Your blood chemistry can say a lot about what’s going on inside your body. From checking your cholesterol and blood sugar levels, to detecting diseases and assessing organ function, blood tests can help medical providers assess, diagnose and treat various illnesses.
Given the importance of timely blood tests and results, urgent care clinics have become the more hassle-free and accessible alternative to traditional labs and primary care offices. In this blog, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about getting blood work done at your local urgent care.
Can You Get Blood Work Done at an Urgent Care?
While the specific services may vary by location, most urgent care clinics offer common blood tests for your convenience. Many are open in the evenings and on weekends, making it easier for you to fit a testing time into your busy schedule. They also offer shorter wait times and walk-in availability that you wouldn’t typically get at your primary care office. This makes urgent care clinics an ideal choice if you seek immediate testing, whether for routine checkups or when an unexpected health concern arises.
Common Blood Tests Performed in Urgent Care Clinics
Urgent care centers typically offer a variety of blood tests that cover a wide range of health conditions. The test(s) that your doctor orders will depend on a wide variety of factors like your age, sex, medical history, family medical history, pre-existing conditions, suspected diagnosis and more.
While your primary care physician will typically order blood work to be done during your annual physical, the frequency of testing varies from person to person. Usually, they’ll order panels that can be tested in just one draw so you don’t have to make multiple appointments. Some of the most common blood tests include:
- Complete Blood Count (CBC): Measures the levels of different cells in your blood, such as red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. This test is often used to detect infections, anemia, heart disease, autoimmune diseases, leukemia and certain cancers.
- Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP): Measures the amount of electrolytes and glucose in your blood, and can provide insights into your kidney function.
- Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP): This test helps in assessing overall health and detecting potential issues with blood pressure and metabolism. They may be used to check on medical conditions like reduced liver and kidney function and to diagnose diseases like diabetes.
- Lipid Panel: Measures cholesterol and triglycerides (fat) in your blood, helping to assess your risk for heart disease and other cardiovascular conditions.
Some less common blood tests include:
- Thyroid Function Tests: Assesses hormones produced by your thyroid gland to diagnose thyroid-related disorders.
- Nutrient Tests: Checks for levels of minerals and vitamins in your blood like vitamin B12 and magnesium, among others.
- Hemoglobin A1C Test, also known as an A1C Test: Measures your average blood sugar levels from the past two to three months. It’s often used to diagnose diabetes and prediabetes as well as to monitor how well you’re managing it.
These blood tests provide essential insights into your health, allowing healthcare providers to diagnose conditions early and monitor ongoing treatments.
How Long Does It Take to Get Results for Blood Work at an Urgent Care?
How long it takes to receive blood work results depends on several factors, including the type of test and whether the urgent care clinic has in-house lab capabilities. For routine tests like a CBC or blood glucose test, results may be available within a few hours or the next day. However, more complex tests could take several days as samples are sent to a lab for testing and analysis. Be sure to ask your urgent care provider how long you should expect to wait for your specific results!
Finding an Urgent Care That Offers Blood Work
Not all urgent care centers provide blood work, so it’s important to check ahead. Many clinics list their services on their websites, or you can simply call them to confirm whether they offer blood testing. In addition, while most health insurance plans cover blood work at urgent care centers, it’s always a good idea to verify coverage with your provider before getting tested. Coverage may vary depending on your specific insurance plan and the type of blood test needed.
Carolina QuickCare is a trusted provider of a wide range of diagnostic tests, including blood work. Alongside your primary physician, we’ll help you get the answers you need—faster. Reserve your spot online or simply walk in! If you have any questions, you can text “QUICK” to 843-418-9107 to get in touch with a member of our team.
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