Blood Tests
Blood analysis in UZ Brussel
Blood tests elsewhere
Many investigations involve the examination of substances present in the blood, for example, hormonal, genetic and immunological tests. Blood is aspirated from a vein and sent to the lab for analysis. In most cases, it is only necessary to have not consumed anything in advance if the blood tests are for pre operative investigations. Otherwise it is alright to eat and drink before the test.
Blood testing in UZ Brussel
1. IVF-TREATMENT
Blood testing in the woman in order to establish and monitor hormone levels in conjunction with IVF treatment.
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Useful! If you also have a morning ultrasound scan appointment that day (between 8 and 11.30 am on weekdays or between 8 and 10 am on public holidays, Saturdays or Sundays) the blood sample is taken in the ultrasound scan waiting room (CRG, level +2) |
UZ Brussel Children's Hospital,
level +1, on ward VPE03 in the CRG.
When?
Every workday: 7-9 am/6-8 pm.
Weekends and public holidays: 7.30-9 am/6-7.30 pm.
No appointment necessary.
Follow-up
The follow-up process is taken care of by the
daily monitoring (DM). If the blood test takes place in the morning, the results will be available the same day. With afternoon blood tests, the results will be available the following day. The DM department will inform you of these results by telephone. In principle, this is done between 3 and 6 pm.
2. preliminary, pre-operative and genetic investigations
Blood tests for genetic analysis, hormonal examinations prior to IVF treatment, or pre-operative/pre anaesthetic blood tests.
Where?
General Outpatients clinic, level+1.
When?
Every workday: 8 am-1 pm/2 pm-4.45 pm
Please make an appointment.
follow-up
Results are sent to the CRG lab whereafter any issues or abnormalities are discussed with you at consultation.
3. HEPATITIS B & C, HIV AND syphilis SCREENING
Following the new Belgian law on tissue banks, the HIV, hepatitis B and C and syphilis screening is repeated for every new IVF/ICSI attempt. Before the start of each new treatment, we have to know the infection test results for each patient providing tissue (eggs, sperm cells, embryos).
This means that the man's presence is almost always required on the day of the pick-up. Only if he has supplied his sperm sample in advance to have it frozen of if donor sperm is used in the treat-ment does he not have to attend.
In practice the woman will have the blood sample taken in the Operating Room before undergoing the pick-up; the man is seen by the Nursing Unit for his blood sample.
Blood tests elsewhere
Both blood tests and blood investigations can be performed at another location more convenient to you if you live far away. You can for example have your own doctor do this and let them send the samples to the CRG. Alternatively, you doctor can have the blood analyzed at a lab of his or her choice, as long as the results are given to DM by telephone or fax before 2 p.m., to ensure that the team can adjust your treatment to the new results and give you instructions in this respect. Therefore please make sure to have your blood sample taken early (by preference before 9am) at your local hospital or laboratory in order to allow them to send the results to daily monitoring at CRG before 2pm at the latest. Daily monitoring will subsequently contact you between 3 and 6 p.m. If for any reason you have not received any new instructions from DM, it is advisable to follow the instructions for the previous day. Please be aware that an administrative charge will be added when processing external results.