Medical Tests
It’s back-to-school season, and all I can think about are TESTS!
No… not those tests… medical tests!
A critical part of today’s healthcare system, tests allow physicians to gain insights into the most minuscule chemical systems within the body. They can act as an important clue for what might be causing a whole variety of clinical symptoms.
BUT, as powerful as tests are, we have a tendency to overuse them in the medical field. This can prove costly both in terms of your time and your money, so here are a few tips on how to best make use of tests:
Ask Questions! In most cases, your physician answers to you. Therefore, you can and should make an informed decision about the tests you’re receiving. Ask these questions of your doctor:
What will we learn from this test?
Will the test results be a “need to know” or a “nice to know” for my next steps in care?
How will the information we get from this test be useful to us?
Does this test require pre-authorization from my insurance company?
Know your medical history! Does this test sound familiar? Maybe you’ve already gotten it recently! There are tons of types of tests, but some of the most common ones include:
CBC (complete blood count)
BMP/CMP (basic/comprehensive metabolic panel)
UA (urinalysis)
RP (respiratory panel)
TFT (thyroid function test)
It’s possible your doctor may want you to repeat a certain test anyway, but in other cases it may save you time, money, and avoid unnecessary prodding!
Still unsure about your medical tests? Call me up and let’s talk through your specific health care needs!