Patient's Role
One of the most important factors in determining the accuracy and reliability of your lab test is you, the patient. Follow instructions carefully for accurate results.
For Routine Blood Collection:
For most blood tests, blood is collected after an overnight fast (no food intake for 10-12 hours). Tea, coffee, alcohol, and smoking are not permitted during this period. A reasonable amount of water intake is permitted.
Random blood sugar (RBS):
No special preparation is required before having a random blood sugar test.
Fasting Blood Glucose (FBS):
Blood is collected after an overnight fast. Patients should not eat or drink anything for 8-12 hours before the blood is taken, except water.
Post–lunch blood glucose (PLBS):
This test is done for diabetics. Blood is collected 1.5 to 2 hours after lunch.
Ideally, private parts should be cleaned with soap and plenty of clean water and dried. Contamination with local discharges is to be avoided.
For routine analysis and/or for culture:
The first specimen in the morning is usually the best for most tests, including pregnancy tests. Discard the initial and last portion of urine and collect the middle portion (midstream sample) in a container.
24-hour urine collection:
This sample is usually required for protein quantification or for testing other excretory functions of the kidney. Collect urine in a 2-4 L container. At 6 a.m. (or any other convenient hour), empty your bladder and discard this urine. Collect all urine passed thereafter in the container. Continue to collect urine until you wake up the next morning and pass urine. Include this next day's sample with the total volume. Place this sample in the refrigerator until it’s delivered to the laboratory for further analysis. Do not add any preservatives of your own.
Stool for Occult Blood:
Diet and drugs may affect results of occult blood testing. Please talk to your physician before making any changes in diet or medications. You will collect a separate sample from three different stools, usually on consecutive days. Each stool specimen should be collected into a clean container and should not be contaminated with urine or water.
Stool Collection for Other Tests:
You may be asked to collect a stool specimen in a clean, leak-proof container with a tightly fitting lid provided by the lab. Prior to collecting a stool specimen, avoid consuming antacids, anti-diarrheal medications, oily laxatives, Barium or Bismuth, as these products can interfere with test results.
The patient should rinse their mouth and gargle with water immediately prior to collection. Collect the specimen from a deep cough into a sterile container. Avoid any contamination with saliva. Return the specimen as soon as possible (preferably within half an hour of collection). If there is a delay, the specimen should be refrigerated. Please label the container with the patient’s name, date, and time.
Refrain from sexual intercourse or masturbation for between 3 to 4 days. The person should pass urine and empty their bladder before ejaculation. Semen should be collected by masturbation in a screw-capped plastic container and delivered to the laboratory within one hour of collection while being kept close to the body to maintain temperature. Please also note the time of sample collection.
The patient should fast for 8 hours (no food or drink, except for water). A fasting blood specimen will be drawn and tested. You will then be given a glass of glucose drink. Your blood will be drawn once each hour or each half hour after you finish the drink. The number of hours may vary from 2-4. Avoid a very low carbohydrate diet and strenuous exercise in the days before the test.
For pregnant patients, your physician may order glucose tolerance testing during your pregnancy.
50 Gram 1 Hour Glucose Tolerance Test (Gestational Diabetes Screen)
- No special patient preparation is required.
- This test is done without regard to the time of day or time of last meal. You do not need to fast before this test is given.
- You will be given a glucose drink, and your blood will be drawn one hour after you finish the drink.
- Please allow at least 1.5 hours for this test to be completed.
100 Gram 3 Hour Glucose Tolerance Test (Gestational Diabetes)
- This test should be performed in the morning after an overnight fast of at least 8 hours and after at least 3 days of an unrestricted diet and activity.
- A blood specimen will be drawn and tested.
- You will then be given a glucose drink.
- Your blood will be drawn once each hour after you finish the drink for three hours.
- This test will be completed in 4 hours. Hence, be prepared to spend this time at the lab.
For optimal results, the patient should be on a stable diet for 2-3 weeks prior to testing. Patients should fast for 12 to 14 hours before blood collection. Fasting should be no food or drink except for water. Avoid oily or fatty food the day before.
Cortisol may be tested in blood or urine. If blood cortisol levels are requested, you may be asked to have your blood drawn once (random Cortisol) or multiple times. Your physician will inform you if you are having multiple blood draws. Cortisol blood tests may be drawn at about 8 a.m., when cortisol should be at its peak, and again at about 4 p.m., when the level should have dropped. Sometimes a resting sample will be obtained late in the evening. If a urine cortisol test is requested, you will be asked to collect either a 24-hour urine or a single first morning specimen.
A fasting specimen (no food or drink, except for water) for 12-14 hours before blood is drawn is preferable but not mandatory.
Requires a fast of at least 10 hours but not more than 16 hours.
14 hours of fasting is required, with no liquids except water.
Patient should be fasting (no food or drink, except for water) for 12-14 hours before blood is drawn.
Blood should be drawn 6-8 hours after the last dose of digoxin was taken. Mention the time of drug dose.
Detailed history required along with age, date of birth, and recent sonography reports.
No specific preparation required. Age and any blood transfusion history should be informed.
- Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing to your exam.
- Metal objects including jewelry, eyeglasses, dentures, and hairpins may affect the images and should be left at home or removed prior to your exam. You may also be asked to remove hearing aids and removable dental work.
For examinations of the **kidneys, pelvis, and urinary bladder**, a full bladder is mandatory. Drink 3 glasses of water one hour prior to the examination.
For examinations of the **gallbladder, pancreas, and abdomen**, the patient is supposed to fast for at least 6 hours.
- On the day of your examination, do not apply underarm deodorant or powder from your neck to your waist.
- Please wear a two-piece garment for your ease of changing and comfort.
- Please bring your previous records, which may be used for comparison.
Women should schedule this test within the first ten days of their last menstrual period. If it has been more than ten days since your last menstrual period (for ladies who have not yet gone through menopause), please let your physician know.
If you have had any form of contrast studies (barium enema, Upper GI, CAT scan or MRI with contrast, Nuclear Medicine Scan, angiograms, or heart studies), schedule your BMD at least five days after those studies.
Don't take any vitamins or calcium supplements on the day of your BMD. If you wish, you may take them after your exam. You may take your regular medications and you may eat before the exam.
***Pregnant women should not have a CT exam or any X-ray examination, especially if the woman is in her first trimester (first three months of pregnancy).
- Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing. You may be given a gown to wear.
- Metal objects including jewelry, eyeglasses, dentures, and hairpins may affect the images and should be removed.
- You may be asked not to eat or drink anything for several hours before your scan, especially if a contrast material will be used.
Chest/Abdomen/Pelvis: The patient is required to fast for 8 hours prior to the scan.
Brain, Neck, Spine or Extremities: Patients do not need to fast for these scans.
You should inform your physician of any medications you are taking and if you have any allergies, especially to contrast materials. Also, inform your doctor of any recent illnesses or medical conditions, and if you have a history of heart disease, asthma, diabetes, kidney disease, or thyroid problems. Any of these conditions may increase the risk of an adverse effect.
Contrast Material: A special dye is needed for some CT scans to highlight areas of the body. It can enter your body in a variety of ways:
- **Oral:** Swallowing a liquid that contains contrast material.
- **Injection:** Injected through a vein in your arm.
- **Rectal:** Inserted in your rectum to help visualize your intestines.
After CT scan: After your CT scan is completed, you may resume all of your normal activities. If you were given a contrast agent, we recommend that you drink plenty of liquids/water afterward to help flush the dye from your body and prevent dehydration.