Hi, I am new here, and I have a general question.

I am a 50 y.o. male living in New Zealand for 12 years. Before that, I used to live in Switzerland. I am pretty OK, with just some high blood pressure, probably congenital, which I have had for over 15 years (I am on betablockers) and the odd flu or minor skin rash. In other terms, I am rather in good health.

Since I arrived in New Zealand 12 years ago, my various doctors (general practitioners whom I see every 6 months to renew my prescription) have been sending me for regular blood tests. At first, it was once a year; now the frequency seems to be once every 6 months. The blood tests are always inconclusive.

I do not recall having gone through so many blood tests when I used to live in Switzerland, until 12 years ago. Is it

1) a New Zealand obsession?

2) because I am getting older?

3) a new evolution of medicine in general?

It is a real bother for me, since I haven't found yet a nurse able to take my blood reliably. I often end up with 3 attempts in each arm - and no blood has been taken out of me. No matter what that lab or hospital where I am trying, it has been the same problem for 10 years or so. So I am going through lots of trouble for no results at all, when blood is finally extracted from me.