Frequently Asked Questions

Blood draws are performed up to half an hour before closing.
During holidays, the schedule may change, please call us for updates.

STARTBIO AMPELOKIPOI (Fidippidou 23)
Landline: 2114025423, Mobile: 6932488458
Monday-Friday: 08:00-20:00 (children with appointment)
Saturday: 09:00-14:00 (with appointment for everyone)

STARTBIO PERISTERI (Sofokli Venizelou 41)
Landline: 2117506402, Mobile: 693 248 8458
Monday/Wednesday: 07:30-20:00 (children with appointment)
Tuesday/Thursday/Friday: 07:30-17:00 (children with appointment)
Saturday: 09:00-14:00 (with appointment for everyone)

During holidays, the schedule may change, please call us for updates.

STARTBIO AMPELOKIPOI(Fidippidou23)
Landline: 2114025423, Mobile: 6932488458
Monday-Friday: 08:00-19:30 (children with appointment)
Saturday: 09:00-13:30 (with appointment for everyone)

STARTBIO PERISTERI (Sofokli Venizelou 41)
Landline: 2117506402, Mobile: 693 248 8458
Monday/Wednesday: 07:30-19:30 (children with appointment)
Tuesday/Thursday/Friday: 07:30-17:00 (children with appointment)
Saturday: 09:00-13:30 (with appointment for everyone)

Blood draws are performed up to half an hour before closing. During holidays the schedule may change, please call us for updates.

Blood draws are typically recommended before breakfast. Many tests can be done at any time, if your doctor hasn’t informed you, please call us for clarification.

Factors such as diet, medication, exercise, alcohol, and smoking can affect test results.

Adults do not need an appointment (except on Saturdays), but blood draws for young children are by appointment only. Pediatric blood draws require special care and expertise. Our experienced, specialized staff, modern equipment, and safe, calm environment ensure the best possible experience for your children.

Before the Blood Draw

1. Fasting: If the test requires fasting (e.g., for glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, etc.), avoid eating or drinking anything except water for 8–12 hours before the appointment. Confirm with your doctor. Avoid sudden dietary changes in the days leading up to the blood draw.
2. Hydration: Drink plenty of water unless otherwise instructed. Hydration makes it easier to locate veins.
3. Alcohol and Smoking: Avoid alcohol and smoking before the blood draw. Refrain from alcohol for at least 24–48 hours, especially for liver or lipid tests (cholesterol, HDL, LDL, VLDL, lipoprotein A, CPK, glucose). Avoid smoking for at least 1–2 hours, ideally 12–24 hours, to minimize impact on results.
4. Medications: If you’re on medication, consult your doctor about whether to pause it. Inform our personnel about any medications, especially anticoagulants.
5. Avoid Intense Exercise: Refrain from vigorous exercise for 24 hours before the blood draw, as it may affect results.
6. Dress Comfortably: Wear loose clothing with sleeves that can be easily rolled up for arm access.

During the Blood Draw

• Relax: Stay calm to facilitate the process. Take slow, deep breaths if you feel nervous.
• Communicate: Inform our personnel if:

1. 1. You have a history of fainting or dizziness during blood draws.
   2. You prefer a specific arm or vein.
   3. You’ve had issues with blood draws in the past.

• Position: Sit still and keep your arm relaxed as instructed. our personnel will apply a tourniquet, clean the area, and insert the needle.
• Expected Discomfort: You may feel a quick pinch or sting when the needle is inserted. This typically lasts a few seconds.

After the Blood Draw

1. Apply Pressure: Press the cotton on the puncture site for a few minutes to prevent bruising.
2. Keep the Cotton: Leave the cotton in place for at least 15–30 minutes to ensure proper clotting.
3. Avoid Heavy Lifting: Refrain from lifting heavy objects or engaging in strenuous activity with the arm for a few hours to prevent bruising or bleeding.
4. Eat and Drink: If you fasted, have a light snack or drink to regain energy. If you feel dizzy, sit down and inform the staff.

Your doctor will provide specific instructions based on your tests.

Medications that may need to be avoided before a blood draw include:

• Cortisone: Affects blood sugar, cholesterol, triglycerides, and allergy tests.
• Anxiolytics/Sedatives (e.g., Librium, Oasil, Hipnosedon).
• Salicylates (e.g., Aspirin, Salospir): Affect blood clotting tests and require careful bandaging after the draw.
• Antihypertensives/Diuretics (e.g., Hygroton, Lasix).
• Contraceptives: May increase iron and total cholesterol while decreasing HDL cholesterol.

Additionally, the following patients should not take their medication before the blood draw:

• Diabetics on oral hypoglycemics or insulin.
• Patients on cholesterol-regulating medication.
• For thyroid tests, whether to take medication depends on the test type and your doctor’s instructions. Most guidelines recommend taking thyroid medication after the blood draw, but if your doctor is assessing how the medication works (e.g., checking levels on a stable dose), they may instruct you to take it as usual. Always follow your doctor’s guidance.

Those taking iron or other supplements should stop 2–3 days before the test to ensure accurate results. If you haven’t received instructions or have doubts, contact us for clarification.

If you haven’t received instructions or have doubts, contact us for clarification.

Menstruation can affect certain blood test results due to hormonal fluctuations and physiological changes. The impact depends on the specific tests and cycle phase (follicular, ovulation, luteal, or menstruation).

• Hormonal Tests: Levels of hormones like estrogen, progesterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) vary during the cycle, affecting results. For example, estrogen peaks at ovulation, while progesterone is higher in the luteal phase.
• Complete Blood Count (CBC): Menstruation may slightly lower hemoglobin and hematocrit due to blood loss, potentially indicating mild anemia, especially with heavy bleeding.
• Iron: Heavy menstrual bleeding can reduce iron or ferritin (iron storage) levels, which may show in tests, particularly in women with iron deficiency.
• Inflammatory Markers: C-reactive protein (CRP) and other inflammation markers may be slightly elevated during menstruation due to the body’s inflammatory response.
• Other Tests: Tests like fasting glucose, cholesterol, or thyroid function are generally unaffected by the menstrual cycle, but stress or dietary changes during menstruation may indirectly impact results.

Inform your doctor about your menstrual cycle phase, as it can aid in interpreting results accurately.

For some tests (e.g., hormonal profiles), doctors may recommend testing on specific cycle days (e.g., day 3 for fertility tests)

Always consult your doctor for personalized advice.

A urinalysis is recommended to be done with urined collected when waking up in the morning.

After the area has been well cleaned with soap and plenty of water, it is collected mid-urination in a sterile urine collector. The urinal does not need to be filled. 15 ml is enough.

The urine must be brought to the laboratory within half an hour. If transport is to be delayed, then the sample should be refrigerated (4 °C).

In order to do a urine culture, antibiotics should not be taken. In cases where an antibiotic has been taken, laboratory staff should be informed. Urine collection is done similarly to collection for urinalysis.

The collection is done in a sterile plastic container and the sample can be from any random bowel movement during the day.

The required quantity is approx. 8-10 grams. Stool can be stored in the refrigerator.

The Complete Blood Count (CBC) includes the measurement of red and white blood cells, the type of white blood cells, platelets, as well as hematocrit, hemoglobin, erythrocyte markers, and some platelet parameters.

*Note: A CBC is different from “general blood tests” used for routine check-ups.

Depending on the patient’s needs, additional tests can be added, such as in cases where there is a history of thyroid disease or osteoporosis.