Published: 28 Apr 2024

What are the possible risks of having a blood test?
Phlebotomy, or drawing blood, is a secure procedure.

Possibilities of risk include:
Bleeding and bruising, which are avoided by pressing firmly after the needle is removed
Pain, which is typically minor and might continue for several minutes
Ask your nurse, doctor, or phlebotomist to avoid taking a blood sample from an arm that is swollen or in danger of edema (swelling)
If you ever feel dizzy, alert the person taking your blood
Infection (this is relatively uncommon).

This is a collection of different tests that measure how your body functions, including glucose, calcium, sodium, potassium, chloride, creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). Typically, you will need to fast for up to 12 hours before your test, so if you have a lot of medications, talk with your doctor about what should be taken the night before, and follow their instructions carefully.Other common types of blood tests include coagulation factors, which are the proteins and chemicals in your body that can help you clot blood, and various autoimmune and immune-system tests. There are a number of common types of blood tests that you can have at your doctor's office or a lab, such as a complete blood count (CBC), or a basic metabolic panel.