Blood Work Reaction - Is This Normal?

[ilovedisney1]

This could be vaso vagal reaction. I have this, and feel bad afterwards.

 

[englishteacha]

I get blood drawn for my thyroid, too. I do OK with it, but when I gave blood several years ago I did feel really woozy and sick after. My husband has a condition that is triggered by the sight of his own blood. He gets woozy and sick, and 3 times has fainted when he's cut his hand. There's a name for it, but I don't remember what it is. My blood? He's fine. He watched a minor surgical procedure I had and thought it was cool! It's just a reaction to seeing his own blood. Perhaps you have something similar?

 

[Tazicket]

I get blood drawn for my thyroid, too. I do OK with it, but when I gave blood several years ago I did feel really woozy and sick after. My husband has a condition that is triggered by the sight of his own blood. He gets woozy and sick, and 3 times has fainted when he's cut his hand. There's a name for it, but I don't remember what it is. My blood? He's fine. He watched a minor surgical procedure I had and thought it was cool! It's just a reaction to seeing his own blood. Perhaps you have something similar?

Could be - I know I can't watch at all. I always turn away and stare at things on the opposite side of the room. I can be ok with seeing the vials after they're done and there's nothing still sticking in my arm, but I absolutely can't watch during the procedure.

DH donates blood pretty regularly and I went with him once to keep him company. I couldn't even watch him donate, much less attempt it myself - I almost hit the floor just from watching him.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

When I was a kid--I passed out from putting an earring in my ear and I had a little difficulty. (See--I'm pathetic.)

 

[BurghFan111]

I have the same reactions when having blood drawn. It feels like a panic attack. I am dizzy, nauseas, sweaty, hot, just awful. i have passed out several times and generally avoid going to the dr in fear they will send me for blood work. I always thought it was just nerves but now i believe it is related to having syncope. I'm 6'1 270 lbs so passing out somewhere is a scary thought. It is good to know i am not crazy and the only one experiencing this.

 

[JessicaR]

Why is your Endocrinologist asking you to fast? Just curious, I am a tough stick and have thyroid blood work drawn every three months and don't have to fast. Blood drawn for TSH, FT3, FT4, and TSI.

 

[teskak]

How about having your ipod on & the music nice and loud so you can be distracted by it.

Then make sure you have drunk lots and lots of water before hand. I agree with DD that you need to lose a lot of blood volume before you start shock, but the blood bank always recommends drinking lots of water so you are as hydrated as possible before the draw

 

[JoanGirardi]

The amount of blood that they're drawing is not enough to make you have a reaction for the whole day after the draw. Perhaps the fasting is what's getting you, or it really could be a reaction to the whole needle thing. I would definitely ask to be drawn lying down even if you haven't fainted lately, and I would have my snack and juice immediately after the draw, before you leave the premises. You'll have to figure out what works best for you and insist on following your protocol. Nobody wants you to faint on them, trust me, and they should cooperate with you on what you need for your blood draw. I would also ask my doctor which tests they are ordering require fasting. Could those tests be done less often than every 3 months? Perhaps some of the thyroid testing that doesn't require fasting could be done on schedule, but the fasting ones could be done less often? Hope you find something that works for you.

 

[mrsklamc]

I used to have just a fear of needles- basically got over that, things like drinking lots of water, lying down, drinking juice afterwards.

I started having basal vagal reactions with my first thyroid biopsy and they happen even when I'm not scared at all. They usually have to put an ice pack on my torso and it wipes me out for the rest of the day, too.

 

[Muushka]

As was already mentioned, more than likely your reaction to the blood draw has more to do with your anxiety rather than the actual procedure.

For those of you who have a fear of having your blood drawn, and as someone who has drawn blood from too many to remember, here is my take:

There are those who come in, sit down, have their blood drawn, end of story.

Then there are those who come in and are somewhat nervous, fidgety. For them I would make small talk to take their mind off of the procedure.

Then there are the ones who sit down and mention that they may faint. I have no problem with that. I always have them lie down.

Then there are the ones who sit down and immediately start telling me what I MUST do to make them feel better. I MUST lie them down. I MUST talk to them about anything other than needles. I MUST let them stay there for a long time (which I would never ask anyone to leave if they did not feel well) and I MUST stay with them for this period of time. I even had one gal demand that I hold her hand when it was all over.
Mind you, all of the things mentioned are fine for someone to do who really does need it. But I am talking about the ones who say all of the above very loudly, like it is some sort of show to get attention.

Then there are the ones who come in and are very very quiet. They are the ones I give extra special care to. They are the fainters! They are the ones that have a fear so great of having their blood drawn that they cannot even speak.

 

[Tazicket]

Wow! It's been a while since I started this one!

I did talk to my endo when I had my appointment with her following the blood draw. I found out earlier this year that my cholesterol is on the high side. So, when I go in for the thyroid blood tests, they also been checking my cholesterol and triglycerides and stuff, too. It's one of the cholesterol tests that I have to fast for (I think it's the triglycerides) and it's mostly because of blood sugar levels.

My endo told me to make sure to drink a lot of water before hand (which I haven't been doing, I thought the fast extended to fluids as well - my fault for not asking sooner), and I can also have a little pure protein, like a slice of lunch meat, if I'm feeling woozy before I go in.

The good news is my levels have gotten good and stabilized enough that I get to have a 6 month break between blood draws! This is the first time since I was diagnosed almost 3 years ago that I get to go less than every 3-4 months.

I always make sure to tell the phlebotomist that I'm a huge chicken when I go in for draws. Every one I've worked with there has been wonderful and has managed to do the draws without causing too much pain. The last few times, I haven't mentioned that I have had issues with passing out in the past. I don't like to be a bother and really don't like to cause a fuss, so I try to get out as quickly as I can. I'll mention the fainting issue next time I see them, and I'm also going to follow the suggestions of my endo and some of the ideas you guys were so nice to share. I'm also going to take the day off work when I have my next draw, just in case.