Convenient access to year-round low-cost laboratory testing.
Direct Access Testing is laboratory testing in which individuals have the
option to choose selected tests without a clinical provider’s order.
Direct Access Testing is an important resource but shouldn’t be
considered a substitution for treatment by a medical provider. You should
discuss test results with their primary care provider.
Direct Access Testing is available on a walk-in basis, no appointment necessary,
Monday to Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Blood Type (ABO Blood Type/Rh Blood Type): Detects ABO type and Rh type of a person's blood. Example: "B positive"
blood type versus "O negative" blood type, etc.
Complete Blood Count (CBC): This screening measures the total number of white blood cells, red blood
cells (with hematocrit and hemoglobin levels), and platelets.
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP): This tests liver function, kidney function, electrolytes, blood proteins,
blood glucose (also known as blood sugar, which can screen for diabetes).
Estradiol: Measures the level of Estradiol.
Ferritin (Serum Ferritin): Ferritin is an iron-containing protein, the primary iron form stored
inside cells. The small quantity of ferritin that is released into the
bloodstream reflects the amount of total iron stored in the body. However,
ferritin is an acute-phase reactant in the blood, which means that circulating
ferritin levels increase with infection and inflammation, Therefore, circulating
ferritin levels must be interpreted by your doctor together with other
laboratory values (such as Serum Iron and other lab values).
Folate (Folic Acid): Folate is one of the B vitamins the body uses for growth and development
and the production of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.
A Folate Test can help determine the cause for anemia or aid in the diagnosis
of malnutrition or malabsorption. This test is typically ordered when
someone has symptoms of anemia or vitamin deficiency. It may also be ordered
as a follow-up to irregular results from a CBC test or to monitor someone
who is being treated for folate deficiency.
Free Thyroxine (Free T4, FT4): Free Thyroxine (FT4) is measured with Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
when thyroid disorders are suspected. Elevations in FT4 can indicate hyperthyroidism
(overactive thyroid); decreases can indicate hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid).
Free Triiodothyroni (free T3, FT3): Free T3 is used to assess thyroid function and may be ordered to help
monitor a known thyroid disorder. Elevated levels of FT3 may indicate
hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid).
Hemoglobin A1C (HgbA1c, HbA1c): This test screens for diabetes by measuring your average blood sugar
control for the past 2 to 3 months. For people with known diabetes, it
indicates how well your diabetes treatment plan is working.
Hepatitis C Ab: Screens for the presence of Hepatitis C.
Iron (Serum Iron): This test is used to monitor the amount of iron (serum iron) circulating
in the bloodstream. Iron is an essential mineral and a vital component
of hemoglobin, the substance in red blood cells that carries oxygen from
your lungs and transports it throughout your body.
The Serum Iron test can be ordered with the Serum Ferritin test to monitor
for iron deficiency (anemia) or iron-overload diseases.
TIBC (Total Iron Binding Capacity) (cannot be ordered by itself): is a blood test to see if you have too much or too little iron in your
blood. Iron moves through the blood attached to a protein called transferrin,
produced in the liver. TIBC measures the blood's capacity to bind iron
with transferrin and helps your provider know how well the protein transferrin
is carrying iron in your blood.
Taken together with Iron and Transferrin Saturation, clinicians usually
perform a TIBC test when concerned about iron-deficiency anemia. Since
the liver produces transferrin, alterations in liver function (such as
cirrhosis, hepatitis, or liver failure} must also be considered when performing
this test.
Transferrin Saturation (% Saturation or % Saturation of Transferrin with Iron): The optimal range is 25 - 35%. When it is less than 17%, iron-deficiency
anemia is possible. When it is greater than 45%, iron overload is possible.
In either case, further testing might be necessary.
Iron & TIBC: This blood panel includes Iron, Serum Iron, Total Iron Binding Capacity
(TIBC) and Transferrin Saturation (also known as % Saturation or % Saturation
of Transferrin with Iron).
Lipid Panel: The Lipid Panel screens for blood findings associated with cardiovascular
risk. It tests for total cholesterol, triglycerides, and HDL (High Density
Lipoprotein) cholesterol. Studies have shown important cardiac risk factors
include age, smoking status, hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes,
blood total cholesterol levels and blood HDL cholesterol levels. Fasting
for 10-12 hours prior to the blood draw is preferred, but not required.
However, people with diabetes should not fast. Check with your medical
provider for specific recommendations. Drink water and continue to take
prescription medications.
LDL (low density lipoprotein): Measures the level of LDL.
Magnesium: This test evaluates the level of magnesium in your blood to help determine
the cause of abnormal levels of magnesium, calcium and/or potassium. Magnesium
is vital for energy production, muscle contraction, nerve function and
the maintenance of strong bones. It also regulates blood pressure, helps
the heart to function normally, controls blood sugar level and supports
the immune system.
Progesterone: Measures the level of Progesterone.
Serum Pregnancy Test (Qualitative HCG blood test): A basic pregnancy test that measures if human chorionic gonadotropin
(HCG) is in your blood. HCG is a hormone produced in the body during pregnancy.
Results will be reported as positive or negative. This test is useful
in detecting pregnancy at 10 days (about 1 and a half weeks) or so after
the date a woman is due to start her menstrual period. However, a "false
negative test" can occur early in pregnancy.
Testosterone: This test will detect low testosterone or high testosterone levels in
the blood. Testosterone is the main sex hormone in men and is responsible
for male physical characteristics. It is present in the blood of both
men and women and will help diagnose low sex drive, erectile dysfunction,
infertility or delayed or early puberty, for example.
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH): This test is a screening for thyroid function, and to detect mild and
overt hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) or hyperthyroidism (overactive
thyroid). This test can help monitor therapy with thyroid hormone/Synthroid/Levothyroxine
medication. TSH results can be used with Free Thyroxine (Free T4) levels
to detect thyroid dysfunction.
Uric Acid: This screens for gout and monitors gout therapy. It also helps with diagnosis
and treatment of kidney stone disease; monitoring patients receiving cytotoxic
drugs/chemotherapy; and monitoring other disorders including leukemia,
psoriasis, starvation, and other wasting conditions.
Urinalysis (UA): A urine sample is required. Urinalysis provides an overview of the function
of the kidneys. The kidneys play a key role in the excretion of by-products
of cellular metabolism and regulation water, acid-base and electrolyte
balance. A urinalysis screens for protein or red blood cells in the urine
(kidney disease/kidney function) and bacteria and white blood cells in
the urine (urinary tract infection/bladder infection).
Vitamin B12: An essential vitamin which is necessary for the formation of healthy
red blood cells and proper nerve function. A deficiency in B12 can cause
a condition known as Macrocytic Anemia in which red blood cells are larger
than normal. Common causes for Vitamin B12 deficiency are malnutrition,
liver disease, alcoholism, and malabsorption disorders such as Celiac
Disease, Cystic Fibrosis, and Inflammatory Bowel Disease. A Vitamin B12
test may be ordered when a person is experiencing symptoms such as diarrhea,
dizziness, fatigue, pale skin, loss of appetite, rapid heartbeat, shortness
of breath, tingling or numbness in the extremities and a sore mouth or tongue.
Vitamin D (25-Hydroxy Vitamin D): This screening can provide an initial baseline level of Vitamin D before
starting Vitamin D therapy, or to monitor Vitamin D levels if you take
a Vitamin D supplement. Vitamin D deficiency is a worldwide problem. Your
body requires Vitamin D to absorb calcium, and Vitamin D plays a vital
role in protecting your bone health (preventing and treating osteoporosis).
Payment and Registration
Direct Access Testing may or may not be reimbursed by a health insurance
company or by Medicare, Medicaid or any other city, state, or federal
program. Please check with your health insurance company or with Medicare,
Medicaid or any other city, state, or federal program.
Full payment is expected at the time of service, no other billing will
occur and there is no refund option available.
