Blood tests

Your doctor might ask you to get a blood test. These can find out if there is a health issue they are concerned about.

Blood tests can look for different things, including:

• Diabetes
• Hormone imbalances
• Low iron levels (anemia)
• Low vitamin levels (vitamin deficiency)

Blood tests can be done by a nurse, a doctor or a specialist called a phlebotomist. You might have your blood test done at a GP practice or at a hospital but this can depend on the appointments available at each site.

They will usually take the blood from your arm using a needle and a special bottle to collect the blood sample. To help with this they put a tight band around your arm, this helps them to find a vein and reduce discomfort.

Before they put the needle in they will clean your skin with an alcohol wipe, this can feel cool and refreshing! You might then be asked to make a fist with your hand, which helps blood flow so the test can go smoothly.

The nurse or doctor will put the needle into your arm. This might hurt a little bit and you might have a bruise after.

Don’t move while they are doing this but you don’t have to look if you don’t want to. You will be able to feel them changing the sample bottle as each one fills but this shouldn’t hurt.

When the blood test is done they will remove the needle and take the band off of your arm. You shouldn’t bleed much and they will give you some cotton wool to hold onto your arm.

When the test is done you can leave. Your blood will go to a laboratory where it will be checked and the results will be sent to your doctor. This can take about a week, and you might need to call the doctor to check if they’re ready and make an appointment to discuss them.