Is there a way to make your veins more visible? Make the veins thicker?

Question

Is there a way to make your veins more visible or the veins thicker/larger?

As much as I hate having my blood drawn, I have to go get a blood test done tomorrow at a hospital, and every time that I go get a blood test done, the lab people are complaining that they can't see my veins! I've never met a phlebotomist who got the blood at the first try...I'm pale and it's not like I have so much fat on my arm or anything...my veins are invisible! The lab people always have to use the butterfly needles and I even had one person cursing in front of me because they wasted five needles, while another time, I spent 30 minutes at a lab, while there was a long line of people waiting outside.

I've tried drinking more fluid, but that doesn't seem to help that much. The phlebotomists told me that my veins are small, too, and that whenever they poke a needle in, my veins keep moving away from the needle. Do you know a way to make the veins more visible?!

Answer 1

The best way to keep your veins visible and to avoid "rolling veins" (moving away from the needle) is to hydrate yourself. You may not think it helps but it does. Stay away from diuretics like sodas, coffee…any caffeine at least 12 hours before the draw and try not to eat salty foods 12 hours before either.

Request from the beginning that they use a smaller gauged needle or a butterfly. Our more difficult patients will ask that we do an extra 10-count while the tourniquet is on to allow the veins to become more visible. Some labs have a red or infrared light to make veins more visible, as red light will bring out blue tints.

Answer 2

Thats not the worst thing in the world. I love butterfly needles- I have a fear of needles but, the butterfly one doesnt hurt. If your a small person- you have small veins. Just because the phelbotomist cant see the vein doesnt mean its way too small. They poke at your skin and it pops up. Okay. try not drinking any water when your somewhat dehydrated you veins stick up.

Answer 3

Unfortunately, the only way to enlarge the vein is by tying off. Check other places on your body. Some veins are more visible than others. They can take it from your hand, your wrist, your arm and your leg. Try telling them that you have had little to no success with the arm location, and have them seek out a vein in another spot.

Answer 4

Yuck, i think if they have to poke you more than twice with a needle they have no reason to have the job they have. Women tend to have deeper veins than men do. Theres no way i know of to make them thicker, all you can do is put a tye around your arm well they should and pump your hand and squeeze it that makes them pop out a bit more but thats the only solution i have.

Answer 5

Gosh. I don't think that there is anything you can do. I have this huge vein in my arm THANK GOD. It is super easy for me to have blood drawn. I hate needles so I don't know what I would do if I was in your position. Ask the next person who draws blood on you if they know of anything that would work. Good luck girl.

Answer 6

rite under your armpit is a thick vein. push into it and it should feel tingly. hold down TIGHT. then open and and close your hand for about 30sec-1min u should see all/most of your major veins and arrtorys

Answer 7

just do 20 push ups a day.for like a month or 2 and you should see something.(strech before and after)

sometimes i jsut hate mine not that they pop out like worms or anything but they just anoying.

Answer 8

no way possible .... some ppl just need experience... unless u want to work out... lol... good luck!!