The question of “how many vials of blood can be drawn at once?” is a concern for many when they see the amount of blood testing their doctor wants them to undergo. Luckily, there has been a lot of research and studies conducted around this question to ensure that blood drawing is always safe. But it’s good to know that a single vial of blood is a minuscule amount compared to the volume of blood in your body. Check out some facts below so when you go in for your blood drawing with Speedy Sticks you can feel confident knowing you’re completely safe and in good hands. Book a blood draw today!

How Many Vials of Blood Can Be Drawn at Once?

To calculate how many vials can be drawn at one time, we need to know how much each vial can carry. The typical blood vial only has 8.5 milliliters of blood within. Before you start to feel adverse effects, you would need to draw roughly 88 of these blood vials! We would never come close to drawing this amount of blood in one visit.

How Much Blood Can Be Drawn Per Week?

There is very little risk involved in drawing blood from healthy, non-pregnant adults who weigh at least 110 pounds using a finger stick, heel stick, or venipuncture. But as a general rule, blood may only be taken from these participants twice a week, with a maximum total of 550 cc taken in an 8-week period. This is based on studies and tests performed to help keep participants in blood draws healthy.

How Long Does it Take to Replenish Blood

To begin, we can look at how long it takes to replenish the blood that we will draw from the comfort of your home or office. Because your body makes 2million red blood cells per second, it doesn’t take more than a handful of weeks to build up stores of these again. It also only takes a few days for your white blood cells and platelets to return to normal. This is why many people who donate blood will wait between 12-16 weeks.

Red Blood Cells and Iron

Your red blood cells, or more specifically the red-colored hemoglobin they contain, are what transport oxygen throughout your body, thus there is a significant connection between them and your health. Each time blood is taken, some of the iron in hemoglobin is lost. To make up for this, the body releases iron from its iron reserves and raises the amount of iron it takes from meals and liquids. Typically, men store more iron than women do. Eating a diet high in iron around the time of your blood draw may help.

Why You Should Stay Hydrated for a Blood Draw

8% of your body weight is made up of blood volume. Plasma makes up around 55% of blood, and 90% of it is water. So, when you have your blood drawn, almost half of this is water. You should therefore drink lots of water both before and after your blood draws. After a blood draw, it’s crucial to replenish lost fluids to let your blood volume levels return to normal.

The Takeaway

When blood draws are performed by a phlebotomist like Speedy Sticks, they are always safe! But there are some precautions you can take to keep you feeling at your best, such as drinking water or eating foods rich in iron. If you have any other questions about upcoming blood draws, don’t hesitate to reach out. Or if you have blood draws scheduled from your doctor and want them from the comfort of your office or home, you can book an appointment today.

*This content is for informational purposes only and is not meant to replace consulting with a healthcare professional. Please consult with your primary care physician or healthcare provider before engaging in any services offered by Speedy Sticks.

**These are approximations, and experts disagree on some values. Consult your healthcare provider for recommendations suitable for you. It is also important to ensure the levels are given in the same measurements, such as mg/dL, etc.