You need to have a referral for laboratory tests

You always need to have a referral from your health care provider.

If you need information about or preparing for laboratory tests, please contact yout health care provider. The results are always given from the health care unit that made the referral.

If you need help about visiting a laboratory you can contact our customer service by phone at 044 457 0740 Mon–Fri 7.30–15.

If you have a referral from a private health care provider

If you have a referral from a private health care provider and they don’t have a contract with ISLAB you have to pay the laboratory tests yourself. The test selection is also limited slightly. When you pay the laboratory test yourself the results are always sent to the patient. If the patient gives their consent the results can also be sent to the private health care provider.

1. Preparation for laboratory tests

Please follow the instructions provided by your health care provider. Many factors, such as diet, coffee, alcohol, tobacco and physical exertion, may have an effect on laboratory test results. 

If you have not received any specific instructions, please avoid

  • alcohol and heavy physical exertion 24 hours before the tests.
  • smoking one hour before testing. 

if necessary, you can pick up supplies for home testing at your nearest laboratory. It is important that you use a sample container provided by your health care provider or the laboratory.

Please bring your Kela card or another ID card displaying your social security number.

2. Arriving at the laboratory

Please make sure you arrive to the laboratory approx. 15 minutes before the scheduled time to normalise your blood circulation. You will be called in laboratory by the serving number you received when making your appointment within 10 minutes of your reserved time.

If the laboratory has service without an appointment and you have not booked an appointment, please take a serving number. You will be served in order according to your serving number. Please follow local instructions. Laboratories are usually busiest between 7 and 9 a.m. Please avoid this time unless your test requires fasting.

While waiting, please take off your outer garments and make sure your Kela card is at hand.

3. In the laboratory

When you go in to the laboratory, your laboratory referral will be retrieved using the barcode from your Kela or ID card. You will also be asked to provide your personal information for us to be able to verify the provided information. 

You can get your laboratory results from the health care unit that made the referral. They is also responsible for organising any follow-up treatment. Your health care unit may register your results in the Omakanta service.

Didn’t find what you were looking for? Need help?

Customer service for patients
044 457 0740
Mon–Fri 7.30–15