Creekside Family Health Clinic offers a variety of commonly ordered tests that screen for, and aid the maintenance of, a variety of health conditions. If you don’t see the lab you want, please contact the clinic to choose from hundreds of available tests.
Blood Type
Blood typing is the classification of red blood cells based on the inherited presence or absence of particular cell proteins.
Why do I need it?
The best reason to know your blood type is so that you can give and receive compatible blood.
What do I do with the results?
Your results are permanent and should be added to your medical record.
Complete Blood Count (CBC with Differential)
A Complete Blood Count or CBC can provide you a good snapshot of your health and is a standard part of an annual exam. This test gives important information about the characteristics, kind and the number of cells in your blood including red cells, white cells, and platelets. Health providers use this information to diagnose and treat symptomatic conditions or to screen for conditions in which symptoms have not yet developed.
Why do I need it?
A CBC is a good test to get for individuals with the following symptoms or health histories:
- Fatigue
- Frequent infections
- Delayed healing
- Bleeding or bruising
- Personal or family history of inflammation, blood disorders, or leukemia
What do I do with the results?
If your results are abnormal or out-of-range from the normal, please contact a health care provider. The interpretation of any laboratory test should be made only by a licensed nurse practitioner or physician.
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel
A Comprehensive Metabolic Panel is a panel of 14 blood tests that measures sugar level, electrolyte and fluid balance, kidney function, and liver function. The comprehensive metabolic panel is used as a broad screening tool to evaluate organ function and check for conditions such as diabetes, liver disease, and kidney disease.
Why do I need it?
The CMP is routinely ordered as part of a blood work-up for a medical exam or yearly physical. It is also routinely administered to monitor the status of patient with a history of chronic disease, such as diabetes mellitus or hypertension.
What do I do with the results?
If your results are abnormal or out-of-range from the normal, please contact a health care provider. The interpretation of any laboratory test should be made only by a licensed nurse practitioner or physician.
Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) Colorectal Cancer Screening
What is it?
The FIT test detects non-visible blood in the stool. It is a much more sensitive and acuurate test than the previously used GUIAC stool cards.
Why do I need it?
The FIT test is a non-invasive screen for gastro-intestinal disease including colo-rectal cancer. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates nearly 150,000 men and women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer this year. Patients aged 50 or older, with no personal or family history of colorectal cancer should consider, as one of their screening options, annual screening with a FIT test for this disease.
What do I do with the results?
If your results are abnormal or out-of-range from the normal, please contact a health care provider. The interpretation of any laboratory test should be made only by a licensed nurse practitioner or physician.
Ferritin
A ferritin blood test checks the amount of ferritin in the blood. Ferritin enables your red blood cells (hemoglobin) to bind to iron and carry oxygen throughout your body.
Why do I need it?
A ferritin test is routinely done for evaluation and treatment of fatigue, and other chronic medical conditions such as diabetes and kidney disease.
What do I do with the results?
If your results are ‘abnormal’ or ‘out-of-range’ from the normal, please contact a health care provider. The interpretation of any laboratory test should be made only by a licensed nurse practitioner or physician.
Gonorrhea & Chlamydia
Gonorrhea and Chlamydia are sexually transmitted diseases (STD) that are usually spread during sexual contact. They frequently do not cause symptoms prior to the complications. A sample of urine or blood may be used to determine infection with Gonorrhea or Chlamydia.
Why do I need it?
Tests for Gonorrhea and Chlamydia are done to:
- Determine if a Gonorrhea or Chlamydia infection may be causing symptoms such as painful urination, anal itching or bleeding, vaginal bleeding after intercourse, or abnormal discharge from the penis or vagina.
- Because a Gonorrhea and Chlamydia infections do not always cause symptoms, screening is important. Screening is recommended for:
- People who engage in inter-course with new partners.
- During annual exams for sexually active people.
- At certain pre-natal visits
- People with infections of reproductive organs
What do I do with the results?
If your results are abnormal or out-of-range from the normal, please contact a health care provider. The interpretation of any laboratory test should be made only by a licensed nurse practitioner or physician.
Helicobacter Pylori (H. Pylori)
H. pylori is a bacterium found in your stomach that can cause ulcers, heartburn and even stomach cancer.
Why do I need it?
Abdominal pains, indigestion, nausea, heatburn, are sometimes symptoms of an infection by H. pylori. If you test positive for H. pylori, your nurse practitioner or physician can treat this condition with antibiotics.
What do I do with the results?
If your results are abnormal or out-of-range from the normal, please contact a health care provider. The interpretation of any laboratory test should be made only by a licensed nurse practitioner or physician.
Herpes Simplex Virus (I/II) lgG
The test screens for the two types of Herpes Simplex Virus-1 (HSV-1) and Simplex Virus-2 (HSV-2). HSV-1 and HSV-2 are common and usually chronic infections that may be spread through oral or sexual contact. Both HSV-1 and HSV-2 can cause oral or genital infections.
Why do I need it?
Many of those infected with herpes are unaware they have it. HSV tests are important for detecting asymptomatic and symptomatic infections. It may take up to three to six months after a possible infection for HSV to show up in blood work. In addition, there is some evidence that people with HSV are more likely to contract sexually transmitted diseases (STSs), including HIV. For this reason, an HSV lab is often added on to a lab panel screening for additional STDs. See thee STD panel below.
What do I do with the results?
If your results are abnormal or out-of-range from the normal, please contact a health care provider. The interpretation of any laboratory test should be made only by a licensed nurse practitioner or physician.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Test
A human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) test detects antibodies to HIV. This determines whether an HIV infection is present (HIV-positive). HIV infects white blood cells called CD4+ cells, which are part of the body’s immune system that help fight infections. HIV causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), a long-term chronic disease that can be fatal.
After the original infection, it takes between 2 weeks and 6 months for antibodies to HIV to appear in the blood. The period between becoming infected with HIV and the point at which antibodies to HIV can be detected in the blood is called the seroconversion or “window” period. During this period, an HIV-infected person can still spread the disease, even though a test will not detect any antibodies in his or her blood.
Why do I need it?
A test for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is done to:
- Detect an HIV infection. Testing is often done for people with risk factors for HIV infection and people who have symptoms of an HIV infection.
- Screen blood, blood products, and organ donors, to prevent the spread of HIV.
- Screen pregnant women for HIV infection. The United States Preventive Services Task Force recommends all pregnant women be screened. Pregnant women who are infected with HIV and receive treatment are less likely to pass the infection on to their babies than are women who do not receive treatment.
- Find out if a child born to an HIV-positive woman also is infected with HIV.
What do I do with the results?
If you have tested positive for HIV, you should see your primary care physician for a referral to an Infectious Disease physician or seek information from your local health department.
Iron Study
An iron study checks the amount of iron in the blood and how well it is being utilized in the body. Iron enables the red blood cell protein, hemoglobin, to carry oxygen to all parts of the body.
About 70% of the body’s iron is bound to hemoglobin in red blood cells. The rest is bound to other proteins (transferrin in blood or ferritin in bone marrow) or stored in other body tissues. When red blood cells die, their iron is released and carried by transferrin to the bone marrow and to other organs such as the liver and spleen. In the bone marrow, iron is stored and used as needed to make new red blood cells.
The iron studies check the:
- Ferritin level (see ferritin)
- Amount of iron bound to transferrin in the blood (serum).
- Amount of iron needed to bind to all of the transferrin. This value is called the total iron-binding capacity (TIBC).
- Percentage of transferrin with iron bound to it. This value is called transferrin saturation (iron % saturation).
Why do I need it?
To help diagnose and treat the cause of fatigue and other chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, liver, gastro-intestinal, and kidney disease. The source of all the body’s iron is food, such as liver and other meat, eggs, fish, and leafy green vegetables. The body needs more iron at times of growth (such as during adolescence), for pregnancy, during breast-feeding, or at times when there are low levels of iron in the body (such as after bleeding).
What do I do with the results?
If your results are abnormal or out-of-range from the normal, please contact a health care provider. The interpretation of any laboratory test should be made only by a licensed nurse practitioner or physician.
Paternity
The paternity test is a way to fingerprint genetic material (DNA) in the blood. It is very unlikely that any 2 people would have exactly the same DNA information, in the same way that it is very unlikely that any 2 people would have exactly the same genetic code in their DNA. A person who has DNA fingerprinting done voluntarily usually provides a sample of blood taken from a vein. DNA testing also can be done on cells obtained by a simple mouthwash or a swab of the cheeks inside the mouth, but these methods are not recommended.
Why do I need it?
The test can used to determine whether a family genetic relationship exists between two people.
What do I do with the results?
The results are generally used to identify the biological parent of a child or relationship to an older person.
Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA)
This test measures the level of prostate specific antigen (PSA) in men. Elevations of PSA may indicate prostate disease such as benign hypertrophy or cancer. These conditions may produce mild or no symptoms. Having this test does not eliminate the need for rectal evaluation of the prostate gland nor does the rectal exam eliminate the need for a PSA test.
Why do I need it?
Only men have PSA. The test is needed to:
- Screen for prostate disease including cancer;
- Annually or periodically after removal of the prostate gland (especially for malignancy);
- Periodically for men undergoing treatment for cancer;
- Annually in men over 50 years old or younger if in a high risk group including tobacco use, African American ancestry, diabetes, prior or family health history of cancer, or a diet high in saturated fats (especially animal fats);
- Increasing frequency off urination especially at night;
- Decreased force of urine stream;
- Rectal pain.
What do I do with the results?
If your results are abnormal or out-of-range from the normal, please contact a health care provider. The interpretation of any laboratory test should be made only by a licensed nurse practitioner or physician.
Prothrombin Time Test (PT/INR)
The Prothrombin time (PT/INR) is a blood test that measures how long it takes blood to clot.
Why do I need it?
The PT/INR test is used to check the blood clotting time in people who have:
- Excessive bruising
- Rectal bleeding
- Gum bleeding
- Anti-coagulant or blood thinning medications
- Certain chronic medications or medical conditions
- Signs, symptoms, or history of blood clots (thrombophlebitis) in vessels or organs
- Fatigue
The PT/INR is also used to monitor whether medicine used to prevent blood clots is working. An abnormal PT/INR test may be a sign of liver disease or injury or indicate the need to adjust the dosage of blood thinner (anti-coagulation) medicine.
What do I do with the results?
If your results are abnormal or out-of-range from the normal, please contact a health care provider. The interpretation of any laboratory test should be made only by a licensed nurse practitioner or physician.
Syphilis
Syphilis tests detect antibodies to the bacterium that causes syphilis (Treponema pallidum) in blood, body fluid, or tissue. The tests are used to screen for or to confirm a syphilis infection. Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that is usually spread during sexual contact, including kissing or oral sex. Syphilis may have mild or absent symptoms in its early phases and may cause brain, nervous system, heart or eye damage which can be permanent or fatal.
Why do I need it?
A test for syphilis is done to:
- Screen for syphilis or monitor treatment for a syphilis infection. Screening tests help your doctor look for a certain disease or condition before any symptoms appear. This increases the chance of finding the infection when it can be cured or treated to avoid long-term problems.
- Some states require the VDRL screening test before a couple can obtain a marriage license.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommend that all pregnant women be screened for syphilis early in pregnancy.
- Confirm that a syphilis infection is present.
If your results are abnormal or out-of-range from the normal, please contact a health care provider. The interpretation of any laboratory test should be made only by a licensed nurse practitioner or physician.
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
A thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) blood test is used to check for thyroid gland problems.
Why do I need it?
A TSH test is done to:
- Find out whether the thyroid gland is working properly.
- An underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism) can cause symptoms such as depression, weight gain, fatigue, dry skin, constipation, a feeling of being too cold, or heavy menstrual periods.
- An overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) can cause symptoms such as hair and skin changes, concentration problems, weight loss, rapid heart rate, anxiety, insomnia, shakiness, diarrhea, a feeling of being too hot, or irregular menstrual periods.
- Monitor and adjust the treatment used for thyroid disease.
- Monitor patients with thyroid or partial thyroid removal.
What do I do with the results?
If your results are abnormal or out-of-range from the normal, please contact a health care provider. The interpretation of any laboratory test should be made only by a licensed nurse practitioner or physician.
Vitamin B-12/Folate
A vitamin B12 test measures the amount of vitamin B12 in the blood. The body needs this B vitamin along with Folate to make blood cells and to maintain a healthy nervous system.
Vitamin B12 is found in animal products such as meat, shellfish, milk, cheese, and eggs. Folate is found in leafy green vegetables, citrus fruits, dry beans and peas, liver, and yeast.
Why do I need it?
A vitamin B12/Folate test is used to:
- Check for the possible cause of symptoms including fatigue, irritability, and difficulty concentrating.
- Check for vitamin B12/Folate deficiency anemia. There are several risk factors for this anemia, such as those who have had stomach or intestinal surgery, small intestine problems, or people with a family history of this anemia.
- Diagnose the cause of certain types of anemia.
- Help find the cause of dementia or other nervous system symptoms, such as tingling or numbness of the arms or legs (peripheral neuropathy).
What do I do with the results?
If your results are abnormal or out-of-range from the normal, please contact a health care provider. The interpretation of any laboratory test should be made only by a licensed nurse practitioner or physician.
Vitamin D25 Hydroxy
Vitamin D supports the function of all cells most notable skin, bone, muscle, and blood cells. Vitamin D, also known as the Sunshine Vitamin, is responsible for the processing of calcium for strong bones. It can be found in fortified foods such as milk, cheese, grains and in food such as eggs, wild Alaskan salmon, fish and fish liver oil. Supplements can provide additional vitamin D but the sun is required to activate Vitamin D functions. Symptoms of low Vitamin D levels are more common northern or non-sunny climates.
Why do I need it?
Symptoms of low Vitamin D levels are more common northern or non-sunny climates. Symptoms of low vitamin D may include fatigue, depression, muscle pain, or spasm, joint pain, delayed healing and numbness or tingling sensations. Vitamin D insufficiency may also contribute to developing conditions such as diabetes and osteoporosis. Researchers are increasingly recommending a year-round level of 50 ng/ml as the minimum acceptable level in children and adults especially during non-sunny seasons or climates.
What do I do with the results?
If your results are abnormal or out-of-range from the normal, please contact a health care provider to discuss prescription of a Vitamin D supplement. The interpretation of any laboratory test should be made only by a licensed nurse practitioner or physician.
Stay Connected: