In medical practice, to assess the patient's condition and more correctly determine the diagnosis, a general blood test from a finger or a vein is very often used. Currently, two methods of blood sampling from the human body are used: capillary and venous. The capillary method of blood sampling means that blood is taken from the pad of the finger, most often the ring finger. Venous - from a vein. The difference between blood from a finger or from a vein is that venous blood is more valuable for analysis. It contains a much larger number of different components in its composition. Based on this, we can conclude that a blood test from a vein is more accurate.
Where is a finger test used
When blood is taken from a finger, it is used for general analysis (clinical). This type of study is performed only on the components included in the blood: erythrocytes, hemoglobin, leukocytes andplatelets. Most often, such an analysis is prescribed for passing a medical commission, obtaining certificates, as well as for general monitoring of the state of the human body. It is always prescribed for people who first contacted a medical specialist for treatment or consultation.
Where vein analysis is used
The situation with blood from a vein is a little different. Due to the fact that venous blood is superior in composition to biological fluid from a finger, its analysis can reveal various diseases and infections. It is impossible to determine them when examining blood from a finger.
Venous blood can be used for the following types of tests:
- Biochemical.
- On drugs.
- On hormones.
- Identification of infectious agents that are causative agents of the disease.
- Diagnosis of sexually transmitted diseases.
What diseases does the analysis reveal
Also, a venous blood test can detect diseases at an early stage, such as:
- Anemia.
- Leukemia.
- Dehydration.
- Autoimmune diseases.
- Thrombophlebitis.
- Oxygen deficiency.
- Allergy.
- Impaired kidney function.
- Problems with the cardiovascular system.
- Decrease in the protective function of immunity.
Another major difference between vein and fingerstick sampling is the amount of material to be analyzed. From a pillowonly a little blood can be obtained from a finger, and it is taken from a vein if several studies are assigned to the patient at once. Much more material can be taken from a vein.
When a CBC is ordered
Thumbblood test, or the so-called general blood test from a vein and blood from a finger, is a very popular and common type of diagnosis and prevention. Each process that occurs in the body, and especially the process of disease development, leaves a noticeable trace in the chemical composition of the blood. Since the analysis reflects all the specific processes in the body, this is one of the most accessible, fast and accurate methods for obtaining information about the state of the body.
Also, a clinical blood test from a finger or a vein is a mandatory procedure for clinical examination or a planned medical examination. The doctor must prescribe an analysis before starting treatment for a particular disease. This is mandatory because, for example, in case of insufficient platelet concentration, anticoagulants cannot be prescribed. This can lead to bleeding in the internal cavity of the body.
The process of taking blood and preparing for the test
During a general analysis of blood from a vein and blood from a finger, a biomaterial is taken from a finger. Before starting the procedure, one of the fingers on the left hand must be lubricated with a solution containing alcohol. This is for disinfection. When the surface is disinfected, with a quick movement, an incision is made in the skin with a depth of notmore than 3 mm. When the blood appears on the surface of the pad, it is collected with a special pipette, and then poured into a medical flask. A small part of the blood is smeared on a special piece of laboratory glass. General analysis is the simplest procedure that does not require special training. But in some cases, doctors recommend taking the biomaterial on an empty stomach in order to eliminate as much as possible factors that may affect the result of the study. In the case when the study of blood from a vein and blood from a finger needs to be carried out several times in a short period of time, blood sampling should be carried out at the same time, in the same conditions.
Indicators in the overall analysis
After taking blood from a vein and a finger and conducting a study, the patient is given a paper that contains information about the components contained in the blood. So, among the indicators can be indicated:
- Hemoglobin is the most important indicator of general blood analysis. Hemoglobin plays an almost key role in the respiratory process. It helps transport oxygen throughout the body. Oxygen provides vital energy to every cell, and also releases carbon dioxide, transporting it back to the lungs.
- Erythrocytes are red cells or bodies, which are the most numerous compared to other components. The functions of red blood cells are almost identical to those of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin, being inside the cells, moves through the body with the help of red blood cells.
- Colorindicator - this indicator has close links with the indicators listed above. The color indicator displays the degree of saturation of red blood cells with hemoglobin.
- Reticulocytes - cells- "embryos" of erythrocytes. That is, reticulocytes are young erythrocytes, which, under the influence of a special hormone, are able to turn into an adult model of an erythrocyte. In any organism there is a certain reserve of reticulocytes, created so that in the event of the disappearance of red blood cells, they could replace them.
- Platelets are the component of blood that is responsible for clotting.
- Thrombocrit is an indicator of the ratio of the total volume of blood in the body to the number of platelets in it.
- ESR - erythrocyte sedimentation rate. An indicator reflecting the ratio of protein fractions of blood plasma.
- Leukocytes are white blood cells. They protect the body from infections and allergens. They also play the role of blood purifiers from cell decay products.
- Leukocyte formula - a parameter that is responsible for the concentration of all five types of leukocytes in the blood. It especially reflects the number of neutrophils and monocytes, it is these cells that capture microorganisms that can harm the body.
- Plasma cells - they provide the body's response to inflammatory processes. Thanks to them, antibodies begin to be produced. These cells are one of the forms of B-lymphocytes. This means that when bacteria or viruses enter the body, the lymphocyte transforms into a plasma cell, which, in turn, producesimmunoglobulin.
Preparation for blood sampling from a vein
Taking a blood test from a vein requires a certain algorithm of actions for preparation. The following factors may affect the accuracy of the results:
- Time for blood sampling.
- Meal time.
- Diet.
- Smoking and alcohol.
- Medication use.
- Physiotherapy.
- Physical activity.
- Stress.
Rules for passing the analysis
If we talk about the general rules for passing the analysis, then they are as follows:
- To increase the efficiency and accuracy of the study, blood should be donated at 11 o'clock, on an empty stomach. Liquid intake in the form of still water is allowed.
- For 12 hours before the analysis, do not overeat, consume alcohol and nicotine-containing products.
- Spicy, fatty and s alty foods are not recommended.
- To be taken strictly before the start of physiotherapy and other types of treatment.
- Stop taking medications for donation time.
When re-examination, the test should be carried out under the same conditions and at the same time. This is due to the fact that the results of the studies may differ depending on the medical institution and the method of taking the analysis.
Venous blood sampling method
Taking blood from a vein requires strict sterility. As well as the exact execution of the algorithm. The blood sampling algorithm is as follows:
- It is necessary to prepare a container for the material and a laboratory direction. Capacitymark and indicate patient data. Enter the data into the control and accounting system of the person who passed the analysis.
- Sit the patient on a chair near the table where the analysis will be taken. Fix the arm, fully extended at the elbow, and turn the palm up. Put the elbow on the roller for the convenience of the patient.
- Apply a tourniquet to the middle of the shoulder of the donor's hand so that the pulse can be felt at the wrist.
- Tell the patient to vigorously work his fist to fill the vein with blood, then squeeze the fingers tightly.
- Using a syringe or vacuum system, penetrate the cubital vein by inserting the needle at an acute angle until it feels like it's falling through. Then direct the needle parallel to the vessel wall. It is acceptable to use the veins of the hand or wrist to donate blood from a vein. It is much easier to take biomaterial from a finger.
- Draw blood into a syringe or vacuum system.
- After the required amount of blood has been taken, cover the wound with a cotton ball soaked in an alcohol solution. The needle must be removed before this.
- The patient should bend the arm at the elbow to avoid bruising at the puncture site after.
Is blood from a finger and a vein different? Yes, it's different. The venous contains a much larger number of components than the material from the finger.
