What’s the purpose of blood work?
During a routine checkup or a sick visit, you may need blood work. Dr. Surendran might request blood testing to:
- Identify an infection
- Confirm an illness
- Check hormone levels
- Evaluate the health of organs
You may also need routine blood work if you’re currently taking certain medications. Blood tests can reveal if these medicines are working properly and ensure they aren’t causing damage to your kidneys or other organs.
Why do I need blood work?
Your doctor uses blood work to identify chronic health conditions as a part of routine screenings. You may need blood work at your annual physical if you’re at risk for conditions like:
- Diabetes
- Anemia
- High cholesterol
- Coronary heart disease
They can also request testing to check your hormone levels, especially as you age or if you have symptoms that may indicate a thyroid disorder.
What happens during blood work?
To test your blood for disease or other issues, the staff at Rochester Primary Care extracts a sample of blood from a reliable vein, usually in your arm.
The blood draw is quick and painless, although you may feel some discomfort during the insertion of the needle. They collect the sample necessary for testing and send it to a medical laboratory for further analysis.
You can go back to your usual activity after your blood test, and your doctor contacts you later with your results. If blood work is abnormal, you may need to return for additional testing.
How do I prepare for blood work?
Depending on the reason for the test, you may need to avoid drinking or eating for several hours before having blood drawn. This is necessary when testing for diabetes or other health conditions, and Dr. Surendran will provide you with information before your test.
Otherwise, there’s no special preparation necessary for blood work. Dr. Surendran perform blood work in a comfortable office environment, and they can schedule a good testing timeline if routine blood work is part of your treatment plan.
To schedule in-office blood work, call the office today or book an appointment using the online booking feature.
