Why can't they DRAW BLOOD from my ARMS??

Question

I went to get some blood for some tests and they just couldn't draw any blood from me! They tried two times in both arms! What's going on? Am I some sort of vapire? lol

Seriously, is this common??

Answer 1

It's common ...

* The person drawing the blood was inexperienced. Give them ONE try in each arm and then tell them to go get someone who is the best in the lab.

* You were dehydrated

* You tensed up your arms and they couldn't feel the vein (I know they tell you to clench a fist, but it doesn't always make things easier. I was taught to have patients relax, and it makes the veins really easyto find)

* Something quite common in young women, regardless of their plumpness: they have enough subcutaneous fat in that area that it hides the veins.

* They tried to get blood from an obvious surface vein ... which usually is not a good idea because they usually collapse.

Answer 2

It is common, and no, you're not a vampire, nor are you weird.  You may have simply been dehydrated (maybe didn't drink enough water before the blood draw).  Some people simply don't have easily palpable peripheral veins.  Even the most experienced phlebotimist will have trouble accessing a periperal vein every once in a whilst.  Your best bet is to drink plenty of fluid and just hope that the phlebotomist drawing the blood sample is good and knows special techniques such that even the tiniest vein can be accessed.

It's almost unheard of to "not be able to find a peripheral vein to draw blood from."  h**l, I'll draw the blood from the vein anterior to your medial malleolus.  Just drink plenty of water next time, and I reckon they'll get the sample they need.

Don't freak out, there's nothing weird about you.

Answer 3

Sounds like someone who's inexperienced missed your veins a couple times.

Answer 4

Maybe your veins weren't big enough? You should ask them what the problem was.