Routine Draws

Blood can reveal information about your organ function, diet, metabolism, illnesses, and whether or not you have certain diseases. It can reveal a plethora of information about your lifestyle and habits. This is why doctors advise their patients to have routine blood work done.

Scientists can detect illnesses before it’s too late by analyzing blood. Alternatively, they can explain why you’ve been “off” for the past few months.

Having blood drawn can be frightening for those who have never had it done before, especially children. You’ve probably got a lot of questions about the process and the results.

We’ll answer all of your questions about getting your blood drawn here. Continue reading to learn everything there is to know about blood tests.

A routine blood test consists of getting blood taken at your doctor’s office or at a lab. Usually, the technician, nurse, or doctor will have you sit down on a chair with your feet on the ground.

They will use an antibacterial wipe to cleanse the part of your arm where they’ll draw blood. This is often inside your forearm where the veins are visible. But, they can take it from any vein.

Before inserting the needle, they’ll ask you to squeeze your fist. Or, they’ll tie an elastic band around the top of your arm. Both strategies help your arm’s veins bulge which makes them easier to find.

Then, a needle attached to a test tube is inserted. When the tube is full, they’ll remove the needle. In some cases, they may need to collect more than one tube before taking out the needle.

This might seem scary, but it’s quite straightforward. Often you’re done in less than five minutes.

For routine blood work when no health issues are present, your doctor will likely request one once a year. This is often done at the same time as your annual physical.

The purpose of this test is to ensure your levels are still healthy. If something comes back abnormal, your doctor will want to investigate further.

But, if they come back normal, you’re good until next year.