Blood tests

Description of the service

The purpose of a blood test is to obtain information on the subject’s health or to diagnose diseases. It is also used to monitor the effectiveness of medicines and treatment. Did you know that nearly 70 per cent of doctors’ diagnoses are based on laboratory test data? Proper preparations for blood sample collection are important. See the FAQs below and book an appointment for blood sample collection.

Preparing for blood tests

• General
  • Follow the preparation instructions given by your doctor. If you need more information, please call our customer advice service at 03 3117 4445.
  • Some laboratory examinations require fasting.
  • Some laboratory examinations require sample collection at a certain time of day.
  • Avoid alcohol, caffeinated drinks and smoking on the day before sample collection and on the morning of the sample collection.
  • You can take your own medicines normally in the morning of the sample collection day unless your doctor has instructed you otherwise. See also the pharmaceutical ingredient definitions section.

  Sample collection

  • Do not strain yourself before the test.
  • Please arrive just before the scheduled time of your appointment.
  • Tell the nurse if blood tests make you feel unwell. A blood test can also be taken lying down.
  • Press on the injection site for five minutes after the sample has been taken.
• Remember

  Thyroid function tests: 

  • Book an appointment for a thyroid function test before 2 p.m.
  • If you are taking thyroid medication, do not take it until after sample collection unless your doctor instructs you otherwise.

  Therapeutic drug monitoring:

  • If you have been referred to a therapeutic drug monitoring test, only take the medicine in question after the test.
• Examinations that require fasting

  How to prepare for examinations that require fasting:

  On the day before the examination: 

  • do not drink alcohol
  • do not eat anything or drink anything but water for 10–14 hours prior to the test
  • please note that fasting for too long (more than 14 hours) can affect the results. 

  On the morning of the examination: 

  • do not smoke
  • you may have water and any medication in accordance with instructions from your doctor.

  Did you know? A small f in front of the test abbreviation means fasting.

Results

• Can I get the results in an SMS?

  If you get tested in the Pirkanmaa or Kanta-Häme area, you can get the results of the most common examinations via SMS to your mobile phone.

  SMS service

• How soon can I get my results?

  The completion of the results depends on the examination. Our customer advice service provides more detailed examination-specific information.

• Who will interpret my results?

  The doctor treating you is always responsible for interpreting the results.