclusion and recommendations — whether the findings are normal, whether additional analyses or exams are needed and whether therapy should be adjusted. All findings are stored digitally, so that every subsequent analysis can be compared with the previous one and you can track how the values change over time.
Why have your blood tests at Medical Time
The value of laboratory analyses lies not only in accurate numbers, but also in someone interpreting those numbers correctly. At Medical Time the samples are processed with reliable methods, and a doctor interprets the results, so that you get a clear explanation of what the findings mean and what to do next.
Everything you might need along with blood tests — a specialist exam, ultrasound or additional diagnostics — is available in one place, with a quick appointment and a warm approach, often without waiting.
- a blood draw with minimal discomfort, with special care for fear of needles
- a wide selection of analyses from a single blood draw
- reliable processing of samples with modern methods
- a doctor interprets the results, with a clear explanation and recommendations
- fast results — basic analyses most often the same day
- quick scheduling without waiting
- everything in one place — laboratory, exams and further diagnostics
- digital storage of findings for tracking over time
Cost
The cost of blood tests depends on which tests are done — from individual analyses to complete packages (for example the blood count, biochemistry, thyroid hormones or vitamins). See the diagnostics prices in the price list, and for an exact offer and an appointment call us.
- Complete blood count (CBC)
- Biochemistry analyses (glucose, cholesterol, liver, kidneys)
- Thyroid hormones, iron and vitamins
For an appointment call 062-399-888.
Frequently asked questions about blood tests
For many analyses, yes — above all for blood glucose and fats, for which 8 to 12 hours without food is recommended, with normal water intake. Not all analyses are tied to food, so at scheduling we will tell you whether your specific analyses require you to be fasting.
The puncture feels only like a brief pinch that lasts a moment. The blood draw is fast and with minimal discomfort, and for people who are afraid of needles the staff are especially careful and do the draw lying down if needed.
Yes. You may and should drink water even when fasting, because it makes the blood draw easier. Only food, sweetened and carbonated drinks, coffee and alcohol are avoided.
You mostly take your regular therapy as prescribed, unless the doctor explicitly says otherwise. That is why it is important to tell the staff which medications you take, especially blood-thinning therapy.
Basic analyses, such as the blood count, glucose and cholesterol, are most often ready the same day, while more specific tests require somewhat more time. You find out the exact time frame for your analyses at the blood draw.
Blood tests detect anemia, elevated glucose and the risk of diabetes, elevated cholesterol, disorders of the liver, kidneys and thyroid, a lack of iron and vitamins, signs of infection and inflammation and much more, often before complaints appear.
No. At Medical Time you can schedule blood tests without a referral, usually quickly and without a long wait. In addition, a doctor interprets the results, with clear recommendations for what comes next.