Blood testing is most useful when the requested tests answer a specific clinical question. Healthway provides on-site phlebotomy and a broad range of haematology, biochemistry and selected other laboratory investigations, subject to clinical indication and current test availability.
Do I need to fast?
Only fast if you have specifically been asked to do so for the requested test. For a fasting blood test, follow the stated fasting duration; plain water is generally allowed. Do not extend a fast unnecessarily.
Medicines, supplements and exercise
- Do not stop prescribed medicines unless the clinician who ordered the test tells you to do so.
- Tell us about supplements, especially high-dose biotin, vitamins, gym supplements and herbal products, because some can interfere with laboratory tests.
- Unusually strenuous exercise, heavy alcohol intake and dehydration can temporarily alter several laboratory measurements.
- Some hormone levels and therapeutic drug levels need to be sampled at a specific time of day or relative to a dose.
Understanding your results
A result outside the laboratory reference interval is not automatically a diagnosis. A clinician may consider how far the result is from normal, whether it is changing, whether other tests are abnormal and whether it fits your symptoms. Some results require repeat testing or a different investigation.
If you are nervous about blood collection
Tell us before the sample is taken if you have previously fainted or felt unwell during phlebotomy. Blood can be taken while you are lying down when appropriate, and normal hydration can make venous access easier unless you have been instructed to restrict fluids.