Preparation for laboratory tests



Blood and urine tests are the most commonly prescribed medical procedure by the doctors for diagnosis of a variety of health conditions. The very first question that comes into the mind of everyone when enquiring about a blood test from any laboratory is that is there any precautions or preparation needed for the test.

To ease off your stress here is a list of basic preparation that is required for laboratory tests to improve the accuracy of the test. Read the instruction mentioned below and understand the different ways you can prepare for your test.

Molecular Biology Tests
  • Notify the healthcare provider about your medical history and medication you are taking (if any)
  • No fasting is required
  • You will get your reports within 72 hours.
  • Some special tests may require more time.
  • Bring your previous medical reports and doctor’s prescription along with you.
  • Bring your id proof, especially your voter card along with you.
Hormones Tests
  • Inform your healthcare provider regarding your previous medical history and current health condition.
  • Tell your healthcare provider about the medications and dietary supplements you are taking, you may ask to temporarily avoid certain medications, and supplements prior to the test.
  • Bring your previous medical reports and doctor’s prescription along with you.
  • You may ask for a fast for the certain time period prior to the test
  • You will get your reports within 24 hours. But some special tests may require more time.
  • Bring your id proof, especially your voter card along with you.
Biochemistry Tests
  • Inform your healthcare provider about your medical history (if any)
  • Tell your healthcare provider about the medications and dietary supplements you are taking, you may ask to temporarily avoid certain medications, and supplements before the test.
  • Bring your previous medical reports and doctor’s prescription along with you.
  • Fasting may be required
  • You will get your reports within 24 hours. But some special tests may require more time.
  • Bring your id proof, especially your voter card along with you.
Microbiology Tests
  • Give detail about your past medical history (if any)
  • Give detail to your healthcare provider about the diet, medication, and herbal supplements you are taking. Because some tests entail avoiding specific medication and diet prior to the test.
  • Fasting may be required
  • You will get your reports within 48 hours to 72 hours. But some special tests may require more time so you will be informed about them.
  • Bring your id proof, especially your voter card along with you.
  • Bring your previous test reports along with you (if any)
Serology Tests
  • Notify about your past medical history to a doctor before the test (if any)
  • Inform your doctor about the diet, medicines, and herbal supplements you are taking. Because some tests entail avoiding certain medications and diet prior to the test.
  • Fasting is not needed before the test.
  • Reports within 24 hours. In the case of special tests, it may require more time.
  • Bring your voter card along with you.
  • Provide your previous test reports along with you (if any)
Hematology
  • No fasting is needed before the test
  • Inform the doctor about your medical history, ongoing medical condition, and the medications you are consuming.
  • Reports within 24 hours. In the case of some special tests, it may take more time.
  • Bring your id proof along with you.
  • Bring all your tests reports (if any)
Cytology
  • Give your medical history along with the medication you are taking to the doctor before the test procedure.
  • You can eat or drink normally anything before your test.
  • You will get your test reports within 48 hours (working days)
  • You may ask to avoid some strenuous exercises before the test
  • Minimize your stress level before the test procedure
Ophthalmologist
  • No fasting is needed. But for a few special tests, overnight fasting is mandatory.
  • Reporting within 2-3 weeks but in some special tests, it may take long
  • Give your diet-related information to the doctor.
  • Avoid consumption of alcohol for minimum of 24hours before sample collection
  • For some specific tests, the doctor may instruct you to avoid consuming Vitamin A supplements for 24 hours before sample collection.
  • Bring your valid id proof with you.
Psychiatry
  • Fasting not required
  • You will get your test result reports within 24 hours, but some special tests may take 48 to 72 hours or more
  • Give your doctor the detailed information about your medical history and the medicines you are taking
  • Bring your previous medical reports along with you.
  • Bring your valid id proof, especially your voter card.
Gynecology
  • Fasting is not needed
  • Reporting within 24 hours. Some special tests may take time of 48 hours to 72 hours or more
  • Provide medical history, medication detail, and diet details to the doctor
  • For some special tests, the doctor may ask for maternal details such as maternal date of birth, number of fetuses, etc.
  • Bring your previous test reports with you
Gastroenterology
  • You may need overnight fasting before the test
  • Reporting within 24 hours. But some special tests may require time of 2-3 days or more
  • Give your doctor detailed information about the medical history as well as medication detail.
  • The doctor may ask you to discontinue specific medications for a few days before the test procedure
  • Bring your previous medical reports (if any) with you.
Neurology
  • Fasting is not needed before the test
  • You may get a report within 24 hours. In the case of some special tests, it may take more than 72 hours
  • Inform your doctor about your past medical history and if you are on any medication. Because in some cases, the doctor may ask you to avoid some specific medications before the testing procedure.
  • Bring your previous reports and prescription by the doctor along with you
  • Bring your valid id proof.
Urology
  • Fasting is not needed
  • You will get a report within 24 hours of giving a sample
  • Give your medical history details and medication detail to the doctor
  • For some specific tests, Doctor may ask you to avoid using vitamin c and citrus fruits for at least 48 hours before giving the sample.
  • Bring your previous medical reports if any along with you
Physician
  • Fasting is not needed
  • You may get your reports within 24 hours. Some special tests may take time of 48 hours to 72 hours or more
  • Bring the Doctor’s prescription
  • Inform your healthcare provider of information regarding your prescribed medicines, medical history, and current condition.
  • Bring your previous medical reports
Orthopaedics
  • Most of the tests don’t require fasting but, in some cases, you may ask for fasting for 10-12 hours
  • You will get your test report within 24 hours but some tests may take time of 48 hours to 72 hours or more.
  • Give your detailed medical history to the doctor
  • Bring your previous medical reports and doctor’s prescription with you
  • Bring your valid id proof
Immunology
  • No fasting is needed
  • You will get your test report within 24 hours but some tests may take time of 48 hours to 72 hours or more.
  • Notify your doctor about your medical history and current condition
  • Bring your previous medical reports
  • Bring your doctor’s prescription
  • The doctor may instruct you regarding avoiding some specific food products or medications before the testing procedure
Otorhinolaryngology
  • No fasting is needed before the test
  • Reporting within 24 hours but some tests may take time of 48 hours to 72 hours or more.
  • Notify your doctor about your medical history and current condition
  • Bring your previous medical reports
  • Bring a valid test prescription from doctor

Disclaimer

Preparation and precautions are crucial for the accuracy of the test. Follow the mentioned above instructions before undergoing any testing procedure to know about the health issues affecting the quality of your health.

You can also talk to your doctor or our healthcare executive regarding detailed information about the precautions you must follow according to your medical condition.