|
Why do I need bloodwork?
Your doctor orders blood tests to confirm or rule out a suspected illness, to follow the course of a chronic illness, or to see how you are responding to treatment.
What is a CBC?
A CBC is a Complete Blood Count. It measures your white blood cells (WBC), red blood cells (RBC), hemoglobin (HGB), hematocrit (HCT), platelets (PLT), the size of the red cells (MCV), as well as the mean cell hemoglobin (MCH) and mean cell hemoglobin concentration (MCHC).
White blood cells fight infection. Red blood cells and hemoglobin carry oxygen. If your red cell count falls too low, your heart must work harder to deliver oxygen throughout your body. The hematocrit, mean cell hemoglobin, and mean cell hemoglobin concentration are various ways we measure your red cell count. If your red blood cells or hemoglobin are very low, you may feel tired or become short of breath. Platelets stick together to stop bleeding. If your platelet count is low, a cut may bleed longer than is normal.
What does a high or low count mean?
These terms describe whether your counts are higher or lower than the normal range for a specific blood test. A high or low blood count has different significance for each individual, depending on his or her health.
What is the normal range?
A normal range for a lab test is based on the test results of a very large number of people. The test results of most, but not all, patients will fall into this normal range. Some healthy patients will always have counts that are lower or higher than the normal range --- that just happens to be normal for these patients. However, test results may be lower or higher than the normal range if you are ill or if you are receiving treatment. For example, a viral infection will cause your white blood cell count to go up or down. If you are receiving chemotherapy, your WBC will go down, then come back up, each time you receive treatment.
When will my lab results be ready?
Generally, the results of tests performed at our on-site lab are available soon after your blood is drawn. For example:
- CBC - 15 to 20 minutes
- General chemistry profile - 24 hours
- Coagulation tests - 5 hours
- Cancer markers or certain anemia-related tests - 1 to 5 days
- Bone marrow examination - 7 to 14 days
If a test cannot be performed in our lab, it may take from 1 to 7 days or longer to receive the test results.
Can I call the lab for my test results?
No. You may call the nurse or ask your doctor about your test results. Test results can be phoned to you at the end of the day.
Can I see a nurse?
Yes. If you are in the office for a lab-only visit, but feel the need to see a nurse, that will be arranged. We encourage you to express your concerns about your illness or treatment so that we may address them.
Can I have a cholesterol test?
Insurance companies sometimes restrict what testing may be covered. Our insurance staff can determine if the test is covered.
Can I have my results sent to another doctor?
Yes. We will gladly send copies of results to other physicians. Please provide us with their full names, addresses, and/or fax numbers.
Will my insurance cover the costs of lab tests performed elsewhere?
Not all lab tests ordered by your doctor can be performed here. In these cases, we send the tests to an outside lab or "reference" lab. Your insurance company may require that a specific laboratory be used. If your test is not sent to the specific lab, the insurance company may not pay for the charge and you will be billed directly. To avoid this additional expense, please tell our laboratory staff if your insurance has such a requirement and to which laboratory we must send your blood sample.
|
