Screenings to Start the New Year

Early in the new year, it’s the perfect time to start fresh with new goals and make some changes, especially when it comes to self-care and your health. If you resolved to make you and your family’s wellness a priority this year, Any Lab Test Now® is excited to partner with you to get on track and stay on track all year.

The key to sticking to your health resolutions is figuring out what you’re working with — what’s your baseline? This begins with having some testing done to get a snapshot of your overall health. This will give you an idea of how things are working, and if anything may require further testing.

The tests we provide at Any Lab Test Now® are quick, easy, and accessible while serving as a screening and often a diagnostic tool to help you manage your health.

Your Starting Point

To start the new year off right, there’s no better glimpse of your overall health than our Annual Check-Up Panel. The panel consists of five tests typically ordered by a physician during an annual physical examination. Those tests include:

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

This is a baseline screening test. Your baseline consists 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. Empowering you with the knowledge of these numbers gives you a sense of whether or not changes need to be made or if further testing is needed.

Another Significant Test to Consider

You’ll notice that in the Annual Check-Up Panel, one of the items examined is the TSH, or thyroid stimulating hormone, because it’s vital to your body functioning properly.

The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped organ located in the front of your throat. Endocrine experts say the thyroid releases hormones that control your body’s metabolism; the way your body uses energy and keeps all the other systems in your body working correctly. When the thyroid doesn’t function properly, it can set off a chain of issues like breathing, heart rate, weight, body temperature, etc. When numbers indicate that levels are too low or too high it can cause hypothyroidism, an underactive thyroid, or hyperthyroidism, an overactive thyroid.

Any Lab Test Now® provides a Comprehensive Thyroid Panel, which includes five tests that determine how well the thyroid is functioning by looking at specific hormones. This is an important panel of tests to determine if there is an imbalance in your body. Thyroid disorders are more common in women, and they often occur with changes in other hormone levels, such as with pregnancy or with older age.

You Are What You Eat

Pardon the pun, but the Basic Nutritional Panel we offer is like the charcuterie board of testing in that it looks at a little bit of everything when it comes to your nutritional health. Perhaps you are trying to lose weight or feel like you may have a vitamin deficiency — this is an effective screening test that will provide the answers you’re looking for.

Especially at a time when your health and the strength of your immune system is top of mind, knowing if your body is receiving proper nutrition is beneficial knowledge to have, not just for your health but for your wallet as well. This panel from Any Lab Test Now® gives you a look at 11 different components that will tell you if your body is getting the nutrition it needs to operate efficiently.

Start the New Year off Right

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

There is no better way to kick off the new year than being dedicated to your health and wellness. Any Lab Test Now® is your partner in health, providing tests to help keep you and your family healthy all year long. Ready to get started with your resolution? Call now to schedule an appointment at a location near you.

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.

Tired of Feeling Tired? The small gland that can make a big difference!

More than 20 million Americans have some form of thyroid disease. However, an estimated 60 percent of people are unaware they have a problem with their thyroid. The thyroid is a small gland, but when it comes to your health, plays a big role. The butterfly-shaped thyroid sits inside your throat, just under your voice box. Small in size, this gland plays a major part in several bodily functions, including your metabolism.

Your thyroid makes two hormones — T3 and T4. These hormones regulate the speed at which your cells work. Too much of these hormones, and you may find yourself with a pounding heart, sudden weight fluctuations, and feeling exhausted all the time.

As we observe National Thyroid Awareness Month this January,
let’s take time to understand the most common thyroid diseases and their symptoms.

Hyperthyroidism

When the thyroid gland produces too much of the hormone thyroxine (T4), this is hyperthyroidism. Hyper, of course, means overactive, which describes what is happening to your thyroid. It drives your body’s metabolism into high speed, which may lead to unexpected weight loss and rapid or irregular heart palpitations.

Other hyperthyroidism symptoms include:

Nervousness, anxiety, and irritability
Increased appetite
Changes in menstrual patterns
Increased sensitivity to heat
Thinning skin
Fine, brittle hair
Trembling
Muscle weakness
Problems sleeping
Irregular bowel movements
Goiter – swelling at the neck from an enlarged thyroid

If not treated, hyperthyroidism can lead to other health problems, including:

Graves’ Disease – This autoimmune disorder is a common cause of hyperthyroidism. A classic symptom of Graves’ disease is that the tissues and muscles behind the eyes swell, which makes the eyes bulge or protrude.

Osteoporosis – Too much thyroid hormone can block calcium absorption into your bones, making them brittle and subject to breaking.

Infertility – Women with an overactive thyroid can have difficulty getting pregnant. The condition can also be harmful to the mother and baby during pregnancy.

Hypothyroidism

The opposite of hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, occurs when the thyroid doesn’t produce enough T4 or its counterpart hormone T3 (triiodothyronine). The result is a slowing down of many bodily functions. Sometimes people write off the symptoms of hypothyroidism as a component of aging. However, left untreated, it can lead to obesity, joint pain, infertility, and heart disease.

Symptoms of hypothyroidism include:

Unexplained weight gain
Extreme fatigue
Hypersensitivity to cold
Constipation
Dry skin
Hoarseness
Puffiness in the face
Muscle aches, tenderness, stiffness, and weakness
Elevated blood cholesterol
Thinning hair and dry skin
Slower heart rate
Depression
Forgetfulness

Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis– The most common cause of hypothyroidism. It is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation of the thyroid. With Hashimoto’s, your body produces antibodies that attack and destroy the thyroid gland.

Diagnosing Thyroid Issues

If you’ve ever had a yearly physical, your doctor most likely placed their hands gently on each side of your windpipe and asked you to swallow. This is the most basic way to check for any abnormal bumps or enlargement of your thyroid gland.

Your doctor can confirm a thyroid issue with one simple lab test. The Basic Thyroid Panel offered by Any Lab Test Now combines convenience and affordability. This panel consists of three tests, which measure the balance of the three main hormones in the thyroid system.

They include:

TSH: Thyroid Stimulating Hormone is the most important of the hormones in the thyroid system. It stimulates or acts on the thyroid gland, telling it how much of the actual thyroid hormones need to be produced.
T4: This hormone is made by the thyroid, travels throughout the body, and is converted into T3.
T3: The active form of T4. This is the hormone that goes into the cells and controls their function throughout the body.

What to Expect During Your Visit

There is no need to make an appointment; walk-ins are always welcome. There is no need for a doctor’s order either, so you can skip the step (and the co-pay) of making an appointment with your doctor to get a prescription for testing.

The results of your thyroid screening will serve as a blueprint for your physician to prescribe the correct dose of medication. Then later in the year, you can continue to follow up with Any Lab Test Now for additional testing to find out if the treatment is working.

New Year, Better You…Take Care of Yourself

Whether you believe in setting a New Year’s resolution or not, the start of a new year is always an opportune time to create a new habit or three that’ll lead to a healthier, more fulfilling life.

To help you have a fresh start in 2022, utilize Any Lab Test Now for access to 8000+ lab testing options designed to help you monitor the health of your body. We want you to Take Control of Your Health® when it comes to seeking out any type of lab work, including determining the health of your thyroid.

We provide you with a safe and clean alternative location for lab work. Any Lab Test Now is a committed partner in helping you manage your family’s healthcare so you can make educated decisions that will directly affect your quality of life.

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

5 Signs You Need a Thyroid Test

Millions of Americans have a thyroid condition and don’t even know it. Are you one of them?

The thyroid is a hormone-producing gland that regulates the body’s metabolism, which is the rate at which the body produces energy from nutrients and oxygen. The thyroid affects crucial body functions, such as energy level and heart rate.

The gland is located in the lower part of the neck, below the Adam’s apple, and it wraps around your windpipe and has a shape that is similar to a butterfly or a bowtie.

When your thyroid doesn’t work properly, it can impact your entire body. The general term for this is thyroid disease, which means the gland is either overproducing or underproducing important hormones.

There are a variety of symptoms you could experience if you have a thyroid disease. Here are five signs you might need a thyroid test.

Changes in Weight

Considerable and unexplained fluctuations in your weight could be the result of either hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid) or hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid). In hyperthyroidism, your thyroid gland produces too much of the hormone thyroxine, which causes your body’s metabolism to speed up, leading to weight loss. In hypothyroidism, your body is unable to produce enough thyroxine, which causes the metabolism to slow down, leading to weight gain.

Skin Issues

Thyroid disorders can also cause changes in your appearance, including dry, red, itchy, thinning or irritated skin, brittle hair, swelling in your joints, a puffy face, or swelling at the base of your neck. If you notice these changes along with one or more of the other issues mentioned here, it may be time to have your thyroid checked.

Mood Swings

Hormones don’t just affect your physical appearance. It can also play a factor in your overall mood and mental wellness. Hyperthyroidism may cause you to feel anxious, nervous, and irritable, whereas hypothyroidism can cause depression.

Fatigue

Another sign of thyroid problems is a lack of energy. Hyperthyroidism can make it difficult for you to fall asleep at night, leading to fatigue. The lack of thyroxine caused by hypothyroidism can deplete your body of all its energy. Both conditions can also cause muscle weakness, which triggers your body to feel tired and worn down.

Temperature Troubles

Sensitivity to heat and cold can also be a symptom of thyroid trouble. Hyperthyroidism may cause you to feel overheated and lead to excessive sweating. Hypothyroidism has the opposite effect, leaving you feeling cold all the time. When the body’s thyroid is working properly its cells will produce 65 percent energy and 35 percent heat. However, those with a thyroid condition will either be producing too much or not enough thyroxine. This change in hormone levels will confuse the body into producing either too much heat and not enough energy or vice versa.

Thyroid Testing

If there’s a bright side to hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, it’s that treatment is usually simple, involving taking daily medication to balance your hormone levels.

Finding out your hormone levels is easy. It is limited to a simple blood test like the one offered at Any Lab Test Now®. Our Basic Thyroid Panel screens for thyroid disease and can determine whether your body is producing too much or not enough of the needed hormones. No appointment is necessary since walk-ins are always welcome at Any Lab Test Now. There is no need for a doctor’s order either.

The results of your thyroid screening will serve as a blueprint for your physician to prescribe the right dose of synthetic hormone medication. You can continue to follow up with Any Lab Test Now for additional testing to find out if the treatment is working.

Be at Ease

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

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

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

Fuel Resolutions with FSA Savings

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Taking Control of Your Health – Why it’s Important

At Any Lab Test Now, we spend a lot of time talking about how we help you “take control of your health.” But for the health professionals at your local Any Lab Test Now, it’s not just talk, it’s more of a mission. That’s because the idea of taking control of your health can mean many things… and each one of them important.

Taking control of your actions.

Think about all of the decisions you make every day that can affect your health. “Shall I have this delicious looking hamburger that I really want for lunch, or should I eat the healthy salad that I packed this morning?” How about: To exercise or not? That is the question. And who hasn’t been here? “I know I should go to bed but this show is sooo good! Just one more episode,” said just about everybody at least some time in their life.

When you make a decision that directly affects your health, you are indeed taking control of your health. Good health isn’t generally something that just happens to you… it’s something that is earned daily, sometimes hourly, and that’s not always an easy thing. You need as many people on your side as you possibly can. That’s where Any Lab Test Now comes in.

Every time you’re faced with a decision between an apple or a slice of apple pie…every time you choose between steamed broccoli and macaroni and cheese, Any Lab Test Now can be there to help. We are there with the kind of affirmation and validation that only a certified lab test can provide. Consider how seeing cholesterol levels steadily improve can help you say NO to the apple pie and YES to the apple. Think about how our Basic Nutritional Panel can help make you accountable to that salad you packed for lunch and strong enough to ignore that hamburger singing its siren song!

Taking control of chronic conditions.

When you’re diagnosed with a chronic condition (like diabetes or a thyroid disorder) you can be left feeling a wide range of emotions. Helplessness, vulnerability, and anxiety are not uncommon. How do you beat back these feelings that can threaten to overwhelm you? By taking control of your health! Becoming an active participant in your own treatment and care can be key to your future good health. Monitoring your hormone levels with our Thyroid Panel can assure you that your treatment is working for you. Diabetes can be another life-changing diagnosis that can leave you feeling frightened and unsure of your future. Any Lab Test Now offers a diabetes monitoring Hemoglobin A1C test. It can help assure you that you’re on top of your treatment and that your disease is under control.

Taking control of your health with help on your side.

When we talk about taking control of your health, what we’re really talking about is helping you help yourself! Maybe you’re looking for some accountability. Maybe it’s that confirming your treatment is working provides the calm that will help you along your unique health journey. Whatever it is, Any Lab Test Now can help because when you’re in control you’re going to feel happier and healthier!

January is National Thyroid Awareness Month!

Although relatively small in size, the thyroid gland plays a very large role in the human body. The thyroid gland is a small gland located at the base of the neck and is responsible for manufacturing thyroid hormones, necessary for the body to run smoothly and effectively.

There are an estimated 15 million Americans living with undiagnosed thyroid issues. Some people have either an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), sending the body into overdrive, or an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), slowing down bodily functions.

There are other conditions as well, including:

In this month of January, all of us at Any Lab Test Now® aim to raise thyroid awareness to the general public because it is estimated that up to 50% those with thyroid disease are unaware of their condition.

Before heading to a physician, you can perform a simple neck check in the comfort of your own home. Should you have any concerns, be proactive with your health in 2015 and let your local Any Lab Test Now® help! We offer an array of thyroid tests, including a comprehensive thyroid panel. Call us today to make an appointment!

The FYI’s of Thyroid Awareness

Nearly 30 million Americans are affected by thyroid disease. Did you know about half of them are undiagnosed?

The thyroid gland regulates how your body uses energy and produces hormones that are essential to proper cell and system functioning.

Women’s health.gov talks about some of the most common reasons people check their hormones.

Weight loss/gain
Excessive eating
Rapid or irregular heartbeat
Anxiety
Irritability
Trouble sleeping
Increase sweating or heat sensitivity
Muscle weakness
Less frequent menstrual periods

Have you experienced any of these symptoms? If so, we offer a Thyroid Panel screen for thyroid disease, hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism by checking your body’s production of TSH, T3 and T4 thyroid hormones. Even if you haven’t noticed any of these symptoms, it’s best to know what’s going on in your body. Since it’s thyroid awareness month, make a point to check your thyroid with our Thyroid Panel screen to Take Control of Your Health®.