Depending upon what your doctor is testing for, any of the following may be examined:
Blood flow through the vessels
Blood clotting factors and components
Blood cholesterol levels
Blood sugar (glucose) levels
Blood calcium levels.
What is involved
No special preparation is needed. Blood is drawn from a vein in one arm. Your arm is first cleaned with an antiseptic and then a tourniquet (an elastic band) or a blood pressure cuff is placed around the upper arm, which causes the veins in the lower arm to fill with blood. A needle is inserted into the vein and the blood is collected in a vial or syringe. Once blood is taken, the needle is removed and a bandage is applied. The whole procedure should take no more than five minutes.
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No special preparation is needed. Blood is drawn from a vein in one arm. Your arm is first cleaned with an antiseptic and then a tourniquet (an elastic band) or a blood pressure cuff is placed around the upper arm, which causes the veins in the lower arm to fill with blood. A needle is inserted into the vein and the blood is collected in a vial or syringe. Once blood is taken, the needle is removed and a bandage is applied. The whole procedure should take no more than five minutes.
