Order Your Own Lab Testing

Can I Order A Blood Test Without Doctor Referral?

You can order your own FDA approved laboratory testing from Health Testing Centers and walk-in to a local lab location to have your testing services performed. Direct-access-testing allows you to monitor your blood chemistry and biomarkers by ordering lab work such as complete blood count (CBC) and basic metabolic panel (BMP). These common blood tests include a doctor's order and provide the blood chemistry associated with an annual checkup. You can take charge of your health by ordering blood testing online from Health Testing Centers.

How It Works To Order Blood Tests Online

Direct-access laboratory testing provides the same tests ordered by your physician from the same CLIA certified laboratories. When you order your own lab tests from Health Testing Centers you pay with a credit card and walk-in to a LabCorp or Quest Diagnostics patient service center with a lab requisition form. To visit a patient service center you must not be exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 for 10 days prior. You are required to wear a face mask. You should maintain social distancing. At some locations you are encouraged to wait outside or in your car once you have checked in.

Alternatively you can choose to have an at-home test kit sent to you. You pay private-pay prices when ordering a test online. There are no additional fees for lab services. Online checkout is simple and we do not bill your health insurance company.

Ordering you own lab tests is a valuable tool if you have health insurance with a high deductible or if you are managing certain medical conditions. All test orders and lab results are reviewed by our physicians. In the event that any of your lab results are out-of-range, you will see clear flag next to the value. If your have questions regarding your lab results please call to speak with a testing specialist.

We make the process simple and convenient to order blood tests. You may be curious about your glucose levels or concerned about kidney disease. If you have a family history of heart disease, checking your cholesterol levels, can help manage your risk of heart attack. At Health Testing Centers we offer you the power to quantify and manage your personal risk factors by ordering your own blood test online at an affordable price.

10 Important Blood Tests For Monitoring Your Health

1. Complete blood count - a complete blood count or CBC is the most common test ordered by physicians as part of a general checkup. This test measures the type and number of blood cells:
   
   
   • Red blood cell count - or RBC count evaluates your red blood cells for hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and red cell distribution width (RDW).
   • White blood cell count - or WBC count evaluates your white blood cells (lymphocytes, basophils, eosinophils, neutrophils and monocytes). The number of these cells, known a leukocytes, remain stable in your body. An infection, injury or allergy stimulates production of white blood cells.
   • Platelets - measures the size and number platelets in your blood. Also known as thrombocytes, these are fragments of blood cells that play a key role in normal blood clotting. If you have too few platelets you are at risk for excessive bleeding and bruising. Too many platelets can lead to excessive clotting. Platelet count is often used to screen for a bleeding or blood clotting disorder. It can also help diagnose stem cell disorders such as bone marrow disease.
2. Basic metabolic panel - a basic metabolic panel (BMP) is a common combination tests performed when your see a healthcare provider. It provides general information regarding how well your body is performing. The following tests are included in a BMP:
   
   
   • Glucose levels - glucose tests measure your blood sugar.
   • Calcium - an important mineral for your heart, nerves, kidneys, and teeth.
   • BUN (blood urea nitrogen) and creatinine - measures levels to assess kidney function.
   • CO2 (carbon dioxide or bicarbonate) - a waste product associated with kidney and lung function.
   • Electrolytes and fluids - measures sodium, potassium, and chloride levels. A balance of fluid to salts helps your cardiovascular, muscular, and nervous systems function properly.
3. Comprehensive metabolic panel - a comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), also known as a complete metabolic panel, combines a basic metabolic panel with the following additional tests to provide a better status of your organ systems and metabolic functions:
   
   
   • Total protein, globulin and albumin – important proteins for healthy metabolic function.
   • Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) – liver function tests. A measure of albumin to globulin is also included in the CMP.
   • Bilirubin – a liver waste product used to evaluate liver, anemia or jaundice diseases.
4. Urinalysis - a general urine test used to screen for signs of disease.
5. Lipid Panel - measures cholesterol and triglyceride levels to evaluate cardiac risk.
6. Thyroid Stimulating Hormone - or TSH test is the primary test to evaluate thyroid function.
7. Hemoglobin A1C - evaluates sugar levels over a period of time used to identify and monitor diabetes.
8. Sexually transmitted disease testing - a complete screening panel for STDs include blood tests and urine samples for a accurate assessment.
9. Hormonal imbalance testing - imbalances in male or female sex hormones, such as estrogen, progesterone and testosterone, can have significant affects on your health.
10. C-reactive protein test - or CRP measures inflammation in your body. Inflammation is an important leading indicator of a variety of conditions from infection to heart disease.

How Often Should You Get Blood Work Done?

A doctor often recommends that you get routine blood work at least once a year. However, this should be considered an absolute minimum. Common reasons to order tests more often include:

• You are experiencing symptoms - pain, persistent fatigue or unexplained weight changes.
• You have specific risk factors that you want to reduce - if you have a family history or feel you are at higher risk for a disease, identifying signs earlier can dramatically increase your ability to effectively manage a health concern.
• You have a goal to optimize your health - we refer to this as knowing your numbers, such as your cholesterol or testosterone levels. The data that blood tests provide can be an important tool to make changes to optimize your lifestyle, diet and fitness.

How Long Does It Take For A Blood Test Result?

This depends on the tests ordered and the lab that will be processing your test results. At Health Testing Centers, most test results are delivered directly to the patient within one or two business days.