Blood Work Specialist

What is blood work?

Blood work is a type of laboratory test used to assess the components in your blood. It can give your doctor detailed information about your overall physical health and aid in the diagnosis of various conditions affecting your health. Some common blood tests show:

• Cholesterol levels
• Glucose levels
• Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or other bacterial infections
• Liver function
• Kidney function
• Metabolism
• How well your blood clots

The team at Gulf Coast Internists performs blood work using an in-office laboratory for your convenience. You don’t need to go to a second location or wait for your results to come back from a third-party laboratory.

The providers contact you as soon as your results are available and help you to interpret them. If the results of your blood work aid in diagnosing health complications, the team starts your treatment right away.

What should I expect while getting blood work?

When you come to Gulf Coast Internists for blood work, there are a few things you can expect to happen. Knowing what to expect before your blood work can help you relax and get through the process without complications.

Depending on the blood tests prescribed, the team might tell you to stop eating 8-12 hours before your test to avoid fluctuations in certain protein levels that could affect your results. 

Before drawing your blood sample, the team cleans your arm at the collection site. They might tie a rubber band around your upper arm for a better view of your veins before selecting a collection site.

Your provider gently inserts a needle connected to the tube into your vein and slowly draws your blood sample. Once they obtain the sample, they remove the needle, cover the collection site with a bandage, and release the rubber band. 

When should I get blood work?

It may benefit you to get routine blood work once a year during your annual physical exams. However, there are other reasons why the team at Gulf Coast Internists might recommend blood work beyond the routine monitoring of your health from year to year. Blood work can:

• Provide information about the source of your symptoms
• Give you peace of mind about your health
• Help you find ways to improve your diet or habits
• Catch early warning signs of diseases and health complications
• Show improvements in your health as you undergo treatment

The team at Gulf Coast Internists can help you decide how often to get blood work. They can also tell you which specific blood tests you should consider and how often it is needed. 

To find out if blood work is necessary for your diagnosis, treatment monitoring, or for a general picture of your health, call Gulf Coast Internists or request an appointment online today.