A blood test is when a sample of blood is taken for testing in a laboratory. Blood tests have a wide range of uses and are one of the most common types of medical test. For example, a blood test can be used to:
- assess your general state of health
- confirm the presence of a bacterial or viral infection
- see how well certain organs, such as the liver and kidneys, are functioning
A blood test usually involves the phlebotomist taking a blood sample from a blood vessel in your arm. The usual place for a sample is the inside of the elbow or wrist, where the veins are relatively close to the surface. Blood samples from children are carried out at Crawley Hospital or East Surrey Hospital.
You can find out more about blood tests, their purpose and the way they are performed on the NHS website.
You will be sent a blood form by the doctor if you need a blood test routinely for monitoring purposes. If you wish to have a blood test you will need to book an appointment with the doctor first to discuss the reason for this.
