Lab Testing
LAB TESTING
CONSULTATIONS OFFERED AT OUR FIVE CONVENIENT LOCATIONS IN DELRAY BEACH, LAKE WORTH, DEERFIELD BEACH, FORT LAUDERDALE AND CORAL SPRINGS, FL
Laboratory testing is necessary for patients with new health concerns, and for the ongoing monitoring of diseases. It’s always a concern when your health situation changes. But with a medical examination, followed by the relevant tests, you can stay informed about your medical wellbeing, and your physician can ensure you get the right medications and treatments.
Comprehensive, professional testing and evaluation mean patients get the most out of one visit. Perhaps you are dealing with a physical ailment, a change in your energy levels, or you want to find out more about specific aspects of your health. Perhaps you are trying to find out more about your nutrition so you can eat in a more healthy way.
Whatever your reason for diagnostic testing, blood, urine, and other analyses can be ordered and performed after a simple visit to Dr. G’s Urgent Care in Delray Beach, Coral Springs, Hollywood, Sunrise, Lake Worth, Fort Lauderdale, and Deerfield Beach. Walk-ins are welcome at one of our seven locations in South Florida. Alternatively, you can schedule your visit by calling (561) 330-9363, by emailing us at admin@drgsurgentcare.com, or by filling out the simple form on our website.
GETTING LAB TESTS
Lab tests can provide valuable insight into a patient’s health. Conducted under the most stringent of conditions, they give some of the most accurate information about our health to our providers.The best clinical care starts with a discussion and physical assessment, and continues with diagnostic testing to screen and diagnose health conditions. The typical process includes the following steps:
- The patient presents with a health complaint.
- Their doctor gives them clinical advice and/or orders medication
- The doctor requests lab tests for analysis.
- Results are interpreted and reported back to the patient.
- The doctor creates the appropriate treatment plan.
WHAT IS DIAGNOSTIC STEWARDSHIP?
Diagnostic stewardship is the ordering of the right tests for the right patient, at the right time. (2) By providing timely, appropriate diagnostics and diagnoses, doctors can help their patients in the most effective ways.
PREPARING FOR LAB TESTING
In most cases, patients are not required to prepare for testing. However, it is important to follow your healthcare provider’s instructions carefully if there are specific steps you should take prior to the test. Common preparatory measures include the following. (3)
- Fasting (not eating or drinking past a certain time)
- Avoiding certain medications
- Avoiding certain dietary supplements
You must tell your provider if you experience any trouble following your instructions exactly as they are written.
NUTRITIONAL TESTING
If you have a nutritional deficiency, you may experience a number of unwanted symptoms which require further investigation. Your provider may order lab tests to find the cause. Nutritional testing may be required if your weight is low for your height, your height is low for your age, you have physical signs of vitamin and mineral deficiencies, or if you are overweight, or have a weight-associated illness (e.g. type 2 diabetes).
Routine nutritional laboratory testing includes evaluation of the following: (3)
- Serum Electrolytes
- Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
- Creatinine
- Blood Glucose Levels
- Lipid Profile
- Liver Enzymes
- Complete Blood Count
Do not make any changes in your diet before consulting a physician. It is also important to get lab testing in order to make doctor-monitored changes to your diet.
TESTING FOR FOOD ALLERGIES
Although skin prick tests are usually done in your primary care doctor’s office, sometimes suspected food allergies require blood tests to screen for IgE antibodies. Common food allergies include the following.
- Tree Nuts (almonds, walnuts etc.)
- Peanuts (groundnuts)
- Shellfish (shrimp, crab etc.)
- Milk
- Eggs
- Wheat
- Soy
Allergy testing can help patients avoid serious medical emergencies and decrease the chance of further medical complications occurring. This leads to lower risks and a reduction in hospital visits. (4) It can also help people to learn more about food intolerances, which are not as serious as food allergies, but can still cause uncomfortable symptoms.
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ORGAN FUNCTION
If your physician suspects that something is wrong with one or multiple of your organs, they may order laboratory tests for confirmation. Certain physical symptoms of organ issues should be taken seriously. Signs of organ dysfunction can include loss of appetite, fatigue, abnormal urine color, nausea or vomiting, and changes in normal bowel habits. The most frequently tested organs include the liver, kidneys, bowels, and the pancreas.
SIGNS OF ORGAN DYSFUNCTION
- Liver: fatigue, nausea, yellowing of the skin (jaundice), abdominal swelling (edema), weight loss
- Kidneys: nausea, vomiting, more/less frequent urination, fatigue, sleep problems, mental fog/slowness
- Bowels: abdominal cramping, diarrhea/constipation (or both), abdominal bloating
- Pancreas: abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, rapid pulse, fever
Some cases of organ dysfunction require immediate attention. Don’t wait. See a medical professional as soon as possible for lab testing and an accurate diagnosis.
DISEASE MONITORING
Chronic conditions such as cancer, heart disease, and diabetes can become a significant burden on those who suffer from them. That’s why it’s important for your doctor to schedule regular lab testing. Most blood tests include a complete blood count (CBC). Some of the other most commonly performed tests for ongoing diseases are below.
- Cancer – Tumor marker tests, urinalysis, blood tests, red blood cell (RBC), white blood cells (WBC)
- Heart Disease – Lipid panel, High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs CRP), Lipoprotein (Lp(a))
- Kidney Disease – Urinalysis, serum creatinine test, glomerular filtration test (GFT)
- Liver Disease – Serum bilirubin test, serum albumin test, serum alkaline phosphatase test
- Diabetes – A1C test, fasting plasma glucose (FPG) test, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)
- HIV/AIDS – ELISAHerpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Types 1 & 2 test, CD4 and CD8 cell counts, RBC, WBC, platelet count, ALT liver function test
Based on your condition and current health status, your provider will determine which lab tests to order.
COVID-19 TESTING
We have all gotten used to Covid testing in the past few years. Taking a rapid test at home can get you quick answers, but your results are more likely to be accurate with a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test.
Symptoms of Covid-19
- Cough
- Fever or chills
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- New loss of taste or smell
- Congestion or runny nose
- New fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Sore throat
- Diarrhea
- Nausea or vomiting
- Headache
With locations all around South Florida, including Delray Beach, Lake Worth, Hollywood, Coral Springs, Sunrise, Deerfield Beach and Fort Lauderdale, you can count on Dr,G’s to provide the Covid care you and your family needs.
If you suspect you have Covid-19, arrange an in-person visit, or schedule a video call with us.
STI TESTING
Sexually transmitted infections are on the rise in the United States. That’s why it is important to understand as many aspects of your sexual health as possible, and to practice safe sex. This means being open and honest with your sexual partners, and your doctor! Dr. G’s offers comprehensive STD testing for the following conditions.
- Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Types 1 & 2
- Human Papillomavirus
- Trichomoniasis
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhea
- Syphilis
- Hepatitis B
- HIV/AIDS
ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS, PEACE OF MIND IN SOUTH FLORIDA
In most cases, patients are not required to prepare for testing. However, it is important to follow your healthcare provider’s instructions carefully if there are specific steps you should take prior to the test. Common preparatory measures include the following. (3)
- Fasting (not eating or drinking past a certain time)
- Avoiding certain medications
- Avoiding certain dietary supplements
You must tell your provider if you experience any trouble following your instructions exactly as they are written.
FAQ
WHY DO I FEEL TIRED ALL THE TIME?
There are many causes of fatigue and lethargy. And, it’s important to find out the root cause to ensure there is nothing serious going on. One of the most common causes of ongoing fatigue is anemia, or a lack of red blood cells. This can be confirmed with a simple blood test.
HOW DO I FIND OUT IF I HAVE A FOOD ALLERGY?
If you suspect you have a food allergy or an intolerance to certain foods, you will need diagnostic lab testing to find out for certain. Your provider may order a skin test or blood tests to determine the foods you are and are not reacting to.
WHY DO I HAVE TO FAST BEFORE SOME LAB TESTS?
The vitamins and minerals in food and drinks can interfere with your results. Certain foods and drinks can skew your test results, making them unreliable. Follow your doctor’s pre-testing instructions carefully to ensure you get accurate results.
HOW MANY THINGS ARE MEASURED IN A BLOOD TEST?
It depends on the patient and the blood tests ordered. There are hundreds of aspects of your health that can be measured with a blood test. Your doctor will choose the tests they think are most pertinent to the symptoms you present.
URGENT CARE WITH A DIFFERENCE
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Our caring, experienced medical staff are on hand to provide quality medical care for your family when you need it the most. You can trust us to help you with your family’s health and wellness! We have multiple locations throughout South Florida. Feel free to get to know our friendly staff on our website!
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