- What is a laboratory test?
- Why are these tests useful?
- Will my insurance pay for my tests?
- I am healthy - why do I need a test?
- How is a test done?
- How will I receive the results of my test?
- Will I be able to understand the results of my test?
- How can I contact someone if I have questions about my test results?
- Can I take the results to my doctor for a diagnosis?
- How should these tests be interpreted?
- What do abnormal test results mean?
- What are"normal ranges"?
- Why are there different units of measurement?
1. What is a laboratory test?
A laboratory test is a medical procedure that involves testing a sample of blood, urine, or other tissues or substances in the body. A regular physical examination helps to establish your level of health in ways that a doctor can see, hear, or touch, such as vision, hearing, weight, respiratory functions. A laboratory test provides additional information about your health that cannot be measured in such a way.The tests that you order are the same medically accepted laboratory tests ordered by doctors. A small sample of your blood is tested by a fully accredited Medical Laboratory and analysed for the information that is needed by you or your doctor.
2. Why are these tests useful?
A laboratory test is an important aspect of a personal wellness programme that can tell you many things about your health that might otherwise go undetected. They are often used as part of a routine check-up to identify possible changes in a person's health before any symptoms occur. Laboratory tests also play an important role in diagnosis when a person has symptoms. In addition, tests may be used to help plan a patient's treatment, evaluate the response to treatment, or monitor the course of the disease over time.
Laboratory test samples are analysed to determine whether the test results fall within normal ranges. They also may be checked for changes from previous tests. Normal test values are usually given as a range, rather than as a specific number, because normal values vary from person to person. What is normal for one person may not be normal for another person. Many factors (including the patient's sex, age, race, medical history, and general health) can affect test results.
Other factors that sometimes affect test results include specific foods, drugs the patient is taking, how closely the patient follows preparatory instructions, and variations in laboratory techniques. It is also common for normal ranges to vary somewhat from laboratory to laboratory.
3. Will my insurance pay for my tests?
Most insurance plans will reimburse you if you provide a claim form requesting the tests and signed by a doctor. If you are in doubt, call your insurance company to find out in advance.
4. I am healthy - why do I need a test?
Knowledge of your blood chemistry is your best defence against symptom-less degenerative diseases. A simple blood test such as your total cholesterol can indicate what is happening in your body long before any symptoms of disease occur. Similar to a warning indicator on your automobile, your blood profile is one of the best warning indicators now known to medicine.
When blood tests reveal abnormalities, it is important to reverse the situation as quickly as possible to reduce the risk of complications. Even a test result that is normal is useful: not only does it help to rule out potential problems, it establishes a baseline against which future tests can be monitored. When you understand these tests and the role blood plays in your body, you can keep your test values within normal ranges through exercise and proper nutrition. When you visit your doctor, a record of previous laboratory reports that you have kept can often provide the clue to a proper diagnosis.
5. How is a test done?
Simply come to the test centre, fill out the client information profile, and select your tests and method of payment. The technician will draw a small sample of your blood for testing.
6. How will I receive the results of my test?
Your test results will be ready in a few days. You can either return to collect them or put your address on the envelope provided and they will be sent to you by mail. Please allow ten business days to receive your results.
7. Will I be able to understand the results of my test?
Yes - all test results include reference ranges and abnormalities found. A detailed explanation of each test will be included.
8. How can I contact someone if I have questions about my test results?
Any questions regarding significant findings or abnormal levels should be discussed with your personal physician. If you wish, an appointment can be made with a doctor at the Wellness Centre.
9. Can I take the results to my doctor for a diagnosis?
Yes - the tests that you order are the same medically accepted lab tests ordered by physicians, and your doctor will be able to discuss them with you. Your doctor will use these results in conjunction with your history and may even decide to order additional tests to confirm the results of any abnormalities.
10. How should these tests be interpreted?
The tests done at the Wellness Test Centre are generally considered to be screening tests to help determine if additional tests are necessary. The "normal" ranges for each test are based on a comparable set of values obtained from healthy subjects. It is possible that an abnormal value may be normal for you, but any abnormal result should be discussed with your personal doctor as only a doctor is qualified to make a determination as to the significance and/or make a diagnosis.
One purpose of screening is to prevent disease before symptoms occur. In those instances where symptoms have developed, laboratory tests results help confirm that a problem does exist. But a normal test result is just as significant as an abnormal result. A normal result does not mean that a test was unnecessary.
When a result is normal, it not only helps rule out disease, but is also establishes a baseline for future assessments. A person's own result is the best baseline for monitoring any change that takes place in the future. All laboratory test results must be interpreted in the context of the overall health of the patient and are generally used along with other exams or tests.
The doctor who is familiar with the patient's medical history and current condition is in the best position to interpret that person's test results and explain their implications. Patients are encouraged to discuss questions or concerns about laboratory test results with the doctor.
11. What do abnormal test results mean?
Abnormalities should be considered as an early warning alerting you that it is necessary to reverse the condition immediately. To bring your test values back to within normal limits, your doctor may suggest a change in diet, exercise and, possibly, medication.
12. What are"normal ranges"?
Because reference ranges (except for some lipid studies) are typically defined as the range of values of the median 95% of the healthy population, it is unlikely that a given specimen, even from a healthy patient, will show "normal" values for all the tests in a lengthy profile. Therefore, caution should be exercised to prevent overreaction to miscellaneous, mild abnormalities without clinical correlate.
13. Why are there different units of measurement?
American labs use a different version of the metric system than does most of the rest of the world, which uses the Système Internationale (SI). In some cases translation between the two systems is easy, but the difference between the two is most pronounced in measurement of chemical concentration. The American system generally uses mass per unit volume, while SI uses moles per unit volume. Since mass per mole varies with the molecular weight of the analyte, conversion between American and SI units requires many different conversion factors.
Lipid Profile
This includes your Total Cholesterol; LDL cholesterol ("bad" cholesterol), HDL cholesterol ("good" cholesterol), and Triglycerides (another kind of fat in the blood that affects your risk of heart disease).
Blood Sugar
This is not just a check to see if you have diabetes, but an indication of how well your body is metabolisng glucose; another indicator of your risk of heart disease.
Complete Blood Count
Your haemoglobin level, white cell count, and other checks for problems with your blood
Renal Function Tests
Tests that indicate how well your kidneys are concentrating urine and clearing metabolites from your body. Expecially important if you have diabetes or high blood pressure
Liver Function Tests
A check for malfunction in the cells of the liver; a very important organ that can be damaged by alcohol, viral infections and various medications.
Micro-urinalysis
An examination of your urine under a microscope to look for signs of infection and/or damage to the kidneys. The acidity of your urine is checked and the specific gravity (concentration) is measured.
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
A tracing of the flow of electricity through the heart which can indicate enlargement and other abnormatlities.
Stress ECG
A check for poor blood supply to the heart muscle and other abnormalities while the heart is being exercised.
Other Tests:
In the course of your initial interview, the doctor may find that other tests are indicated. These may include: thyroid profile, stool occult blood, arthritis profile, etc.
