Guide To Common Blood Tests

Blood tests are performed to measure the levels of certain substances in the blood and detect disease. Usually performed by a nurse or a phlebotomist, the tests involve taking a sample of blood from the patient. The entire procedure takes around three minutes to complete. After cleaning the skin, the technician places a needle into a vein in the patient's arm or hand to withdraw the sample. Certain blood tests can also be completed using a fingerstick method. The sample is analyzed by a laboratory, and the patient is typically informed of the results within a week.