Each person at one stage or another in life has to take various tests. This does not have to be associated with the onset of any disease. It is advisable to undergo this procedure as a preventive measure. In this case, if there is any disease, you can detect it at the initial stage, which increases the possibility of timely treatment. Among the many examinations that a person is invited to undergo, the most common is a general blood test. On an empty stomach or not, how to take it is a question that interests everyone who has a visit to the clinic.
It should be noted that to obtain accurate results, it is necessary to comply with the rules on both sides. The laboratory assistant must follow the technique of collecting blood, and the patient - the rules of preparation for analysis.
Preparatory stage
To get the most accurate results and to avoid the need for a second visit to the clinic, the following conditions must be observed:
- Refrain from smoking in the last two hours before analysis. This requirement is associated with the fact that nicotine can cause a spasm of peripheral vessels, which will complicate the access of blood to the limbs. As a result, analysis data may be distorted. For the same reason, you should not drink strong tea or coffee before the blood donation procedure.
- Do not eat fatty foods and alcohol on the eve of tests. These foods can cause high blood cholesterol. And this, in turn, will affect the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, which is determined by this analysis.
- In order for the preparation for a blood test to be complete, it is not recommended to take certain drugs that affect blood coagulation. If you are undergoing treatment at the time of blood donation, you must notify the doctor about this, and if possible, postpone the date of the test.
- This test should not be taken during a viral infection, as well as some time after it. The minimum period that must elapse after recovery is 7 days. This requirement is associated with the fact that this disease affects the cellular composition of the blood, therefore, the results of the analysis will be unreliable.
Finger blood test
In addition to the overall clinical picture, this analysis will help determine other indicators of changes in the body. This is usually the initial stage of blood donation. If your attending physician reveals any abnormalities, the tests will have to be continued to find the exact cause of the changes in the body.
So, in addition to the overall clinical picture, a blood test from a finger determines:
- hemoglobin level in the body;
- the presence of various infections (bacterial or viral);
- blood sugar level.
These indicators can change with the use of certain foods, physical activity and alcohol intake. That is why the question: "general blood test - on an empty stomach or not," should not stand. If you are going to donate blood from a finger, you should eat no later than 8 hours before the procedure. In the case when the sugar level is measured, it is recommended to refrain not only from food, but also from water and even chewing gum.
Blood test from a vein
This method of blood sampling gradually completely replaces the first. Today, a general blood test can be taken not only from the finger, but also from a vein. Moreover, the latter method is gaining popularity, as it provides a more complete clinical picture.
Thus, once having donated blood, you can get the results of many tests, which is very convenient.
So, a blood test from a vein can be taken if you want to determine:
- your blood type and Rh factor (this indicator can also be detected when passing the test from a finger);
- biochemical composition;
- hormonal background;
- the presence of sexually transmitted infections;
- level of tumor markers.
It is noteworthy that before you take a blood test from a vein for all these indicators, you can eat lightly. An exception is the analysis of hormones TSH and parahormone. In addition, if you want to be tested for the presence of HIV infection, hepatitis or syphilis, doctors strongly recommend donating blood only on an empty stomach.
Hidden blood: a method for determining
Among the many studies that modern medicine offers, an analysis for occult blood stands out. This is a method of studying feces, which is done to detect hidden bleeding from different parts of the gastrointestinal tract. This is an extremely important laboratory analysis that allows you to diagnose the onset of various serious diseases that cannot be detected in any other way.
To obtain reliable results, before passing the test for occult blood three days before the delivery of the material, it is necessary to exclude meat, fish, green vegetables and tomatoes from the diet. In addition, you need to stop using any laxative drugs that may affect intestinal function. It should be remembered that the reliability of the analysis result, and therefore the correct diagnosis, depends on the correct preparation.
Pregnancy blood test
Expecting a baby is the most wonderful time in a woman’s life. However, in addition to the joyful feeling of the birth of life, this period is characterized by the need for regular visits to antenatal clinics.
With all the variety of tests that a future mother must pass throughout her pregnancy, a general blood and urine test is regular. For professional monitoring of pregnancy it is necessary to take them at least once a month. At the same time, if urine can be collected in the morning immediately after waking up, then the question “general blood test - fasting or not” is quite controversial.
Pregnancy is a period of life when a woman needs to regularly consume calories and such a long break between meals can negatively affect her health. Therefore, doctors allow a loose breakfast before blood donation. As for water, it can be drunk without restrictions.
General blood test in children
Children are a category of patients that requires a special approach. What does a blood test in a child mean? This is a comprehensive diagnosis, which allows you to determine the course of development of the child and the presence of both the diseases themselves and the prerequisites for them.
In this case, the preparation procedure depends on the age of the small patient. If the child is not one year old, then there can be no talk of passing tests on an empty stomach. The time that must be withstood from the moment of eating is three hours. If it turns out longer - fine, but a three-hour interval is necessary.
Children from a year and above should already try to explain the importance of this analysis and prepare for the procedure. Taking blood tests in young patients is usually accompanied by negative emotions, which can lead to stagnation of blood, which accordingly will complicate the procedure for its collection.
Therefore, it is extremely important to try to create a positive attitude in the kids, in which they will not be afraid of doctors and possible pain. It is advisable to exclude physical activity the day before the visit to the clinic, and high-fat products should be removed from the diet. Directly during the blood sampling itself, it is necessary to distract the baby. You can do this either by talking, or by your favorite toy. Compliance with these recommendations will allow you to get the most reliable results without psychological stress.
Where can I get a blood test?
If there is a need for blood donation, you have a choice between a state clinic, to which you are territorially related, and a private medical center. It all depends on your desire and financial capabilities.
Today, there are many private laboratories that have the latest equipment. However, not everyone can afford to pay the required amount for the examination. In this case, you can contact the clinic, which is located in the territory of your residence.
Blood test cost
Those wishing to undergo a medical examination are interested in how much a blood test costs. The answer to this question depends on several factors, such as the choice of laboratory and type of analysis. If you have a compulsory health insurance policy, a blood test in state clinics will be done for you for free. This applies to a medical facility located in your area of residence. If for some reason you want to take tests at another state clinic, having a policy will provide free medical care.
As for private laboratories and medical centers, here the cost of each analysis depends on the price category that the institution sets. For example, the price of a clinical blood test depends on the depth of the study. The cost varies from 150 to 650 rubles. The price of a biochemical analysis from a vein is determined by the type of analysis: if the level of certain antibodies is examined, the cost usually ranges from 150 to 300 rubles. The prices of tests for hormones and tumor markers start from 300 rubles. Determining the presence of viral infections and the amount of antibodies in the body costs about 400 rubles and depends on the complexity of the manipulation. At the same time, complex blood donation for the presence of any infections, as a rule, allows you to save. In any case, choosing the place where you want to donate blood, you should familiarize yourself with the services provided and their cost in order to know the exact price that you will have to pay for the procedure.
Conclusion
Thus, blood donation is a procedure that every person who thinks about his own health should undergo regularly. How to take a complete blood count, on an empty stomach or not, depends on the state of health, the purpose of the examination and the disease being diagnosed. In any case, if the doctor ordered you to donate blood, you need to clarify with him what preparation requirements are presented for a specific analysis.