It’s a very normal process for your doctor to recommend what laboratory tests you require to evaluate your overall health or a specific condition you may be experiencing. That has all changed with Direct to Consumer Testing. You now have the ability to manage you own laboratory tests on your own.
2,500 Locations. Lab Results 24-48 hours. No Doctors visit needed.
The healthcare industry recognizes that approximately 70% of the data required to evaluate your current health condition stems from the clinical laboratory tests. The tests can provide the necessary clinical information needed to evaluate ones total health status. Ordering the correct battery of lab tests is critical when performing an annual health examination. When ordering an annual health exam, the body chemistries, a complete blood count, a urinalysis, and gender related hormones should be ordered. This would be a comprehensive battery of laboratory tests one should get once a year.
There are different reasons for taking on this personal crusade to manage your own health. Tracking a current condition like diabetes and testing your hemoglobin A1C levels could be a reason. You may be hitting the age of 40 and testing your prostate with a Prostate specific antigen test (PSA) once a year may be your reason.
Laboratory testing is mostly compelling for economic reasons. The savings can add up to a very strong case for consumers. A lipid profile (including cholesterol levels) obtained from an online direct to consumer lab testing company costs about $40. A hemoglobin A1C test usually costs about the same.
When you consider what it costs to visit to the doctor’s office, it typically can cost $125 to $150 and in some cases even more. If you were to visit a local laboratory and review there prices, you would give yourself a heart attack. Thank goodness for online lab services those provide discounted lab testing. This is a critical service that folks who do not have health insurance require in order to monitor their health.
Although a menu of hundreds of laboratory tests can be managed in this manner, the most commonly ordered laboratory tests are lipid profiles, PSA screening tests, Complete Blood counts, C-reactive protein, liver and kidney profiles, vitamin D levels, and hormone levels including estrogens and testosterone. These are all considered “Health Wellness” laboratory tests. Consumers have an abundance of ways to get their lab tests performed. There is an industry that supplies over the counter testing which should not be confused with “Direct to Consumer” testing. This type of testing is the pregnancy test or the Drug of abuse test in a cup. The substantial growth in the manage it by yourself market is through several companies like Labtestportal.com, Health Check and Personal Labs. These companies can be accessed on the internet and are accessible anywhere you can get an internet connection. They are open 24 hours a day and are always there for you.
According to one report, people spent nearly $25 million for laboratory tests through companies like these in 2010, and annual growth of 15-25% is expected in the next few years. These Web-based companies permit consumers to their online lab test services with extensive menus and explanations of what each test is used for. The interpretation of the test is usually given and links to more information about each lab test is also included. The actual laboratory testing is performed by laboratories like LabCorp to draw the blood and run the testing. A licensed physician in your state will review your lab results for any abnormalities. If there are critical results, you more than like will receive a phone call and may be asked to visit your primary care physician. There are three states that do not allow for direct access testing. Those three states are NY, NJ and RI. The other 47 states do allow for this testing are see the need for testing for those who do not have insurance. It’s not surprising NJ doesn’t allow it. In NJ, they don’t allow you to pump your own gas. Why would we think they would allow you to manage your own health? Laboratory tests are a critical piece of the health care puzzle and access to this testing is tremendously important.