What is a laboratory test?

Laboratory testing includes thousands of different tests that can be performed on a wide variety of specimens including blood, urine, and stool, as well as specimens from the throat, skin, and wounds, among others.

The most frequently performed tests are blood sugar (glucose), cholesterol, red and white blood cell counts, and kidney and liver tests.

Why are lab tests done?

Lab tests are generally done to:

• Establish a diagnosis
• Find the cause of symptoms
• Screen for, treat or monitor a disease or condition

What impacts lab test results?

Many factors can affect the results of lab tests such as when you last ate or exercised, your age and medications that you are taking. Your physician will take all these factors into consideration when interpreting your lab test results.

How is a lab test done?

The majority of tests are done on a blood specimen that is obtained by drawing blood from a vein in the arm. For specimens from the throat, skin, ears, etc., a cotton tipped swab will be used to touch the area to obtain the sample. Other specimens may be obtained by collecting a stool or urine specimen in a container.

Once the specimen is collected, the blood or other sample is tested using a finely tuned laboratory instrument by a certified clinical laboratory scientist.

How do I schedule an appointment?

A physician’s order that includes your diagnosis and the physician’s signature is required for laboratory testing.

The lab is open Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Appointments are not necessary.

How do I get my results?

The results are sent to your physician who can discuss them with you.