If you have experienced medical problems or exhibited signs of an illness, your doctor may recommend that you undergo a series of lab tests for an accurate diagnosis. These examinations aim to identify the likelihood of any ailment and assess your health. However, numerous biological factors or everyday behaviors can influence the outcome of a laboratory test. Therefore, anytime you schedule Otsego lab tests, your physician will advise you to take certain measures before your test. Continue reading to learn more.
- Fasting
Fasting is the most regular measure that practically every physician recommends for blood tests. Before donating a blood sample, the patient should not drink anything for eight or sometimes twelve hours, except for drinking water.
Fasting is necessary because the body absorbs the nutrients in the meal, which may trigger chemical changes within your body. By fasting, there is a higher probability of more accurate results. While not all blood tests require fasting, some tests that require you to fast are liver function tests, blood sugar tests, cholesterol tests, and more.
- Diet and Nutrition
If your physician did not inquire about your everyday lifestyle, you should inform them of your daily routine and eating habits. If you are not accustomed to drinking enough water, you might experience dehydration, contributing to inaccurate or surprising test findings. Therefore, you should inform your physician concerning your diet before testing.
- Medication
Sometimes, your doctor might recommend you undergo a lab test to diagnose a condition, yet you are already taking medication for past medical concerns. If you have a regular medication regimen, you may need to discontinue it for two or three days before your tests to avoid any inaccuracies in the findings.
The reasoning behind discontinuing your other medications is that drugs have various elements. In some cases, there might be no need to discontinue any medication. Nonetheless, you should share your prescription with our physician so that they can take that into account when interpreting your test findings.
- Past Concerns
Some microorganisms related to a previous health issue could still be present in your blood even after treatment. Furthermore, a hereditary medical condition might potentially influence test findings. Thus, you should inform your physician early on concerning your family’s medical history so that they can keep these details in mind.
- Pregnancy
Most women endure psychological changes throughout pregnancy. Changes in liver and renal functioning and hormone levels are also common. These variations will show in your health records, so you should always inform your doctor if you are expectant.
Throughout various pregnancy phases, physicians use varying reference ranges to check the levels of different blood components. These reference ranges are distinct from the standard range.
Laboratory testing, together with screenings and physical exams, assist doctors in getting a full picture of the patient’s health. If you require a medical laboratory test, you can avoid waiting in line and immediately get the assistance you require. At GatherWell, the specialists perform timely lab tests and interpretation of findings. Call the office near you or use the online scheduling tool to arrange an appointment today.