So, I want you to be comfortable at your next lab test and avoid any mistakes whether before, during or after, so that everything goes well and smoothly. Lab tests are a common procedure that you will do at some point in life. Knowing about it and familiarizing yourself with it will result in you having many successful lab tests when you do them.
Here are 11 tips to follow to inform yourself and be ready for your next lab test:
1. Find out from your doctor or the lab which test are you doing
Sometimes, your doctor may tell you what he/she is sending you to do but may not go into details. Ask your doctor which tests he/she is sending you to do. That will give you an idea how many tests you have to do, how much the tests may cost, and help you with preparing. I would suggest that you spend a little time and go over the requisition form just to check the test the doctor has selected, as well as, just familiarizing yourself with the form and the many tests that are there.
2. Find out if you have to do a stool and/or urine sample
One good reason to ask your doctor about which tests you are doing is for you to find out if you have to do a urine or stool sample. Many times doctors fill a requisition form and don’t tell the patient which tests they have to do or may miss a particular test. So, asking and even specifically, whether you have to do a urine or stool sample will let you know right off the bat. That way you can ask for any instructions if needed on how to get containers and how to do the sample.
3. Find out if you have to fast for the test
Ask specifically if you have to fast for the test or any one test. Your doctor may forget to tell you. I have witnessed this happening several times to patients. They come to the lab to do some tests, when asked if they are fasting, they answer and say no. When asked why they did not or told they were supposed to, they answer and say, the doctor didn’t tell me I had to fast. So, make it a habit to ask if fasting before is necessary or needed. That way you are not wasting your time.
4. Find out if the test involves more than one prick
There are some tests that require more than one prick like OGTT, 2HRPP, and some hormone tests. If you are doing any of these you will get more than one prick. In some instances, you may get 6 pricks for an OGTT test, 2 pricks for a 2HRPP test, and 2 or more depending on which hormone tests you are doing. Asking your doctor or lab how many pricks have to be done informs you ahead of time and prepares you mentally for the blood draw.
5. Ask if there are any special preparations that you need to make/take
This question will come in handy for any special tests that you have to do like the occasional urine culture or sputum tests, that require you to follow some very specific steps. Following these steps are necessary in providing a suitable sample and in ensuring that test results are accurate. Also, if you are doing a test that requires you to fast like a FBS or 2HRPP (in some instances), you may be told to walk with breakfast or a snack, so that after the test procedure is done you can eat immediately.
6. Inform your family that you are doing a lab test
Letting others know that you have to do a blood or lab test is a good way of giving them the opportunity to check and follow up with you. A close family member can ensure that you have followed the instructions properly, as well as, you have all the required items needed for the test. They can come along with you if needed for support or to check on you after the test is completed.
7. Go to bed early/get a good nights rest
Going to bed early or getting a good nights rest is a great way of ensuring that you are prepared at least in one way for the day ahead. It will ensure that you are well rested and that you have the energy for the tasks ahead. You will find that at the end of the test procedure you are feeling better and that the draw wasn’t too bad.
8. Have a good breakfast if you can eat
If you don’t have to fast for your test then don’t be afraid to have your fill before you go to the lab. If I am doing a blood test and don’t need to fast, I am going to have a good breakfast or at least eat something before I do the test. The point here is make yourself comfortable. Don’t make the blood test stop you from doing life unless if you prefer not to eat or for some other reason rather not eat.
I know some people don’t eat whenever they are doing a blood test. They got the idea from somewhere that they must not eat when doing tests. But that is not true! Some tests don’t require you to fast, and if that’s the case, it’s totally safe to eat before unless your doctor or the lab recommends that you don’t.
9. Drink some water/fluids to stay hydrated
Being well hydrated is good for your veins. It helps the phlebotomist find them and makes it easier inserting the needle and drawing blood from a vein. So, stay hydrated! There are some tests where too much fluids can affect test results. For example, urine pregnancy tests. Drinking too much water can dilute the sample making HCG present in the urine less detectable. But in general, for most other tests, drinking plenty of water/fluids is a good practice.
10. Walk with your stool/urine sample
Don’t forget to bring along your stool/urine sample if you had one to do. Make sure you have followed all instructions, that it is in the proper container and is in a specimen bag. Sometimes patients will drop off samples in inappropriate containers or may have forgotten to do it. Don’t let that be you. If that happens, it delays processing of your tests and makes receiving of your results take longer.
11. Come to the lab early
If you are fasting then you will need to be at the lab early in the morning in order to have your test done. That means you will have done your tests early and can now eat whatever you want 😀 Even if you are not fasting, you can still come early to have your test done. If you do, that means that you have gotten it out of the way! On to the next task on your to do list!
Hopefully, these tips will help you be more comfortable and successful with your next lab works. You don’t have to know everything but knowing some basics can help you a long way.