Blood testing is important for assessing the general function of your body organs. It also enables you to detect warning signs of diseases as early as possible.
If you’re experiencing certain signs and symptoms of illness, getting blood work done may help diagnose the condition responsible for these symptoms. Your medical provider may also order blood tests as part of your routine checkups to screen for various diseases and to monitor your medications.
Therefore, routine blood work is recommended for every individual at least once a year.
What is checked during routine blood work?
The following are some commonly recommended tests performed during routine blood work:
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
The complete blood count evaluates the cells circulating in your blood, including:
● White blood cell count
● Red blood cell count
● Platelet count
● Hematocrit – the percentage of your total blood volume containing red blood cells
● Hemoglobin – the oxygen-carrying protein in your red blood cells
● Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) – the average size of your red blood cells
A complete blood count is useful for diagnosing blood cell diseases such as; anemia, infections, leukemia, iron deficiency, bone marrow problems, clotting disorders, inflammation and cancer.
Lipid Panel
A lipid panel is a group of blood tests that measures the level of fats and cholesterol in your blood. It includes assessment of:
● High density lipoprotein (HDL) – also called “good” cholesterol
● Low density lipoprotein (LDL) – also called “bad” cholesterol
● Total cholesterol level
● Triglyceride level
High blood cholesterol and triglycerides level in the blood can predispose to life-threatening health problems. Lipid panel test is recommended to check your risk of developing cardiovascular diseases such as coronary heart disease, stroke or heart attack.
Basic Metabolic Panel
Basic Metabolic Panel is a blood test that measures chemical components in the blood plasma. Usually includes measurement of the blood levels of:
● Calcium
● Glucose
● Creatinine
● Blood urea nitrogen
● Carbon Dioxide
● Sodium
● Potassium
● Chloride
Basic Metabolic Panel detects the blood sugar level and electrolyte balance in your body, and the condition of your kidneys, lungs or liver. Abnormal results can indicate disorders such as diabetes, kidney diseases or lung diseases.
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel
A complete metabolic panel includes the group of tests carried out in the Basic Metabolic Panel as well as special tests for liver function. The additional measurements include:
● Albumin
● Total bilirubin
● Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)
● Alanine aminotransferase (ALT)
● Alkaline phosphatase (ALP)
● Total protein
The complete metabolic panel measures your fluid and electrolyte balance, blood sugar level, kidney function, liver function and acid base balance. It may also be useful for diagnosing, or to monitor medical conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure.
What should I do before a blood test?
Depending on the type of blood test ordered, your health practitioner will often give you specific instructions on how to prepare for your blood work.
However, there are some general recommendations for how to prepare for your blood test:
● You should not eat or drink anything (except water) at least 8-12 hours prior to blood test. Beverages like coffee or tea should also be avoided.
● You should not smoke at least 1 hour before the blood test.
● Avoid drinking alcohol 24 – 48 hours prior to the test.
● Tests should be performed before 10 a.m; due to fluctuations in chemical levels at different times of the day.
● Inform your doctor of any medications you might be taking.
● Avoid all kinds of physical stress or exercise at least one day before the test.
● If you take a blood thinning medication such as Warfarin, inform the laboratory specialist.
Where do I go for blood work in Las Vegas?
Here are our recommended 10 Best Blood Labs to visit in Las Vegas:
1. Clinical Pathology Laboratories
Clinical Pathology Laboratories, with thousands of facilities in multiple locations across the United State, offers an expansive menu of complex tests. They carry out blood screening, medical testing, genetic analysis, clinical research, and more. You can have your blood drawn directly, or at your convenience any time of the week.
Clinical Pathology Laboratories are devoted to promoting quality health care through innovative medical technology and providing patients with easy access to up-to-date advancements in medical diagnostics. Clinical Pathology Laboratories across the country provide walk-in lab services.
2. Quest Diagnostics
Quest Diagnostics, with over 6,600 patient access points across locations in the United States, offers a wide range of diagnostic testings. They carry out routine blood testing including blood count and lipid panels. Quest Diagnostics specializes in cardiovascular diseases, infectious diseases, and cancer.
They also offer medical tests that help in disease diagnosis and monitor disease progress, helping you and your heamake informed health decisions for your wellbeing. You can walk into any of the Quest Diagnostic centers closest to you and get your test done.
3. Primex Clinical Laboratory
Primex Clinical Laboratory has a team of highly trained professionals specialized in the examination of body fluids, gynecological specimens, and immunohistochemistry. With over 25 years of laboratory experience, they offer customer-friendly services adapted to attend to your personalized bloodwork needs.
The facility has ample parking space with wheelchair-accessible entrances. Credit card payment is accepted. You can also make sure payments online at your convenience.
4. LabCorp
LabCorp leads a growing network of professional clinical laboratories in multiple areas across Las Vegas. They perform a wide range of general and specialized testing services which includes blood testing, urinalysis, coagulation studies, endocrine testing, lipid panels, and genetic testing services.
The staff at Labcorp is trained to collect blood safely and keep your personal information confidential. Labcorp offers diverse payment options to give you a convenient transaction process. You can make online payments and access insurance coverage for your tests.
5. Elite Medical Center
Elite Medical Centre has a sanitary, conducive, and customer-friendly facility with an expansive parking space. Medical professionals are extensively trained to perform fast and easy blood testing. They offer laboratory services ranging from basic metabolic panels and complete blood count to cardiac enzymes and liver panels.
At Elite Medical Center, the staff is licensed and board-certified, attending to patients in an efficient and timely manner. They were voted 2019 Silver Best Hospital Winner of Best of Las Vegas.
6. e7 Health
e7 Health, as the name implies, is a clinic providing seven areas of healthcare, which includes laboratory and physical testing. They offer various health screening services such as liver tests, lipid panels, thyroid tests, diabetes screening, all at discounted cash pricing.
e7 Health offers blood testing that is fast, affordable, and convenient. With highly qualified staff, great customer service, and a clean facility, e7 Health provides you with a positive blood testing experience.
7. Lab Express
Lab Express is a leader in providing diagnostic testing for heart conditions, using the specialized PLAC blood test. They provide complete panels, lipid testing, diabetes screening, cardio panels, and drug screening services. They also offer Mobile Laboratory services for home-bound patients.
Lab Express has plenty of space for parking, allowing easy entry and exit. They also have a large waiting room and a wheelchair-accessible entrance for your comfort. With a sterile facility for specimen collection and processing, you can expect to experience fast and professional customer service.
8. Sunrise Pathology Services
Sunrise Pathology Services (SPS) provides mobile phlebotomy services to residents of Las Vegas, Nevada. SPS carries out venipuncture at the comfort of your home, delivers collected samples to the medical laboratory contracted to your insurance provider, and your results will be sent in confidentially.
SPS has a team of experienced phlebotomists who take appropriate safety measures to ensure you have access to quality and safe blood testing at an affordable cost.
9. Lifestension
Lifestension partners with various laboratories across Las Vegas to offer a broad menu of quality medical testing, including but not limited to whole blood test, red blood cell test, advanced cholesterol profile, and amino acids plasma test.
Lifestension also offers you a clinician to help interpret your test results and establish a personalized management plan. Lifestension costs $399 for an initial 60-minute comprehensive medical visit, $199 for a 30-minute follow-up visit.
10. Sunset Clinic
Sunset Clinic offers general health checkups, including blood workups. They conduct diagnostic screenings based on your age and risk factors. Sunset Clinic provides high-quality medical equipment for early diagnosis and treatment of disease conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, thyroid disorders, and diabetes.
The facility has a wheelchair-accessible entrance and a sanitary work environment. Sunset Clinic provides access to quick, friendly, and helpful customer service.
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