When it comes to diagnosis and treatment monitoring, accurate laboratory results are essential. At the Placentia-Linda Hospital Clinical Laboratory, our licensed clinical laboratory scientists and certified phlebotomists provide quick and accurate results that help ensure you get the treatment you need in a timely manner. 

If your doctor orders lab work, ask if you should fast (not eat) before having the lab work done.  Fasting is needed for some lab tests because certain test values change following the digestion of food.  The measurements of blood sugar (glucose) and some blood lipids (cholesterol) are common examples.

Fast and Fasting Instructions

• Before having any blood test, check with your physician or your laboratory professional for special instructions.
• Do not eat or drink anything (except water) during the 8 (eight) hours prior to having your blood drawn or other specimens taken.  If your physician has ordered lipid tests, you must fast for at least 12 hours.
• Do not smoke, chew gum or exercise. These activities may stimulate the digestive system and alter test results.
• Continue to take prescription medications unless your physician tells you otherwise. Check with your physician about over-the-counter medications.

Common Laboratory Services Include:

• Blood chemistry
• Coagulation
• Hematology
• Therapeutic drug monitoring
• Microbiology

Diagnoses Can Be Dependent on Laboratory Testing

• —Chest pain? Lab testing helps distinguish a heart attack from indigestion
• —Gut pain?  Lab tests can tell your doctor if it’s appendicitis.
• —Is your child lethargic with swollen lymph nodes and fever?  Lab tests can differentiate leukemia from mononucleosis.

Learn More

For questions or to find out more about our clinical laboratory services, call +1 (714) 524-4840.