We presently offer a variety of laboratory tests available from Great Smokies Diagnostic Labs in Ashville, NC. Details about individual tests can be found on the Great Smokies web site. We also order the Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis from Trace Elements Lab in Addison, TX. The list is quite lengthy and more are added as they become available. A partial list is below. For information regarding a specific test, go here.

Lab tests can be an important part in the overall picture of determining why you have a chronic (or acute) health problem. Key lab tests can pin-point various deficiencies and syndromes that are backed by medical science. Laboratory tests also help rule out problems. For example a female with constant vaginal infections could have a bacterial infection rather than a yeast infection. She could even have both. Lab tests would tell the doctor which was present.

We will offer to you all tests recommended by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM), as well as those of the State of Texas. We will offer education on the screening, so that you can make an informed choice.

No, the urine dipstick tests are not sensitive, nor specific enough for routine screening for pre-eclampsia. There is more to the story, though. See below. (WORD 71k)

Any type of blood or other test that our providers (or outside doctors) order may be done at Hurtado. Most tests are routinely done in the morning (Mon-Fri, 8:30-12 during the school year). The cost of most lab tests is included in your basic health fees, but there may sometimes be additional charges. Depending on the type of lab work you have done, you will be instructed on how to obtain your results and whether or not you need to return to the health center.

Certain basic blood tests are done prior to surgery; complete blood count, electrolytes, thyroid hormone levels, phosphorus, albumin, liver enzymes, cholesterol, uric acid, magnesium, lipid profile, PT/PTT, HgbA1c as well as referrals to other specialists (Endocrinology, Cardiology, Psychiatry, Pulmonary) as indicated.

Great Smokies lab specializes in lab testing for specific problems such as those tests listed above. The majority of labs do not include all of the various specific testing parameters as Great Smokies lab. For example, a routine stool test at a hospital or doctor's office may only include occult blood. The Comprehensive Digestive Stool Analysis includes over 30 different analyses of all components of digestion.

Laboratory findings vary depending upon the stage of illness. The CBC (Complete Blood Count ) may be within normal limits, or can show: On the chemistry panel, liver, kidney or pancreatic enzymes may be elevated. Globulin and total protein values may be low if the dog is immunosuppressed and is unable to make antibodies. ==============================

This depends on if the lab test is thorough enough and contains all of the test parameters that are needed to determine what we feel might be the underlying cause of your problem. Your on-line doctor/clinician will make this determination and will inform you. You may be asked to fax any previous lab results for this determination. It is important for you to understand that your on-line doctor/clinician is not ordering tests just to order tests.

Standard reference ranges within tests are not effective. FFC understands the gap of what is considered “normal” and is able to diagnose based on the true levels. Therefore, we do extensive lab testing which entail 20-30 or more, specialized blood tests that allow us to look at the overall big picture. We are committed to finding out what is causing the symptoms that our patients present.

Among the most important tests are the tests for heavy metal toxicity, for food allergies. If the food allergies do not show allergies to casein or gluten, your child still needs to avoid casein and gluten because they still act as toxins to your Autistic child's brain. You can almost assume that there is a yeast overgrowth. Still, you might want to test the anti-bodies to Candida so that you know how well your anti-fungals and probiotics are working when you re-test. You must always do a Chem.

You will be billed for your services at our office in the mail. If you have insurance, your office visits will be billed directly to them, and you will receive a bill after insurance payment has been received for any remaining copay or percentage of coverage amount due. If you do not have insurance, a bill for your visits will be mailed directly to you.

In general, your PPO covers the cost of lab tests and other studies as if they had been ordered by an in-network physician. We suggest that you check with your insurer or the HR department of your employer, as each plan varies.

You may be asked for a urine sample to test for sugar, protein and infection. You may have blood drawn to test for anemia and certain diseases.