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LABORATORY SCREENINGS PROVIDED THROUGH CWP
CHOLESTEROL SCREENING
Cholesterol is a laboratory test used to estimate risk of developing a disease - specifically heart disease. Because high blood cholesterol has been associated with hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), heart disease, and a raised risk of death from heart attacks; cholesterol testing is considered a routine part of preventive health care. Participants must fast for 10-12 hours prior to this screening, only water is permitted.
GLUCOSE SCREENING
Also known as blood sugar or fasting blood sugar, the
blood glucose test is ordered to measure the amount
of glucose in the blood right at the time of the sample
collection. It is used to detect both hyperglycemia and
hypoglycemia, to help diagnose diabetes, and to monitor
glucose levels in persons with diabetes. Blood glucose
testing can be used to screen healthy, symptomatic
individuals for diabetes and pre-diabetes since diabetes is a common disease that begins with
only a few symptoms. Screening is especially important
for people at high risk of developing diabetes, such
as those with a family history of diabetes, those who
are overweight, and those who are more than 40 to 45
years old. Participants must fast for 10-12 hours
prior to this screening, only water is permitted.
BLOOD LIPID PANEL
Also known as a lipid panel, the blood lipid panel is
a group of tests that are often ordered together to
determine risk of coronary heart disease, and to help
guide you and your health care provider in deciding
what treatment may be best for you if you have borderline
or high risk. This laboratory test has been shown to
be a good indicator of whether someone is likely to
have a heart attack or stroke caused by blockage of
blood vessels or hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis).
The lipid panel includes: Total cholesterol, High density
lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) - often called good
cholesterol, Low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)
-often called bad cholesterol , Triglycerides and Cholesterol/HDL
ratio. Talk to your doctor about what these other reported
values may mean for you. The results of the lipid profile
are considered along with other known risk factors of
heart disease to develop a plan of treatment and follow-up.
You may be screened using only a cholesterol test and
not a full lipid panel. However, if the cholesterol
test result is high, you may have follow-up testing
with a lipid panel. If you have other risk factors or
have had a high cholesterol level in the past, you should
be tested more regularly and you should have a full
lipid panel.
Risk factors include:
- Cigarette smoking
- Age (if you are a male 45 years or older or a female 55 years or older)
- Low HDL cholesterol (less than 40 mg/dL)
- Hypertension (Blood Pressure of 140/90 or higher or taking high blood pressure medications)
- Family history of premature heart disease (heart disease in a first degree male relative under age 55 or a first degree female relative under age 65)
- Diabetes
Note: High HDL (60 mg/dL or above) is considered a "negative risk factor" (also considered the 'good' cholesterol) and its presence allows the removal of one risk factor from the total panel of tests. Participants must fast for 10-12 hours prior to this screening, only water is permitted.
A1c
The A1c test evaluates the average amount of glucose
in the blood over the last 2 to 3 months. It does this
by measuring the concentration of glycated (also often
called glycosylated) hemoglobin A1c. The A1c test may
be used to screen for and diagnose diabetes. The A1c
is used to monitor a person's diabetes and to aid in
treatment decisions; to screen for and/or diagnose diabetes
and pre-diabetes. The goal of individuals with diabetes
is to keep their blood glucose levels as close to normal
as possible. This helps to minimize the complications
caused by chronically elevated glucose levels, such
as progressive damage to body organs like the kidneys,
eyes, cardiovascular system, and nerves. It can assist
you and your doctor on the measures you are taking to
control your diabetes successfully or if adjustments
need to be made. Participants must fast for 10-12
hours prior to this screening, only water is permitted.
COMPREHENSIVE METABOLIC PANEL (CMP)
The CMP is used as a broad screening tool to evaluate
organ function and check for conditions such as diabetes, liver
disease and kidney
disease. The CMP may also be ordered to monitor
known conditions, such as hypertension,
and to monitor patients taking specific medications
for any kidney- or liver-related side effects. The CMP
gives your doctor important information about the current
status of your kidneys, liver, and electrolyte and acid/base
balance as well as of your blood sugar and blood proteins.
Abnormal results, and especially combinations of abnormal
results, can indicate a problem that needs to be addressed.
The CMP includes: Glucose and Calcium (both increased and decreased levels can be significant), the proteins Albumin and Total
Protein (both increases and decreases in these test
results can be significant), the electrolytes Sodium, Potassium, CO2 and Chloride (electrolyte and acid-base imbalances can be present
with a wide variety of acute and chronic illnesses,
the kidney tests BUN and Creatinine (increased concentrations in the blood may indicate
a temporary or chronic decrease in kidney function).
When not ordered as part of the CMP, they are still
usually ordered together, the liver tests ALP, ALT, AST and Bilirubin (all can be found in elevated concentrations in the
blood with liver disease or dysfunction). Participants
must fast for 10-12 hours prior to this screening, only
water is permitted.
COMPLETE BLOOD COUNT (CBC)
The CBC is used to determine general health status and to screen for and monitor a variety of disorders, such as anemia. Many patients will have baseline CBC tests to help determine their general health status. If they are healthy and they have cell populations that are within normal limits, then they may not require another CBC until their health status changes or until their doctor feels that it is necessary. If a patient is having symptoms such as fatigue or weakness or has an infection, inflammation, bruising, or bleeding, then the doctor may order a CBC to help diagnose the cause. Significant increases in WBCs may help confirm that an infection is present and suggest the need for further testing to identify its cause. Decreases in the number of RBCs (anemia) can be further evaluated by changes in size or shape of the RBCs to help determine if the cause might be decreased production, increased loss, or increased destruction of RBCs. A platelet count that is low or extremely high may confirm the cause of excessive bleeding or clotting and can also be associated with diseases of the bone marrow such as leukemia. No fasting is required for this laboratory screening.
THYROID
A thyroid panel is a group of tests to help evaluate
thyroid gland function and to help diagnose thyroid
disorders. The tests included in a thyroid panel
measure the amount of thyroid hormones in your blood.
These hormones are clinical substances that travel through
the bloodstream and control or regulate your body's
metabolism-how it functions and uses energy. TSH is
produced by the pituitary gland and is part of the body's
feedback system to maintain stable amounts of the thyroid
hormones T4 and T3 in the blood. When concentrations
decrease in the blood, the pituitary is stimulated to
release TSH. The TSH in turn stimulates the production
and release of T4 and T3 by the thyroid gland. When
the system is functioning normally, thyroid production
turns on and off to maintain constant blood thyroid
hormone levels. A thyroid panel is used to screen for
or help diagnose hypo- and hyperthyroidism due to various
thyroid disorders. A thyroid panel may be ordered as
part of a health checkup or when symptoms suggest hypo-
or hyperthyroidism due to a condition affecting the
thyroid. Signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism may include
weight gain, dry skin, constipation, cold intolerance,
puffy skin, hair loss, fatigue, and menstrual irregularity
in women. Signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism may
include increased heart rate, anxiety, weight loss,
difficulty sleeping, tremors in the hands, weakness,
and sometimes diarrhea. There may be puffiness around
the eyes, dryness, irritation, and, in some cases, bulging
of the eyes. No fasting is required for this laboratory
screening.
PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen)
The PSA screening is used to screen asymptomatic and
symptomatic men for prostate
cancer, to help determine the necessity for a biopsy
of the prostate, to monitor the effectiveness of treatment
for prostate cancer, and to detect recurrence of prostate
cancer. The PSA may be ordered during and at regular
intervals after prostate cancer treatment, or when a
man has symptoms suggestive of prostate cancer such
as difficult, painful, and/or frequent urination. The
frequency of prostate cancer screening is an individual
decision that should be determined through discussion
with your physician. There is currently no consensus
among the experts about when the PSA test should be
ordered to screen asymptomatic males. Over-diagnosing,
identifying cases of prostate cancer that may never
cause significant health problems must be balanced against
missing the detection of aggressive cancers. American
Cancer Society (ACS), recommend that doctors offer total
PSA tests and DRE annually to all men, beginning at
age 50 and to those at an increased risk of prostate
cancer, such as American men of African descent and
men with a family history of the disease, beginning
at age 40 or 45. The ACS recommends that doctors discuss
the testing options, benefits, and potential side effects
with their male patients so that they can make informed
choices. The normal value for total PSA is considered
to be less than 4.0 ng/ml (nanograms per milliliter
of blood). There are some that feel that this level
should be lowered to 2.5 ng/ml in order to detect more
cases of prostate cancer. Others argue that this would
exacerbate over-diagnosing and over-treating cancers
that are not clinically significant. Men with a total
PSA level greater than 10.0 ng/ml are at an increased
risk for prostate cancer (more than a 67% chance, according
to the ACS). Levels between 4.0 ng/ml and 10.0 ng/ml
may indicate prostate cancer (about a 25% chance, according
to the ACS), BPH,
or prostatitis. These conditions are more common in
the elderly, as is a general increase in PSA levels.
Concentrations of total PSA between 4.0 ng/ml and 10.0
ng/ml are often referred to as the "gray zone."
No fasting is required for this laboratory screening.
CA-125 (Ovarian Cancer Screening)
The CA-125 screening is used before starting therapy
for ovarian cancer, if at high risk for developing ovarian
cancer, and to monitor intervals during and after treatment
for ovarian
cancer or to detect recurrence. CA-125 is primarily
used to monitor therapy during treatment for ovarian
cancer. CA-125 is also used to detect whether cancer
has come back after treatment is complete. This test
is sometimes used to test and monitor high-risk women
who have a family history of ovarian cancer but who
do not yet have the disease. This test is not used to
screen for ovarian cancer because it is non-specific.
Levels in the blood can be elevated in other conditions
such as normal menstruation, pregnancy,
endometriosis, and pelvic
inflammatory disease. No fasting is required
for this laboratory screening.
THE PLAC TEST
The PLAC Test is the only blood test cleared by the FDA to aid in assessing risk of both coronary heart disease and ischemic stroke associated with atherosclerosis. 87% of strokes are ischemic. The PLAC Test measures the level of Lp-PLA2, an enzyme associated with the inflammation of your arteries. Increased levels of Lp-PLA2 increase your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. In most adults, cholesterol causes a fatty deposit called plaque to build up in the walls of the arteries. When these walls become inflamed, your body produces an enzyme called Lp-PLA2. If the amount of Lp-PLA2 is high, this may indicate that the plaque is more likely to rupture through the inside lining of your artery into your blood stream, where it may cause a clot that could result in heart attack or stroke. The PLAC Test can provide you and your doctor with information about the health of your arteries that was not available in the past. In a study from the Mayo Clinic, 95% of individuals who had Lp-PLA2 levels below 200 ng/mL did not have either a heart attack or stroke over a 4-year period, even though they had coronary artery disease. It is okay to have the test done if you have taken medication. Results of the PLAC Test are not usually affected by smoking, having a cold, recent asthma attack or arthritis flare-up, the flu or other similar illnesses. Please visit www.plactest.com for more information. No fasting is required for this laboratory screening.
LEAD
The lead test is used to evaluate the concentration
of lead in the blood at the time the sample was collected.
The blood lead test is used to screen for exposure to
harmful levels of lead. It may also be ordered to monitor
the effectiveness of treatment and to confirm that lead
levels are decreasing over time. Lead concentrations
are monitored at the local level following State and
National standards. It is used to evaluate chronic lead
exposure and recent lead exposure. Blood lead tests
may be used to screen people in the workplace if lead
contamination is a possibility. Family members also
may be screened because lead can be carried home on
clothing. This testing conforms to federal and state
laws for occupational exposure. There is not yet a national
guideline for blood lead screening in adults as there
is for children. The clinical cut-off values for elevated
blood lead currently vary from state to state. According
to the CDC's Adult Blood Lead Surveillance program (ABLES),
a national health objective is to reduce all blood levels
in adults to less than or equal to 25 micrograms per
deciliter. Adults who work in industries known for lead
exposure, such as smelter facilities, lead plating,
auto repair, and construction, should be screened for
lead exposure. Adults who have hobbies that involve
lead-based paints, ceramics, or gasoline also should
be tested. If a worker has an initial blood lead test
result of more than 40 micrograms per deciliter, for
example, testing should be done every two months until
two consecutives lead tests show a blood lead level
below 25 micrograms per deciliter. Higher levels call
for closer monitoring. For both children and adults,
lead testing may be ordered when a person's symptoms
suggest potential lead poisoning. These symptoms are
non-specific and may include fatigue, changes in mood,
nausea, prolonged stomach distress, headache, tremors,
weight loss, peripheral neuropathy, anemia, reproductive
failure, encephalopathy, memory loss, seizures, and
coma. The higher the test result, the more lead is in
the blood. However, the amount of lead in the blood
does not necessarily reflect the total amount of lead
in the body. This is because lead travels from the lungs
and intestinal tract to the blood and organs, and then
is gradually removed from the blood and organs and stored
in tissues such as bones and teeth. The danger that
a particular lead level represents depends on the age
and health of the person, the amount of lead they are
exposed to, and the amount of time that they are exposed
to elevated lead levels. For non-pregnant adults, a
level below 25 micrograms per deciliter is generally
considered to be acceptable. If a worker has levels
above 45 micrograms per deciliter, he must be removed
from lead exposure until his blood lead level drops
below 40 micrograms per deciliter. Removal may also
be recommended if he is symptomatic at any level below
70 micrograms per deciliter. Because lead will pass
through the blood to an unborn child, pregnant women
need to limit their exposure to lead to maintain a blood
level below 10 micrograms per deciliter and as close
to zero as possible to protect the developing fetus.
Any lead level greater than 70 micrograms per deciliter,
whether in a child or an adult, should be considered
a medical emergency. No fasting is required for this
laboratory screening.
VAP Test
The Vap Test utilizes an advanced technology that provides a more accurate, individualized picture of your heart disease and diabetes risk so that you and your doctor can take steps to prevent a future heart attack. For example, the VAP Expanded Lipid Profile measures not only the basic information provided by the routine cholesterol test, but also identifies hidden cholesterol problems that can increase your risk of developing heart disease or diabetes - even if your routine cholesterol test results are "normal." It breaks down cholesterol beyond HDL (high-density lipoprotein, the "good" cholesterol), LDL (low-density lipoprotein, the "bad" cholesterol), and triglycerides - providing new information that can help your doctor better assess and manage your heart disease risk. VAP Tests also help identify the metabolic syndrome, which leads to diabetes and heart disease, affecting a staggering 55 million Americans. As a result, the VAP Test was named one of "Ten Ways to Live Longer" by Forbes.com and was selected as one of "Five Tests Worth Paying For" by the Wall Street Journal.
Please note: All laboratory screenings are for screening purposes ONLY, and do NOT constitute a diagnosis. Please see your Physician for interpretation of all results and for consultation.
Drug Testing Menu Offered Through CWP
Oral Fluid Testing for 6 Drug Panel Screening
Included: Marijuana, Meth, Opiates, Cocaine & Phencyclidine
Oral Fluid Testing for Alcohol for additional charge
Urine Testing for 10 Drug Panel Screening:
At Lab Express's facility
Hair Testing for 5 Drug Panel Screening:
At Lab Express's facility
DOT Urine Collection & Screening:
At Lab Express's facility
Breath Alcohol for additional charge
Blood Testing 10 Panel Legal:
At Lab Express's facility
Blood Alcohol GC Testing Legal:
At Lab Express's facility
Please call for pricing. All reporting via Fax, email or mail is included in pricing.
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