Practical issues concerning tests and procedures

All procedures and tests, for both men and women, performed at the CRG, come with practical issues.

Blood test

A blood sample is taken to be sent for analysis in different situations:

  1. for a a medical screening (see also tests woman, tests man).
    In other words, this blood test is to prepare for a possible ART treatment or prior to a procedure. 
  2. in order to evaluate your hormonal response during your ART treatment (timed intercourse, artificial insemination, IVF-ICSI, IVM).
    The blood analysis shows what your hormonal reaction is to the administered medication. 

  • The blood test must be on an empty stomach if it is for a preoperative blood test. In this case you must not eat or drink anything for at least six hours before the test.
  • During your ART-cycle blood tests and analyses can be performed either at UZ Brussel or externally.
    The practical organisation is different in these two situations.


Blood tests at UZ Brussel

Blood test during your ART treatment?

If the result of the hormonal blood analysis has to be known the same day, a blood sample must be taken:

  • on a week day before noon
  • in the WE or on a public holiday
    before 10 a.m.

Where?

CRG, Children's hospital UZ Brussel,
entrance F, level +2, route 982

When?

Every working day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
WE & public holidays: from 7.30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

You don't need to make an appointment. 
However, you need to register first: see opening hours for registration desks.

Blood tests elsewhere

Administrative cost

Attention! An administrative cost is charged to process external analyses during your ART treatment.

During your ART treatment hormonal analyses can be performed outside UZ Brussel.
You can have your own GP or your gynaecologist take the blood sample and have the analyses carried out by an external laboratory.

If this is the case the DM needs to have the result by 2 p.m. by telephone or fax.
Follow-up of the result

Blood test during your ART treatment?

If the result of the hormonal blood analysis has to be known the same day, a blood sample must be taken:

  • on a week day before noon
  • in the WE or on a public holiday
    before 10 a.m.

During your ART treatment, the Centre's Daily Patient Monitoring department (DM) is responsible for processing the blood tests. Based on the result the DM will give you telephone instructions – in principle between 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. – about your next dose.

  • If the blood test was in the morning, the result will be available the same day.
  • The results of blood tests taken in the afternoon or evening can only be given the next day.