St Vincents Private Hospitals

Blood tests are a very important part of a doctor’s toolkit, as they can help diagnose how well the different parts of your body are working. They are one of the most commonly used tests and usually form part of a routine examination or are recommended as a response to symptoms. Your blood has a very important job to perform in terms of transporting oxygen and nutrients around your body, so that everything works efficiently. If any part of this system is out of balance, there are different types of blood tests available that can help determine the cause.

How does it work?

Regular blood tests can help you understand how your body changes over time and will keep track of your overall health. The actual testing procedure is very simple and usually performed by a nurse. Once your veins have been made more visible using a band around your arm, the area is cleaned, and a needle is inserted to withdraw a small amount of blood. The punctured area is covered with a band aid, and you may be asked to press down on the site to help the vein stop bleeding. The collected blood is then sent off for testing. You may be asked to fast for a period of time before certain blood tests.