What’s Your Cellular Age?

JUL newsletter SMALL telomeres As much as we’d all like to flee from aging, it is inevitable. Just as your car or a favorite clothing item will wear out over time, so too does the human body. Of course, the rate at which aging happens is different for each person and is based on a number of factors such as genetics, diet, exercise and stress.

On a cellular level, however, the rate of aging is measurable. Measurement is possible because of the telomeres that are connected to the end of your cells. Every time cells divide, the length of the telomere becomes shortened. The shorter the telomere is, the more times that particular cell has been copied. Over time, the telomere becomes so short that the cell no longer reproduces and is “retired”. This shortening of the telomere is known as cellular aging.

Through the use of a telomere test, labs are able to measure the length of the telomere in one’s body. This measurement is then compared to the expected length of telomeres in those of a similar age bracket, which helps determine overall cellular age.

While cell division and its subsequent retirement are natural processes, there are ways in which one can slow the process down. Among these are:

Minimizing consumption of processed, surgery or fatty foods.
Reducing body fat to 22 percent for women and 16 percent for men.
Exercising for at least an hour a day.
Reducing stress.
Quitting smoking and other tobacco consumption.
Sleeping eight hours a night.
Increasing consumption of raw fruits and vegetables, Omega-3 fatty acids, vegetable protein, cold-water fish and fiber.
Evaluating the need for nutritional supplements.

Next time you worry about getting older, consider monitoring the rate at which your cells age. With monitoring, you will be better able to make the lifestyle choices that are necessary to slow cellular aging, and potentially the onset of age-related diseases. Walk-in to Any Lab Test Now to ask for your Telomere Test today.

Honoring and Giving Thanks to Essential Workers

Honoring and Giving Thanks to Essential Workers

In a time when it the safest way to protect your health is to stay at home, essential workers are waking up day after day, facing challenge after challenge while providing vital services in your community. These essential jobs range from police officers to grocery store clerks to medical assistants. They report to places like city hall, the corner gas station and facilities offering healthcare services like Any Lab Test Now.

WORKING FOR YOU

Any Lab Test Now gives you direct access to thousands of lab tests, including routine lab work, which can be especially critical if you are running out of a medication and must get lab tests before a medical provider will refill your prescription. When you are interested in learning about how to get a test or what kind of test you might need, someone like Norma Brown will answer your call for help. She works as a client care consultant, one of many highly trained essential workers manning the telephones at Any Lab Test Now’s Client Care and Support Center!

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Norma’s role has taken on new importance.

“Every day I am hearing from customers who need to get lab work fast, but they are worried about getting exposed to coronavirus if they go into a place where sick people might be waiting to see a medical provider,” Norma explains. “I assure them Any Lab Test Now does not provide testing for COVID-19 in our stores and we are following CDC guidelines to maintain a safe and clean environment. Before I schedule an appointment for any customer, I ask them a series of questions, including if they have a cough, fever, if they have been exposed to COVID-19 within 14 days, or if they had previously tested positive, but no longer have symptoms.”

Norma’s role is crucial, since she is essentially providing the first line of questioning to customers who might step through the door of one of more than 186 Any Lab Test Now locations across the nation. “It is such an honor to be considered essential during this uncertain time,” she says. “Working from home over Any Lab Test Now’s secure communication system allows me to safely provide a service to our customers who have general wellness and acute health-related testing needs during this pandemic.”

When you reach out to the Client Care and Support Center, Any Lab Test Now client care consultants can help you identify a 15-minute window that works best for your appointment with a certified medical assistant like Regina Jared. Regina works six days a week at Any Lab Test Now in League City, Texas. Part of her pandemic protocol is to only allow two customers at a time inside for testing. “They must maintain social distancing, stay six feet apart. Some customers even prefer to wait outside or sit in their car, just to be safe,” Regina says. “Safety is a constant focus while I am working at Any Lab Test Now. I always wear a mask, shield and gown, and between patients, I clean every countertop, even every door handle. Customers tell me they are grateful; they appreciate the extra steps we are taking.”

Working during the pandemic hits close to home for Regina. She lives with her two adult sons, including one who is also an essential worker. “My son works at a local hospital. We have a system set up in our garage. When we get home, we must change out of all work clothing, bag it up and put it in the washing machine, then immediately take a shower,” explains Regina. “I’ve been a medical assistant for 25 years, and I’ve never experienced anything like this. You cannot be too safe during a pandemic.”

I’M ESSENTIAL BECAUSE YOU’RE ESSENTIAL

Millions of healthcare workers have stepped up to the front line of the COVID-19 pandemic response and are the core of our nation’s essential workforce. Doctors, nurses, EMTs, lab technicians are living away from their families in order to care for the people of their communities. Lives would not be saved if they stopped working.

This is why Any Lab Test Now is honoring their unrelenting dedication. From Florida to Delaware, Phoenix to Seattle, Tulsa to Minneapolis, our franchisees, medical assistants and phlebotomists want them to know, “I’m essential because you’re essential.”

Any Lab Test Now gives you access to tests and test results that you can share with your medical provider at any time. We are happy to support all care providers during an unprecedented time when caring gives us all a purpose.

Helping Americans Make Health a High Priority

Enduring the daily grind at the office, sitting in traffic during your commute, running errands and shuttling kids to sporting events leave many Americans with very little time to spare. It’s no wonder lengthy doctor’s appointments move to the bottom of our crowded to-do lists.

Despite our busy schedules, staying healthy is important to us. Any Lab Test Now puts medical care into the hands of consumers and helps make health care a priority by offering hassle-free lab testing without a lengthy doctor’s appointment. Each retail location offers direct access to clinical lab tests, DNA tests, as well as drug and alcohol testing services.

“Americans are being more proactive about their health,” said Clarissa Windham-Bradstock, CEO of Any Lab Test Now. “They’re looking for things like allergy testing, food sensitivity testing, hormone testing — so that they can focus on wellness as opposed to coming to us when they are already sick.”

Convenience is key for busy consumers. Many Americans rely on grocery delivery services, stream blockbuster movies on our televisions and wear a bracelet to track our physical activity. Mobile phones give us easy access to a wealth of information with just a few clicks. Online retailers allow us to shop from the comfort of our sofas with delivery of our purchases in record time. Any Lab Test Now pioneered the direct access lab testing movement to meet consumer demands for convenience to help us keep up with our non-stop culture. It was the first retail lab-tester to offer franchises, and now has locations throughout the country.

High costs, lack of insurance and time constraints remain some of the biggest barriers to health care. Any Lab Test Now locations tackle all three of these issues head-on by offering patients a convenient service at the right price.

Retail lab testing saves time

Health care does not need to be a casualty of our busy lifestyle. Any Lab Test Now empowers consumers to take control of their health on their own terms and schedules. No appointments are required. Patients can walk in and get the tests they need to manage their health without a doctor’s visit. If you need to check your cholesterol or want to make sure your type 2 diabetes is under control, Any Lab Test Now offers a lab test to help you manage your health. And the news gets better — the average visit takes only 15 minutes. Most Americans spend longer sitting in the waiting room of a doctor’s office!

Cut health care costs

Not only does a visit to one of the more than 170 locations nationwide save patients time — it’s affordable. The rise in high-deductible insurance plans is giving patients sticker shock. Many patients are less likely to get preventative blood work done or book an appointment at a doctor’s office when they know they will have to pay a big bill out of pocket.

Consumers turn to Any Lab Test Now because it is typically less expensive than going to a doctor’s lab. There are no hidden fees or insurance documentation required. Cutting out the need for insurance helps the company keep costs low for consumers. Even better, Any Lab Test Now lists all of its prices up front. The price of every test is posted at www.anylabtestnow.com.

Need results fast?

There’s no waiting for a busy doctor’s office to call with the results of your test. Most test results are available within 24–72 business hours after your visit. Patients can pick up their test results at their convenience. Test results can also be mailed or faxed to their home.

Trusted results

Any Lab Test Now delivers results you can trust by partnering with high-quality labs to perform its testing services. In 2018, the company’s commitment to excellence was honored with a Franchise 500 Award from Entrepreneur magazine.

Any Lab Test Now provides the convenience customers deserve, coupled with the ability to manage their health care on their own terms. Save time, cut costs and get results fast by visiting your local Any Lab Test Now .

What’s the One Blood Test All Student Athletes Are Required to Have?

It is no surprise that student athletes participate in high intensity workouts. Whether it’s for conditioning, during practice time or game time, an athlete is continuously placed in situations where they need to raise their heart rate and push their bodies to the limit. Because of this, it is extremely important for school athletic directors and coaches to make sure that their student athletes are healthy and that their bodies can endure the physical activity expected of them.

There is one health condition in particular that could hinder a student athlete from truly competing to their best ability. This condition is known as sickle-cell trait. Inherited from a parent, sickle-cell trait can cause red blood cells to sickle and block blood vessels, denying oxygen to muscles and organs. If a student athlete with sickle-cell trait over-exhausts their body due to physical activity, their health could be put in serious danger if their oxygen supply iscut-off.

In order to ensure that this risk never becomes a reality, colleges require their NCAA student athletes to receive a sickle-cell trait blood test. Fortunately, as long as the coaches are aware of the diagnosis and take proper precautions with their diagnosed athletes,those athletes can still enjoy a successful and healthy athletic career. And all the student athlete readers said, “Whew!”

If you are an aspiring athlete and want to check on your health before heading into your college career, especially if attending a Division I or Division II school, contact your local Any Lab Test Now® today and let us help you get the answers you need. Our Sickle Cell Anemia Screen will test you for the sickle-cell trait and give you fast, quality results that you, your doctor, and your coach can use to ensure that your athletic career has a bright and long-lasting future.

Don’t Let A Tick Make You Sick

This summer, Any Lab Test Now is putting the bulls-eye on Lyme disease. That’s because Lyme disease is the most commonly occurring vector-borne disease, accounting for more than 300,000 illnesses each year in the United States. The disease is caused by bacteria spread to humans through the bite of infected black-legged ticks. As the temperatures warm and the days get longer, we’re enticed outside to enjoy the outdoors after so much time being cooped inside during winter. It’s also prime time for ticks. Any Lab Test Now wants you to be aware before you go outside and know what to do if you are bitten.

How Ticks Spread Disease

Ticks are creepy crawlies: that means they don’t jump or fly. They wait patiently on the ends of grass or on shrubs. When a likely host brushes past (that’s YOU) they grab on and begin their journey across YOUR body, looking for a cozy, hard to see, area to bite down. They are often found in armpits or the groin area, even on your scalp. And here’s the thing: most humans are infected with Lyme disease through the bites of tiny immature ticks called nymphs. They are so tiny they can be extremely difficult to see.

IMPORTANT TO NOTE: The CDC explains that if you remove a tick quickly, usually within 24 hours of attachment, you can greatly reduce your chances of getting Lyme disease. The longer the tick is attached to your body, the greater the risk of acquiring the disease.

Signs and Symptoms

The good news is that most cases of Lyme disease can be treated successfully with a few weeks of antibiotics. If you’ve discovered a tick, properly remove it and clean the area and watch for these symptoms:

3–30 Days After Tick Bite

Fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle and joint aches, and swollen lymph nodes. Many people describe it as being like the flu.
Rash begins at the site of a tick bite. It may feel warm to the touch but is rarely itchy or painful.
May enlarge to form a distinctive bullseye-like appearance.

Days to Months After Tick Bite

Severe headache and neck stiffness.
More rashes across the body.
Arthritis with severe joint pain and swelling.
Facial palsy on one or both sides of the face.
Heart palpitations or an irregular heartbeat.
Dizziness or shortness of breath.
Inflammation of the brain and spinal cord.
Nerve pain or shooting pains, numbness, or tingling in the hands or feet.
Problems with short-term memory.

It is possible to not have any symptoms in the early stages of the disease and not even remember being bitten. But keep an eye out for that distinctive round, red rash, which can often resemble a bullseye.

ALTN: Putting a Target on Lyme Disease

Your local Any Lab Test Now is proud to offer a blood test that will provide you and your doctor with the information you need to know if an infection is present. If your test comes back positive and you are still in the early stages of the disease, your doctor will usually prescribe a round of the appropriate antibiotics. The CDC finds that most people treated quickly will recover rapidly and completely.

An Ounce of Prevention

Of course, prevention is the best course of action. The CDC recommends that you wear repellent if planning on going outside. Check for ticks daily because the sooner you remove them, the better your chances of avoiding disease altogether. It’s also a good idea to shower soon after being outdoors and wash your clothes as well.

We should all feel comfortable to be outside and enjoy the great outdoors. We just need to keep a few safety rules in mind so that we “don’t let a tick make us sick.”

OBESITY, DIETS, AND MALNUTRITION: HOW THE THREE ARE CONNECTED

We all have an image in our minds about malnutrition and what that looks like. But, malnourishment isn’t just an issue for the very poor in third world countries. It can affect all people, both rich and poor, both hungry and satisfied, in cities around the world. What connects malnutrition to all of these different groups? More and more often, we’re finding that obesity and diets share a connection. That’s why Any Lab Test Now believes it’s now more important than ever for you to be certain you are getting enough nutrition, because you certainly cannot judge by looks alone.

What is Malnutrition?

Let’s start by making sure we understand exactly what malnutrition is. According to the World Health Organization (WHO): “Malnutrition refers to deficiencies, excesses, or imbalances in a person’s intake of energy and/or nutrients.” It covers two broad areas. The first is “undernutrition.” Undernutrition includes underweight and micronutrient deficiencies or insufficiencies. The other is overweight and obesity. In plain speak, you can be malnourished even if you’re overweight, underweight, or even perfect weight, if you aren’t eating enough of a wide variety of nutritious foods. This can happen particularly if you are overweight or if you are on a diet or choosing a lifestyle that restricts or even abolishes certain foods.

Obesity and Malnourishment

Many people could look at themselves and think: “I can’t possibly be malnourished. I am getting more than enough to eat!” It has been said that Americans are overfed and undernourished. Diets of fast food and convenient processed products make life easier but aren’t able to provide a steady source of the nutrition our bodies need. But more and more, people are eating calorie dense/nutrient-poor diets. Evidence is mounting that despite excessive dietary consumption, obese individuals have high rates of micronutrient deficiencies which also appears to play an important role in the development of diabetes. Poverty also can play a role. Many of the cheapest foods available are often the highest in calories and the lowest in nutrition.

Diet and Malnourishment

On the flip side is our obsession with dieting and so-called “lifestyle diets.” Whatever you call it, many of these diets/lifestyles depend on the elimination of certain foods or even whole food groups! If you choose to follow one (or find that it’s medically necessary to follow one) it’s very important that you make sure you find acceptable sources to provide you with all the nutrition you need. Let’s take vegan/vegetarian as an example. Eating a plant-based diet offers health benefits, but if you do not make an effort to replace crucial nutrients found in meat, you can find yourself facing nutritional deficiencies.

Where do YOU Stand?

Take a critical look at your diet; if it includes a lot of fast foods, processed foods or if you are following a diet that includes food restriction you might want to consider a Basic Nutritional Panel from Any Lab Test Now. The Basic Nutritional Panel includes a variety of tests that can help you determine if you are getting enough nutrition, including:

Complete Blood Count (CBC)
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
Iron and Total Binding Capacity (TIBC)
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)
Folate
Vitamin D
Vitamin C
Zinc
Ferritin
Homocysteine

Remember — malnutrition may not “look” the way you expect. Some common signs are fatigue, dry hair, thin or spoon-shaped nails, dental problems, constipation, confusion or depression, and a weak immune system. The Basic Nutritional Panel offered by Any Lab Test Now can provide you with a broad picture of your health and should be considered if you are working toward a healthier diet — and a healthier self!

Also at Risk: The Elderly

It’s worth noting that our senior citizens are also prone to malnutrition for a variety of reasons. It could be because they have trouble getting to a store or a lack of money. Some seniors may feel lonely and isolated and have no desire to cook a proper meal for just themselves. Loss of appetite can also be a side effect of medications or a symptom of an illness. Any Lab Test Now encourages everyone to keep an eye on family, friends, and neighbors who may be at risk.

Remember, getting a test at Any Lab Test Now is easy. You don’t have to make an appointment and you don’t need a doctor’s orders. We are private, affordable, and convenient and there’s no better way to take control of your health.

The Preventable Cancer; A Take-Home Test Takes The Fear Out of Colon Cancer Screening

Most people don’t like to talk about (whisper) cancer.

Even more people don’t want to talk about colorectal cancer.

But here at Any Lab Test Now, we’re going to have this uncomfortable talk, because it’s a talk that could save your life. That’s because, with early screening and testing, colon cancer is preventable, treatable, and beatable for anyone. Any Lab Test Now is very pleased to provide you with a potentially life-saving option.

The Colon Cancer Screening (FIT) Test is a simple, non-invasive test that will check for blood in your stool. That’s the best way to provide you with early detection of polyps that could result in colon cancer. Research has shown that early detection is the key to winning the battle against this very treatable disease. Making this option even more of a game changer — you can conduct it in the privacy of your own home, with no special preparations.

A SILENT CANCER

Colon cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer, according to the Colon Cancer Coalition. It’s also the second leading cause of cancer death. Anyone can get it. It seems to affect men and women equally as well as people of all races and nationalities. The disease is most often defined by the development of colorectal polyps. The polyps can sometimes turn into cancer. And here’s what makes early detection so crucial: colorectal polyps and colorectal cancer don’t always cause symptoms, especially at first. That’s why regular screening for colorectal cancer is so important.

IF you do have symptoms, officials with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say they are most likely to include:

Blood in or on your bowel movements.
Changes in bowel movements including constipation or diarrhea.
Stomach pains, aches, or cramps that don’t go away.
Unexplained weight loss.

There are some risk factors you should be aware of, and a family history of colon cancer tops that list. People suffering from ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease also appear to be at an increased risk, as are those living with diabetes.

As with many cancers, there are associated lifestyle risks as well. People who eat a lot of fat and cholesterol and very little fiber should be more aware. Drinking excessive alcohol, smoking, obesity, and sedentary lifestyle are all potential risk factors.

EARLY DETECTION — POSITIVE OUTCOMES

The American Cancer Society recently updated their guidelines for colorectal cancer screening. According to the new recommendations, screening should begin at the age of 45 for people at average risk, possibly sooner for those with a family history. With the Colon Cancer Screening (FIT) Test from Any Lab Test Now, you can take the test when it’s convenient for you. You don’t need a doctor’s orders or even an appointment. Simply come by one of our convenient locations and pick the test up.

Many people let embarrassment stop them from getting a colonoscopy, or they have heard horror stories about the prep work required for that test. The Colon Cancer Screening (FIT) Test removes both of those hurdles. It’s a test that you conduct for yourself in the privacy of your own home. And, there’s no fasting involved. Simply pick up the test, follow the instructions, and return the test for processing. Results generally take no longer than five to seven business days.

TALK ABOUT COLON CANCER SCREENING

Share your results with your doctor and see what the best course of action is for you. Remember, colon cancer is usually preventable, treatable, and beatable if detected early. Don’t let embarrassment or fear get in your way. The easy to use “take at home” Colon Cancer Screening (FIT) Test from Any Lab Test Now is worth talking about.

When Food Becomes The Enemy; Why Proper Testing Is Important

Can you imagine living in fear of a bread crumb?

It sounds crazy, but it is a sad reality for millions of Americans. One in every 133 people suffers from celiac disease, and most of them haven’t even been properly diagnosed. That can lead to long-term health complications.

Researchers are working on vaccine therapy to help those with celiac disease, but the first step is spreading awareness and getting a proper diagnosis. Any Lab Test Now can help with that. The Celiac, IBS, Crohn’s Test can help you determine if you have celiac disease or some other gastrointestinal disorder so that you can treat your symptoms properly.

What is celiac disease?

Celiac disease is NOT an allergy — it’s an autoimmune disorder that’s triggered when a sufferer eats gluten. That culprit is a protein that you’ll find in a lot of foods and in some other very unexpected places. It’s found in wheat, barley, rye, and other grains, so people most often think of breads, dough, cakes, pasta, and cereals. But celiac sufferers have to be real detectives! That’s because gluten can be found in a wide range of ingestible stuff, like medications and toothpaste — even lipsticks and envelope glue!

When someone with celiac ingests something with gluten, their body overreacts and their intestines are ground zero. They’ll often experience stomach pain and nausea, but the reaction can also include:

Diarrhea or constipation
Headaches and fatigue
Bone and joint pain
Heartburn
Itchy rashes
Anemia
Mouth ulcers

What’s happening inside your small intestine is slow to develop, but devastating over time. The villi that line your small intestine are damaged with every reaction. Eventually, they won’t be able to absorb nutrients from your food.

The damage to the undiagnosed.

For the millions of people walking around with undiagnosed celiac disease, the damage is growing. The Celiac, IBS, Crohn’s Test (sometimes referred to as the CICA Test) measures your gut health on the genetic, antibody, and cellular levels, taking these often hard-to-diagnose diseases down to the most in-depth levels so you can get to the bottom of your symptoms. The CICA includes the following tests:

Genetic – HLA Typing for Celiac Disease (HLA-DQ2.5 AND HLA-DQ8; ATB16L1 + N0D20) – The genetic testing portion of the profile determines the likelihood that what you are suffering is celiac disease, as opposed to gluten intolerance. 95 percent of people who have either the HLA-DQ2.5 OR HLA-DQ8 genes will have celiac disease.

Antibody/Serological – This test will indicate whether specific antibodies are missing and others have developed. This could cause damage to the small intestine and can indicate the presence of celiac disease as well as differentiate between ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, both of which have similar symptoms to celiac disease.

Total Serum IgA

Tissue Transgluatminase Antibody (tTG) – IgA and IgG

Deamidated Gliadin Peptide (DGP) Antibody – IgA and IgG

Anti-Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Antibody (ASCA)

You don’t need a doctor’s order to take the test, but if your CICA Test comes back indicating celiac disease, it’s a good idea to share those results with your doctor so you can get professional guidance on how to best move forward.

What you don’t know can hurt you.

Celiac disease can develop at any age. If you leave it undiagnosed and untreated, you could leave yourself open to some additional serious health problems down the road. These include:

Type 1 diabetes
Multiple sclerosis
Osteoporosis
Infertility
Miscarriage
Epilepsy
Migraines
Intestinal cancers

If you’re suffering from abdominal discomfort or have a family history of celiac disease, it may well be worth considering the Celiac, IBS, Crohn’s Test at your nearby Any Lab Test Now. There may not be a cure, but with a proper diagnosis, there can be relief.

This Valentine’s Day: A ‘Test’ Of True Love

What will you do this Valentine’s Day to show the one you love the most how much you really care? How much money will you spend? How long will it last? Roses fade, chocolates are devoured, and the memory of a romantic night out fades away. So what can you do that will show how much you care?

On the surface, we admit that a heart health lab test from Any Lab Test Now might not seem like the grandest romantic gesture, but it really is the perfect way to let someone you love know just how important their heart is to yours!

But first, a little background

Remember, February isn’t just about Valentine’s Day; it’s also American Heart Month. The annual celebration began in 1963 as a way to encourage Americans to join in the battle against heart disease. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. Every year, 1 in 4 deaths are caused by heart disease. Many of those deaths can be prevented if people know where they stand heart-health wise. They can begin to make healthier choices to manage their conditions and take control of their health.

For that special someone

Consider a gift of his and hers lab tests from Any Lab Test Now this Valentine’s Day. The Comprehensive Male and the Comprehensive Female Panels both provide an abundance of information about your overall health, including important details about your heart. Both of the panels include the Cholesterol (Lipid) Panel — which can determine if you have abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels. Both are important because they can help you and your doctor determine if you’re at risk for heart disease or any other coronary illnesses.

Both the Male and Female Comprehensive Panels also include the Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) test. Many people don’t realize the crucial role that their thyroid (and the hormones it produces!) plays in their heart health. A dysfunctional thyroid creates imbalances in your body that could make you more susceptible to heart disease.

An array of other tests are included in the Comprehensive Male and Female Panels which will round out a complete picture of your overall health and set you and your doctor in the right direction and help you keep your ticker in tip-top shape.

Cupid in a lab coat

So, this Valentine’s Day give a gift of romance AND good health. Head to your nearest Any Lab Test Now location and pick from any of our heart-healthy options. Hold off on the chocolates, champagne or fancy dinners, as you’ll have to fast for this test. It’s true love available in a test.

Two Good Reasons To Begin Your New Year With An Annual Check-Up Panel

Here’s some news that can’t be surprising to anyone: the most common New Year’s resolutions are to eat healthier and to get more exercise. Maybe you’re one of the millions of people who are determined to begin 2019 thinking about your health, and that’s a good thing. Any Lab Test Now is here to help you stay the course and reach your goals for a healthier and happier YOU.

Many of you will begin by cleaning all the junk food out of your pantry or by joining a local gym. Those are both great steps, but a trip to your local Any Lab Test Now for an Annual Check-Up Panel should be at the top of your list as well. We’ve got two good reasons why.

Reason #1 — Progress Monitoring

How do you know how far you’ve come if you don’t know where you started? The Annual Check-Up Panel provides you with an important baseline. You’ll learn the numeric levels on blood counts and cholesterol and triglyceride levels as well as kidney and liver functions and more. By knowing these levels at the beginning of your resolution, you’ll be able to return every four to six months to test again. It will provide you with proof that choosing a salad instead of a hamburger really is worth it.

Reason #2 — Safety

Starting an exercise routine is probably the single most important thing you can do to improve your health, but what if your health is unstable at the start? If you have heart disease or diabetes or suffer from an undiagnosed illness that might make you become dizzy or lightheaded, then the type of exercise you are doing might need to be modified. The Annual Check-Up Panel can provide you with important information that might encourage you to see your doctor before you begin your exercise program.

Take Control of Your Health

The Annual Check-Up Panel consists of five tests that are typically ordered by a doctor during an annual physical examination:

Complete Blood Count (CBC)
Cholesterol Lipid with Ratio (Lipids Panel)
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1C)

That’s a lot of important information for just one test. You’ll need to fast for 10–12 hours to make sure the results are as accurate as possible.

Resolving to put your health first is admirable, but it isn’t always easy! Your local Any Lab Test Now is here to help you take control of your health all 12 months of the year.