Diabetes: What You Need To Know

November is American Diabetes Month, dedicated to highlighting the significance and impact of diabetes on those affected by this disease and their families. The CDC reports that about 37 million Americans have diabetes, while one in five people don’t even know they have it. Any Lab Test Now® is committed to spreading awareness about health conditions like diabetes and doing all we can to be your partner in wellness.

What is Diabetes?

If you or someone you know and love has been diagnosed with diabetes, undoubtedly you are trying to learn all you can about it. Diabetes is a chronic condition affecting how your body turns food into energy. Food gets digested into glucose, and typically, insulin from the pancreas helps the body use this glucose. However, in diabetics, the body either doesn’t make enough insulin or can’t use it effectively, leading to elevated blood glucose levels.

Types of Diabetes

There are different types of diabetes; that are diagnosed depending on symptoms:

  • Type 1 is when the body can’t produce insulin and is usually diagnosed in children and young adults. It’s an autoimmune condition where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. The exact cause of this immune reaction is still unknown, although genetic and environmental factors, such as viruses, may contribute. Without proper management, type 1 diabetes can lead to higher-than-normal blood sugar levels, which can result in serious health complications.
  • Type 2, the more common type, is when your body can’t use insulin the right way or can’t produce enough. Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that affects the way the body processes glucose, its primary energy source. The exact cause remains unclear, but it often relates to genetics, obesity, inactivity, or a combination of these factors. Over time, uncontrolled type 2 diabetes can lead to a host of health complications, including heart disease, nerve damage, and kidney issues.
  • Prediabetes is a critical stage that often precedes diabetes. It’s when blood sugar levels are higher than they should be but not yet high enough to be officially diagnosed as diabetes. Think of it as a wake-up call. According to the CDC, more than 88 million U.S. adults have prediabetes, and a shocking 84% might not even be aware they have it. The silver lining is that prediabetes can often be reversed through lifestyle changes like diet and exercise.

Symptoms To Watch Out For

It’s a good idea to be aware of the symptoms you may experience that can be a telltale sign of diabetes:

  • Urinate a lot, often at night.
  • Are very thirsty.
  • Lose weight without trying.
  • Are very hungry.
  • Have blurry vision.
  • Have numb or tingling hands or feet.
  • Feel very tired.
  • Have very dry skin.
  • Have sores that heal slowly.
  • Have more infections than usual.

How To Handle Diabetes

If you are diagnosed with diabetes, although there are no cures for the condition, you can live a good quality of life with some lifestyle modifications and careful monitoring. That’s how Any Lab Test Now® can help. We provide a number of lab tests that help you manage diabetes, like our DIABETES MAINTENANCE PANEL. This panel consists of four tests that provide valuable information to help you and your healthcare provider monitor your diabetes treatment. Those tests include:

  • Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) – Measures your average blood glucose levels over the past two to three months.
  • Diabetic Urinalysis) – Looks for protein in your urine, which could indicate kidney problems.
  • Complete Blood Count (CBC) – Can detect anemia, infection, bleeding disorders, and more.
  • Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) – Measures your blood glucose and provides valuable information about your kidney function, liver function, and electrolytes.

Keep in mind, along with careful monitoring, there are a number of lifestyle changes you can make that can help you manage your disease:

1. Check blood sugar: Regularly checking your blood sugar levels can ensure you’re on the right track. It’s like routinely checking your car’s fuel gauge to avoid running empty unexpectedly.

2. Healthy eating: Watch your carb intake and focus on eating more proteins, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Understanding how different foods affect your blood sugar is a journey, one well worth taking.

3. Being active: Physical activity can help lower your blood sugar. It’s not just about hitting the gym — dancing, walking, or even gardening can count.

4. Medication: If prescribed, ensure you’re taking your medication as directed.

5. Coping mechanisms: Stress can affect your blood sugar levels. So, finding healthy ways to cope can be beneficial.

6. Regular check-ups: Routine visits to your healthcare provider can help you keep tabs on your blood pressure, cholesterol level, and other metrics.

Any Lab Test Now® is Your Partner in Health

We want to help you and your family stay healthy by providing answers about your wellness. At Any Lab Test Now®, we provide tests that give you tangible results. We provide the lab testing; you own the results and can use them as you choose. Call now to schedule an appointment at a location near you.

Diabetes Meds Used for Weight Loss

For anyone who has ever battled weight loss, you know there are times you wish for a magic pill to take instead of putting in the hard work. There are fads and trends that come and go promising weight loss — and the latest one is creating a critical shortage of much-needed medication for type 2 diabetics.

The product is called semaglutide. It’s a form of insulin injected under the skin once a week using a pre-filled dosing pen. It’s used to control blood sugar levels for those with type 2 diabetes.

The Benefits for Diabetics

According to a report from Medline Plus, for diabetics, the insulin works by helping the pancreas release the right amount of insulin when blood sugar levels are high. Insulin helps move sugar from the blood into other body tissues, where it is used for energy. But it has also been shown to be an appetite suppressant.

Semaglutide is a synthetic form of a gut hormone that slows digestion. When that happens, you feel fuller for longer and consequently eat less. Studies have shown that some people can lose up to 15% of their body weight — leading the FDA to approve semaglutide for the treatment of obesity.

The Medication Misuse

And therein lies the problem. Because semaglutide was discovered to work in appetite suppression and weight loss in some patients, it has become a trendy weight loss drug for celebrities and social media influencers who began using it off-label. With so many non-diabetics using it for weight loss — it has created a shortage of the injectable for diabetics who need it. The supply simply cannot keep up with the increased demand.

Additionally, for those using the drug improperly, as in the case of someone who wasn’t prescribed this medication by their provider for type 2 diabetes or obesity — there are some severe side effects that can occur when using semaglutide as a fast track to weight loss. Those conditions include pancreatitis, kidney failure, and gallbladder disease.

A Dieting Solution from Any Lab Test Now®

Experts from Any Lab Test Now® remind you that the healthiest way to lose weight is through consistent lifestyle changes. The body has memory, and for those who utilize the weight loss trend du jour — when the diet stops, your body’s memory concerning metabolism and fat cells will come back with a vengeance. Yo-yo dieting actually works to increase your hunger over a period of time and can cause long-term health problems down the road.

A better solution to achieving your weight loss goals is to begin with obtaining an idea of how your body works metabolically, and the best way for you to reach your weight loss goals. Any Lab Test Now® provides two very effective tests to start you on your healthy weight loss journey.

Weight Management Tests

  • First is the HEALTHY WEIGHT DNA TEST. This is a simple cheek swab that provides a great deal of valuable information for you. This scientifically based weight-management test identifies your unique genetic makeup and provides diet and exercise strategies customized to your genotype. 

You will receive personalized nutrition and fitness recommendations based on the results of this DNA test that are designed with your unique genetic markers associated with weight, metabolism, and body type.

  • The second test to consider is the WEIGHT MANAGEMENT HORMONE TEST PANEL. There is scientific evidence that hormone imbalances may make it difficult to maintain your weight. This panel is designed to find any hormonal imbalances that could be affecting weight management.

For example, many people who find themselves stressed may discover that their metabolism is being affected by their cortisol levels. Cortisol is the stress hormone that affects how your body uses sugar. 

  • When starting a weight loss program, it’s always a good idea to obtain a snapshot of your overall health to discover your baseline. As you begin making lifestyle changes for weight loss, the ANNUAL CHECK-UP PANEL consists of five tests that give a solid overview of where your health is now. This test can be repeated when you reach certain health or weight loss benchmarks to determine improvements in your overall health.

This test includes your blood counts, kidney function, liver function, electrolytes, total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL, and thyroid function values. This empowers you to manage your health.

You’re in Control of Your Health

Test results belong to you. However, we strongly encourage you to have a conversation with your provider about the results. If you do not have a primary care physician, Any Lab Test Now® has partnered with Dial Care. This service helps you find a provider licensed in your state to discuss results and any further testing or changes you may need to make to achieve your health goals.

Any Lab Test Now® is Your Resource for Improved Health

If your goal is to achieve a healthy weight through customized lifestyle changes, Any Lab Test Now® is your partner in health. We are here to provide tests to help you and your family achieve your health and wellness goals. Call now to schedule an appointment at a location near you.

Understanding Diabetes

When Karyn Wofford, the implementation manager at Any Lab Test Now, was 12 years old, what she thought was a case of homesickness at summer camp wound up being a life-threatening illness. She was at cheer camp when she suddenly dropped weight and became thirsty and irritable. While she was at camp, she chalked it up to wanting to get home. But, once she was home and even on a family vacation, her symptoms only got worse. Had it not been for her mom’s maternal instincts and quick thinking, Karyn’s outcome could have been much different.

Her mom took her to the doctor where she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes — an autoimmune disease that can be deadly if not properly managed. They found out that while at cheer camp, Karyn was experiencing DKA or diabetic ketoacidosis. Her body wasn’t producing insulin properly, and she could have lapsed into a coma or even death.

She experienced many of the typical symptoms you might expect to see with type 1 diabetes.

Type 1 Diabetes Symptoms:

  • Comes on suddenly
  • Rapid weight loss
  • Thirsty all the time
  • Frequent urination
  • Irritability
  • Feeling tired and weak
  • Blurry vision

What You Need to Know

Karyn’s story is important to understand. As a parent, being aware of these symptoms is crucial for the health of your child. Often, especially in children, symptoms of diabetes can be misdiagnosed as flu or other common ailments.

Type 1 diabetes was once called juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes because it is typically diagnosed during childhood or adolescence, but it CAN develop in adults. Diagnosis means your pancreas makes little or no insulin — a hormone needed by your body to allow sugar, or glucose, to be used for energy. 

There is no cure, but careful management allows type 1 diabetics to lead a normal life. Karyn, for example, uses a monitoring system to check her glucose level and has an attached insulin pump to continually regulate her blood sugar. The idea is to keep it at an acceptable level and not dip too low or soar too high. While she has had a few scares over the years, she has been living with type 1 diabetes for 20 years because she is very careful about what she eats and has a heightened awareness of her health.

Type 2 Diabetes

There is a second kind of diabetes, often referred to as adult-onset or type 2 diabetes. Unlike type 1, symptoms develop more slowly.

Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes:

  • Increased thirst
  • Frequent urination
  • Increased hunger
  • Unintended weight loss
  • Fatigue
  • Blurred vision
  • Slow-healing sores
  • Frequent infections
  • Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet
  • Areas of darkened skin, usually in the armpits and neck

Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes and typically occurs in middle-aged or older people. It occurs when your blood sugar or blood glucose is too high. Again, glucose is vital to provide energy for your body, and cells get glucose from the food we eat. Insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, is needed to give the body that energy. When you have type 2 diabetes, your body doesn’t make or use insulin well. There’s too much sugar in the blood and not enough in the cells that need it.

Differences in Types of Diabetes

Type 1 Diabetes Causes:

  • Autoimmune response
  • Can be genetic
  • Can be caused by a virus

Type 2 Diabetes Causes/Risk Factors:

  • Family history
  • Overweight
  • High blood pressure
  • American Indian, Black or African American, Asian American, Hispanic/Latino, or Pacific Islander

Looking Out for Your Health

Karyn’s type 1 diabetes could not be prevented, but type 2 can. If you feel like you or a family member may be symptomatic or have certain risk factors, or if you want to take preventative measures to decrease your risk, the American Diabetes Association recommends the best medical test for diabetes is a glucose test through blood work.

Any Lab Test Now® can provide the answers you are looking for. We offer a Diabetes Maintenance Panel, which effectively tests diabetics and those who want to find out if they have diabetes. There are four tests in this panel, including:

  1. Complete Blood Count (CBC) – may show infection or anemia
  2. Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
  3. Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1C) – can detect pre-diabetes, diagnose, or see how well controlled it is
  4. Diabetic Urinalysis – will determine if there is protein in your urine, indicating improper kidney function.

Any Lab Test Now® is also a great resource for glucose testing.  We can conduct the Glucose (Serum) Test, also known as the Fasting Blood Glucose Test. This is the most common test used to diagnose hyperglycemia (higher than normal levels of blood sugar), hypoglycemia (lower than normal levels of blood sugar), and diabetes.

This test will determine if your blood glucose level is within a healthy range. It will also screen for, diagnose, and monitor pre‐diabetes, diabetes, hyperglycemia, and hypoglycemia.

Understanding Diabetes

Diabetes, whether type 1, like Karyn’s, or type 2, is more prevalent than you might think. There are an estimated 37 million Americans who have some form of diabetes. Numbers show that one in every three Americans, or 96 million people, have a condition known as pre-diabetes.

Pre-diabetes means your blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. Over time, if uncontrolled, you could develop type 2 diabetes.

Education and Prevention

Being aware of the symptoms and risk factors of diabetes is a great first step to taking charge of your health. Left untreated, type 2 diabetes can lead to complications with other body systems and organs,including your heart, blood vessels, nerves, eyes, and kidneys.

Not only can you change your diet and exercise to live a healthier life and possibly prevent type 2 diabetes, but it’s important to understand your body and put your wellness first. Utilizing the screenings at Any Lab Test Now® will provide the answers you need — whether that’s giving you peace of mind, alerting you to a problem that may need further evaluation from your physician, or providing a diabetes monitoring system — we are able to serve your needs.

You may choose to discuss your results further with a healthcare professional to give you guidance about medications or diabetes management, but you do not need an order from your doctor to have testing done. We provide the doctor’s orders!

Call now to schedule an appointment at a location near you to take back your health.

Educate Yourself About Kidney Disease During National Kidney Month

Kidney Disease: A Dangerous Illness That Can Hit You With No Signs or Symptoms

An estimated 37 million adults in the United States are believed to have chronic kidney disease. The National Kidney Foundation reports that approximately 90 percent of those adults don’t know they have it. This is especially concerning during the coronavirus crisis since kidney disease puts you at greater risk for developing life-threatening complications from COVID-19. 

It is also reported that people with kidney failure had the highest rate of hospitalization for COVID-19 among all Medicare beneficiaries, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). 

Other staggering statistics include:

  • Due to certain risk factors, one in three Americans are at risk for kidney disease.
  • 660,000 people live with kidney failure.
  • 100,000 people are waiting for a kidney transplant.

Kidney disease can strike anyone, young or old, at any time. Risk factors for kidney disease include: diabeteshigh blood pressureheart diseaseobesity, and family history.  Lifestyle changes and a healthy diet can sometimes slow the progression of the disease when caught in the early stages and sometimes can prevent kidney failure. 

Understanding Kidney Function

You have two kidneys; each one is about the size of a fist. They are located on either side of the spine near the lowest point of your ribcage. The main function of the kidneys is to remove waste products and excess fluid from the body through urine. The kidneys also regulate the body’s salt, potassium, and acid content.

Other ways your kidneys keep you healthy include:

  • Activates vitamin D for healthy bones.
  • Directs production of red blood cells.
  • Regulates blood pressure.
  • Keeps blood minerals in balance.

As part of an interrelated system, the kidneys are prone to damage if any disease alters the flow and/or chemistry of blood entering the kidneys or causes direct injury to the kidneys themselves.

Causes of Kidney Disease

Kidney disease occurs when the kidneys cannot function properly. The abnormality usually appears as a protein in the urine. It is also marked by decreased kidney function for three months or more. 

Symptoms of poor kidney function include:

  • Swelling in face, hands, abdomen, ankles, and feet
  • Blood in urine
  • Puffy eyes
  • Difficult, painful urination 
  • Increased thirst 
  • Fatigue

Diabetes is a major risk factor for kidney disease. This is when sustained high levels of blood glucose from uncontrolled diabetes can damage the kidneys and could lead to kidney failure.

Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is another risk factor. This condition can damage blood vessels in the kidneys.

Glomerulonephritis is an inflammation of the glomeruli, which are structures of blood vessels in your kidneys. These structures help filter your blood and remove excess fluids. If there is damage to these structures, your kidneys will stop working properly. 

In addition to kidney failure, kidney disease can cause a number of other health issues, including:

  • Nerve damage
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Weak bones
  • Heart attack
  • Stroke
  • High blood pressure
  • Kidney failure
  • Anemia

Monitoring Kidney Function 

Chronic kidney disease can progress silently over many years, with no signs or symptoms or with ones that are too general for a person to suspect as related to kidney function. However, there are tests available to help you diagnose and manage conditions affecting your kidney function. 

Any Lab Test Now® can be a critical partner for you in your quest to take control of your kidney health. We offer several tests that can help screen for problems. 

One of those tests includes a Renal Function Panel. This is a group of tests performed together to evaluate kidney (renal) function. The test measures the levels of the following substances in the blood to determine the current health of your kidneys.

Minerals:

  • Phosphorus – This mineral is vital to energy production, nerve and muscle function, and bone growth.
  • Calcium – One of the most important minerals in the body. This mineral aids in the proper functioning of muscles and nerves, the formation of bones, and a healthy cardiovascular system.

Protein:

  • Albumin – This protein makes up about 60 percent of the protein in the blood. One of the main functions of albumin is transporting hormones, vitamins, and ions like calcium throughout the body.
  • Electrolytes – These are essential minerals that are vital to normal body function including such as nerve conduction and muscle function. They are also vital to regulating the amount of water in the body for proper acid-base balance.
  • Sodium
  • Potassium
  • Chloride
  • Carbon Dioxide (Total CO)

Waste Products:

  • Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) – This is a waste product that is formed from the metabolism of protein, which is then carried to the kidneys and eliminated in the urine.
  • Creatinine – This is also a waste product produced by the body’s muscles and also eliminated by the kidneys.

Carbohydrate:

  • Glucose – This carbohydrate supplies energy to the body. The level of glucose in the blood is used in the diagnosis and treatment of carbohydrate metabolic disorders (i.e., diabetes).

Be at Ease

Any Lab Test Now wants you to be at ease when it comes to seeking out any type of lab work, including determining your kidney function.

We provide you a safe and clean alternative location for lab work. Each of our 190+ stores is sanitized several times a day, in accordance with the CDC’s protocols. Any Lab Test Now is a committed partner in helping you manage your family’s healthcare so you can make educated decisions that will directly affect your quality of life. We want to put you at ease during the coronavirus outbreak. We are here to help.

Find your closest Any Lab Test Now store at www.anylabtestnow.com.

Understanding Diabetes

Diabetes – The Chronic Condition That Can Strike at Any Age

About one out of every ten people have diabetes. However, one out of every five of those people do not realize they have this potentially deadly condition. In fact, diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States.

To educate people about the disease, November is designated Diabetes Awareness Month. Diabetes can strike anyone, at any age.

Let’s start with the basics. What exactly is diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic health condition that causes higher than average blood sugar levels. Normally, your body produces insulin from the pancreas to help regulate the blood sugar. Insulin acts like a key to open your cells to allow the blood sugar to enter so you can use it for energy. If you have diabetes, your pancreas either doesn’t make enough insulin or cannot effectively use its own insulin.

There are two main forms of diabetes, with very different causes, symptoms and treatments.

Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease, and while there are treatments to manage it, there is no cure. About 5 percent of people who have diabetes have type 1 diabetes — or insulin-dependent diabetes. In the past, type 1 diabetes was called juvenile diabetes, because patients often found out they had it during childhood, but people of all ages can develop type 1 diabetes.

In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas produces no insulin. The reason? The body’s immune system attacks the insulin-producing islet cells in the pancreas. The islet cells sense glucose in the blood and produce the right amount of insulin to normalize blood sugars. Once the insulin-producing cells are destroyed, a person can no longer produce their own insulin. Without insulin, sugar stays in the blood and builds up.

Complications of Type 1 Diabetes

If left untreated, high blood sugar levels can cause health complications and internal damage.

Blindness is a common diabetes complication. Diabetes is also a leading cause of kidney failure. Many people with diabetes have impaired sensation in the hands and feet, including neuropathy.

Diabetes can also cause digestive problems, erectile dysfunction, and fertility issues. The conditions also increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. Diabetes can also lead to amputation of toes and feet. In extreme cases, it can also lead to coma and death.

Signs of Type 1 Diabetes

Symptoms of type 1 diabetes often appear suddenly. The most common symptoms are:

  • Increased thirst
  • Increased urination
  • Bed-wetting may occur in children who have already been toilet trained
  • Rapid and unexplained weight loss
  • Extreme hunger
  • Extreme weakness or fatigue
  • Unusual irritability
  • Blurred vision
  • Nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain
  • Fruity breath odor

Treatment of Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is treated by taking daily insulin injections or using an insulin pump or other device to replace the insulin no longer created naturally. A healthy diet and regular exercise can also help control blood sugar levels.

If you take too much insulin, then your blood sugar can drop to a dangerously low level. This is called hypoglycemia, and it can be life-threatening. If you take too little insulin, your blood sugar can rise to a dangerously high level. Your cells are not getting the sugar, or energy, they need. This is called hyperglycemia.

You will work with your doctor to determine the proper insulin dose and delivery method.

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes.  About 90 percent of people with diabetes have type 2, or non-insulin-dependent diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is also called adult-onset diabetes, since it typically develops after age 35. Type 2 diabetes is typically tied to people who are overweight, with a sedentary lifestyle. People with type 2 diabetes are able to produce some of their own insulin, but often it’s not enough.

Signs of Type 2 Diabetes

Many of the symptoms of type 2 diabetes are similar to those of type 1 diabetes. The difference is the onset of the condition. Type 2 diabetes usually presents more slowly, and the symptoms are not as noticeable as those for type 1 diabetes. For these reasons, many people mistakenly overlook the warning signs. They also might think that the symptoms are the signs of other conditions, like aging, overworking or hot weather. The complications of type 2 diabetes mirror those of type 1.

A combination of risk factors can increase the likelihood of type 2 diabetes. They include:

  • Being overweight
  • Family history
  • Physically inactive
  • Age 45 or older

Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes

One of the biggest differences between type 1 and type 2 diabetes is the approach to treatment. The majority of treatment programs for type 2 diabetes focus on diet, exercise and weight loss as well as improving ways to better use the insulin the body already produces to normalize blood sugar levels. If blood sugar levels are still high, medications can help the body use its own insulin more efficiently. In some cases, insulin injections are necessary. Unlike type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes can be reversed.

Prediabetes

Prediabetes means that your body is showing signs that could lead to type 2 diabetes. In prediabetes, there is too much glucose in the blood, but not as much as in diabetes.

People with prediabetes often have no symptoms at all. Your health care provider may decide to test you for prediabetes because of your age, weight, family history of diabetes or other health factors.

Not everyone with prediabetes will get diabetes, but the risk increases, especially if they don’t make lifestyle changes.

There are four main ways people with prediabetes can manage their condition:

  • Eating well
  • Getting active
  • Weight loss
  • Medications

Diabetes Testing

Now, with COVID-19 concerns, it is even more important than ever to take control of your health. People with diabetes face a higher chance of experiencing serious complications from COVID-19. If you’ve been concerned that you might have diabetes but are afraid to go to the doctor for fear of contracting COVID-19, Any Lab Test Now provides a safer alternative and a wide variety of testing options.

Any Lab Test Now offers six specialized lab tests you can take and share the results with your doctor.

Diabetes Maintenance Panel – this provides a complete blood count, Glucose-Serum, Hemoglobin A1c, and a Diabetic Urinalysis. This is an effective panel for diabetics, and also for those who want to see if they have diabetes.

Diabetic Urinalysis (Microalbumin) – this tests for the protein albumin in the urine. It’s something that the kidneys usually filter out, so if it shows up in the results, it can point to potential diabetes complications like kidney disease.

Glucose Blood Test – this is the most common diabetes test. Additionally, diabetics self-conduct this test multiple times a day to monitor their blood glucose levels.

Glucose Tolerance Test – this is a way to check how your body metabolizes sugar. First, a blood sample is collected, then you’ll be given a cup of glucose to drink. After that, your blood will be collected again every 30 to 60 minutes. It usually takes up to three hours to complete the test and can confirm diabetes.

Hemoglobin A1c – this test is useful in helping diabetics determine if their disease is under control. It’s a valuable measure of the overall blood glucose levels over a period of several months. The test can also help detect prediabetes and diabetes.

Insulin Lab Test – this test can let you know if your body is producing too much or too little insulin. Too little insulin, also known as insulin resistance, is often associated with type 2 diabetes. If you have prediabetes, this test can be used to monitor whether diet and lifestyle changes are having a great enough impact to reverse or improve your condition.

 Be at Ease

Any Lab Test Now wants you to be at ease when it comes to seeking out any type of lab work, including testing for diabetes.

We provide you a safe and clean alternative location for lab work. Each of our 185+ stores is sanitized several times a day, in accordance with the CDC’s protocols. Any Lab Test Now is a committed partner in helping you manage your family’s healthcare so you can make educated decisions that will directly affect your quality of life. We want to put you at ease during the coronavirus outbreak. We are here to help.

 

Fuel Resolutions with FSA Savings

Many Americans are making resolutions to get healthy and lose weight in the new year as the deadline for spending money from their flexible savings accounts looms. Rather than let your hard-earned savings expire, Any Lab Test Now offers a number of ways to stay on top of your health care and spend wisely.

A flexible spending account, or FSA, is part of an employer’s benefits package that allows workers to save pre-tax money for out-of-pocket health care costs. FSA rules vary by employer, but most companies require people to spend their FSA savings prior to the end of the year. Using your FSA savings to help fulfill New Year’s resolutions to get in shape is a no-brainer, and Any Lab Test Now is here to help.

You do not need insurance to take advantage of Any Lab Test Now’s affordable lab testing. An appointment can be scheduled online, or patients can walk into any of the more than 170 Any Lab Test Now locations nationwide for testing. Patients can have test results mailed or faxed to them, or they can come to pick them up at their testing location. As 2019 draws to a close, stop by Any Lab Test Now for a cost-effective and easy way to ensure your health and make the most of your FSA savings.

Any Lab Test Now offers a full range of clinical lab tests designed to support your well-being and provides a great springboard for the start of weight-loss season. Here are some options to consider when taking advantage of FSA savings.

Annual Check-Up Panel is a great option for taking a close look at your overall health and wellness. The panel provides a baseline for managing your overall health. The blood counts, kidney function, liver function, electrolytes, cholesterol health, blood glucose levels and thyroid function values.

Thyroid Panel When it comes to managing weight, one of the leading culprits causing weight gain in women is the thyroid. Thyroid imbalances can be the source of fatigue, weight gain, memory loss, and a host of other problems. Before embarking on a wellness journey, make sure the thyroid isn’t the reason your pants are feeling tight. The Thyroid Panel screens for thyroid disease, hyperthyroidism, and hypothyroidism by examining your body’s production of the thyroid hormones.

Diabetes Maintenance Panel More than 30 million people in the United States have diabetes; and one in four of them are undiagnosed, according to research from the Centers for Disease Control. Diet and exercise can help nip diabetes in the bud. Knowing if you are at risk of getting the disease will allow you to start down a path of wellness. The four tests in the Diabetes Maintenance Panel can help diagnose diabetes and help patients manage the disease with the help of a physician.

Take the first step to a healthy lifestyle this new year by visiting your local Any Lab Test Now and spending your remaining FSA dollars before time runs out. From cholesterol tests to DNA testing, Any Lab Test Now offers superior customer service at an affordable price.

Getting Tested to Kickstart a Healthy Lifestyle

If you’re guilty of putting off healthful eating in favor of late-night ice cream binges or choosing the side of French fries instead of salad, you might have more to lose than a few extra pounds.

Making sure your pants still fit is a nice perk when choosing a healthful lifestyle path, but a bigger benefit of a good diet is preventing diabetes, the seventh leading cause of death in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Over the last two decades, the number of adults diagnosed with diabetes has more than doubled. To make matters worse, more than 30 million people in the United States have diabetes, and one in four of them are undiagnosed. The CDC attributes an overweight and aging American population to these alarming statistics.

Getting Tested for Diabetes at Any Lab Test Now®

Any Lab Test Now, a leader in retail medical testing, with more than 175 locations nationwide, is making it easy to take charge of your health and control your weight by providing easy access to the Hemoglobin A1c Test. This test measures overall blood glucose levels over a period of two to three months and can be used to help detect pre‐diabetes and diagnose diabetes. Diabetes affects how your body absorbs glucose, which is an important source of energy. Glucose is a key component to nourishing your muscles and brain, according to Mayo Clinic.

If you already know you suffer from diabetes, the Hemoglobin A1c Test can help give you confidence your diabetes is under control. Diabetes ups your chance of developing other serious health problems, the CDC reports. People can decrease their chances of developing heart disease and kidney disease by keeping their blood sugar levels in check.

Walk in to any one of our locations and get your results in record time at an affordable price, without the hassle of a doctor visit.

Red Flags of Diabetes

Obesity is not the only red flag you might be at risk. Here are five additional factors that increase your chances of developing pre-diabetes, or type 2 diabetes:

  1. Over age 45
  2. A family history of diabetes
  3. Exercise less than three times per week
  4. Given birth to a baby weighing more than 9 pounds, or had gestational diabetes
  5. African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, Pacific Islanders and some Asian Americans all have a higher chance of developing diabetes

Will My Body Show Any Symptoms?

It’s important to understand the red flags of type 2 diabetes because the symptoms of the disease may not be easy to recognize. To make matters worse, the symptoms of type 2 diabetes can develop slowly over a number of years, and many people have no symptoms at all. People with type 2 diabetes occasionally report an increase in thirst and urination, unexplained weight loss, hunger, fatigue and blurry vision. Areas of darkened skin, frequent infections and sores that heal slowly are also important to keep an eye out for if you think you are at risk for diabetes.

If concerns over your health are not reason enough to get tested for diabetes, the hit on your finances is no joke. Health care costs over your lifetime will be double if you have diabetes, the CDC reports. For more specific numbers, diabetics spend about $13,700 per year, and nearly $8,000 of those costs are to treat the disease.

Take Charge of Your Health

Don’t despair, the news isn’t all gloomy. It’s not too late to prevent, or delay, the onset of type 2 diabetes and prediabetes. Simple steps including diet, increasing physical activity and managing stress will all reduce your chances of getting the disease. People can also benefit from working with a trained wellness coach and getting support from folks who are also following a path to healthy living.

If your test results do come back positive for type 2 diabetes, a doctor can help you get it under control. Treating type 2 diabetes will still require adopting healthy eating habits and exercise. But patients may need to test their blood sugar and administer insulin injections, or take diabetes medication, according to Mayo Clinic.

While November begins the holiday season of indulgence and overeating, it’s also National Diabetes Awareness Month, which makes it the perfect time to challenge yourself to put down the slice of pumpkin pie and visit Any Lab Test Now to take the Hemoglobin A1c Test.

Take Control Of Your Diabetes By Taking Control Of Your Health: Five Sneaky Signs

The numbers associated with diabetes are frightening. According to the American Diabetes Association, 30.3 million Americans (or 9.4 percent of the population) have diabetes.

You want to know what’s even scarier?

The 7.2 million of them that are walking around and living their life without even knowing they have a potentially fatal disease. That’s right, 7.2 million Americans are suffering from diabetes and they don’t even know it. That makes an already dangerous disease even more frightening.

Any Lab Test Now® recognizes how serious diabetes is… and how difficult it may be for some people to bring it under control. We are with you from diagnosis to management with a variety of tests designed to keep you informed and in control.

Are You Undiagnosed?

The earlier your diabetes is diagnosed the less likely you are to suffer from serious complications. There are some common warning signs for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes: excessive thirst and excessive urination, extreme fatigue, and hunger — even though you are eating. Some of these symptoms are so easy to write off that people often ignore them. But you need to watch for these five super-sneaky signs as well:

  1. Cuts and bruises that are slow to heal. Diabetes can impact your body’s defense system and encourage bacterial growth.
  2. Your vision isn’t the same. Don’t be so quick to just assume it is age-related. Diabetes can affect your eye’s lens, causing your vision to blur.
  3. Numb or tingling feet and hands. Maybe it’s the cold. Maybe it’s reduced blood flow brought on by diabetes, particularly type 2.
  4. Blotchy and darkened skin. Especially around your neck and under your armpits.
  5. Weight loss. We know what you’re thinking: “Losing weight is a good thing! Right?” and yes, it is… unless you’re not trying to lose weight and you’re actually eating more. This is often seen in people with type 1 diabetes.

If you notice these symptoms and you have a family history of diabetes, or if you’re overweight, or have a sedentary lifestyle, it could be cause for concern.

From Diagnosis to Maintenance

Any Lab Test Now offers a variety of options that can help you determine if you have diabetes and also whether you are keeping it under control. Some require fasting; others don’t. Some are best for help in diagnosing the disease; while others are better at helping you effectively manage it. For example, the Diabetes Maintenance Panel offers multiple tests including:

  • Complete Blood Count
  • Comprehensive Metabolic Panel
  • Hemoglobin A1c
  • Diabetic Urinalysis

If you’re not sure which test is right for you, don’t worry. You can call or walk into your local Any Lab Test Now location and our experts will help you determine which choice is best for you. Once you are armed with your test results, you and your doctor can decide how best to proceed. When it comes to diabetes, being informed and in control can help you avoid dangerous complications, and helping you be informed and in control of your health is what Any Lab Test Now is all about.

Don’t let diabetes sneak up on you

Here at Any Lab Test Now, we believe you should have the ability to take control of your health. That’s the same message being shared this November for National Diabetes Month. This year’s theme: You Are the Center of Your Diabetes Care Team. Any Lab Test Now wants to make it easy for you and your doctor to not only diagnose your diabetes, but also to treat it. That’s why we offer a wide range of options that can help you and your physician in understanding if you have the disease and make sure you are managing it properly as well.

Understanding Diabetes

Let’s start with a brief understanding of just what diabetes is. Diabetes is a group of diseases that occur when your blood glucose (also called blood sugar) is too high. That’s bad because it can begin to cause all kinds of health problems, like heart disease, nerve damage, kidney disease, even blindness. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) found that 30.3 million people in the United States have diabetes as of 2017. An even more frightening fact: Twenty-three percent of those people don’t even know they have diabetes!

Risk Factors and Symptoms

So how can Any Lab Test Now help? Well, we can help on two fronts. The first is diagnosis. There are a number of risk factors that could lead you down the path to diabetes. According to the NIH, some are related to your genetics, others to your lifestyle. They include:

  • Family history
  • Over age 45
  • African American, American Indian, Asian American, or Hispanic/Latino
  • Have high blood pressure
  • Have a low HDL level or high triglycerides
  • Are not physically active
  • Have a history of heart disease or stroke

Take all these risk factors into consideration as well as these symptoms as you start to ponder your own diabetes status.

  • Increased thirst and urination
  • Increased hunger
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Fatigue
  • Blurred vision
  • Numbness or tingling in the feet or hands
  • Wounds that do not heal

It’s important to note that many people with type 2 diabetes have no symptoms, or they’re so mild that people don’t notice them. That’s one of the reasons it’s important to know the risk factors as well.

Take Control of Your Diabetes

At Any Lab Test Now, we offer a total of six lab tests designed to help you and your doctor diagnose and manage your diabetes.

  1. The Diabetes Maintenance Panel includes four tests: Complete Blood Count, Glucose-Serum, Hemoglobin A1c, and a Diabetic Urinalysis. This is an effective panel for both diabetics and for those who want to see if they have diabetes.
  2. The Diabetic Urinalysis (Microalbumin) will test for the protein albumin in your urine. It’s something that the kidneys usually filter out, so if it shows up in the results, it can alert you and your doctor to potential diabetes complications like kidney disease.
  3. The Glucose Blood Test is the most common test used to diagnose diabetes. Additionally, diabetics self-conduct this test multiple times a day to monitor their blood glucose levels.
  4. The Glucose Tolerance Test is a way to check how your body metabolizes sugar. Your blood will be collected then you’ll be given a cup of glucose to drink. After that, your blood will be collected again every 30 to 60 minutes. It usually takes up to three hours to complete the test and can confirm diabetes.
  5. The Hemoglobin A1c is useful in helping diabetics determine if their disease is under control. It’s a valuable measure of the overall blood glucose levels over a period of several months. The test can also help detect pre-diabetes and diabetes.
  6. The Insulin Lab Test can let you know if your body is producing too much or too little insulin. Too little insulin, also known as insulin resistance, is often associated with type 2 diabetes. If you have pre-diabetes, this test can be used to monitor whether diet and lifestyle changes are having a great enough impact to reverse or improve your condition.

All of these tests can provide you and your doctor with the knowledge necessary to properly treat and manage your condition. Don’t let diabetes sneak up on you. Know your risk factors and your symptoms and take control of your health through walk-in testing. Your local Any Lab Test Now location can help you do that.

Hormones and Your Health

The Connection Between an Imbalance and Weight Gain

The statistics concerning adult obesity in the United States are alarming. According to the most recent data, adult obesity rates now exceed 20 percent in all states. A diet high in fat and sugar, coupled with a sedentary lifestyle, is usually to blame. But for some people, both men and women, there is no obvious reason for the additional pounds. These people are eating healthy and getting exercise, yet they still seem to be gaining weight. In that case, there is a possibility that hormones are to blame.

Hormonal Havoc

As we age, hormone levels adjust and can cause hormonal imbalances. This can lead to a number of issues including:

  • Weight gain
  • Obesity
  • Insulin resistance
  • Metabolic syndrome
  • Diabetes

Testing your hormone levels can help explain persistent weight problems and help you avoid the associated medical issues. The first step is to purchase the Weight Management Take Home Hormone Kit at your local Any Lab Test Now location.

Taking the First Step

The Weight Management Take Home Hormone Kit is the first step to getting answers and it can be done in the comfort of your own home. You’ll have to fast for 12 hours for the results to be accurate. It consists of a simple dried blood spot test and a saliva test. Using these, the test measures bioavailable hormone levels. The kit is wide-ranging, testing in nine critical areas:

  • Estradiol (E2) – this is basically a form of estrogen. It is present in both women and men.
  • Progesterone (Pg) and Testosterone (T) – these are hormones that are found in both men and women that help regulate gender and the associated sexual functions.
  • DHEAS (DS) – helps in evaluating your adrenal gland function.
  • Diurnal Cortisol (Cx4) – helps determine your level of cortisol, a steroid hormone released by your adrenal gland.
  • Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) – checks your body’s production of TSH, which helps regulate how your body uses energy.
  • Vitamin D (D2, D3) – low levels of this vitamin may lead to weight gain according to some studies.
  • Insulin (In) – this measures your insulin production. Insulin is produced by the pancreas and used by the body to transport and convert glucose into usable energy.
  • Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) – checks your blood glucose levels and can detect pre-diabetes.

If you’ve experienced unusual weight gain, are struggling with obesity, or are having difficulty losing weight, the cause could be hormonal havoc.

Results Put You in Control

Test results will usually take between five to seven business days after you return your specimen to the lab. Your results will pinpoint specific hormonal imbalances that can contribute to excessive weight gain and obesity. The comprehensive report also matches your tested hormone levels with reported symptoms so you and your doctor can determine what steps to take so you can achieve optimal health. It’s time to take your health into your own hands with the help of Any Lab Test Now.