Blood tests

Blood tests can: check your general health, including how well your liver and kidneys are workingcheck numbers of blood cellshelp diagnose cancer and other conditions Your blood sample is sent to the laboratory for analysis. This showsthe different types of cells, chemicals and proteins in the blood. Preparing for your blood tests You can eat and drink normally before most blood tests.For fasting blood tests you need to stop eating and drinking beforehand. Your doctor will tell you for how long. What happens? You sit or lie down to have the test.A doctor, nurse or phlebotomist (person specialisedin taking blood) chooses the best vein to use. This is usually from your arm or hand. Let them know if you are afraid of needles, get unwell with the sight of blood or are allergic to plasters orlatex.They put a tight band (tourniquet) around your arm above the area where they take the sample. You may need to clench your fist to make it easier to find a vein.They clean your skin and then put a...