Why is it so hard to find my veins for blood tests?

Needles can hurt and having to be poked multiple times to find the vein is a special form of torture.

Hydrating the day before a blood draw and keeping your arms warm as you head into the lab can make for a smoother experience. Staying calm is also important, though that’s easier said than done. Priming your nerves – and your veins – can help make a difference.

Preparing for blood work

Hydrate in advance: Experts usually recommend to start hydrating the day before you know you’ll go in. The goal isn’t to drink excessively, but to ensure you’re not dehydrated, which can decrease blood volume. Water is generally allowed even when the blood work is supposed to be done “fasting” but make sure to check with your medical provider beforehand.

Warm up your arms: Wearing long sleeves that you can roll up is a good idea. You can also try running your forearms under warm water in a bathroom or ask if the lab has a hot towel you wrap around them.

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Speak up about your veins: Certain people, especially those who are elderly or chronically ill, have “rolling veins” – meaning the collagen in tissues that anchor veins in place are weakened, causing the vessels to “roll” when approached by a needle. Tell the technician if that sounds like you. Some facilities might have technicians who are more accustomed to patients with difficult-to-find veins or use tools like vein finders or ultrasounds that can help identify a good vessel. If the technician got a needle in easily, ask them which vein they used so you’ll know for the future.

There is nothing worse than undergoing a needle-stick only to discover the sample “hemolyzed,” meaning the blood cells burst, rendering testing inaccurate. It often happens because of how the tube is handled after the blood is drawn, but sticking a larger vein – like from the antecubital fossa in the crook of your elbow – has been shown to reduce the risk of hemolysis, while having the tourniquet on for longer than a minute raises those odds.

Calm yourself with a breathing exercise: Make sure you aren’t holding your breath. Instead, take deep breaths rising from your stomach, rather than your chest. If that’s not for you, try distracting yourself by scrolling through TikTok or chatting with the technician. Some people deliberately pinch the opposite side of the body to distract their brains while the needle goes in, but if this will only stress you out further, I wouldn’t advise it.