Our Phlebotomists carry out most of the blood tests here at Wake Green Surgery. Blood tests can be booked at reception if they have been requested by a doctor.
Blood tests may be required for the monitoring of your long term condition, as part of a health check or may have been requested by the doctor.
A blood test is when a sample of blood is taken for testing in a laboratory. Blood tests have a wide range of uses and are one of the most common types of medical test.
A blood test can be used to:
- assess your general state of health
- confirm the presence of a bacterial or viral infection
- see how well certain organs, such as the liver and kidneys, are functioning
- screen for certain genetic conditions such as cystic fibrosis
What happens during a blood test?
Most blood tests are carried out at the surgery but some may have to be done at hospital under the supervision of a nurse, or in some cases, a doctor.
A test usually involves placing a needle attached to a syringe into one of the blood vessels in the inside of your elbow or wrist. You will feel a sharp stabbing sensation as the needle goes in but this isn’t particularly painful. A sample of blood is then taken and the needle is removed.
You will be given a cotton-wool pad to put pressure on the site of the injection, which stops any bleeding and should prevent bruising.
Most blood tests only take a few minutes to complete.
Recovery
Only a small amount of blood is taken during the test so you shouldn’t feel any significant after-effects. However, some people do feel dizzy and faint during and after the test. If this happens to you, tell the person carrying out the test so they can help you feel more comfortable.
After a blood test, you may have a small bruised area on your skin where the needle went in. Occasionally, a larger area of bruising may appear. This can be because there was a lack of pressure at the site of the jab or the blood vessel was damaged by the needle.
Bruises can be painful but are usually harmless. However, tell our team if you frequently get bruises after having a blood test.
