Lab work can be used to help a doctor identify a variety of health conditions. It can give your provider a picture of your overall health and help diagnose different diseases, monitor chronic conditions, assess your organ function, and determine your immune system strength.
When additional screenings or imaging tests are recommended, they may be completed at an imaging center or hospital. Blood draws can be performed at the doctor’s office before samples are sent to a lab for analysis.
Depending on the test, some can be done in the office or a nearby lab, so you may have the results that day or the next. Other tests may take days or weeks, especially if they have to be sent to a specific kind of lab.
Always keep a copy of your results as they can be useful for future visits, or a visit to a specialist.
