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  3 0 Whenever I get my Vitamin D levels checked (which is annually, as I tend to be deficient), I have to have a single vial of blood drawn. Finger pricks are good for blood sugar and white cell counts, but not so good for quantitative assays, especially if you need several different tests. What do you mean by having a hard time with blood tests? You faint, or your veins are tricky, or you have a needle phobia? If you tell your doctor, s/he can usually help you with those concerns. Tiredness can also be environmental (new street light or loud apartment mate) or a hormonal problem (hypothyroidism). You need to go to a doctor, be upfront about your problem, whatever it may be, with blood draws, and potentially get prescribed a multivitamin and a chat with a nutritionist. Griffin answered in Drugs & Supplements 3 months ago | Report 3 comments by IsadoraWing, Kristin Bell, and Griffin… 0 0 Oh dear, I thought this might be the case. I'll give my doctor a head's up about the needle phobia. IsadoraWing commented 3 months ago | Report 0 0 I agree with Griffin. I have to get tests every three months or so and one of the tests is Vitamin D. They have to do a blood draw. I'm not too afraid of needles, but I have passed out before. When you get the blood draw, you might try to have them take it in the top part of your forearm. I've had really good luck with that area. It seems like a strange place to draw from, but it really hurts much less. I have tiny veins and getting a good vein is sometimes hard. Also, don't look at the needle when they are doing it. It will just make it worse. Make sure to tell them about your needle phobia, and get an experienced person to draw your blood. If someone is inexperienced, they might have to do several pokes and it sucks, but an experienced person can do it in one (usually) and it shouldn't really hurt more than a slight poke. It also helps if you have had something to eat and drink before you go in (as long as you aren't doing a fasting test). Remember to breathe too. You might ask them if they are using the smallest needle possible too. Sometimes they use larger gauge needles when they don't have to. Anyway, yah, I have to get checked for Vitamin D, and they are learning that Vitamin D is pretty important. I would say make sure they do as many tests at once so they don't have to stick you again for awhile. They may need to take more blood at the draw, but it is easier than going back in for more pokes. Also, you might have to get a prescription strength of the vitamins if you are really low. Better to get everything checked out though...gah...I'm just rambling now! Kristin Bell commented 3 months ago | Report 0 0 Yeah, if it's a needle phobia, there's plenty that can be done. Including local painkillers (like lidocaine) so you don't feel the needle, being coached to look away, having another person in the room to hold your hand, and making sure that the best phlebotomist on staff gets to do the honors. If you go in hydrated, you'll have a better time of it because your veins will pop up better, the phlebotomist will have an easier time getting the needle in the vein, and you'll bleed faster so the whole thing will be over more quickly. Nowadays, staff can use a single stick to pull several vials of blood at once, too, so don't worry about getting stabbed repeatedly for each test, should your doctor decide that you need bloodwork. Good luck. Griffin commented 3 months ago | Report Enter your comment or ask a new question preview THIS IS A PREVIEW: Click "Post" to submit it or "Edit" to make changes. edit Please wait… This could take a minute if the tubes are clogged.

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