National Flu Vaccine Week

It’s that time of year, when news agencies tell us the number of daily flu cases, and we hear the sneezing and coughing from people around us. Flu season is in full swing, and it’s predicted to be a severe one, according to health experts.

How do officials figure this stuff out? It’s actually quite interesting.

It’s Gonna Be a Bad Flu Season

Infectious disease and public health experts in the Northern hemisphere generally look at what happened in the Southern hemisphere as a predictor of where things will go during our winter. The Southern Hemisphere goes first, and based on how Australia’s flu season was, it’s gonna be rough. Australia experienced their worst flu season in five years.

Health officials say what may be partly to blame is that for a few years now, we haven’t really been exposed to the flu virus because of masking and Covid-19 restrictions, so our immunity decreases.

What is the Flu Virus?

The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. According to the CDC, it can be a potentially serious disease that can lead to hospitalization and sometimes even death.

During typical flu seasons, millions of people will become sick, hundreds of thousands of people are hospitalized and thousands to tens of thousands of people die from flu-related causes.

If you’ve ever had the flu, you know you feel crummy for about 7-10 days. But there are times when it can develop into further health problems. Complications from the flu  can include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes. Health officials warn–serious complications from the flu are more likely in babies and young children, pregnant women, older adults, and people with certain long-term health conditions.

Get Your Annual Flu Vaccine

But you can prevent the flu or the severity if you get your flu shot. Many people will get their flu vaccine beginning in September. You want protection to last through the peak of flu season which is February. This not only protects you but your loved ones and the community.

During National influenza Vaccination Week (December 6-12, 2022), the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) is urging everyone age 6 months and older—if you haven’t already gotten your flu vaccine, it’s not too late, especially for those who are considered high risk, health-wise. The NFID is concerned, because a recent survey indicated that  only 49% of US adults plan to get a flu vaccine during the 2022-2023 flu season. 

That’s why it’s important to know that the best way to prevent flu is by getting a flu vaccine each year. The seasonal flu shot can lower the risk of getting the flu by about half. While some people who get a flu shot may still get sick with influenza, flu vaccination has been shown in several studies to reduce severity of illness. Contrary to what some may believe, the flu vaccine cannot cause the flu.

Protection with the Flu Vaccine

The Flu shot causes antibodies to develop in the body about two weeks after vaccination. These antibodies provide protection against flu illness.

Seasonal flu vaccines are designed to protect against the influenza viruses that researchers believe will be most common during the upcoming season. All flu vaccines in the United States are “quadrivalent” vaccines, which means they protect against four different flu viruses: an influenza A(H1N1) virus, an influenza A(H3N2) virus, and two influenza B viruses.

Officials say there are some new vaccines this season, designed for people 65 years and older that are recommended over standard dose.

The Flu Vaccine is Not Made for Everyone

There are some people who should not get the flu shot.

• Children younger than 6 months of age
• People with severe, life-threatening allergies to any ingredient in a flu vaccine (other than egg proteins).
• People who have had a severe allergic reaction to a dose of influenza vaccine, previously
• If you ever had Guillain-Barré Syndrome (a severe paralyzing illness, also called GBS). Talk to your doctor about your GBS history.
• If you are not feeling well, talk to your doctor about your symptoms.

Any Lab Test Now® Can Test for Flu

If you suspect you may be sick with the flu, or if you are travelling this holiday season and want to protect your friends and family members, Any Lab Test Now® is a resource for you. With so many different causes for similar illnesses, it can be difficult to know what the cause of any respiratory illness symptoms might be.

To determine if you have the flu or not, we provide our rapid flu influenza test. Results are available to you in 10 to 15 minutes and can help identify if symptoms are due to an infection with the influenza virus or not.  No matter the results, if you are sick with a respiratory virus, it’s always best to follow up with your healthcare provider to get appropriate treatment. If you need a provider, we’ve teamed up with DialCare to provide virtual licensed physicians at your fingertips.

Schedule an Appointment Today

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. If you are feeling under the weather, get your flu test and the answers you need. Call now to schedule an appointment 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.

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.

Health Literacy Month

When was the last time you received a prescription and weren’t quite sure about the dosing instructions? Or maybe you were taking your child to the pediatrician and did not understand a consent form for treatment. Perhaps you couldn’t make sense of health insurance deductibles. Sound familiar? These scenarios all tell us about our level of health literacy. If you struggle with understanding health matters, you’re not alone. Health literacy here in the United States is alarmingly low. Based on a study conducted by Pfizer, only 12% of American adults have proficient health literacy.

What Does It All Mean?

According to the CDC, personal health literacy is the degree to which individuals have the ability to find, understand, and use information and services to make informed health-related decisions for themselves and others.

Nearly nine out of 10 adults struggle with health literacy. Even people with high literacy skills may have low health literacy skills in certain situations. This involves more than just reading, it’s about comprehension and application. It’s about being informed about a condition you have, like a food allergy, and fully understanding that you need to, for example, check labels before you consume food.

Poor health literacy can cause big health problems. Face it, if you don’t understand care, treatment, or other instructions, you may exacerbate a health problem, maybe miss appointments, or take the wrong medication.

There are some factors that can influence an individual’s health literacy, including living in poverty, education, race/ethnicity, age, and disability. But really, most of the population is unclear about matters of health.

What’s Being Done To Combat The Problem?

Through public health initiatives, experts are trying to bridge the gap by advising healthcare workers to keep their messaging clear and concise to improve health literacy. The goal of public health is to promote and protect the health of people and the communities where they live, learn, work, and play. Much of the work public health workers do is setting standards for prevention and promoting wellness by encouraging healthy behaviors. Public health saves money, improves our quality of life, helps children thrive, and reduces human suffering.

This runs the gamut from teaching the public about the need for vaccinations and nutritious school lunches to air quality and the prevention of diseases. You can only imagine how busy public health officials are with matters like COVID-19, seasonal flu, and ongoing health issues like the risks of alcohol and tobacco.

With October being Health Literacy Month, Any Lab Test Now® is dedicated to ensuring that you are informed about your family’s health. Our goal is to improve your family’s wellness. We do that by providing direct access to thousands of lab tests ranging from the CBC panel, which provides a snapshot of your health, to the Comprehensive Metabolic Panel, which gives a clear picture of your overall health. Plus, we recommend including the Lipid Panel to determine if you are at risk for heart disease. These are basic tests everyone needs because they provide conclusive answers about your health.

Getting lab testing done with Any Lab Test Now® is only part of the equation. We want to improve your health literacy by not only providing clear, concise, and understandable results but also empowering you to glean additional information with our DialCare service. This allows you to consult with a provider about your results. The clarity you receive from a medical professional can affect the way you handle your health and can be lifesaving.

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 getting 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 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.

Any Lab Test Now® — The More You Know… Lab Testing for Every Need

Prostate Screening

So often, we hear the term “early detection” and how important it is for treating certain health conditions. This is very true when it comes to prostate cancer. Here’s why, prostate cancer often goes undetected for years because often symptoms don’t appear until the disease has advanced. But early detection through screening leads to more effective treatments given early on to increase survival rates.

Research shows the earlier prostate cancer is detected, the more likely it is to get successful treatment. The overall prognosis for prostate cancer is among the most hopeful of all cancers.

Approximately 80% to 85% of all prostate cancers are detected in the local or regional stages, which represent stages I, II, and III. Many of those diagnosed and treated at the local or regional stages will be disease-free after five years, which is why early detection is very important.

What is the Prostate Gland?

The prostate gland itself is located below the bladder and surrounds the top portion of the tube that drains urine from the bladder (urethra). The primary function of this gland is to produce the fluid that nourishes and transports sperm. The gland often enlarges with increase in age.

For Americans, prostate cancer is common. You may be at higher risk if you fall into any of these categories:

• Aged 50 and older
• Most common among African Americans, followed by Hispanics and Native Americans.
• If there is a family history of prostate cancer, you are more likely to develop it
• The risk of prostate cancer may be higher for people who eat high-fat diets.

Signs and Symptoms of Prostate Cancer

Some signs and symptoms to look out for, indicating trouble with the prostate gland:

• Trouble urinating
• Decreased force in the stream of urine
• Blood in the urine
• Blood in the semen
• Bone pain
• Weight loss without trying
• Erectile dysfunction

The PSA Test

The best safeguard is staying diligent about your overall health. So, it’s a good idea to have a prostate screening to determine any issues, usually beginning at age 40. Although there is a physical exam that your physician may choose to do called the digital rectal exam (DRE), according to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, the “gold-standard” test for prostate cancer screening is the PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test.

The PSA test is designed to measure levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in the blood. PSA is a protein produced by the cells of the prostate. Because cancerous cells tend to produce more PSA, a spike in your PSA level may signify a problem. PSA levels under 4 ng/ml are generally considered normal, while levels over 4 ng/ml are considered abnormal.

However, a high PSA does not necessarily mean you have prostate cancer, in fact, it could mean you have an enlarged or inflamed prostate. Other reasons for elevated PSA levels are inflammation of the prostate (prostatitis) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Prostate Screening at Any Lab Test Now®

If you want to be proactive and put your healthcare into your own hands, Any Lab Test Now® can help. We serve as your family’s health center, providing testing for many conditions, including prostate screenings.

We provide a couple of tests to determine the health of the prostate. One test available is the Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) Free and Total. There are two forms of PSA that exist in the blood: PSA total, which is bound to protein, and PSA free, which is not bound to protein. This test is designed to screen for the specific antigen. It is not a diagnosis of cancer. But if the levels are high, it may signify a health concern.

A second screening test conducted by Any Lab Test Now® is the more general PSA test. This blood test will measure your PSA levels, and if elevated, it may indicate an issue to discuss further with your healthcare provider.

School is Back, Take Your Health Back, Too

Any Lab Test Now® makes it easy to prioritize your health and stay on top of preventative screenings like the PSA test. As the season is changing, with kids heading back to school and summer fun coming to an end, it’s a great time to re-focus our attention on our health.

Ensure you’re taking the steps for yourself and your loved ones to stay healthy. Any Lab Test Now® provides tests for kids’ immunizations, moms’ health, mental health, preventative health screenings, and COVID-19 testing. Remember, the results you receive from our tests are yours. You may choose what to do with the results.

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 the nearest Any Lab Test Now® location.

School is Back — Mental Health Check

As the seasons change and the kids head back to school, it’s an ideal opportunity to focus on your family’s overall health. But it’s not just their physical well-being; it has become clear, especially in the last few years, how important it is to be aware of your family’s mental health.

Many believe we have hit a critical stage with mental health in our country. The number of adults dealing with depression prior to the COVID-19 pandemic was 8.5% of the population. But depression among adults in the United States tripled in the early 2020 months of the pandemic to a shocking 27.8%. Now, according to researchers at Boston University School of Public Health, depression rates are climbing even higher, affecting one in every three American adults. 

The numbers are equally troubling for youth experiencing depression. The number of kids struggling with depression, anxiety, and thoughts of suicide has reached all-time highs, making suicide the second leading cause of death among adolescents and young adults. In 2020, more than half of teens reported very frequent thoughts of suicide and self-harm.

With September being National Suicide Prevention Month, if you or any of your loved ones are experiencing risk factors or warning signs of depression or suicidal thoughts — help is available. In an emergency, call The National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or call 911 immediately.

Risk Factors and Warning Signs of Suicide

Prevention is the key to decreasing the number of people who are at risk for suicide. Although stats indicate an overall decline in suicides, nationally, there are some disparities in those numbers. Often the warning signs are subtle or well hidden. The CDC has a comprehensive list of risk and protective factors that outline individual, community, relationship, and societal triggers that could lead to someone considering suicide.

Are you aware of some of the risk factors for suicide? They may include:

• Mental disorders, particularly mood disorders, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, and certain personality disorders
• Alcohol and other substance use disorders
• Hopelessness
• Impulsive and/or aggressive tendencies
• History of trauma or abuse
• Major physical illnesses
• Previous suicide attempt(s)
• Family history of suicide
• Job or financial loss

Do you know some of the warning signs of suicide? They include:

• Talking about wanting to die or to kill themselves
• Looking for a way to kill themselves, like searching online or buying a gun
• Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live
• Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
• Talking about being a burden to others
• Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
• Acting anxious or agitated, behaving recklessly
• Sleeping too little or too much
• Withdrawing or isolating themselves
• Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
• Extreme mood swings

If you or someone you love is showing risk factors or warning signs, we can help. Any Lab Test Now® is a health center, giving you direct access to thousands of beneficial lab tests to ensure wellness, including mental health. These tests are confidential and designed to provide answers to concerns that you may have and allow you to determine how to proceed. Taking these proactive measures helps you advocate for your family’s health. You may choose to share those results with your medical provider.

Tests for Mental Health

1. Consider the Mental Health PGX Panel, a big step in putting science behind the dosing of medications for mental health issues. A total of 13 genes are analyzed, and the report indicates the response one might expect from the medications used to treat these conditions.
2. This next test helps determine the stress someone is experiencing and whether those levels are indicative of a problem. The Saliva Adrenal Testing Kit looks at the adrenal glands to see if they are in balance to produce adequate amounts of hormones to power us through the day. These hormones impact just about every process in the body, from energy production and immune activity to cellular maintenance and repair. They are key regulators of glucose, insulin, and inflammation, and play a major role in bone and muscle building, mood and mental focus, stamina, sex drive, and sleep cycles.

This kit tests the levels of adrenal hormones DHEA-S and cortisol, the master stress hormone. When individuals experience continuous stress, not only from emotional stressors (e.g., marital, financial, and occupational) but also from physical stressors (e.g., sleep deprivation, caffeine consumption, pain, extreme exercise), it can lead to changes in adrenal hormone levels, related to disorders ranging from anxiety to allergies and irritability to infertility.

• Sleep and the lack of it can be a big problem for our overall health. Without the proper amounts of sleep, our body and mind cannot get the replenishment needed to be restored and operate efficiently. Any Lab Test Now® has a Sleep Balance Kit, which checks hormone levels. If there are high cortisol levels it can result in insomnia, anxiety, sugar cravings, feeling tired but wired, and increased belly fat. It also checks for melatonin levels. Low melatonin results in excessive fatigue, depression, anxiety, and insomnia.

To restore the vital balance of hormones, you need to start with an accurate measurement of hormone levels.

Take Back Your Family’s Health

Remember, these tests can be the first step in getting the answers you need. You may choose to discuss this further with a healthcare professional to give you guidance about medications or counseling.

If you are ready to check your family’s mental health as you head back to school, Any Lab Test Now® is the health center you’ve been looking for. Call now to schedule an appointment at a location near you to take back your health.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health emergency, call The National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or call 911 immediately.

School is Back – Take Back Your Health

It’s that time of year–kids from preschool through college are heading back to school. This means it’s the perfect opportunity to do a re-set and focus on the family’s health, coinciding with National Health Center Week (August 9-15). What you may not realize is that Any Lab Test Now® is a “health center” giving you direct access to thousands of beneficial lab tests to ensure wellness.  

Useful Lab Tests For Concerned Parents

As your children head back to school, there are any number of lab tests you can utilize. Any Lab Test Now® is a family health center, we provide many lab tests to check a number of health concerns. Perhaps you’re unsettled, wondering if your son or daughter picked up bad habits over the summer—research shows more than 3,000 teens try marijuana for the first time every day.  

Parents who are worried their child could use or abuse drugs either in high school or while away at college can easily have their son or daughter tested.  Any Lab Test Now® does drug testing, no appointment necessary.  

For example, we may utilize a screening called a Blood 5-Panel Drug Test to determine the presence or absence of 5 types of drugs or their metabolites in the bloodstream. This blood drug test checks for the presence of 5 drug metabolites including:

1. Amphetamine/Methamphetamines
2. Marijuana
3. Cocaine
4. Opiates
5. Phencyclidine

Any Lab Test Now® can also conduct tests to see if someone has been vaping, a habit that the Surgeon General has declared an epidemic among youth. The choices parents have for Nicotine tests available at Any Lab Test Now® include:

• Urine Test:
  A  Good choice if a parent suspects the child has used nicotine over the last few days. An instant test is available, and parents can get results within five to ten minutes.
• Hair Follicle Test:
  A good option for parents who think their child has been either vaping or smoking nicotine for a long time, and the child might stop using just to get through the test. It takes 3 days for nicotine to start showing in hair strands.
   
• Blood Test:
  A simple blood draw can detect traces of nicotine about 2 hours after use.

Testing at Any Lab Test Now® is confidential. No one has access to results but parents. You own the results and you can even use an anonymous name to protect your child. Most importantly, the results give parents and other loved ones’ answers so they can take next steps if needed. 

You can’t put a price tag on peace of mind. Since thousands of kids are going off to college for the first time, it might not hurt to get basic testing done to make you as a parent know that you’ve done all you can to protect your child. 

Vaccine Immunity Check

Whether you have a young child going to daycare, preschool, grade school, high school, or college, there is one constant—making sure your child is current on vaccinations protecting them with everything from measles to chickenpox. Most states have laws requiring certain immunizations for school-aged children. 

Problem is, immunization records can get lost and often be difficult to track down, especially if you’ve moved over the years. Any Lab Test Now® can help. We can do a simple blood test called the MMR Titer that checks if you are immune to measles, mumps, and rubella by measuring your antibody levels, thus determining if your immunization is up-to-date. The results demonstrate whether or not your immune system has the capability to respond to an infection from one of the viruses.

Take Back Mom’s Health

Knowing the kids are taken care of is a sense of relief for parents. Especially for moms, it’s been a busy summer, running non-stop, taking the kids to swim practice, soccer camp, or a friend’s house, and now getting ready for school can be exhausting and stressful.  Any Lab Test Now® can run a Cortisol Test to see how much daily life stressors have been affecting mom’s overall health.  

Taking Charge of Your Health

Taking these proactive measures helps you advocate for your family’s health. It puts you in the driver’s seat. Blood work, after all, can provide many much-needed answers about our health. This trend is called healthcare consumerism. It’s all about giving people the tools and control to live their best, healthiest lives.  Take the control to say; I need this test done whether or not my insurance company will pay for it. 

If you are ready to check your family’s health as you head back to school, Any Lab Test Now® is the health center you’ve been looking for. Call now to schedule an appointment at a location near you to take back your health.

 

Protecting College Athletes 

Combating Drug & Alcohol Abuse Among College Athletes 

Getting lost in campus culture is one of the easiest and most commonly expected pitfalls for any student, but the pressure is tenfold for student-athletes. With high expectations placed upon them, athletes are expected to perform in a top-tier fashion and, if successful, are revered as campus celebrities. School work, organizations, parties, and the overall stress placed on these young adults are enough for anyone to seek out an outlet.

One of the biggest downfalls for any athlete is failing a drug test. The effects are irreversible, and its impact causes instant damage to the student’s college career. Fortunately, Any Lab Test Now® is an advocate for college athletes and strives to help these young talents take charge of their health on and off the court. 

Let’s Talk About Adderall Abuse Among Adolescents 

 Typically used to treat ADHD, the medication is classified as a central nervous system stimulant. Most often, students take Adderall to hyper-focus, utilizing it to complete a paper or project on a strict deadline or when there’s a big test.

According to the American Addiction Centers, 425,000 teens between 12 and 17 reported misuse of Adderall. This number jumps to a staggering 2.5 million when applied to young adults 18 to 25. Another scary but very common statistic with Adderall abuse is that 63% of people 18 to 28 do not get Adderall from a primary physician. They claim to get it from their friends. Over 20% of the same age group get the pills from family members, while nearly 20% get them from other students.

Some common symptoms of Adderall overdose are:

• Panic attack
• Hyperventilation
• Cardiac rhythm abnormalities 
• Vertigo 
• Profound confusion or delirium
• Coma 

These are obviously severe and intense reactions to Adderall overdose. Take the opportunity to help your athlete Take Control of Their Health® and take a peek at their current state of health. We understand that achieving peak performance and optimal results take more than physical fitness. It’s a matter of getting the inside facts about your body’s current state of health.  In addition, ANY LAB TEST NOW® can be your partner in ensuring your athlete stays in tip-top shape without any enhancers through one of our many drug testing options.

NCAA’s Take on CBD

Let’s move on to another key player: CBD. According to the NCAA Banned Substance page, CBD is banned from college athletics, listed under “cannabinoids.” 

First, what is CBD? According to an article published by Harvard Health, cannabidiol (CBD) is the second most prevalent active ingredient in cannabis or marijuana. CBD is derived from the hemp plant, a cousin of marijuana. CBD does not cause a “high” when used alone, which is the main difference between THC and CBD.

Among adults and teens, CBD is one of the most popular drugs in the United States. According to the American Addiction Centers, 28% of college athletes have used cannabis in the past year. Any Lab Test Now® has two tests that can help determine if your CBD leaves trace amounts of marijuana in the system. 

Prevalence of Alcohol & Drugs on College Campus

College is a space for young adults to experience self-discovery. With a newfound independence, the formation of new friendships, and expectations from TV shows, this season of life can often lead to some not-so-glamorous behaviors that are often glorified. 

According to the American Addiction Centers, some common reasons for the high prevalence of drug abuse among college students are:

• High levels of academic stress
• Used to lessen the anxiety surrounding social situations
• Family history 
• Beliefs about substance abuse from the media, the “rite of passage” mentality
• Joining fraternity or sorority life 
• Drugs are readily available on college campuses

Ways to Eliminate Student Drug Abuse 

The best way to decrease the risk of drug use is prevention. According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, the risk of drug use significantly increases during a time of transition. College is one of the most significant transitions in a person’s life. For many students, just three months prior, they were raising their hand for a bathroom pass. 

It’s difficult to say that any one thing will undoubtedly reduce your child’s risk of using drugs, but there are some prevention methods. 

• Be a pillar for your child.
  They’ll inevitably get curious and want to dabble in something you’re not fond of. Reacting as their safe space and voice of reason takes the fight out of what they’re doing. 
• Be as “in the know” as you can.
  Know who your teen is spending time with, and make sure to have healthy conversations about their interests and what they’re into. It creates a foundation of trust, and should your child decide to do something rebellious; they know you have their back.
• Talk openly about the consequences of abusing drugs and alcohol.
  Find something they can relate to, and impress upon them the dangers and how it rarely leaves people the same as when they began the abuse.

In addition, Any Lab Test Now® offers the Urine 5-Panel Drug Test With Expanded Opiate. This test determines the absence or presence of five types of drugs, including expanded opiates.

School is Back — Take Back Your Health Too

Drug and alcohol abuse is a multi-layered subject, especially when young people are involved. It’s a difficult but necessary conversation to have. With something as common as Adderall abuse, it’s best to get ahead of it as soon as possible to save the afflicted person from severe and life-changing symptoms. 

As we prepare to head back to school, and many young adults are scouring Pinterest for the perfect décor, now is the ideal time for a fresh start and heading into the year with peace of mind. Any Lab Test Now® has more than 200 locations across the country. Don’t hesitate for a fresh start; click here for your nearest location. 

 

Strong Men Put Their Health First

THREE LAB TESTS EVERY MAN NEEDS

Fast, easy, and relatively painless. It’s how we wish we could describe laying tiles in the kitchen, building the treehouse in the backyard, or hitting that desired weight on the deadlift. Most things men are asked to do are quite the opposite of fast, easy, and painless. Whether it’s a physical or mental challenge, it’s nearly always just that: a challenge. This shouldn’t be the case when it comes to taking care of your health. It’s not uncommon for men to put their health on the back burner. This can be for a number of reasons. Some men procrastinate to avoid a negative diagnosis, and others are just reluctant to start the process of a health check-up, which generally takes time, money, and several blood draws.  

But here’s the thing, no matter what stage of life you are in, there are three lab tests you absolutely consider to get ahead of your health. Preventative care can do many things, including improving the quality of your life, if not just saving it completely. Men’s Health Month was created to highlight preventable health issues and encourage early detection of disease among men of all ages. Read below for three recommended lab tests designed to help men proactively maintain their health.

HAVE A HEART (TEST)

The CDC states that heart disease and cancer are the two leading causes of death for men. These two issues, along with numerous other debilitating and life-altering diagnoses, can be identified and treated early with preventative care. Let’s talk about heart health. While it can be deadly, it can be preventable with proper care. Heart disease is an umbrella term that includes multiple diseases, and each has different symptoms. The most common symptoms between the varying diseases are:

• Chest pain 
• Difficulty breathing 
• Fatigue 
• Racing heartbeat/irregular heartbeat
• Swelling 

It’s worth recognizing that your hormones tie into your heart health. Something that can greatly impact a man’s health is his hormones. Hormone health is crucial to the function of a man’s body and quality of life. It’s why getting your hormone levels evaluated can be a literal life-saver. 

For example, people who abuse the commonly known male hormone testosterone have an increased risk of high blood pressure heart attack, and stroke. Knowing the signs of a heart attack or stroke is one of the most important things you can do to safeguard your cardiac health. If you’re specifically looking for a heart health test, your neighborhood Any Lab Test Now® has the Heart Health Panel specifically for that. This panel provides an overview of your heart health status and can be used as a baseline assessment of your heart health and possible risk. 

NEED A FATHER’S DAY GIFT IDEA? HOW ABOUT COLORECTAL CANCER SCREENING

Okay, we realize it’s not the best gift… but it’s a great way to make sure you celebrate a few more holidays. According to the American Cancer Society, essential to get screened.

If you want to take preventative measures before getting a colonoscopy, check out your local Any Lab Test Now® for the Colon Cancer Screening (FIT) Test to give you peace of mind. The FIT Test (Fecal Immunochemical Test) is a good health-monitoring test that detects hemoglobin, or blood, in the stool. The sample is collected in the privacy of your home, and only requires a small water-based sampling from one bowel movement. Kits can either be picked up in-store or purchased online and includes a prepaid shipping label to send the sample directly to the lab.

COMPREHENSIVE MALE PANEL

If you’re looking for an all-encompassing screening that will thoroughly take a look at your health with one test, look no further than Any Lab Test Now®. It can all be done using our simple, yet thorough, Comprehensive Male Panel. It’s specifically designed to give men a broad overview of their health. It includes testing for your blood count, a metabolic panel, which includes your kidney and liver functions, as well as your heart and hormone health. You will also receive a prostate-specific antigen test to evaluate your prostate health. The results could show your physician if your testosterone is low, how your liver and kidneys are functioning if you are at risk for diabetes, and even provide a baseline when it comes to prostate cancer.

The panel includes the following tests:

• Complete blood count of platelets 
• Complete metabolic panel 
• Cholesterol
• Prostate-specific antigen
• Testosterone 
• Thyroid 
• Hemoglobin
• Adrenal gland function

For the Comprehensive Male Panel at Any Lab Test Now®, fasting is required to do a thorough evaluation through bloodwork. You’ll get your detailed results back in just two to three business days! Once you get your results, we encourage you to create a wellness plan with your primary physician.

MONITOR THE IMPACT OF TESTOSTERONE IMBALANCES 

It’s important to note that the Comprehensive Male Panel includes a Testosterone Test. The main hormone we recognize in men is testosterone. Testosterone is a key hormone in men’s sexual development and function, and it impacts the structure of the brain and a man’s overall mental health. Testosterone also directly influences memory and learning because of where the receptors are located in the brain. Monitoring testosterone levels is important, as testosterone decreases as men age, and puts men at a greater risk of developing conditions like cancer and diabetes. 

If you think you’re experiencing a testosterone imbalance, you might recognize some of these symptoms. 

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Stress
• Mood swings
• Impulsiveness
• Memory loss
• Irritability 

Physically, a decrease in testosterone can look like this:

• Loss of bone mass
• Increased body fat
• Erectile dysfunction
• Sleeping issues
• Decreased libido
• Hair loss

The Comprehensive Male Panel provides a broad overview of Men’s Health and is a quick way to figure out if your testosterone level is lower than normal. As you can see, it plays a major part in a man’s health, so it’s important to be aware of and monitor changes. 

Awareness. Prevention. Action.

At Any Lab Test Now, you get access to thousands of tests, many specifically designed with men’s health in mind. Most tests are completed in about 15 minutes or less. So come on guys, no more excuses, thanks to Any Lab Test Now, routine lab testing has never been easier. You take your vehicle for routine maintenance more than once a year in order to keep it from breaking down. Why not do the same for your health? Routine lab testing can help you establish a baseline! You may ask yourself, “How do I do this? How do I check in on my health while carrying on with my hectic schedule?” The answer is simple… visit ANY LAB TEST NOW®!

Find your local Any Lab Test Now® to learn more about the plethora of tests offered.

Empowered Women Prioritize Their Health 

May is Women’s Health Month and National Women’s Health Week is May 8–15. This month serves as a great reminder for women to take better steps to understand their health. Preventive care is one of the most important steps you can take to manage your health. Taking the time to monitor your body is vital to preventive care. It continuously saves lives, especially for women, who sometimes have a hard time prioritizing their wellness.

Here’s why:

• Women generally make the most of the healthcare arrangements for their families but often neglect their own health needs
• 50% of women disregard their own health
• Women are five times more likely than men to develop thyroid issues
• Two of every three deaths among women are caused by non-communicable diseases (NCDs) — examples include heart disease, stroke, and diabetes — all of which can be detected early 

It is not wise to ignore your health and wait until something goes wrong or you are feeling “off” before seeking answers. In this month’s blog, we are sharing 3 important preventive healthcare screenings offered by your neighborhood Any Lab Test Now®. These 3 lab tests are important because they will help detect possible conditions or issues early when they are easiest to treat.

COMPREHENSIVE FEMALE PANEL

At Any Lab Test Now®, we offer a Comprehensive Female Panel designed to help women of all ages make informed decisions about their health. The Medical Assistants at your local At Any Lab Test Now® regularly see women with ongoing medical conditions or those seeking one-off testing, making our stores an invaluable wellness resource right in your own neighborhood. 

This panel includes multiple tests that will provide you with a personalized snapshot of a woman’s health. The panel also includes a metabolic panel that checks kidney and liver functions, female hormones with a specific female hormone test, thyroid condition, and nutritional status. All around, this is a great panel to add to your wellness routine that provides you with a wide range of bodily information.

The Any Lab Test Now® Comprehensive Female Panel looks at the following: 

CBC with Differential/Platelets – A broad screening test to check for such disorders as anemia, infection, and many other diseases.

Complete Metabolic Panel – A test that measures 14 different substances in your blood and measures kidney and liver function. 

Cholesterol (Lipid) Panel – Measures the amount of cholesterol and fats in your blood. 

Estradiol – Also known as E2, this is the main type of estrogen your ovaries produce. Too much or too little can lead to problems, such as weak bones, urinary tract infections, and even depression. 

Testosterone (Free and Total) – Usually associated with men, women also produce testosterone. An imbalance of this hormone can lead to weight gain or sexual dysfunction. 

TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) – This portion of the panel evaluates how well the thyroid gland is working.

HbA1C (Hemoglobin A1C) – The results of this test reveal your average blood sugar levels over the past three months.

Progesterone – An imbalance of this hormone can lead to a decreased sex drive, mood swings, irregular periods, and more. 

DHEA-Sulfate – Also known as dehydroepiandrosterone, this hormone contributes to normal libido and sexual satisfaction.

FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) – Too much or too little FSH can cause a variety of problems, including infertility or menstrual difficulties in women. It can also be an indicator of menopause. 

LH (Luteinizing Hormone) – This chemical supports important processes in your reproductive system, including ovulation. 

COMPREHENSIVE THYROID PANEL 

Women are more likely to have thyroid issues than men. The thyroid is a hormone-producing gland located in the middle of the lower neck that regulates the body’s metabolism — the rate at which the body produces energy from nutrients and oxygen — and affects critical body functions, such as energy level and the regulation of body temperature. 

Any Lab Test Now® offers a Comprehensive Thyroid Panel that zeroes in on this important gland, which can help you determine if you have one of the two most common thyroid issues. 

Hypothyroidism – a condition where the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone. Symptoms include extreme fatigue, depression, forgetfulness, and some weight gain.

Hyperthyroidism – a condition causing the gland to produce too much thyroid hormone. Symptoms include irritability, nervousness, muscle weakness, unexplained weight loss, sleep disturbances, vision problems, and eye irritation.

OSTEOPOROSIS RISK PANEL 

Osteoporosis is a real risk for all women. In fact, 80 percent of Americans with osteoporosis are women. It is a condition that weakens bones and makes them susceptible to breakage. Ideally, our bodies absorb calcium and replace bone tissue. Our main source of calcium is food. But when we don’t eat enough calcium-rich foods, we put ourselves in danger of developing osteoporosis. Most of the time, people don’t realize they have an issue until they suffer a bone fracture. 

Women are more likely to develop osteoporosis because: 

• Women have smaller, thinner bones
• A reduction in estrogen, a hormone in women connected to bone health, can lead to bone loss 
• One in two women over the age of 50 will break a bone due to osteoporosis 

Our  Osteoporosis Risk Panel includes ten different tests that evaluate your risk for osteoporosis. Two

 of the key components of the test include measuring calcium and vitamin D levels, which are deeply tied to bone health. 

WANT MORE INFORMATION?

Click here to learn more about a few more tests and panels designed to help empower women to prioritize their health.