Now Means Now

We are a society that craves convenience. We don’t like to waste time, but when waiting for something we need and/or something we’re paying for, like healthcare, we usually don’t have a choice.

Based on the 2022 Survey of Physician Appointment Wait Times and Medicare and Medicaid Acceptance Rates, it takes about 26 days to get in to see a doctor if you’re a new patient. That number can increase exponentially for a specialist appointment. This information is based on research conducted regarding physician appointment times in 15 United States metropolitan cities.

Part of the reason it’s taking so long is due to the mass exodus of healthcare workers since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Workers are spread thin and overtaxed, making appointments hard to come by because so many workers have left the healthcare industry, including physicians, specialists, and nurses. What that means for patients is that they may not be receiving the timely help they need when it comes to health and wellness.

A Convenient Solution

The good news is, at Any Lab Test Now®, you can receive prompt and efficient care concerning your healthcare needs. You do not need to make an appointment and we strive to get you in and out in 15 minutes or less. Some visits might be more involved and take a little longer, but care and convenience are our bottom line.

Any Lab Test Now® provides more than 8,000 lab tests. Those include anything from routine bloodwork to diagnostic and risk assessment tests. We can streamline any regular monitoring tests you need for acute and chronic conditions. For example, if you are on blood thinners and need weekly tests, or if you require testing before prescriptions can be refilled, or perhaps you are interested in monitoring your health and wellness.

What You Need to Know

At Any Lab Test Now®, we are dedicated to providing quality care on your time.

• No appointment necessary — but calling ahead for an appointment or scheduling online will ensure no wait time and streamline the appointment.

• Typically, results are ready in 24 to 72 hours; by mail, fax, or in some cases, email.

• Test results belong to you. You may choose to discuss the results with your provider. 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.

• Transparent pricing, HSA, FSA accepted, no insurance accepted.

But Wait, There’s More

Any Lab Test Now® is a committed partner in helping you manage your healthcare. That’s why we ensure a professional, compassionate, and non-judgmental environment. Your privacy is priority-one, and all test results are confidential. We only share results when you give written permission to do so.

We know the demand for better healthcare is growing. Taking care of health and wellness has never been a bigger priority for Americans. Data from McKinsey & Company shows wellness is taking precedence in daily life, with about half of U.S. consumers pushing it to the top spot. Any Lab Test Now® is here to help. We provide the opportunity to take control of your health and wellness and empower you to make educated decisions that directly affect your quality of life.

Call now to schedule an appointment at a location near you.

Do You Know The Difference? Screening, Diagnostic, & Risk Assessment

The start of a new year is a great time to make some much-needed changes in your life. Perhaps you’ve resolved to making your health and wellness a top priority in 2023. If that’s the case, a good place to begin is with some testing to figure out your health baseline. This measurement is a good comparison tool for the future and will determine your next steps.

At Any Lab Test Now® we prioritize the health of you and your family. We provide hundreds of accurate and effective tests that you can utilize to gain better perspective of any potential health issues. Improving your health literacy by having a clear understanding about these tests will serve you well and empower you as you take control of your health.

When it comes to testing—there are three basic types: screenings, diagnostic and risk assessment.

Screening

Initially, you will want to have some screening tests done. This is your starting line. Think of a screening like you are in fact just taking a snapshot of your current health. The screening is a valuable tool to detect any possible red flags when it comes to your health. Screenings are quick, easy, and informative but typically, not definitive.

You may begin with a Comprehensive Metabolic Panel made up of 14 tests giving you an overall picture of your health. This is one of the most common blood tests available and it gives you a tremendous amount of information about your health. It is a great screening tool that can signal a problem area that needs to be addressed further by your provider.

Another good first check screening offered at Any Lab Test Now® is called the  Complete Blood Count or CBC. This test gives important information about the kind and the number of cells in your blood. While it’s a good screening capable of signaling abnormalities it can also be used as a diagnostic test.

For example, based on information from the American Society of Hematology, a CBC goes next level from screening test to diagnostic test. Depending on the red blood count from the CBC, it can diagnose if you have anemia which is a condition which occurs when you do not have enough red blood cells or when your red blood cells do not function properly. It is diagnosed when the CBC blood test shows a hemoglobin value of less than 13.5 gm/dl in a man or less than 12.0 gm/dl in a woman. If your hemoglobin is below these mentioned levels, the diagnosis is that you are anemic. This is an example of a screening test becoming a diagnostic tool. Keep in mind, though, there are more than 400 types of anemia. Additional testing would need to determine which of three groups of anemia you may have.

Another example of a screening offered at Any Lab Test Now® is the Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA). This antigen is a substance a man’s prostate gland produces. The blood test we conduct will measure PSA levels and if elevated, it may indicate prostate cancer or prostatitis (an enlarged prostate). It’s important to note that, this is not a diagnosis of cancer. This is a measurement of reference values indicating that the screening may have shown a higher-than-normal PSA, based on a range of numbers that are considered standard measure of a healthy prostate. But elevated values, don’t necessarily mean you have prostate cancer.  As a matter of fact, any trauma could skew those numbers. Anything from recently taking a horseback ride or a bike ride, can cause PSA to elevate. Abnormal levels indicate the need for more testing to diagnose the issue.

Diagnostic Testing

An interesting diagnostic test—meaning it is not a screening for pregnancy but rather a determinate of the baby’s gender, is the Gender Reveal test provided by  Any Lab Test Now®. This test stems from technology called the harmony test- it’s a genetic test, where the mother’s blood is filtered to pull out the baby’s cells to identify the gender. This test can be offered to new moms as early as 6 to 7 weeks into gestation, but to ensure the best results 8 weeks are recommended. This non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT) test has accuracy above 99%.

Risk Assessment

The last type we’re going to talk about today is risk assessment. These are screenings that you would take if you were in a risk category.  For example, the Heart Health Panel provides an overview of your heart health status. This panel can be used as a baseline assessment of your heart health and possible risk.  This is a test you may take if you have underlying health risks. Perhaps you are a smoker, or overweight or there is a history of heart disease in your family. You are at higher risk than someone who does not have these issues. The outcome of this screening is not a guarantee that you would, let’s say, have heart disease, but rather this provides awareness and valuable knowledge. It allows you to make health decisions that could perhaps combat the risk factors.

No matter what test or tests you utilize, we 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.

Start the New Year off Right

Whether you are looking for a baseline of your health, want to utilize diagnostic tests or assess your health risk factors, Any Lab Test Now® can help by providing the lab tests you need to get the answers you want. Call now to schedule an appointment at a location near you.

Check the Calendar: Use It or Lose It

As the year comes to an end, you might be reflecting on the last 12 months and deciding how you want to change things in the new year. Many of us use this opportunity to make a fresh start. For example, the most popular resolutions in 2022 were living healthier, personal improvement, happiness, and losing weight. Sound familiar? If your new year goals include boosting your health and wellness, Any Lab Test Now® can help you achieve those objectives.

This is a perfect time to get a snapshot of your overall health for two reasons:

1. To start the new year knowing what health issues you’ve got to address to become the best version of you.
2. Here’s your chance to utilize your HSA or FSA to pay for these health screenings — before you lose those savings.

Don’t Forget About That Piggy Bank

Providing answers about your and your family’s health through our screenings is a valuable tool for you to utilize. With the expenses of the holidays, you may be tempted to put these important health assessments off. But don’t. Remember, you’ve got that HSA health savings account or an FSA flexible spending account that you can use. Both are designed to help you cover your qualified out-of-pocket medical expenses with the available untaxed funds to reduce your healthcare costs. Screenings done at Any Lab Test Now® qualify.

Here’s the rub, most HSA plans will have the money you saved roll over into the new year. However, that is untrue with an FSA. With an FSA, you’ve got to use that money by the last day of December or lose the funds. Yep, check your account deadlines so you can use it or lose it!

Screening tests completed by Any Lab Test Now® are the ideal way to make use of those resources before the zero hour.

There is a plethora of specific tests you can schedule if you have concerns about particular health issues. But if you want a broader overall impression, consider some of the General Health Tests that Any Lab Test Now® can provide.

We offer a full range of clinical lab tests to support your well-being, all without having to spend time in a waiting room. From men’s and women’s health to hormone and fitness testing, our affordable wellness tests will fit your budget and lifestyle.

The Annual Check‐Up Panel is the perfect panel for evaluating your overall health. The panel consists of five tests typically ordered by a physician during an annual physical exam. These tests can establish your “baseline” consisting of all the numeric test results (levels), including your blood counts, kidney function, liver function, electrolytes, total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL, and thyroid function values. Having this baseline means you can compare future levels to see how they are fluctuating.

Take Charge of Your Health

The answers you receive from your screening at Any Lab Test Now® are all part of our effort to help you be well-informed about the prevention and management of chronic and everyday illnesses and overall health for you and your loved ones. Increasing your health literacy puts you in the driver’s seat, better able to lead your health and wellness efforts.

Remember, at Any Lab Test Now®, the lab tests we provide are confidential, affordable, and convenient. You own the results, and you choose how to proceed with them, whether that means consulting with your provider for further details or perhaps the results give you the peace of mind you were seeking.

Obtaining lab testing through blood tests is a very precise indicator of your health. It tracks your overall well-being and can detect issues with organs or how well you are managing a disease. It is an important look at your overall wellness.

Any Lab Test Now® Has You Covered

As a reminder, with the holidays upon us, if you are traveling during the season or want to look out for the well-being of family and friends you visit, Any Lab Test Now® also provides testing for the most common respiratory ailments we see this time of year, including flu, strep, rsv, and COVID-19. Any services we provide are eligible under your HSA or FSA plan.

Call now to schedule an appointment at a location near you.

“The More You Know… Lab Testing for Every Need”

Five Things Everyone Should Know

At Any Lab Test Now®, we understand how important it is for you to be in the driver’s seat when it comes to your health. We’re here to help.

Knowing about your body and understanding health information, allowing you to make appropriate decisions, is part of your health literacy. Educating consumers on how to best prevent and manage chronic and everyday illnesses is our goal at Any Lab Test Now®.

That’s why we want you to understand these five basic ideas about your health.

1. Baseline Health – If you think about your health as if you are taking a picture, your baseline is the all-inclusive or panoramic view of your health using a wide-angle lens.

Baseline tells you where your health is right now, not where it should be or where you want it to be.

At Any Lab Test Now®, we have tests to provide that snapshot of where you are and how your body is functioning. Perhaps it shows an area of concern or a few red flags that need further testing, or maybe all is well and you do this check-up again in a year.  

That’s why utilizing our Annual Panel is a great tool to obtain that snapshot. It includes the following screenings:

• Complete Blood Count (CBC) – This test gives important information about the kind and the number of cells in your blood.

• Cholesterol Lipid with Ratio (Lipids Panel) – This can determine if you have abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels.
• Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) – This test checks your body’s production of TSH and helps screen for thyroid disease, hyperthyroidism, and hypothyroidism.
  • Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) – This gives you a very good picture of your overall health and your electrolyte count. It is a good indicator of issues of concern like heart health.

• Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1C) – The Hemoglobin A1c Test is a valuable measure of the overall blood glucose levels over a period of time (2 to 3 months). This test can be used to help detect pre‐diabetes and diagnose diabetes.

It’s important to revisit these benchmarks annually and create a new snapshot, especially if there were problems detected.

This brings us to our next point, zeroing in on specific problems that may have been discovered in the annual screening panel.

• Specifics – From that “photography” analogy, this step zooms in on any problem areas. It’s essentially the telephoto lens. This step takes a closer look at areas of the body where an issue may need to be addressed.

For example,if the Lipid Panel shows your “bad” cholesterol looks too high, it may be time to change your diet or be placed on medication to lower your cholesterol.

Specific lab testing is also useful if you have a specific ailment. Let’s say you are experiencing urinary issues. At Any Lab Test Now®, we can run a Renal Function Panel that evaluates the kidney (renal) function by measuring minerals, electrolytes, proteins, and glucose.

• Universal Testing – You may have heard information in the past that there are certain risk factors, conditions, or diseases that may be more common to certain races or ethnicities. Historically, lab tests have been conducted with what’s called a “race adjustment factor.” At Any Lab Test Now®, the testing has become more universal among races and ethnicities. Calculating the risk factors is done based on results.

• Screenings vs. Diagnostic Tests – This is a big one. It’s important to understand the difference between a lab test that is a screening versus a diagnostic test. When it comes to your health, comprehending the difference can be lifechanging.

Think of it this way: a screening isquick, easy, and informative but not definitive. It gives you a good snapshot. This is a routine test when you don’t necessarily have symptoms.

A diagnostic test, on the other hand, is often more complicated and invasive. It may be a test that further investigates a red flag discovered during a screening or if you are symptomatic. Remember, many lab tests are not one-and-done.

Any Lab Test Now® provides screening tests, and you are given the results. You own those results and can use them accordingly. However, if a screening shows an abnormality or concern, it’s recommended to seek further examination and information-gathering with your physician.

• Find a Preferred Care Provider

That leads us to our final point, having a partner in your health. It’s always a good idea to have further conversations with a healthcare provider, no matter what your lab tests show. We’re talking about a preferred care provider, not self-diagnosis through a Google search. It’s best to find a trusted source to review your lab testing results.

Any Lab Test Now® has partnered with Dial Care. This is a good choice if you don’t have a primary care physician. Dial Care provides licensed, practicing physicians in your state. In the age of virtual care and telehealth, this is a very real solution for finding a primary care physician in your state and area. These are doctors that can prescribe medication based on the big picture or provide guidance to further testing or recommend specialists.

Schedule Your Snapshot Screenings Today

Stay on top of your family’s health and improve your health literacy by taking charge of your wellness. Any Lab Test Now® can help by providing the lab tests you need to ensure your health. 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.

The Importance of Knowing Your Family’s Health History

Ever notice every time you go to see a doctor, you’re tasked with filling out a bunch of forms about not only your health, but also your family’s health? There’s a good reason for that. Knowing the medical history of your family can improve the quality of your care.

To ensure you and your loved ones are communicating about various medical conditions that may run the family, healthcare professionals have developed National Family Health History Day. Coincidentally, this event lands on Thanksgiving Day. The idea is that while you are gathering with family to count your blessings and enjoy your turkey dinner, it’s a perfect opportunity to compare notes and discuss family health issues.

Some of the topics you should discuss include:

• First-, second-, and third-degree relatives
• Age for all relatives (age at time of death for the deceased)
• Ethnicity (some genetic diseases are more common in certain ethnic groups)
• Presence of chronic diseases

Once you’ve gathered the info, you can store it using a free software for your family’s health history, created by the Surgeon General’s office, called “My Family Health Portrait.” It’s easy to complete and make accessible to family members and your healthcare team.

Family Health = Your Health

This is important because knowing what diseases or health conditions family members may have directly connects you to being susceptible to those ailments. As the CDC describes it, since your family shares similar genes, there is a greater likelihood that you may be predisposed to certain genetic conditions. You may also have behaviors in common, such as exercise habits and food preferences. Perhaps you live in the same area and encounter similar environmental issues. Family history includes all these factors, any of which can affect your health.

See Your Board-Certified Doctor

Understanding your family’s health risks will make the questions from the doctor a whole lot easier. If you are choosing a new physician or have a trusted practitioner, many people like to know if the doctor is board-certified.

Doctors are required to have a state medical license to practice medicine. But, according to the National Institutes of Health, board certification is a higher standard that doctors may choose as an extra step, demonstrating their mastery. Board-certified doctors demonstrate their desire to practice at the top of their profession and deliver high-quality care to their patients. About 87% of American physicians are certified.

Knowledge is Power

On your next trip to the doctor, you can understand why it’s essential for your physician to have an up-to-date patient health history. It means there are essentially more tools in the toolbox at their disposal to identify your risk factors for certain diseases and take preventative measures to reduce that risk. By being aware of early warning signs you can make the necessary lifestyle changes.

Doctors are especially zeroing in on diseases like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and cancer. If you have a family member with a chronic disease, you may be more likely to develop the disease. If there is a history of heart disease in your family, for example, your physician will encourage you to avoid risk factors like smoking, obesity, high blood pressure, and a poor diet. Plus, keeping it on the radar through medical testing like preventative screenings could detect an issue and catch it early — giving you a better chance of living longer, with quality of life. Your doctor may routinely check blood pressure and do medical tests like cholesterol screenings and blood glucose testing.

Medical Testing to Improve Your Health

At Any Lab Test Now®, you can take the lead with your health and wellness by having these medical tests done on your own. You have direct access to thousands of lab tests that can screen for issues relating to family history. Like the CBC Panel, which provides a snapshot of your health, and the Comprehensive Metabolic Panel which gives a clear picture of your overall health. Plus, you could include the Lipid Panel to determine if you are at risk for heart disease.

Additionally, the Healthy Weight DNA Test is a scientifically-based weight-management test and program that identifies your unique genetic makeup and provides diet and exercise strategies specifically tailored to your genotype. Any Lab Test Now® examines your DNA and analyzes various genetic markers that are known to be associated with your weight, metabolism, and body type. These are the basic tests everyone needs because they provide conclusive answers about your health.

The benefit of using Any Lab Test Now® as your family’s health center is that you own the test results and may choose to use the results in the manner of your choosing. Perhaps you will share with your family to shed light on family health history.

As you prepare to visit your family this holiday season, don’t forget Any Lab Test Now® can help keep your family gatherings safe by providing COVID-19 testing.

Call now to schedule an appointment for any of these tests at a location near you.

The Facts About Fentanyl

You may be hearing a lot in the news lately about a drug called fentanyl. It is being talked about because it is a big part of the growing opioid epidemic, and it is the deadliest drug threat facing this country, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. An alarming new finding is that drug poisonings have become the leading killer of Americans between the ages of 18 and 45.

Keep reading because it’s important to be educated about fentanyl. This information may be lifesaving for you or a loved one.

Prescription Fentanyl

First, a little background. Pharmaceutical fentanyl was created in the 1950s as a synthetic opioid for pain management for patients experiencing extreme pain like cancer or post-surgery. It is effective because it is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. It is typically prescribed in the form of skin patches or lozenges, but fentanyl comes in many forms, including a powder or liquid like nasal sprays. With appropriate use as prescribed by a provider, fentanyl is safe and effective for pain relief.

Illegal Fentanyl

The problem is the illicit use of fentanyl. The CDC says the most recent cases of fentanyl-related harm, overdose, and death in the United States are linked to illegally made fentanyl.

Because of its pain-relieving properties, it creates a relaxation sensation, making it highly addictive and a good candidate for illicit drug use. That’s the concern. According to the CDC, powdered fentanyl looks just like many other drugs. It is commonly mixed with drugs like heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine and made into pills resembling other prescription opioids. Fentanyl-laced drugs are extremely dangerous, and many people may be unaware that their drugs are infused with fentanyl. When it’s cut into other drugs, there’s no telling how much fentanyl is in the mix.

The problem is the potency. When fentanyl is mixed with illicit drugs on the street, the immeasurable amounts of fentanyl can be deadly. Reports indicate that just two milligrams of fentanyl, which is equal to 10 to 15 grains of table salt, is considered a lethal dose. The relaxation properties of fentanyl slow the heart rate until it stops beating. That’s why officials say If you encounter fentanyl in any form, do not handle it and call 911 immediately. It’s just that dangerous.

Drug Overdoses with Fentanyl

According to the latest provisional data supplied by the CDC, annual drug overdose deaths have jumped 44% from before the COVID-19 pandemic, and fentanyl takes a big part of the blame.

• In 2020 there were 76,000 deaths reported in a 12-month period here in the U.S.
• In 2022 there are now 109,000 people that died of a drug overdose in that same 12-month period.

Synthetic opioids, including fentanyl, were involved in more than two-thirds of overdose deaths in the year ending March 2022. Deaths involving synthetic opioids increased by a staggering 80% over the past two years.

Concerns about Rainbow Fentanyl

There is a new product of concern called rainbow fentanyl, which is manufactured illegally. It features bright colors and gives the appearance of candy. The purpose is to target young people and get them addicted to this powerful and deadly opioid. The concern is so great, in fact, that the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration released a warning about the growing and alarming trend building throughout the country. In August of this year, the DEA reported that it and its law enforcement partners seized the brightly colored fentanyl and fentanyl pills across 18 states. The fentanyl is believed to be coming into the U.S. from two different Mexican drug cartels.

Any Lab Test Now® Can Provide Answers

Fentanyl is addictive and deadly. If you are concerned about yourself or a loved one, Any Lab Test Now® can assist with a variety of drug test screenings that can provide the answers you are looking for. These tests are recommended for those concerned about suspected abuse or misuse of specified drugs by a friend or family member, including teenagers. Individuals who think they may have been unknowingly given a drug should also consider these tests.

ADVANCED DRUG TEST PANEL WITH EXPANDED OPIATES AND FENTANYL

This lab-based test will identify recent use of the following:

• Heroin
• Amphetamines
• Barbiturates
• Benzodiazepines
• Cocaine
• Opiates (Expanded)
• Fentanyl
• Marijuana
• Ecstasy
• Methadone
• PCP
• Propoxyphene

FOURTEEN (14) PANEL DRUG SCREEN, INCLUDING FENTANYL, K2 ALCOHOL (ORAL FLUID)

Using a standard oral fluid sample collected, we offer rapid screening for fentanyl in oral fluid as part of a broader panel that includes 14 classes of commonly abused and misused drugs or their metabolites. Fentanyl use can be detected in oral fluid for up to 36 hours after exposure. A positive result for fentanyl is considered suggestive of use in that timeframe.

This rapid test is intended for the qualitative detection of the following:

• Amphetamines
• Barbiturates
• Benzodiazepines
• Buprenorphine
• Cocaine
• Opiates
• Fentanyl
• K2 (Spice)
• Marijuana
• Methadone
• Oxycodone
• PCP
• Alcohol

TWELVE (12) PANEL RAPID DRUG SCREEN, INCLUDING FENTANYL

This panel uses a standard urine sample offering rapid screening for fentanyl as part of a broader panel that includes 12 classes of commonly abused and misused drugs or their metabolites. Fentanyl use can be detected in urine for up to 72 hours after exposure. A positive result for fentanyl is considered suggestive of use in that timeframe.

This rapid test is intended for the qualitative detection of the following:

• Amphetamines
• Barbiturates
• Benzodiazepines
• Buprenorphine
• Cocaine
• Opiates
• Fentanyl
• Marijuana
• Ecstasy
• Methadone
• Oxycodone

You can Depend on Any Lab Test Now®

Any Lab Test Now® is a resource you can use for your family’s health and wellness. The lab tests we provide are confidential, affordable, and convenient. You own the results, and you choose how to proceed with them.

Any Lab Test Now® can help by providing the lab tests you need to get the answers you need. Call now to schedule an appointment at a location near you.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

When the calendar flips to the month of October, it’s not just pumpkins and mums that are symbolic of this month. We’ve all become accustomed to the pink ribbons seen practically everywhere representing the campaign to fight breast cancer.

Breast cancer receives global attention because it is the most common cancer worldwide, according to the Mayo Clinic, and the most common cancer diagnosed in the United States.

The Top Cancers in the United States

Breast, lung, prostate, and colorectal cancers account for almost 50% of all new cancer cases in the U.S., based on stats from the National Cancer Institute.  Lung and bronchus, colorectal, pancreatic, and breast cancers are responsible for nearly 50% of all deaths.

In 2022, invasive breast cancer is estimated to be newly diagnosed in 287,850 women, as incidence rates continue to increase by about 0.5% annually. 

#FightLikeAGirl

So, when you see publicity about Pink Week, otherwise known as Breast Cancer Awareness Week (October 4–6), and Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, this campaign is designed to educate about the need for screenings and early detection opportunities that can save lives. There is substantial research funding for breast cancer which has helped create advances in its diagnosis and treatment. Thanks to growing awareness campaigns regarding breast cancer over the years, fewer American women are dying from it. Deaths from breast cancer are down 42% over a 30-year period.

However, there’s a long way to go. While many nations are seeing a significant reduction in deaths, globally, there is still a great need for preventative measures in low-resource countries. The World Health Organization says breast cancer is the most common cancer in the world, impacting an estimated 2.3 million people.

Breast Cancer Basics

The American Cancer Society defines cancer as a group of diseases characterized by the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells that can result in death if not treated.

Breast cancer itself can occur in the lining cells (epithelium) of the ducts (85%) or lobules (15%) in the glandular tissue of the breast.

Breast cancer most commonly presents as a painless lump or thickening in the breast. If you find a lump, see your healthcare provider. Early diagnosis can often be the key to successful treatment.

If it progresses, it can attack the surrounding breast tissue and become invasive and spread or metastasize to lymph nodes or other organs.

Early Detection Leads to Cures

Early detection is the best defense. That’s why the American Cancer Society stresses the need for a baseline mammogram for women at age 40 with annual mammogram screenings for women ages 45 to 54.

At Any Lab Test Now®, we believe strongly in blood tests used for screening purposes to improve your health. We believe our job is to educate you and your family on the prevention and management of chronic and everyday illnesses.

Any Lab Test Now® has a few very useful tools:

• One option is the Comprehensive Female Panel, which provides a snapshot of your overall health. This panel is designed for women at all stages of their life to help them make informed decisions about their healthcare goals.

• Another breast cancer test is a screening called the Breast Cancer Monitoring Panel. It’s important to understand this is a monitoring tool, not a diagnostic tool. It does not tell you if you have breast cancer. It provides vital information that you can use in tandem with personalized care from your physician. This is a combination of three tests. The CA 15‐3 and CA 27.29 are proteins that are normally produced by breast cells. In persons with breast cancer, the levels can increase. The protein amounts can rise with breast cancer tumor growth and fall with treatment. The carcinoembryonic antigen is a protein that may be present in people with cancer, including breast cancer. The CEA Test measures the amount of this protein in your blood. CEA is normally detected in healthy adults but at a certain range.

Take Charge of Your Health

Having routine breast screenings through mammograms or lab testing is a game-changer. Early detection means better breast cancer treatment options like surgery, radiation, or medication. These can be highly effective, especially when the disease is identified early.

Not only can you stay on top of your health through screenings, but there are also behavioral measures you can take to reduce your risk of breast cancer, including:

• prolonged breastfeeding
• regular physical activity
• weight control
• avoidance of harmful use of alcohol
• avoidance of exposure to tobacco smoke
• avoidance of prolonged use of hormones  
• avoidance of excessive radiation exposure

There are more than 3.1 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S., including women still being treated and those who have finished treatment, proving that campaigns like Breast Cancer Awareness Month are working.

Wellness Screenings With Any Lab Test Now®

Any Lab Test Now® is a resource you can use for your family’s health and wellness. The lab tests we provide are confidential, affordable, and convenient. You own the results, and you choose how to proceed with them, whether that means consulting with your provider for further details or perhaps the results give you the peace of mind you were seeking.

Obtaining lab testing through blood tests is a very precise indicator of your health. It tracks your overall well-being, can detect issues with organs or how well you are managing a disease. It is an important look at your overall wellness.

Stay on top of your family’s health by taking charge of your wellness. Any Lab Test Now® can help by providing the lab tests you need to ensure your health. Call now to schedule an appointment at a location near you.

Malnutrition Awareness Week

For most of us, when we hear the term malnutrition, we think of undernourished or starving people. But we’re only half right. Therefore, to improve health literacy, it’s important to fully understand the term malnutrition — because it can be lifesaving.

There’s been a worldwide push to improve awareness of malnutrition so that we can combat the issue. Malnutrition Awareness Week was launched in 2012 by The American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN), a nonprofit organization whose members are involved in providing clinical nutrition therapies.

Healthcare professionals are tasked with the prevention, early detection, and treatment of malnutrition but it’s an eye-opening, global issue that we should all know more about.

You or your family may be malnourished, and you may not even realize it.

Malnutrition refers to deficiencies, excesses, or imbalances in a person’s intake of energy and/or nutrients. Understand, this refers to any time your dietary intake is not serving your body well, and that can cause a number of harmful health conditions.

Malnutrition Has Two Groupings

1. Group 1: Undernutrition – This group can include the following conditions:
2. Stunting or low height for age
3. Wasting or low weight for height
4. Underweight or low weight for age
5. Micronutrient deficiencies/insufficiencies or a lack of important vitamins and minerals
6. Group 2: Overweight – This group can include the following conditions:
7. Obesity
8. Diet-related noncommunicable diseases, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer

Malnutrition affects people in every country. Did you realize that:

• 1.9 billion adults worldwide are overweight
• 462 million are underweight
• 41 million children under the age of 5 are overweight or obese
• 159 million children are stunted

Effects of Malnutrition

Plain and simple, when you are lacking the proper nutrition, your body does not function at its optimal level. It’s hard to believe this remains a problem in the 21st century, but the truth is that it is a global issue occurring in both wealthy and poverty-stricken counties. Malnutrition is problematic for several reasons.

For many families, nutritious foods are financially out of reach. Face it, fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, and dairy products are expensive. It’s often cheaper to satisfy hunger with higher-calorie foods that are typically high in fat, sugar, and salt. This can cause you to be obese and lack the proper vitamins and nutrients to keep your body running efficiently.

For those with little access to food and water, or a condition that stops their body from obtaining the right balance of nutrients, their health can be severely impacted. In some cases, this can become life-threatening. It can stunt proper growth in children and cause short and long-term health issues.

For example, without proper nutrients, your body will take longer to heal wounds, and there is a higher risk of infection. A lack of vitamin A causes vision problems, and a lack of vitamin C can cause scurvy.

People who have issues with swallowing, digestive problems like nausea or diarrhea, mental health issues, eating disorders, mobility challenges, those who are socially isolated, and older adults may also have to deal with malnutrition.

There are some telltale signs of malnutrition.

Symptoms include:

• Weight loss
• Lack of appetite or interest in food or drink
• Fatigue and irritability
• An inability to concentrate
• Always feeling cold
• Depression
• Loss of fat, muscle mass, and body tissue
• Higher risk of getting sick and taking longer to heal
• Longer healing time for wounds
• Slow development in children physically and mentally
• Over time, heart failure

How Any Lab Test Now® Can Help

In an effort to educate you about how to best prevent and manage chronic and everyday illnesses, Any Lab Test Now® has a number of nutrition tests that help you determine if you are receiving the proper nutrients to keep your body functioning effectively. Tests look at your nutrition at two levels. First, the Basic Nutritional Panel. This panel helps you rule out malnutrition and adrenal gland disorders. It screens for the systemic or macronutrient level of nutrients the body needs in large amounts to provide energy, like carbs, proteins, and fats.

Micronutrients, on the other hand, are nutrients at the cellular level that our bodies need, but in smaller amounts, like fat-soluble vitamins and minerals. Our Micronutrient Test measures your body’s ability to absorb vitamins, minerals, and nutrients.

At Any Lab Test Now®, we provide a safe and confidential environment that is convenient for you and your family to have nutritional testing done. You own the results and can choose to share them with your provider if the results show any abnormalities.

Schedule an Appointment

Malnutrition is a serious condition that may be affecting you or your family — and you may not even realize it. That’s why looking out for your health through blood work at Any Lab Test Now® is vital to you living a healthy life.

We have more than 200 locations across the country. Click here to find the nearest Any Lab Test Now® location and schedule an appointment.

Sexual Health Awareness

Focusing on your family’s overall health encompasses many aspects of wellness. For example, when we define sexual health, it’s the ability to embrace and enjoy your sexuality throughout your life. It’s an important part of your physical and emotional health. Interwoven to your sexual health is maintaining a healthy body and positive mental health.

Sexual Health Awareness Month is intended to make you cognizant of issues that may affect your sexual health. The purpose is to educate you about protecting yourself and being responsible as a sexually active person.

According to the CDC, prevention campaigns are designed to inform the public about problems related to sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs. But, based on recent data, cases of STDs are on the rise; and remain a public health concern due to their high transmissibility rate. Specifically, there has been an increase in cases of gonorrhea and syphilis.

The World Health Organization reports that more than 1 million sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are acquired daily worldwide, the majority of which are asymptomatic.

Not having symptoms to know if you have a sexually transmitted illness (STI) can provide a false sense of security. If you think you’re susceptible, a blood test is the most conclusive and thorough test available.

Many people who suspect they were exposed to an STI will make an appointment with their health care provider or a clinic, which may require proof of insurance and consultation with a provider.

But there is another way to provide the utmost confidentiality for what some might consider a sensitive matter. You can go to your closest Any Lab Test Now® location, without an appointment, for a private screening. The results are yours and you decide how to proceed with the information you receive, whether that means you choose to share it with your physician or not.

If you want to be proactive and take your health into your own hands, Any Lab Test Now® can help. We are a confidential health center that can provide STD testing for a number of sexually transmitted illnesses. If you have noticed unusual symptoms, you could have an STD that can be serious if left untreated and can be spread to another person.

STD Testing with Any Lab Test Now®

• There is a Basic STD Panel that screens for several common sexually transmitted diseases.

• If you are concerned a sexual partner may have chlamydia, it’s a good idea for you to be tested as well. This STD is caused by a common bacterium that can result in complications if not treated. It can be a serious disease that often has minimal or no symptoms, so you may not realize you have it.

• Trichomoniasis is a very common (STD) caused by a parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis. It causes vaginal infections in women and urethral and prostate infections in men.

• The Comprehensive STD Platinum Female Panel tests for several sexually transmitted diseases at the same time. It tests for HIV, syphilis, herpes I and II, gonorrhea, chlamydia, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, Trichomonas vaginalis, and HPV (human papillomavirus).
• Similarly, there is the Comprehensive STD Platinum Male Panel. It tests for HIV, syphilis, herpes I and II, gonorrhea, chlamydia, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, Trichomonas vaginalis, and HPV (human papillomavirus).
• The Comprehensive STD Plus is another test for several sexually transmitted diseases. It includes a urine test as well as a blood test, which test for HIV, syphilis, herpes I and II, gonorrhea, chlamydia, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and Trichomonas vaginalis.
• There are several types of hepatitis — each caused by a different hepatitis virus. In general, hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis B can be contracted through unprotected sex, using contaminated needles, or other causes. You should take the Hepatitis B (STD) test if you have symptoms of an infection or have been exposed to the hepatitis B virus (HBV).
  
  

Our comprehensive panels at Any Lab Test Now® are thoroughly conclusive. However, some who suspect they have an STD may choose to get tested elsewhere using a venereal disease research laboratory test, or VDRL, to determine if they have the antibodies that the body produces when you have syphilis. The VDRL may cause a false positive if the patient has other conditions like HIV/AIDS, therefore a full panel screening is a better option to zero-in on a specific condition.

The Importance of STD Testing

Being checked for STDs is important for your overall health because, if caught in time, there are treatments and even cures for some of these illnesses. For instance, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis are curable. Others are viral infections, which are incurable but may be treatable in many cases. They include hepatitis B, herpes simplex virus (HSV or herpes), HIV, and human papillomavirus (HPV).

If you would like to discuss the results of these or any other blood test, Any Lab Test Now® provides DialCare — a service that is useful for customers who might not have health insurance and want to consult with a provider about the results or are looking for privacy when it comes to results. Perhaps you don’t have time for a virtual or in-person appointment with your own provider, in collaboration with DialCare, Any Lab Test Now® can explain the results.

School is Back, Take Back Your Health, Too

Any Lab Test Now® makes it easy to prioritize your health. As we round the corner with the start of a new school year, it’s important to be on top of your family’s health, whether that means coming in for COVID-19 testing or answers to health concerns.

Having bloodwork done provides options, whether that’s peace of mind or a direction toward healing, it is a great step in ensuring you’re doing all you can to safeguard your family.

Any Lab Test Now® is safe, confidential, and convenient for you and your family. We have more than 200 locations across the country. For the best way to start the school year, click here to find your nearest Any Lab Test Now® location.