Instructing the patient before a blood-take

• Some special examinations or functional tests require prescribed dietary or regimen measures. Information about these will be given to the patient by the attending physician well in advance of the sampling.
• Blood taking is usually done in the morning, usually on an empty stomach.
• The patient is instructed not to fast during the afternoon and evening (10-12 hours before the procedure). The last meal before a blood-take should be easily digestible.
• The patient should arrange with the doctor to skip any medications before the blood-take. If they can be omitted, the patient should skip them 3 days in advance. Otherwise, the medications to be administered should be listed on the guide list.
• Before the blood draw, the patient does not eat breakfast, does not smoke, does not drink black coffee. However, he should not suffer from thirst. It is advisable if he/she drinks 1/4 l of unsweetened tea or water in advance.
• The blood takeing should take place in the morning or early afternoon.
• It is not advisable to exert yourself physically (fast walking, running, walking up stairs, etc.) before the blood draw.