Trypanophobia is defined as an extreme fear of needles, specifically when getting injections or blood draws. Some studies say that 1 in 10 adults suffer from trypanophobia, so if you find yourself recoiling when your primary care doctor tells you they need to draw blood, you are not alone. But why should you try to overcome this fear and have your blood drawn? The answer is simple: Blood tests are essential for health maintenance in both healthy individuals as well as patients who have chronic conditions.

For patients who get a blood draw during a routine physical, a typical blood test performed will include a complete blood cell count, metabolic panel, liver function test, glycohemoglobin, thyroid function test, vitamins B and D, and sometimes other tests that are gender-specific. These tests are critically important for your medical doctor to analyze because they often can reveal health problems before they become unmanageable or untreatable. Blood tests can tell your medical doctor if you are anemic or if a vital organ is not functioning properly. Celiac disease is a particular disease that can be diagnosed through blood tests, which is important as many symptoms of celiac disease can be misdiagnosed as other diseases. Medical doctors rely on blood tests to aid in diagnosis, so when your primary care doctor tells you they need to perform a blood test, no matter how afraid of needles you are, it’s best to put the fear aside and allow the blood test to proceed. Blood tests are the key to unlocking many mysterious ailments, and your primary care doctor will be able to use those blood test results to get you feeling better.