A quick blood test is a great way to check for a range of health conditions, such as anaemia and heart disease. You may also require a check-up during pregnancy or after starting a new medication.
Getting a referral for a blood test online can save you time and effort by reducing how often you need to travel to a medical centre. Instant Consult is a convenient and affordable doctor-on-demand service that connects you with registered medical practitioners across Australia.
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How they work
They can help doctors check for illnesses and health conditions as well as your overall state of health. Specifically, they can assist doctors:
- Assess organ (e.g. heart, thyroid, kidneys and liver) functioning
- Assess heart disease risk factors
- Diagnose diseases and other health conditions (e.g. heart disease, cancer, diabetes)
- Diagnose sexually transmitted infections
- Evaluate medication effectiveness
- Evaluate clotting ability
They are routine treatment for most people as they are a great way to help your doctor evaluate your overall health and detect medical problems early.
Your doctor will tell you if there are any steps you need to take before the procedure; some assessments require you to fast for 8-12 hours prior.
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The procedure involves taking a sample from your body via a vein (usually in the arm) using a needle or finger prick.
t does not take very long and is relatively painless, though there may be slight short-term discomfort during and after the procedure. Serious reactions and side-effects are rare; the most common side-effects are dizziness and bruising at the site.
People who experience anxiety during the procedure may find that deep breathing helps to calm the nerves.
The sample will then be sent to a laboratory for analysis. The amount of different substances in the fluid will be measured and checked to see if they are within normal range.
What your results mean
There are a number of reasons why your results may stray from the normal range. Abnormal results can be a sign of disease or disorder, but they may also be influenced by factors such as diet, alcohol intake, medication and menstruation.
Your doctor should talk about any abnormal or unusual results with you and explain what they might mean. The results may or may not suggest a medical problem.
Whilst they are a helpful tool, many health problems cannot be diagnosed purely using this assessment. Your doctor will consider other factors that may be related to your diagnosis, such as symptoms, medical history, and vital signs (e.g. pulse and body temperature).
How to get a blood test
If you are considering how to get a blood test, note that it must be done in person at a pathology clinic as it requires a professional to draw the fluids from a vein via a needle.
In order to do the procedure you must first get a referral from your doctor. This involves booking a consultation with them and discussing your reasons for wanting the assessment (e.g. pregnancy, unusual symptoms, fatigue). If your doctor thinks that you could benefit from a quick blood test they will write you a referral.
You must then book in a time to visit a pathology clinic and get the procedure done. After the procedure your sample will be sent to a lab and the results should be returned in a few days.
Why choose Instant Consult
Forget long trips, rude receptionists and stuffy waiting rooms (which can often make you sick!) – Instant Consult allows you to get a blood test online referral in just minutes without you even having to leave your couch!
Instant Consult offers affordable, convenient and effective medical care to the Australian population by providing consultations with registered doctors via video call. We charge competitive rates which are much lower than standard private practice fees.
Download our FREE mobile app via the Apple or Google store, create an account and say hello to your new online doctor!
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