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What is Bloodwork?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Bloodwork or blood work is a type of medical testing which is performed on a blood sample. In bloodwork, a medical technician analyzes a sample of blood to look for key indicators which can provide clues about the patient's health. Bloodwork is a routine part of many medical procedures, from a diagnostic workup to an evaluation of a candidate for surgery, and many people experience blood draws for bloodwork at some point in their lives.

Samples of blood are classically taken intravenously, by inserting a needle into one of the veins on the inside of the elbow to access a sample of blood. Sometimes, bloodwork can be accomplished with a smaller sample obtained from a fingerstick blood test. In other instances, arterial blood may be required for bloodwork, depending on the patient and the circumstances. In all cases, a nurse, phlebotomist, or doctor can take the blood sample, observing careful procedures to maintain the integrity of the blood sample.

A diagram showing different types of white blood cells. Bloodwork can provide a white blood cell count.
A diagram showing different types of white blood cells. Bloodwork can provide a white blood cell count.

Doctors can order bloodwork to look for a variety of things. In a full blood panel, the technician who does the analysis provides a full discussion of the various components in the patient's blood chemistry, including liver enzymes, electrolytes, trace hormones, and the levels of red and white blood cells. Full panels tend to be expensive, because they require a variety of tests on the blood sample. The full panel often comes with information about average ranges of various substances in the blood which can be compared against the patient's results, and the technician may offer additional commentary about the implications of the results.

Bloodwork involves testing a blood sample.
Bloodwork involves testing a blood sample.

In other instances, a doctor may request that the technician look for something in particular, such as traces of the hormones associated with pregnancy, or glucose levels after a fasting test to check for diabetes. The cost of this type of bloodwork can vary, depending on what the technician is looking for. Liver enzyme panels, for example, can be quite costly, while pregnancy tests are often inexpensive.

Most people experience blood draws for the purpose of blood work at some point in their lives.
Most people experience blood draws for the purpose of blood work at some point in their lives.

Some doctors recommend annual bloodwork to check for signs of underlying medical conditions or emerging diseases which can be caught early. Annual bloodwork is especially strongly recommended for animals, since they are not able to communicate about symptoms. Bloodwork is also routinely requested before surgery, as part of an evaluation to determine whether or not the patient is fit for surgery, and it is also used in doping tests to determine whether or not someone has been using banned substances.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

Charred

@miriam98 - Oh, I don’t mind it at all really. I’ve even given blood without a problem.

As for my physical condition, I get diagnostic tests done every few years as part of a complete physical. It shows my cholesterol levels, triglycerides, platelet count and other things that they look at to see how healthy I am, and to look out for warning signs of things like heart disease.

The lab results usually come in a few weeks later and so far the results have been good. It’s not without trying on my part, though; I’ve lowered my sodium and fat intake, and switched to a diet that’s made up more of fruits and vegetables as well as seafood and other proteins rich in Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids.

miriam98

I get bloodwork tests done every year to check that my levels of medication are adequate in my bloodstream. Usually it’s OK but sometimes the doctor has to recommend increasing my dosage.

In either case, I never look forward to going to the lab. I must be the most squeamish person on Earth; I can’t stand to have them take my blood, and it’s even more disquieting to see the nurse pull out a vial and put another one in.

Call me a baby; I’m glad when the whole thing is over.

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    • A diagram showing different types of white blood cells. Bloodwork can provide a white blood cell count.
      By: apple1
      A diagram showing different types of white blood cells. Bloodwork can provide a white blood cell count.
    • Bloodwork involves testing a blood sample.
      By: Alexander Gospodinov
      Bloodwork involves testing a blood sample.
    • Most people experience blood draws for the purpose of blood work at some point in their lives.
      By: hadkhanong
      Most people experience blood draws for the purpose of blood work at some point in their lives.
    • Some doctors recommend annual bloodwork to check for signs of underlying medical conditions.
      By: nandyphotos
      Some doctors recommend annual bloodwork to check for signs of underlying medical conditions.
    • Samples of blood are classically taken intravenously, by inserting a needle into one the veins in the patient's arm.
      By: Goran Bogicevic
      Samples of blood are classically taken intravenously, by inserting a needle into one the veins in the patient's arm.
    • A phlebotomist passes the blood samples to a laboratory technician who performs the required testing.
      By: spflaum
      A phlebotomist passes the blood samples to a laboratory technician who performs the required testing.
    • Bloodwork may help diagnose liver problems.
      By: maya2008
      Bloodwork may help diagnose liver problems.
    • Bloodwork may be used to test for the use of banned substances.
      By: termis1983
      Bloodwork may be used to test for the use of banned substances.