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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is Blood Withdrawal From The Fingertip Or Elbow Vein Different?

Hi,
I'm 21 and getting a physical in a week because I haven't had one in a VERY long time. I just wanted to know is there a reason why some doctors take blood from the finger and some from the vein near the elbow. I would prefer the vein near the elbow and wanted to know if I could request that instead of the finger prick. I really don't like needles near my fingers.
Fri, 14 Nov 2014
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Pulmonologist,  's  Response
Thanks for your quetion on HCM.
Both are different things and done for different purposes.
Finger prick method is for blood sugar estimation and blood group determination. It uses capillary (vessel connecting vein and artery) blood. So when we need only 1-2 drop of blood finger prick is done.
While taking blood from elbow means taking blood from veins. It is venous blood. And it is done routinely when more sample is required. Like in medicak check ups where we need to run so many tests.
So no need to worry they will take your venous blood only , for medical check ups.
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Is Blood Withdrawal From The Fingertip Or Elbow Vein Different?

Thanks for your quetion on HCM. Both are different things and done for different purposes. Finger prick method is for blood sugar estimation and blood group determination. It uses capillary (vessel connecting vein and artery) blood. So when we need only 1-2 drop of blood finger prick is done. While taking blood from elbow means taking blood from veins. It is venous blood. And it is done routinely when more sample is required. Like in medicak check ups where we need to run so many tests. So no need to worry they will take your venous blood only , for medical check ups.