Diagnostic tests are often essential for finding the source of your symptoms, and they play a vital role in monitoring ongoing health problems. Sherif Hassan, MD, at Maryland Primary Care and Urgent Care in Lanham, Maryland, provides on-site lab services that give you convenient access to advanced testing facilities. For more information about the extensive range of lab services available at Maryland Primary Care and Urgent Care, call the office today or book an appointment online.

request an appointment

What are lab services?

Lab services are essential tools that help your Maryland Primary Care and Urgent Care provider discover what’s making you sick and monitor your health.

Lab tests use various substances from your body. You’re most likely to give blood and urine samples, but your tests might require other substances, such as stool, cells, or discharge fluids, depending on your symptoms.

Maryland Primary Care and Urgent Care has an on-site phlebotomy (blood draw) service, so you don’t have the inconvenience of traveling to another clinic to give a blood sample. It offers in-house lab services in partnership with specialist provider Quest Diagnostics™.

What lab services might I need?

Your provider determines which lab services you need after conducting a physical exam, checking your medical history, and finding out about your symptoms. Common lab services include:

Complete blood count (CBC)

A CBC covers numerous health indicators, including anemia and infections. It helps your provider get a picture of your general health and identify areas requiring further investigation.

Infectious disease tests

Infectious disease tests cover a vast range of conditions, from strep throat and infectious mononucleosis (mono) to urinary tract infections (UTIs) and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP)

A CMP looks at your body’s fluid and mineral levels. It shows your doctor how well your kidneys and liver work.

Chronic disease tests

Chronic disease tests cover many conditions, from measuring your blood sugar and cholesterol levels to identifying nutrient deficiencies. Lab tests also identify antinuclear antibodies (ANAs), which you produce when you have an autoimmune disorder and are vital for cancer screening.

What conditions can lab services diagnose?

Maryland Primary Care and Urgent Care lab services provide results that help diagnose multiple conditions, including:

  • Adrenal gland disorders
  • Pancreatic gland disorders
  • Parathyroid diseases
  • Pituitary gland disorders
  • Rheumatologic diseases
  • Hormonal disorders
  • Calcium deficiencies
  • Cortical imbalances
  • Hepatitis
  • Kidney disease
  • Electrolyte imbalances
  • Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
  • Leukemia
  • Myositis and muscular diseases
  • Thyroid disorders

Lab services are also available to identify infections like Helicobacter pylori, which causes gastric ulcers, and for people with fertility problems to measure their reproductive system hormones.

Other services include Pap smears to screen for cervical cancer and echocardiogram procedures to check how well your heart’s functioning.

To find out more about Maryland Primary Care and Urgent Care’s extensive lab services, call the office or book an appointment online today.

Is there a preferred time of day for blood collection?

The presence of a preferred time of day for blood collection is subject to the specific test being conducted. Different tests may have different requirements regarding the timing of blood collection. For instance, certain tests may necessitate the collection of morning specimens, while others may not have such specifications. Specifically, for the Prothrombin Time (PT) test, it is preferable that blood is collected in the morning to ensure that the results can reach the healthcare provider before the day concludes. To ascertain if there is a preferred time for your particular blood collection, it is advisable to consult with your healthcare provider or the laboratory conducting the test.

How many tubes of blood will be needed for testing?

The number of tubes of blood needed for testing varies depending on the specific combination of tests requested. While some tests can be successfully conducted using only a single tube of blood, there are certain tests that necessitate a distinct tube containing different additives. Therefore, the quantity of blood tubes required for testing solely relies on the particular tests ordered.

What lab tests are offered at your clinic?

Our clinic offers comprehensive range of lab tests are available to cater to different healthcare needs. These tests include:

1. Chemistry: This category encompasses a wide array of tests that provide valuable insights into various aspects of a patient’s metabolic health.

2. Special Chemistry: These specialized tests focus on specific aspects of chemistry to assess specific medical conditions or monitor treatment effectiveness.

3. Diabetes Monitoring: Lab tests aimed at monitoring blood sugar levels and assessing the overall management of diabetes.

4. Thyroid Function Tests: These tests help evaluate the functioning of the thyroid gland and identify any abnormalities.

5. Coagulation: Tests that assess a patient’s blood clotting ability, aiding in the management and diagnosis of blood clotting disorders.

6. Hematology: A range of tests that evaluate blood cells and blood-related disorders.

7. Urinalysis: Testing urine samples to assess kidney function, detect urinary tract infections, and potentially identify other medical conditions.

8. Pregnancy Testing: Lab tests designed to confirm or rule out pregnancy.

9. COVID-19 PCA and Other Viral Testing: As part of our commitment to public health, they offer COVID-19 and other viral testing to help diagnose and monitor infectious diseases.

Additionally, we offers specialized lab services such as:

1. Timed Urines (24-hour urines): These tests may require the collection of urine over a 24-hour period to assess specific factors related to kidney function or hormonal imbalances.

2. Stools tests to evaluate gastrointestinal conditions or intestinal bleeding.

Our patients can rely on a comprehensive range of lab tests and specialized services to support accurate diagnoses, effective treatments, and proactive health management.

Who should I consult to determine if fasting is necessary for my lab tests?
It is recommended to consult with your healthcare provider to determine if fasting is necessary for your specific lab tests.

Does fasting apply to all lab tests?
No, most testing can be done in random specimens where there is no need to fast. Fasting is typically required for specific tests such as lipid, glucose, or other special assays.

What should I do if there are special circumstances preventing me from fasting?
In case there are any special circumstances preventing you from fasting, it is advised to always check with your provider.

How long should the fasting period be?
A good fasting period is generally 12 hours without food or drink prior to specimen collection.

What should I expect when getting bloodwork done?

When getting bloodwork done, you can expect your doctor to recommend specific tests based on factors like your age, lifestyle, and medical history. Typically, a doctor may suggest a complete blood count (CBC) and basic metabolic panel (BMP) during an annual check-up. Before the blood draw, your healthcare provider may ask you to fast for 12 hours to ensure accurate results by preventing temporary chemical changes in your blood from eating or drinking.

During the blood collection process, your practitioner’s staff will fill separate vials for each panel, although usually only one needle is required. The collected samples are then sent to a laboratory for testing, with results typically available within a few days. If any test results appear abnormal, further testing or examinations may be needed to investigate the findings and guide the next steps in your medical care.

What are doctors looking for with routine blood work?

Your provider determines which lab services you need after conducting a physical exam, checking your medical history, and finding out about your symptoms. Common lab services include: Complete blood count (CBC). A CBC covers numerous health indicators, including anemia and infections. It helps your provider get a picture of your general health and identify areas requiring further investigation. In addition to the CBC, doctors may order a variety of routine blood tests to monitor your overall health and catch early warning signs of disease. These tests, such as the Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP), Complete Metabolic Panel, Lipid Panel, nutrient tests, Thyroid Panel, and hemoglobin A1C test, can provide valuable insights into your kidney function, blood sugar levels, cholesterol levels, thyroid gland health, and more. By analyzing these different aspects of your blood work, healthcare providers can detect conditions like heart disease, autoimmune disease, diabetes, and thyroid issues before symptoms become apparent.

How often do we need to get blood drawn for routine blood work?

For routine blood work, the frequency of blood draws varies depending on factors like age, lifestyle, and personal and family medical history. Generally, your primary care provider may recommend getting a complete blood count (CBC) and basic metabolic panel (BMP) every year during your annual check-up. Specific additional tests may be suggested based on individual health considerations. It’s common practice to fast for at least 12 hours before the blood draw to ensure the accuracy of the results by minimizing variations caused by recent dietary intake.

What types of tests should be performed on fasting specimens?
Some tests that should be performed on fasting specimens include lipid, glucose, or other special assays.

Are blood work recommendations different for women and men?

Yes, blood work recommendations can differ between women and men. While most baseline blood work tests are similar for both sexes, the timing and specific tests needed may vary based on gender. For instance, men may need lipid testing earlier than women due to their higher risk for high cholesterol. On the other hand, women are more prone to thyroid disorders and low Vitamin D levels, so doctors may suggest including these tests in their routine well visits under certain circumstances.

Does blood work change as we age?

Blood work can indeed change as we age. While many blood tests remain the same for all adults, there are certain tests that may be ordered more frequently as we get older. For instance, lipid panels, which measure cholesterol levels, may be recommended more often for individuals in their 40s or 50s compared to younger adults. Similarly, tests like thyroid panels and vitamin level assessments, such as checking B12 levels, are more common for older adults to monitor overall health and well-being. In addition, certain specific tests become more relevant with age, such as PT/INR tests for seniors on blood thinners, BNP peptide tests for heart function, and ferritin tests to assess iron levels. On the other hand, younger adults who are sexually active may be advised to undergo tests for sexually transmitted diseases like HIV at a higher frequency. Thus, as we age, the types and frequency of blood work recommended by doctors may indeed change to address specific health needs and conditions that become more prevalent with advancing age.

What services are provided by the laboratory at your facility ?

“At Maryland Primary Care and Urgent Care, we understand the importance of lab services in uncovering the root causes of illnesses and monitoring our patients’ health. Our lab tests utilize various substances from your body, with blood and urine samples being the most common. However, depending on your symptoms, other substances such as stool, cells, or discharge fluids may also be required. Rest assured, our convenient on-site phlebotomy (blood draw) service eliminates the inconvenience of traveling to another clinic for a blood sample.

In partnership with specialist provider Quest Diagnostics, we offer in-house lab services to ensure prompt and accurate results. Our dedicated team of healthcare providers determines the specific lab services you need based on a thorough physical exam, review of your medical history, and an understanding of your symptoms. Our comprehensive lab services include a complete blood count (CBC), infectious disease tests, and a comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP). We also offer chronic disease tests to monitor conditions over time.

Moreover, our lab services extend beyond routine tests. We are equipped to identify infections such as Helicobacter pylori, which causes gastric ulcers, and to measure reproductive system hormones for patients experiencing fertility problems. Additionally, we provide Pap smears to screen for cervical cancer and offer echocardiogram procedures to evaluate the functioning of your heart.

At Maryland Primary Care and Urgent Care, our commitment to providing comprehensive healthcare extends to our in-house lab services. We ensure that you receive accurate and timely results, allowing our healthcare providers to make informed decisions about your care. You can trust that our partnership with Quest Diagnostics and our on-site phlebotomy service streamline the process, making your experience as convenient and efficient as possible.”<