Laboratory Services

Common Laboratory Tests

Covid-19 Rapid Antigen

Covid-19 diagnostic testing includes both the rapid antigen test and the rapid PCR test. The rapid antigen test can detect SARS-CoV-2 with a simple nasal swab. It is a point of care test which can detect the virus which causes Covid-19 within 20 minutes of sample collection. The rapid antigen test is typically used with patients who are symptomatic and have a high viral load.

Covid-19 RT-PCR – Results within 2 hours

The PCR (polymerase chain reaction) detects the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the patient’s upper respiratory specimen through molecular mechanisms. The PCR test is used to amplify small amounts of the genetic material so that it can be detected. The PCR test is more sensitive and can pick up a past or present infection and is typically used with patients who are asymptomatic but is extremely accurate in both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients.

Covid-19 Diagnostic Specimen Collection and Results

Specimen collection for both the rapid antigen and PCR test requires a health care worker to gently place a soft swab into the nostril or slightly farther into the nasopharynx. The sample is marked with patient identifiers then the specimen is subjected to testing. A negative Covid-19 test may suggest you are too early in your infection for the virus to be detected or you are past the point of detection. For this reason, you should monitor your symptoms and get re-tested if symptoms persist or worsen. It could also conclude that you are in fact negative of the virus. A positive Covid-19 test means you likely have the virus SARS-CoV-2 which causes Covid-19. Most people can recover at home with mild illness, if severe symptoms present such as shortness of breath or cyanosis (bluing of lips and skin) then seek immediate medical attention.

Flu Antigen

Most influenza infections occur in the colder winter months, but infections can still present any time of year. If you are experiencing fever, sore throat, headache, chills, respiratory symptoms, cough, body aches, and fatigue you may want to consider being tested for the flu. Children who are infected with the flu also present with gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea. Flu tests include a rapid antigen test which usually produces results within 10-15 minutes. This test measuring the antigens given off by the flu virus, antigens are little protein which elicit the human immune response. A positive antigen means you are suffering from a current infection.

Flu PCR

Flu PCR diagnostic testing produces a test result within 20 minutes of specimen collection. Tests are performed using a swabbed upper respiratory sample like the Covid-19 test. The PCR test isexecuted by molecular mechanisms, it detects the surface protein of the flu virus which limits inaccurate results due to the ever-changing genetic mutations which naturally occur with the influenza virus.

Strep Throat Antigen

Strep throat is caused by the bacteria Group A Streptococcus (GAS). When infected with GAS a patient will present with a sore throat lasting a couple days or longer with a fever of 101ºF or higher. The throat will appear red and may present with white patches and/or streaks on the tonsils or back of the throat. If you head to Frisco Quick Care for a strep test a health care worker will swab the back of your throat and tonsils, sometimes two swabs are collected for reflex testing with a bacterial culture. The first specimen will be subjected to a rapid test, if the test is negative a reflex test will be ordered, and a bacterial culture will be formed to determine if group a strep is isolated from the patient sample. If your rapid strep test is negative for strep A and your bacterial culture is positive, then you are infected with strep A. If both are negative, you are probably infected with another bacteria or virus and your symptoms will resolve on their own.

Strep Throat PCR

Antibiotics are usually prescribed to people suffering from a beta-hemolytic streptococcus (this means group A, C, or G). Beta-hem streps are the main cause of pharyngitis in patients, mostly children. But if the patient is not infected with a bacterium and their pharyngitis is caused a viral infection, the practitioner will not prescribe an unnecessary antibiotic. A reflex test with a bacterial culture is always performed but confirmation of a culture takes 48 hours. PCR for a strep infection is a quick way to determine whether a patient needs antibiotics or not. The specimen is collected via throat swab and the results of the test are available within 20 minutes of the test start time. Detection of strep is done by molecular identification of genetic material.

RSV Antige

RSV stand for respiratory syncytial virus. It is a virus of the upper respiratory tract that usually effects children 2 and younger. It usually causes mild cold like symptoms but can cause breathing trouble in the immunocompromised, babies, and the elderly. RSV symptoms include fever, wheezing, fast breathing in infants, cyanosis of the skin, trouble breathing, and severe coughing. A swab is usually used to by a health care provider to collect the specimen which is being subjected to evaluation. An antigen is a protein which elicits an immune response in a person infected with a specific virus. The rapid RSV produces a result within 15-20 minutes.

RSV PCR

RSV PCR test is performed by molecular mechanism. The specimen collection is typically a nasal wash or a nasal swab. The specimen is then subjected to molecular testing to detect genetic material produced by the respiratory virus.

Mononucleosis Diagnostic

Mononucleosis is an infection caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. Mono causes extreme fatigue, fever, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, rash, swollen liver, or spleen or possibly both. It is common in young adults and teens, and it passed from person to person through saliva. Symptoms/infection usually resolve in a couple weeks, but the fatigue may linger. A mono spot test is done to determine whether the patient is positive for mono. The mono spot test is a latex agglutination. This means the presence of “clumping” in your test is a positive result. This is due to the antibodies produced by the human body binding to an antigen substrate. Like a “lock and key” fit. Test specimen is a blood sample which is obtain intravenously or by an easy finger stick.

Urinalysis

A urinalysis is a study of a small sample of urine to measure microscopic organisms, cell fragments, chemical properties, and physical properties. Urine contains products of abnormal and normal metabolism which can tell your health care provider a lot about your disease state or the lack thereof. Urine samples are tested for glucose, bilirubin, protein, white blood cells, crystals, bacteria, and red blood cells. If there is an elevated level of these substances in the urine its because it’s in abundance in the blood and the kidneys are trying to get rid of it. These substances are also measured to detect kidney disease and/or the presence of a UTI.

STD Testing

We make STD testing convenient and confidential. Your specimen collection will take as little as 15 minutes. You can be tested for a panel of the most common STDs or any you know you have been exposed to. The STD panel tests the patients for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, hepatitis C, herpes, and HIV. Testing and results are always confidential.

CBC

The complete blood count (CBC) is a blood test which detects many disease states through the structure and function of your red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets; specifically, the RBCs which carry oxygen to organs are examined for abnormal physical characteristics which may indicate anemia if the measurements are low or polycythemia vera or heart disease if the measurements are high. White blood cells can indicate infection, or the characteristics of their nuclei and the quantity of WBCs found in the peripheral blood could be an indication of leukemia. Hemoglobin and hematocrit help measure the characteristics of your RBCs as well. Platelets are examined and counted also to determine underlying medical conditions. A simple venous puncture is used to collect your blood sample and run your CBC.

CMP

CMP or comprehensive metabolic panel is a blood test which measures a variety of substances which provide important information regarding your body’s metabolism and chemical balance. 14 substances are measured including glucose, calcium, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, bilirubin, ALP/ALT/AST which are all liver enzymes, total protein, albumin, sodium/potassium/carbon dioxide/chloride which are electrolytes that control the acid and bases in your body as well as control of fluids. A CMP is performed as part as a regular check-up because it can detect many different disease states such as kidney and liver health, metabolism, fluid and electrolyte balance, blood sugar level, blood protein level, and the balance of acids and bases in the body. The CMP is performed using a blood sample.

Lipid Profile

A lipid profile is a test performed to determine quality and quantity of fat molecules in the blood. The lipid profile is used for both children and adults and it is performed to evaluate the cardiovascular health by analyzing cholesterol circulating in the blood. Cholesterol builds up in the arteries and vessels causing damage and increasing the risk of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. The lipid profile tests for total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (good cholesterol), low-density lipoprotein (bad cholesterol), and triglycerides which are associated with pancreatic inflammation and CV disease. Specimen collection is a simple blood draw taken intravenously by a health care professional.

Vitamin D

Used to determine levels of vitamin D in a patient to monitor vitamin D deficiency. Symptoms of deficiency include fatigue, muscle weakness, muscles aches, cramps, bone pain, and mood changes like depression. The vitamin D qualitative test is performed by a simple intravenous blood draw.

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is essential for many functions in the body and a vitamin b12 deficiency may lead to anemia or neuropathy. If you are presenting with either symptom your doctor may order a vitamin B12 test via a simple intravenous blood draw. Presentation is usually fatigue, weakness, pale skin, and pale mucous membranes, if you are suffering from anemia. Tingling, eye twitching, altered mental status, or itching sensation is usually observed if you are suffering from vitamin b12 deficient neuropathy.

Thyroid Panel

The thyroid panel is performed to determine how well the thyroid gland is functioning. The thyroid gland oversees production and control of many hormones and physiological functions in the body. Your thyroid is usually considered to be overactive (producing too much) or underactive (producing too little). Hypothyroidism, which is underactive, presents in the patient as a slow metabolism which could cause fatigue, weight gain, and inability to tolerate colder temperatures. Hyperthyroidism, which is overactive, can cause anxiety and nervousness, hyperactivity, mood swings, sleeping difficulties, sensitivity to heat, muscle weakness, and fatigue. A simple blood test is used to test thyroid hormones and stimulating hormones which determine the function of the thyroid gland. The panel will include measuring the levels of TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone), Free T4 (thyroxine), and Free T3 (triiodothyronine).

Did you know...

some sprains and strains – such as those caused by falling on a foot or twisting a knee – are accidental and difficult to prevent. Others – such as those caused by lifting heavy objects the wrong way – can be prevented with proper training. The National Institutes of Health recommend stretching prior to physical activity, as well as wearing protective equipment during play to prevent sports injuries. It is also important to avoid overuse injuries by taking the time to rest tired and sore muscles.

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Laboratory Services

Common Laboratory Tests

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Copyright @2021 Frisco Quick Care