Pre-Chemo Blood Tests: — What Can Be Done Near Home?
If you live several hours from your treatment centre, travelling in just for a blood test — only to return for the actual cycle a day later — adds cost and exhaustion you may not need. Several standard pre-cycle checks can be done at an accredited lab near you.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Naresh Gundu, Medical Oncologist, MBBS (Chalmeda Anand Rao Institute of Medical Sciences, Karimnagar) · DNB Internal Medicine (Sir Gangaram Hospital, New Delhi) · DM Medical Oncology (AIIMS) · Last reviewed September 2026
- Save a trip per cycle — Standard pre-cycle counts and chemistry tests can often be done at a lab in your own town or district.
- Your team decides which tests — Not every test in your protocol will qualify — your CION oncologist confirms which ones can be done locally.
- Use a NABL-accredited lab — Results from accredited labs follow quality standards your oncologist can rely on for clinical decisions.
- Share results before you travel — Send your report by WhatsApp or email at least a day before your appointment so your team can review it in time.
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Yes, some pre-cycle blood tests — including the full blood count and basic kidney and liver checks — can be done at a NABL-accredited lab near you. Your oncologist confirms which tests qualify. Ask at your first CION appointment how to share results before your treatment day.
Which tests can be done at a local lab and which need to be done at CION?
| Test | Local NABL lab | At CION |
|---|---|---|
| Full blood count (CBC) | Yes — standard, any NABL lab | Only if a same-day recheck is needed |
| Kidney function (urea, creatinine) | Yes — standard, any NABL lab | Only if a same-day recheck is needed |
| Liver function tests | Yes — standard, any NABL lab | Only if a same-day recheck is needed |
| Electrolytes and blood sugar | Yes — standard, any NABL lab | Only if a same-day recheck is needed |
| Tumour markers (e.g. CEA, CA-125, PSA) | Often — confirm with your team first | If your team prefers one consistent lab |
| Bone marrow tests or specialised assays | No | Yes — specialist procedure only |
What do you need to do to arrange local blood testing?
- Ask your CION team at your first appointment which pre-cycle tests can be done at a local lab
- Get a test requisition sheet or a written list of exactly which tests to order
- Choose a NABL-accredited lab near you — your coordinator may be able to suggest one
- Book the test two to three days before your treatment date, not on the morning you travel
- Collect the printed report — do not rely on a lab app or digital notification alone
- Send a photograph or PDF of the report by WhatsApp or email to your CION coordinator at least a day before you travel
- Bring the original printed report with you on treatment day as well
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How do results from your local lab reach your CION team?
Send a clear photograph or PDF of your printed report to your oncologist or coordinator by WhatsApp or email. Do this at least the day before your appointment — not on the morning you travel.
Your team reviews the results and confirms whether your cycle can proceed. If a result is borderline or they need more information, they will contact you before you leave home — which can save a long journey.
Always bring the original printed report on treatment day. Digital messages sometimes fail, and the physical copy prevents delays at the centre.
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Frequently asked questions
Do I need a referral letter from CION to get blood tests done at a local lab?
For standard pre-cycle blood tests, most NABL labs will take your request without a formal referral. Your CION team may give you a test requisition sheet that lists exactly which tests to order — this is more useful than a referral letter because it tells the lab precisely what your protocol needs. Ask for this at your first appointment and keep a copy for each cycle.
Does the lab have to be NABL-accredited, or can I use any private lab?
Your CION team will generally accept results only from NABL-accredited labs, because accreditation means the lab follows standardised quality checks they can rely on for clinical decisions. A private lab without accreditation may produce correct results, but your oncologist cannot verify the quality of those results. Ask your CION coordinator if they can suggest a NABL-accredited lab near you.
What if my local lab does not offer one of the tests I need?
Tell your CION team as soon as you know — before your travel day if possible. They may ask you to have the missing test done when you arrive at the centre, or they may suggest a different local lab with the full panel. Do not skip a test without telling your team. Some results are needed before treatment can safely proceed, and your team needs to plan for that.
Can I get my blood test done on the same morning I travel to CION?
It is possible, but it creates risk. Results may not reach your team in time to be reviewed before your appointment, and a borderline result found only after you arrive could mean a long wait or a wasted journey. Testing two to three days before your treatment date gives your team time to review results, contact you if there is a concern, and adjust the plan before you set off.
Will my chemotherapy cycle be delayed if a result is borderline?
That depends on which test and how far outside the normal range the result is. Your CION team reviews every result against your specific protocol — a mildly low reading may allow treatment to proceed, while a significantly abnormal one may mean a short delay. The value of local testing done early is that your team can tell you before you travel, so you are not making a long journey for an appointment that cannot go ahead.
Does Aarogyasri or NTR Vaidya Seva cover blood tests at a local lab?
Coverage depends on the scheme and the specific facility. Aarogyasri (for Telangana residents) and NTR Vaidya Seva (for Andhra Pradesh residents) cover defined procedures at empanelled centres, but a pre-cycle blood test at a private local lab may not be covered unless that lab is on the scheme's empanelled list. Ask your CION coordinator or the lab itself before you book, so you know what costs to expect.
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