FAQS For the Patient

FAQS For the Patient

Preparing for your Test

Many diagnostic tests require preparation beforehand. Before any laboratory test, your physician should discuss these details with you. Always follow the directions of your physician before any medical diagnostic test.

General tips for an improved lab testing experience:

  • For some tests, such as a cholesterol or glucose test, you may need to for at least 8 hours before your blood is drawn. During this time, do not eat or drink any food or liquids, except water. 

  • Drink plenty of water before a blood test. This will keep your blood pressure from dropping and prevent any fainting or dizziness during the test. 

  • If your doctor does not tell you to fast before testing, you should eat breakfast to keep your blood sugar up. This may help prevent any lightheadedness or dizziness. However, do not eat immediately before your test if you think that food in your stomach might make you nauseous.

  • Continue taking regular medications, unless your doctor tells you otherwise. If you take vitamin or mineral supplements, ask your doctor whether you can continue taking them.

  • If you take any blood-thinning medication, tell the testing technician before your blood is drawn.

  • Relax during the test. If you have any questions about what will happen before, during, or after, ask the testing technician.

  • Bring something to eat and drink with you, in order to resume your regular diet after your test.

  • After an hour you can remove the bandage over the puncture site. An easy way to do this is to take a shower or bath. If bleeding reappears, apply light pressure to the spot and put on a new bandage. Do not worry if bruising appears around the puncture site. Simply apply some ice and wait a few days.

24-hour Urine Sample

On the day of your sample collection, discard your first morning urine then continue collecting every time you urinate for the following 24 hours. Your urine collection container must be kept refrigerated during the collection period, up until it is submitted. Make sure to write your name, the date, and time on your urine collection container for submission.

Blood Work Testing

Before blood work testing, you must fast. The day before your test, you must stop eating and drinking at midnight. You may drink liquids, such as water, black tea, and black coffee, but do not use sugar, milk, or cream. Continue to take any medication you are prescribed, unless advised not to by your doctor.

Fasting is required for the following tests:

  1. Lipid
  2. Glucose testing
  3. Vitamin K
  4. Alpha-2 macroglobulin
  5. Calcitonin
  6. Carotene
  7. Vitamin A
  8. Cholesterol
  9. Coenzyme Q10
  10. Collagen type 1C-Telopeptide
  11. Lactose