For Patients
Sample Requirements
Correct preparation before your test — and a properly collected sample — are the two biggest factors in getting an accurate result. The guidelines below cover the most common tests performed at Life Diagnostic Centre. They are general guidance, not a substitute for your doctor's specific instructions — if your prescription says something different, always follow your doctor's advice. If you're ever unsure before your visit, call us and our staff will confirm exactly what's needed for your test(s).
General Guidelines — Before You Visit
- Bring your doctor's original prescription/test request and any previous relevant reports.
- Bring a valid CNIC or B-Form (for children) — required for patient registration and report matching.
- Tell our staff about any medicines, supplements, or herbal products you're taking, and any known allergies (especially to latex or adhesive tape).
- Wear a short-sleeved or loose-sleeved shirt to make blood collection easier.
- Stay well hydrated the day before a blood draw — it makes finding a vein easier and less uncomfortable.
- Avoid strenuous exercise for 24 hours before tests like CPK, LDH, or Troponin, as exertion can temporarily raise these results.
- If you feel anxious about needles or have fainted during a blood draw before, mention it to our phlebotomist — we're happy to have you lie down for the sample.
- Home sample collection is available in most areas — call 067-3364453 to arrange a visit.
Fasting Requirements
"Fasting" means no food or drink other than plain water for the stated period — tea, coffee, milk, juice, chewing gum, and cigarettes should also be avoided, as they can all affect results. Take your routine medication as normally prescribed unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
| Test | Fasting | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS) | 8–12 hours | Best collected first thing in the morning. |
| Random Blood Sugar (RBS) | Not required | Can be collected any time of day. |
| Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) | 8–12 hours | Plan for 2–3 hours at the lab; multiple samples are taken after a glucose drink. |
| HbA1c | Not required | Reflects average blood sugar over ~3 months. |
| Lipid Profile | 9–12 hours | Fasting improves accuracy, especially for triglycerides. |
| Liver Function Test (LFT) | Not usually required | A morning sample is preferred where possible. |
| Renal Function Test (Urea, Creatinine, Electrolytes) | Not required | Stay normally hydrated beforehand. |
| Thyroid Profile (TSH, T3, T4) | Not required | Take thyroid medication as prescribed unless your doctor says otherwise. |
| CBC / Complete Blood Count | Not required | Can be collected any time of day. |
| Vitamin D, B12, Iron Studies | Not usually required | Fasting may be preferred if combined with a lipid or glucose panel. |
This table covers the most frequently requested tests. For a test not listed here, please ask our reception staff or your doctor for specific instructions.
Blood Sample Tube Colour Guide
You don't need to know this to get tested — it's simply for your information. Our phlebotomists select the correct tube for each test automatically:
- Red / Plain: serum chemistry — LFT, RFT, lipid profile, hormones.
- Yellow (Gel/SST): biochemistry and serology needing separated serum.
- Purple / Lavender (EDTA): CBC, HbA1c, blood grouping.
- Blue (Sodium Citrate): coagulation studies — PT, APTT.
- Grey (Sodium Fluoride): glucose tests — FBS, RBS, OGTT.
- Green (Heparin): select specialised chemistry tests.
Urine & Stool Sample Collection
Urine — Routine Examination
- A clean-catch, mid-stream sample is preferred: begin urinating, then collect into the container partway through, without touching the container to your skin.
- The first morning sample is usually the most concentrated and preferred for routine examination.
- Use only the sterile container provided by the lab, and bring it to us within 1–2 hours of collection.
Urine — 24-Hour Collection
- Discard your first morning urine, note the time, and then collect every drop of urine for the next 24 hours into the large container we provide, ending with your first urine the following morning at the same time.
- Keep the container refrigerated or in a cool place throughout the collection period.
- Ask our staff whether your specific test needs a preservative added to the container beforehand.
Stool Sample
- Collect a fresh sample into the container provided — avoid mixing with urine or toilet water.
- A walnut-sized amount is sufficient; include any visibly abnormal part of the stool (mucus, blood) if present.
- Bring the sample to the lab within 1 hour of collection, or refrigerate briefly if there is an unavoidable delay.
Radiology & Imaging Preparation
Ultrasound, X-ray, and other imaging studies often need their own preparation — for example, a full bladder for a pelvic ultrasound, or fasting for an abdominal ultrasound. These vary by exam, so please see our Radiology page or ask our staff when booking.
Report Turnaround
Most routine blood tests are reported the same day; specialised or send-out tests can take longer. Your receipt will show the expected collection date, and once verified, your report can be downloaded any time through our online Report Portal using the Lab No./MR No. and PIN printed on it.
Still Have Questions?
Our staff are happy to walk you through what a specific test requires before your visit — call 067-3364453 or visit us at 10-H, Jinnah Road, Vehari.