Preparing for your blood test

Fasting

If you have been asked to fast before your blood test, please drink plenty of water the day before and on the morning of your appointment.

To fast correctly, you should only drink plain water. Do not have, black tea, coffee, milk, chewing gum, sweets or food of any kind before your test.

Fasting times

• glucose – 10 hours
• lipids – 12 hours.

Diabetic - fasting

If you have diabetes and take tablets or insulin, do not take your medication until after your blood test.

Tablets

You can take most tablets with water. However, you should not take any tablets that are normally taken with food. Please speak to your GP for further advice.

Blood tests for digoxin levels should be taken six hours after taking digoxin.

If you are taking warfarin or aspirin, please tell the phlebotomist before your blood test. These medicines may affect how long it takes for bleeding to stop after the test.

At the clinic

Appointments are not required for these clinics. When you arrive, take a ticket and wait for your number to be called.

While you are waiting, pleaser remove your coat and have your blood test form ready.

If you feel unwell before or after your blood test, please tell the phlebotomist straight away.

Children

Children over the age of two years are welcome and will be seen as soon as possible. If we are unable to take a child's blood sample, we may need to refer them to our colleagues on the children's ward at Medway Maritime Hospital.

You may prefer to book an appointment for your child. If so please call 0300 123 3444.

Analgesic creams

Emla cream is an analgesic cream that can be used by children and adults. It can be purchased from most pharmacies. If you plan to use Emla cream, apply it to both arms, in and around the elbow area, one hour before your blood test. Please read the patient information leaflet supplied with the cream for further advice.

Please note: All clinics listed are appointment only.

Clinics may close earlier than scheduled if experiencing a high demand. This helps ensure all samples are processed and transported to the laboratory on time.