How to Prepare for a Lab Test/Specimen Collection

• Blood draw
• Glucose tolerance, fasting and two-hour post-prandial blood glucose tests: fasting or eating meals at specific times may be required
• Fecal occult blood test: certain food and/or medication restrictions required
• Serum lipids (triglycerides, cholesterol, etc.): overnight fasting may be required
• Urine specimens

1. Blood Tests

   Blood tests are very common. They are used to detect diseases as well as to measure how well your body is functioning or how well a treatment is working. Some of the more common types of preparation required for testing include fasting (to go without all or certain foods) for several hours before the test or even overnight. Certain tests may require you to increase or decrease the amount you drink for 10 to12 hours ahead of the test. There may be specific foods and medications you will need to avoid. If you are being tested for a prescription drug, the specimen may have time of draw requirements. Be sure to contact your lab for additional information. You even may be asked not to smoke before the test.

   Some blood tests require you to fast (not eat any food) for 8 to 12 hours before the test. Your doctor will tell you if this is necessary. Generally, no other special preparation is needed.

2. Random urine

   Urine - Most urine specimens are collected by having the patient urinate into a container or receptacle. To keep the sample from becoming contaminated by materials outside the urinary tract, patients are given instructions on how to clean the area and urinate a small volume of urine before collecting the specimen in the container. (If a urinary catheter is required, a health care worker is usually responsible for insertion.) Collecting the urine specimen is awkward, but not in itself uncomfortable (an infection, however, can create a burning sensation during urination. Remember to wash hands well after collecting the specimen.

   24-Hour Urine Specimens

   Urine tests are used to detect a variety of conditions. You will be asked to bring a sample of your urine to the lab for testing. To ensure accurate test results, please take the following steps: 

   • The container you have been given may contain a preservative. Do not throw away the preservative, and be sure to keep the container out of the reach of children. Do not urinate directly into the container. First urinate into the plastic cup you have been provided, then pour the contents into the container.
   • Limit the amount of vitamins, coffee, alcohol and salt you consume for at least 24 hours before you start collecting urine and during the 24-hour collection period.
   • The 24-hour collection period begins when you get up in the morning and empty your bladder. Discard this first morning urine. Immediately afterwards, record the time and date of urination in the "Collection Started" space of the form your doctor gives you. Be sure to collect all urine-day and night for the next 24 hours. Make your final collection when you empty your bladder the next morning, approximately 24 hours from the time the collection was begun. Record the date and time for the end of the collection in the "Collection Completed" space.
   • Refrigerate the specimen throughout the collection period. Return the specimen as soon as possible to the laboratory or office where the container was provided.

For detailed background on specific laboratory tests, go to www.labtestsonline.org