Understanding Common Lab Test and How to Prepare
Laboratory tests play a crucial role in maintaining and managing your health by providing valuable insights into your body’s condition. Your provider may order labs to gather essential information about your overall health, diagnose conditions or monitor existing health issues. Lab tests can help detect early signs of illness before symptoms appear, providing a clearer picture of what is happening inside your body. Lab tests can also be used to monitor ongoing conditions, such as diabetes, kidney disease or liver function, ensuring that your treatment plan is effective or if adjustment are needed. By ordering lab tests, your provider is taking a proactive approach to ensure you are receiving the best care. Hattiesburg Clinic’s laboratory is dedicated to providing precise and efficient testing to help manage patient care.
Summary of Contents
Understanding common lab test and the process for getting results can help you feel more prepared and confident. This article covers essential topics such as fasting, managing anxiety and how long it takes to receive results. You’ll also learn what to do if you receive abnormal results, whether you can bring someone with you and where to go for testing. By knowing what to expect, you can ensure a smooth and stress-free lab experience.
What Are Common Lab Tests?
| Abbreviations | Name | Testing For |
| A1C | Hemoglobin A1c | Indicates average blood sugar over 2-3 months |
| ALT, AST or ALP | Liver Function Tests | Assesses liver health and enzyme levels |
| ANA | Antinuclear Antibody Test | Screens for autoimmune diseases |
| BMP | Basic Metabolic Panel | Assesses glucose, kidney function and electrolytes |
| CBC | Complete Blood Count | Checks for infections, anemia and blood disorders |
| CMP | Comprehensive Metabolic Panel | Includes BMP plus liver function tests |
| CRP | C-Reactive Protein | Detects inflammation |
| E1, E2 or E3 | Estrogen | Monitors hormone balance and fertility |
| ESR | Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate | Detects inflammation |
| FBS/RBS | Blood Glucose | Measures current blood sugar levels |
| Ferritin, TIBC | Iron Panel | Assesses iron levels for anemia diagnosis |
| FOLT | Folate | Detects vitamin deficiencies linked to anemia |
| Free T3 | Triiodothyronine | Measures thyroid hormone levels |
| Free T4 | Thyroxine | Measures thyroid hormone levels |
| Hep A, Hep B and Hep C | Hepatitis Panel | Screens for hepatitis A, B and C |
| HIV | Human Immunodeficiency Virus | Detects human immunodeficiency virus. |
| IgE | Immunoglobulin E | Detects allergic reactions and measure levels of antibodies in blood |
| INR | International Normalized Ratio | Used to monitor anticoagulant medicines and blood clotting |
| K | Potassium | Measures the amount of Potassium in blood |
| LDL, HDL, CHOL or Triglycerides | Lipid Panel | Evaluates cholesterol levels to assess heart disease risk |
| Mg | Magnesium | Measures the amount of Magnesium in blood |
| PROG | Progesterone | Monitors hormone balance and fertility |
| PSA | Prostate-Specific Antigen | Screens for prostate health |
| RENAL | Renal Panel | Measures the levels of various substances in your blood to assess kidney function |
| STI | Sexually Transmitted Infection | Identifies sexually transmitted infections such as Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, etc. |
| TEST | Testosterone | Monitors hormone balance and fertility |
| TSH | Thyroid Function Tests | Measures thyroid hormone levels. |
| UA | Urinalysis | Screens for infections, kidney function and metabolic disorders |
| VB12 | Vitamin B12 | Detects vitamin deficiencies linked to anemia |
| Vit D | Vitamin D | Assesses vitamin D deficiency |
When Should I Be Fasting?
Fasting for blood work means avoiding all food and drink, except water, for a specific period of time before your test, usually eight to twelve hours. Fasting helps ensure accurate results for tests that measure glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides or other indicator that are affected by food. While fasting, you should drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, but avoid coffee, tea, juice or gum. Medications should be taken as usual unless instructed otherwise by a doctor. Always follow your health care provider’s specific fasting instructions to ensure accurate lab results. If you are unsure whether to fast for your blood work, contact the ordering provider’s office.
What Can I Do If I Feel Anxious?
If you tend to feel anxious or faint during a blood test, there are several steps you can take to help manage your symptoms and make the experience more comfortable. First, let the staff know about your concerns ahead of time, so they can take extra care in making the procedure as smooth as possible. If you know you are prone to fainting, ask to lie down during the test to prevent dizziness and ensure you are comfortable. Staying hydrated beforehand and avoid skipping meals, as low blood sugar can contribute to feeling faint. Lastly, focus on the fact that the procedure is quick and temporary and remember that you are taking care of your health by getting the test done.
How Long Does It Take to Receive Results?
The time it takes to receive lab test results depends on the type of test and the procedure for completing the test. Some routine tests are often available the same day or within 24 hours. Panel tests, which focus on testing for a specific condition or test multiple factors, may take a few days to provide results. Genetic screenings, allergy panels and culture tests often require one to two weeks for accurate results. Once ready, results are sent to the physician’s office and uploaded to patient portal, Iris. Remember that you may see the results in Iris prior to your provider reviewing the results. Once the results have been reviewed, a staff member will reach out to review the results with you.
What to Do if You Have Abnormal Lab Results?
Receiving abnormal lab results can be unsettling, but it is important to remain calm. A slight deviation from the normal range may not necessarily indicate a serious health issue. In some cases, abnormal results may require retesting to confirm. The best course of action is to review your results with your physician’s office. They can interpret the results within the context of your overall health, medical history and symptoms. You may ask your physician about potential causes, necessary follow-up tests and possible environmental factors.
Who Can I Bring With Me?
When going for blood work, consider bringing someone with you if you feel anxious about needles, have a history of fainting or need assistance due to mobility issues. However, if you feel comfortable going alone, most routine blood tests are quick and straightforward.Service animals trained to assist with medical needs are welcome to accompany their owners to lab appointments in accordance with ADA guidelines.
If you are bringing a child with you, it is essential not to leave your children unattended. Be sure to bring along someone who can help watch your children while you are getting lab work done. This ensures their safety and well-being. Labs can be busy environments with potentially hazardous equipment, chemicals, or sharp objects that can pose a risk to curious children.
Where Can I Go For Testing?
Once you have received orders from your provider, you can visit Hattiesburg Clinic’s main lab located within the main clinic building at 415 South 28th Avenue in Hattiesburg. Our lab offers walk-in testing Monday through Friday 6:30 a.m. to 5 a.m. Many of Hattiesburg Clinic’s Primary Care satellite locations are also able to draw for testing, but you may need to call ahead to schedule an appointment. Again, you must have either electronic or written orders from a provider to have lab testing completed. If you are unsure of where you can go to complete your lab work, contact the ordering physician’s office.
Why Choose Hattiesburg Clinic?
When it comes to managing your health, choosing Hattiesburg Clinic for your lab testing needs ensures you receive the highest standard of care. Our accredited lab, equipped with state-of-the-art technology, is staffed by skilled and compassionate professionals. Whether you are undergoing routine wellness checks or specialized testing, our team is committed to delivering accurate results that empower your health care provider to make informed decisions about your treatment. With convenient testing locations, including the main lab and various primary care satellites, we make it easy for you to get the lab work you need. At Hattiesburg Clinic, your health is our top priority, and we are here to support you every step of the way.
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About Hattiesburg Clinic Laboratory:
The Hattiesburg Clinic main lab is accredited through CLIA offering high-complexity testing with state-of-the-art technology to provide on-site comprehensive testing services tailored to your needs. The team of laboratorians consists of highly degreed, trained and board certified technologists, assistants and phlebotomists, who play a vital role in delivering accurate and timely results, helping our providers make informed decisions about your plan of care. From routine wellness checks to specialized prenatal and preoperative testing, your health is our top priority.
About Hattiesburg Clinic:
Hattiesburg Clinic is Mississippi’s largest privately-owned, multispecialty clinic. More than 60 years after its beginning, the clinic has grown to over 450 physicians and providers, caring for patients in more than 17 counties in South Mississippi. Along with over 2,500 professional staff employees, these physicians and providers come together for a common purpose, to serve the over 500,000 community members who live and work in South Mississippi every day.