Knowing The ABC’s of Hepatitis

The cases of people living with hepatitis C have reached such staggering numbers that the CDC is calling it a “silent epidemic.” They report a 150 percent increase in new cases in recent year — but that’s not the most concerning number. At least 50 percent of people living with hepatitis C don’t even know they are infected.

What is Viral Hepatitis?

Viral hepatitis can be confusing, but the good news is there have been advances that make all three types of the disease curable, but you have to be diagnosed first. First of all, there are three types of viral hepatitis. According to the CDC, each version can produce similar symptoms and they all affect the liver.

Hepatitis A is a short-term illness that is vaccine preventable. Most people who do get infected with the hepatitis A virus recover over time with little to no lasting effects. It is usually transmitted person to person when you consume food or water that has been handled in an unsanitary fashion. The symptoms usually include fatigue, loss of appetite, stomach pain, nausea, and jaundice. They usually resolve on their own within several months.

Hepatitis B is also vaccine-preventable, but can become much more serious. The hepatitis B virus is transmitted from an infected person to a non-infected person when body fluids are exchanged. This can happen through sexual contact, needle sharing, or from the birth of a baby by an infected mother. The hep B virus begins as a short-term infection of the liver. It can be mild with few, if any, symptoms or be severe enough to require hospitalization. Not everyone is able to clear the infection and they go on to develop chronic hepatitis B. That’s a lifelong infection that can lead to serious health problems, like liver damage, cirrhosis, liver cancer, and even death.

Hepatitis C is similar to hepatitis B except in one key component — it is not preventable. There is no vaccine that will protect you against the virus. People born between 1945 and 1965 are five times more likely to have hepatitis C than most, but young people who inject drugs account for the staggering rise in numbers. Most people who get infected go on to develop a chronic, lifelong infection, which can cause serious liver damage and even liver cancer over time. New treatments offer a cure for many people, but they are costly and won’t prevent you from contracting the virus again.

The keys to beating hepatitis are:

  • Vaccination if available.
  • Avoiding transmitting behaviors.
  • Getting tested so treatment can begin.

Hepatitis Awareness Month

The month of May is Hepatitis Awareness Month. Any Lab Test Now is working to shed light on this hidden epidemic by raising awareness of viral hepatitis and encouraging people to get tested. Our Hepatitis Panel tests for all three types of the virus. We also offer individual Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C screenings as well.

The road to treatment begins with knowing where you stand. Working together with Any Lab Test Now, let’s shine the light on this “silent epidemic” and do our part in helping KO the ABC’s of hepatitis.

Making Yourself Priority One Is Easier To Do Than You Think

Does your list of “must do” tasks seem like a mountain on the verge of a landslide? For many women, there’s a laundry list (pun intended!) of things to accomplish that feels infinite… and it’s usually sandwiched between working and raising a family. Any Lab Test Now encourages you to take a look at your “must do” list and add one more item on to it. YES! You read that right. We not only want you to add one more item to your “must do” list, but we also want you to prioritize it at the top. That’s because Any Lab Test Now wants you to prioritize your health.

MAKING TIME FOR YOU

National Women’s Health Week is celebrated May 12–18 this year and it’s all about making sure you put as much energy into taking care of yourself as you do others. We encourage you, your mother, your sister, your grandmother and your friends to get together and take steps to improve your health and to let Any Lab Test Now be a partner in your journey toward a healthier you.

So how can Any Lab Test Now help women make their health a priority? Convenience tops the list! How often do you put off getting a much-needed test because you just haven’t found the time to make an appointment? Many women are reluctant to make that appointment because they worry it will include long wait times which could mean valuable time lost at work or make you late for a carpool pickup.

With Any Lab Test Now, you don’t even have to schedule an appointment (although you can if you wish). You can simply pop in when you’re near one of our more than 170 conveniently located labs across the country. Generally, we’ll have you in and out in 15 minutes! You won’t miss the first part of the ballet recital.

TESTING WITH LADIES IN MIND

Our lab experts are always available to make sure you’re ordering the right test for your needs. A Comprehensive Female Panel is always a great place to start your journey toward better health. It’s designed to help women at all stages of life make informed decisions about their healthcare goals. It includes blood work (and cholesterol counts) that will provide you with a snapshot of your heart health. Heart disease is the number one killer of women in the United States. The panel also includes a metabolic panel that checks kidney and liver functions, female hormones, thyroid condition, and nutritional status. All around, a great annual panel that provides you with a wide range of information.

Some conditions affect women more than men. Take urinary tract infections (UTI) for example. How many times have you felt that distinctive burning sensation? Usually, it’s late on a Friday afternoon! Well, UTIs occur in women significantly more than in men, and we can thank our anatomy for that. You don’t have to suffer until you get in to see the doctor. Some of our locations offer convenient Saturday options. You can get a routine Urinalysis to share with your doctor so you can get to feeling better, faster!

And how many times a week do you grab a quick burger or pick up a to-go salad because you just didn’t have time to stop and sit down to a nutritious meal? A basic building block to a healthier you (man or woman!) is proper nutrition. If you’re so busy making lunches for everyone else that you neglect making one for yourself, it can lead to problems. A regular diet of quick and easy ramen noodles isn’t always best. A Basic Nutritional Panel will let you know if you’re getting enough of what you need to experience optimal health.

Making time for yourself doesn’t have to be another chore to add to the list. When you take care of your own health, you aren’t being selfish. You’ll feel better and more energized and be ready to tackle all of your “must do” list and maybe even more!

Precision Medicine – Available at Any Lab Test Now

“Precision medicine.”

It sounds like something from the future. When most of us think about “precision,” images of watches, computers, or lasers may pop into your mind. But when we talk about precision medicine, we’re talking about optimizing the treatment effectiveness of prescription drugs and minimizing the adverse reactions to them. We’re talking about pharmacogenomics.

Pharmacogenomics (or PGx) is a growing area that blends the study of pharmacology with the field of genetics. Basically, it’s taking individualized medical care down to your very genetic makeup. That’s some pretty heavy stuff, and it’s available right now at Any Lab Test Now.

One Size Does NOT Fit All

Until now, medications have been a sort of a one-size-fits-all model. Doctors try patients on one drug. If that doesn’t work, they move on to the next. If that one works, then they may fiddle with the dosage until they get that just right. Pharmacogenomics takes that time-consuming (and sometimes costly) process and tosses it out the window.

Pharmacogenomics can empower every doctor and every patient with the specific knowledge to properly prescribe to the patient’s symptoms and conditions with accurate medication for the best possible results. How is it done? It’s as easy as a simple DNA swab across your cheek.

Here at Any Lab Test Now, we are proud to offer you seven different PGx panels that address some of the most common conditions faced by patients.

They all work the same. Each kit will come with two buccal (cheek) swabs. Once you collect your DNA sample and turn it in, it will generally take 5 – 7 business days for you to receive your lab results. Simply choose from one of our more than 170 testing locations with work-friendly hours. You can schedule an appointment online, or you can walk-in. Once you receive your results, share them with your doctor and start your journey toward targeted healthcare.

Healthcare: Tailor-Made For You

The days of the trial-and-error of prescription drug prescribing are over. Now, you can have a treatment plan tailored specifically to your body type and physiology, and it’s as simple as accessing your body’s DNA. Stop in to your local Any Lab Test Now location and ask for more information about pharmacogenomics testing.

Solutions for Those with High Deductibles or No Insurance

If you don’t have insurance or have a high deductible and have difficulty affording healthcare, there are still options for you to get tests done and make your health a priority. Any Lab Test Now offers a multitude of tests at low prices and convenient times, and you don’t even need insurance to use their services.

No Insurance Necessary

If you are currently uninsured, it can be difficult and pricey to get medical attention. Any Lab Test Now will provide you with the tests you need, no insurance required. Now, you don’t have to worry about skipping a blood test or ignoring possible allergies. All tests are available to you, regardless of your insurance status.

In addition, if you will be paying for your test out-of-pocket, you can use your health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA) for payment.

Low Prices

A lot of people skip their medical exams because they are overpriced. Any Lab Test Now offers tests at the lowest prices possible, ensuring that anyone can get tested and focus on their health. Patients are not charged excessive fees or high deductibles for their tests; instead, they are offered the same quality tests as other testing centers for an affordable price that can fit most budgets.

Easily Accessible

When cost is an issue, it’s easy to make excuses for skipping medical tests. It’s easy to blame the distance to the office or the time spent in a waiting room for not getting tested. After all, time spent on medical test can mean time spent away from work.

Fortunately, Any Lab Test Now understands this. Our locations are spread across the country and located in places where people work and live. You can easily find your local Any Lab Test Now and get started with your tests. You can also get your tests done in a convenient amount of time, so you don’t have to worry about sitting in a waiting room and wasting a whole day. Patients can, generally, have tests completed in 15 minutes or less and there is no appointment required. The locations are typically open at convenient times that will fit your schedule, including Saturdays, so you don’t even need to take time off during the work week.
Any Lab Test Now offers a service that allows you to prioritize your health. You can get any of the tests offered without insurance and at a low price. Now, there are no excuses to not get tested. Anyone can take charge of their health and get tests completed, even if they are uninsured or on a tight budget.

The 5 Best Tests to Use Your FSA On

altn-dec-newsletter-sized-fsaHSA and FSA accounts can help you budget for your healthcare, and ensure you always have the money you need to pay for any unexpected health events. But if you still have money in your FSA, it will expire at the end of the year. Instead of letting your money vanish, put it to use by getting some testing or immunizations you’ve been putting off. Wrap up lingering health concerns now so you can start fresh in the new year.

Allergy Test
The holidays coincide with peak cold and flu season, but if your sniffles won’t go away, you might look into allergy testing. Up to 50 million Americans suffer from allergies. If you experience emotional or physical reactions after you eat, or if you frequently have symptoms like a stuffy nose or trouble breathing, you might have an allergy to something you ate. The Allergy Test goes through as many as 45 different foods and 45 environmental triggers to identify the root of your symptoms.

Intolerance Test
If you’ve been noticing symptoms that aren’t associated with an allergic reaction, then you might have a food intolerance. If you experience fatigue, gas or diarrhea, depression or anxiety, weight gain or a general chronic discomfort, you may want to get a food intolerance test. This becomes especially important as you grow older, because you can develop new food sensitivities or intolerances later in life.

Blood Cortisol Test
If your stress levels are through the roof, the holiday season will likely only make it worse — it can seem like your to-do list never ends! To see if your stress is starting to cause problems for your body, get a blood cortisol test. High levels of cortisol are dangerous, because over time they can lead to high blood pressure, inflammation, compromised immune response and weight gain.

Thyroid Test
The holiday meals sure are delicious, but do you know what isn’t so great? The holiday pounds. If your weight gain tends to stick around a bit too long after the holidays, you should get your thyroid tested. Your thyroid controls metabolic activity, which is vital for maintaining a healthy weight. Poor thyroid health is associated with symptoms like fatigue, short attention span, weight gain and numbness or cold intolerance. Thyroid disorders can also cause conditions like osteoporosis and heart disease.

Proof of Immunizations
Are you traveling for the holidays or early next year? The first thing on your list should be to make sure your immunizations are up-to-date, which you can do by getting a proof of immunization test. These tests ensure that you have gotten the immunizations you need and provide valid paperwork to prove that you are immunized, which can be helpful if you’ve lost any documentation.

Don’t wait for the new year to address your lingering health concerns. If you have an FSA that is going to expire soon, get the important lab tests you need before 2017! For more information, visit your local Any Lab Test Now.

The Difference Between an HSA and an FSA Account

We’ve all had frightening medical situations. Maybe you were sitting on the sidelines when a baseball nailed your little man and he had to be rushed to the emergency room. Perhaps you were doing yardwork, got stung by a bee and realized that you needed a $400 round of medicine for a previously unknown allergy. Or maybe you felt painfully rundown and needed to find answers that only a lab test would provide. Whatever the situation, medical expenses happen from time to time, and you never want to find yourself in a situation where you have to make a choice between proper medical care and its cost.

Luckily, there are easy ways to save money for medical expenses. Aside from your basic savings account, there are two notable tools that can help you put money aside tax-free. These are the Health Savings Account (HSA) and the Flexible Spending Account (FSA). The fact that they are tax-free means you are able to save more using them than you would if you simply had money in a traditional savings account. Both plans are used exclusively to pay for qualified medical expenses, but this has a broad definition and may include vision, dental, medical testing and medication costs too.

Of course, there are some differences between the two accounts.

Who is eligible?

The first is eligibility. The HSA is only available to people who have selected a qualified high-deductible insurance plan. The FSA plan is available to anyone who has a job-sponsored health care insurance plan. Your employer should be able to help you figure out which one you can use.

When can you add money?

The second difference is the time of year that you can put money into your account. With the HSA, you are typically able to change how much you add to the account at any point throughout the year. In contrast, the FSA plan generally requires that you establish an amount during the open enrollment period that stays consistent throughout the year.

When do you have to use the money?

The third, and most important difference, is what happens to the money at the end of the year. With an HSA account, there is no time period in which you must use the funds that you set aside. Once you put money in, it remains in an investment account until you need it for qualified medical expenses. If you never use it, you can withdraw it after age 65 without tax penalties.

On the other hand, the FSA requires that the money saved is used within the plan year. There are some companies that offer a grace period, meaning you have an extra two and a half months to use the funds. Beyond that, however, unused money is surrendered to the fund itself; either you use the money in the plan year, or you lose it.

The good news is that the the list of qualified medical expenses includes lab fees, which means you have time left in the year and extra money to take charge of your health! Now is the time to investigate why your energy level has been lower lately. Perhaps you are tired of the constantly running nose? Find out if you have an allergy. Blood tests can even help detect warning signs of a variety of medical conditions, from diabetes to arthritis, so you can begin feeling better more quickly.  At Any Lab Test Now, we have more than a thousand tests available, and you’re able to use those FSA and HSA funds to cover the cost of your tests. It’s a great time to take advantage of the extra savings so you don’t lose them!

Have heartburn? You might want to check for Helicobacter Pylori (H. Pylori)

Helicobacter pylori. You’ve probably never heard of this crazy-sounding word, but it may be closer to you than you think! Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a potentially dangerous bacteria that thrives in the acidic environment of the stomach. It can cause painful symptoms, including stomach pain, nausea and even heartburn. Yes, that’s right. These common symptoms could actually be caused by an H. pylori infection in your stomach! So if you have frequent heartburn, it’s time to put down the antacids and find out what’s really going on!

What Is Heartburn?
Heartburn is a burning pain in your chest, right behind the breastbone. Typically, the pain is worse when lying down or bending over. Occasional heartburn is incredibly common and can usually be reduced through lifestyle changes and over-the-counter medications. However, if you are experiencing frequent heartburn, especially if it interferes with your daily routine, this may be a symptom of something more serious. If you have any of these symptoms, you may want to talk to your doctor about other possible causes of your heartburn, including the H. pylori bacteria:

  • Your heartburn occurs more than twice a week
  • Your symptoms continue despite use of over-the-counter heartburn medications
  • You have difficulty swallowing
  • You have frequent nausea or vomiting
  • You have lost weight because of poor appetite or difficulty eating

Could You Have A Helicobacter Pylori Infection?
Helicobacter pylori is a type of bacteria that can infect your stomach and is a common cause of peptic ulcers. In fact, while many try to blame their ulcers on stress or spicy food, 80 percent of stomach ulcers and 90 percent of duodenal ulcers (in the upper end of the small intestines) are caused by H. pylori. The H. pylori bacteria may also cause gastritis and even gastric (stomach) cancer.

Most people with an H. pylori infection never have any signs or symptoms, so they don’t realize they have it. However, if you develop signs of a peptic ulcer, you may have the infection. When symptoms do occur they can include:

  • Pain (an ache or burning) in your abdomen, just under the ribs
  • Abdominal pain that becomes worse when your stomach is empty
  • Loss of appetite and unintentional weight loss
  • Nausea
  • Frequent burping, heartburn and indigestion
  • Bloating

Should I Get Tested For H. Pylori?
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, you should consider getting tested for H. pylori. Any Lab Test Now offers several testing options if you suspect you may have an H. pylori infection or are suffering from chronic heartburn and want to know why:

  • The H. Pylori Stool Test can be used to detect the presence of the H. pylori antigen in stool specimens.
  • There is also a Urea Breath Test (UBT), which can be used to indirectly detect the presence of H. pylori urease by measuring carbon dioxide in the patient’s breath.

Both the Stool Test and Urea Breath Test are recommended by both the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) and the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) as non-invasive tests for diagnosis and confirmation of eradication.

If you are suffering from chronic heartburn, you need to talk to your doctor or gastroenterologist before it’s too late. H. pylori is a highly destructive bacterium that can lead to ulcers, gastritis and even stomach cancer. Talk to the experts at Any Lab Test Now to find out how you can get tested for H. pylori and end your heartburn suffering, once and for all!

*Some locations are unable to offer the H. pylori blood test, so please check with your local Any Lab Test Now to learn about your testing options.

Are You Pre-Diabetic? You Need To Read This: November Is Diabetes Awareness Month

With nearly 30 million people in the U.S. suffering from diabetes, it’s a problem that affects about 10 percent of the population. The American Diabetes Association estimates that 86 million people are at risk of developing the disease, and 3 million are already suffering from pre-diabetes.

Diabetes is a metabolic disease that affects the body’s ability to produce insulin. Without the proper amount of insulin, the body’s blood sugar levels remain abnormally high, and you don’t get the energy you need. Pre-diabetes is the precursor to Type 2 diabetes. At this stage, blood sugar levels are high but not high enough to be classified as Type 2 diabetes.

While diabetes often presents with symptoms like excessive thirst and hunger, extreme fatigue, frequent urination, blurry vision, cuts and bruises that heal slowly, and tingling in the feet and hands, pre-diabetes often doesn’t come with any outward symptoms. The only way to truly diagnose pre-diabetes is to get tested. Tests like Hemoglobin A1c detect pre-diabetes and can also diagnose diabetes or monitor diabetes to make sure it’s managed properly.

Any Lab Test Now can help you take charge of your health by determining whether you are in a pre-diabetic state. A Diabetes Maintenance Panel can be done to monitor any existing diabetic conditions over time, as well as keep an eye on possible complications.

Without proper management, pre-diabetes may turn into Type 2 diabetes within 10 years. Diabetes increases your risk for many other health problems, including nerve damage, blindness, stroke, skin infections, kidney disease, high blood pressure and heart disease.

But it’s not all bad news. With the correct treatment and proper management of diabetes, these complications can be prevented or delayed. While diabetes is often a lifelong disease, it can be managed with medication, diet and exercise for a full, healthy life. So if you or a loved one is showing some of the signs of diabetes, these tests can help you and your doctor determine if the disease has developed or if you are at risk of developing full-blown diabetes.

This November, don’t let Diabetes Awareness Month pass without a fight.  Get tested.  Know your numbers.  Take Control of Your Health®.

Stressed And The Holidays Aren’t Even Here Yet? Check Your Cortisol Level.

Woman having migraine headache. Stress and depression.From a baby’s cry to fast-paced work projects, people are faced with stresses on a regular basis. In response to these daily demands, the body releases a naturally occurring steroid hormone, called cortisol. Cortisol helps regulate muscles, cardiovascular function, digestion and other systems. This gives you the extra energy and mobility you need to fight through a stressful situation. As your cortisol levels increase, you may experience increased appetite, cravings for sugar and weight gain. Then, as the stressful situation comes to an end and you no longer need the extra energy, cortisol levels should return to normal.

Prolonged stress, however, means that cortisol is being produced regularly. When this happens, it can build up in the body without an outlet for release. This keeps your internal systems heightened and on high alert which can cause damage or fatigue. Risks resulting from chronic increased levels of cortisol are serious and include:

  • Lower immune function
  • Lower bone density
  • Learning and memory issues
  • Weight gain, particularly in the abdomen
  • High blood pressure
  • Heart disease
  • Depression

Is your cortisol level high?
Hormone testing, including the Saliva Cortisol Test or the Total Cortisol Test, can determine if your cortisol levels are too high or too low. Because cortisol levels naturally adjust throughout the day, the test may be required both early in the morning and again in the afternoon for the most accurate results.

What should I do about high cortisol levels?
Normal cortisol levels typically range from 6 to 23 micrograms per deciliter. Higher cortisol levels may be an indicator of Cushing disease or long-term, unmanaged stress. Low cortisol levels may be an indicator of Addison’s disease or hypopituitarism. In either case, your doctor will help you understand your test results and recommend any additional treatment options.

Stress management techniques may also prove effective in reducing higher than normal cortisol levels. From healthier eating and increased physical activity to meditation and deep breathing, stress management techniques provide your body with an outlet for releasing built-up cortisol and help bring your levels back into a healthier range.

If you regularly find yourself under stress, even if it is stress that stems from a positive experience, consider a  Saliva Cortisol Test or the Total Cortisol Test to live a healthier life and avoid long-term health issues.

Red Ribbon Week is October 23 Through 31!

If you are a parent, this is an important week. No, we’re not talking about Halloween and trick-or-treating, we’re talking about Red Ribbon Week! Red Ribbon Week is an alcohol, tobacco and other drug and violence prevention awareness campaign that occurs annually in October, and this year it’s happening October 23 through 31!

With school back in session and lots of upcoming holidays, this time of year is full of potentially risky situations for your teen. Peer pressure is rampant among teenagers, especially at parties and other social gatherings, and your teen may be pressured into trying drugs, alcohol or tobacco products. This week as you’re preparing for all the excitement of Halloween, take a moment to celebrate Red Ribbon Week as well! Talk with your teen about the dangers of tobacco, drug and alcohol use, and learn what you can do if you suspect your child is dabbling in or abusing drugs.

Could your teen be abusing drugs? Here are some warning signs to look for:

  • Sudden behavioral changes
  • Noticeable changes in hygiene and appearance
  • Otherwise unexplained health issues
  • Problems at work or school
  • Increased rule breaking, delinquency or other suspicious behavior

If you notice any of the signs listed above, it may be time to get more information about your teen’s activities. Any Lab Test Now offers many options for teen drug testing, including a Trust But Verify random drug testing program for teens.

Our teen drug testing includes options for rapid drug screens, drug tests for different detection periods and lab-based drug screens that test for some of the most commonly used drugs including, but not limited to:

  • Marijuana
  • Prescription medications
  • Cocaine
  • Synthetic designer drugs like K2, spice and bath salts.

Additional tests are available for alcohol use, tobacco use, unknown substances and cough syrup abuse. Talk to our experts at Any Lab Test Now to find the right test for you and your child’s needs. Getting answers is the first step in helping your teenager. Celebrate Red Ribbon Week by getting the answers you need!