How Long Does Blood Work Take?

A blood draw is a medical procedure used to screen for health conditions, evaluate how certain organ systems work, and monitor treatments. There are many types of blood tests available. The turnaround time to receive test results will be based on the type of test and where the test was taken.

This article will discuss common blood tests and how long it takes to get their results.

How Does a Blood Draw Work?

A blood draw is a procedure that is medically known as a venipuncture. Phlebotomists are medical technicians who perform blood draws. A blood test takes only a few minutes to complete.

To perform a venipuncture a phlebotomist will:

• Wash their hands and wear gloves
• Wrap a tourniquet around the upper portion of the arm
• Examine your arm for a vein to use for the venipuncture
• Clean the insertion site
• Insert the needle into the vein
• Collect the blood in vials
• Remove the needle and apply a bandage

After the blood has been drawn the phlebotomist will send the vials to the laboratory for testing.

What Factors Affect Blood Test Result Timings?

The timing of blood test results will vary based on several factors. These factors can include:

• Where the test was performed
• If the test can be run in the facility it was drawn or needs to be sent to a different location
• The type of blood test

Another factor that affects result timing is if the healthcare provider has received the result but has not released it for the patient to see. This might be done when the healthcare provider wants to talk on the phone with the patient or would like to order additional testing.

Common Blood Tests and How Long Each Takes

Below is a description of common blood tests and the turnaround time for each test.

Complete Blood Count (CBC)

CBCs are a very common test that looks at the red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in the blood. It is used to see how the immune system is working, diagnose blood diseases, and other medical conditions. The results are typically reported to the healthcare provider's office the next day.

Basic Metabolic Panel

A basic metabolic panel looks at eight different components of the blood. These components show fluid balances, electrolyte levels, and kidney functions. You may have to stop drinking and eating 8–12 hours before this type of test. Specific tests within a basic metabolic panel are:

• Glucose
• Calcium
• Potassium
• Chloride
• Carbon dioxide
• Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
• Creatinine

The basic metabolic panel results are usually available within a day.

Complete Metabolic Panel

A complete metabolic panel includes the same tests as a basic metabolic panel and six additional components. The additional tests look closer at liver function. Just like a basic metabolic panel, a person may be asked to fast for a complete metabolic panel.

The extra six tests in a complete metabolic panel are:

• Albumin
• Total protein
• Bilirubin
• Alkaline phosphatase (ALP)
• Alanine transaminase (ALT)
• Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)

The turnaround time for a CMP is a few days.

Lipid Panel

A lipid panel looks at several factors that measure the different fats found in the blood. It helps a healthcare provider determine if someone is at risk for various conditions like heart disease. Most people will need to fast before their lipid panel, but ask your healthcare provider for specific instructions ahead of your scheduled blood draw. The tests within a lipid panel are:

• Total cholesterol (a calculation of the cholesterol circulating in your body)
• High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (considered “good” cholesterol)
• Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (considered “bad” cholesterol)
• Triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood)

The results should be back in about one day.

Pregnancy Test

A pregnancy blood test looks at the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG ) that is produced during pregnancy. The results can be either qualitative or quantitative.

A qualitative pregnancy test provides either a negative or positive result, depending on the presence of HCG in the blood. This is usually done to confirm pregnancy. Quantitative HCG blood tests provide a HCG level. This test is used to confirm pregnancy or to look for abnormalities in the pregnancy.

Pregnancy blood tests can take anywhere from a few hours to a day to receive the results.

Blood Test for Cancer

A healthcare provider can use certain blood tests to detect cancer. The type of test will determine how long it takes to get results which can be one to a few days.

Thyroid Test

A thyroid blood test is used to see how the thyroid is performing. The thyroid is a small butterfly-shaped gland at the front of the neck. It produces hormones that control how the body uses energy.

The test can determine a diagnosis and monitor the treatment of thyroid-related health conditions. Results are usually ready a few days after the blood draw.

Test for Anemia

Anemia is a medical condition where the body does not carry enough oxygen in the red blood cells to the body. The blood test most commonly used to diagnose anemia is a CBC. The CBC is used to diagnose anemia; other specialized tests can be used to diagnose what kind of anemia. This test looks at the levels of hemoglobin, which carries oxygen. A CBC result is typically back the next day.

Tests for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

There are several types of STIs and not every type can be detected on a blood test. STIs are tested through urine samples, genital swabs, or oral swabs. The below STIs are tested with blood tests and have a turnaround result time listed:

• Syphilis: A few hours to a few days
• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV): 30 minutes or less for a rapid antibody test or several days for a nuclear acid test (NAT)
• Hepatitis B: Three to six days

Inpatient vs. Outpatient Blood Testing

Inpatient is a term referring to people who have been admitted to the hospital, where they will stay while receiving medical care. For example, they may be ill, are preparing for or recovering from surgery, or are receiving other treatment, such as giving birth. Inpatients who receive blood tests tend to get their results quicker than outpatients. This may be because most hospitals have a laboratory on campus and are able to process blood results when urgently needed.

Outpatient refers to people who have not been admitted to a hospital. They may come to a lab clinic or medical office to get their blood drawn for testing. Outpatient blood results tend to take longer than those for inpatients because blood samples sometimes need to be processed at another location.

Tips to Get Faster Blood Test Results

The turnaround time for blood test results vary based on the type of test and where it was performed. It is important to have a conversation with your healthcare provider to determine when to expect results and how they will be provided to you. Results can be given through your electronic health record (EHR), phone calls, or in person during an appointment.

Summary

Blood tests are a medical procedure that can be taken in a healthcare provider's office, at a clinic, or in the hospital. They are used to evaluate health conditions, find illnesses, or monitor treatments. The blood draw itself is a fast procedure that takes only minutes, while results can take minutes to days to receive. A blood test's turnaround time will vary from test to test.