There’s a good chance at some point in your life, you’ll need to make an appointment for testing at a medical lab. Maybe your physician is requesting the lab work to diagnose and treat a health condition.

Some employers also require random testing, usually to check for the presence of illegal substances. Whatever the reason for your appointment at a medical lab in Sugar Land, Texas, it helps to know what to expect. This can help alleviate any apprehension you may be feeling and ensure you’re ready for your lab test.

Reasons You May Need Medical Lab Testing

Medical labs offer a variety of services that go beyond drug screening. You may be taking a DNA test or checking for respiratory pathogens. Even though Covid-19 isn’t making headlines anymore, the viral infection is still popping up. As new variants appear, medical lab testing is often the only way of accurately diagnosing the highly contagious virus.

MCCP (Medication Confirmation Compliance Panel) testing can help physicians learn more about the effectiveness of their prescribed treatment. This type of test goes beyond Schedule 3 class medications, looking at prescription medications, over-the-counter remedies, and even multivitamins. The results of a MMCP test can help your physician create a comprehensive treatment plan.

Medical lab testing can even help diagnose some gastrointestinal issues. Did you know around 60% of all adults suffer from some form of a gastrointestinal disorder? This can make testing a crucial part of your healthcare plan.

Getting Ready for Your Medical Lab Test

A little more goes into getting ready for a medical lab test than making sure you show up on time for your appointment. Whether the lab test involves taking blood, a stool sample, urine, or other bodily fluids like salvia, you can do a couple of things to help everything go smoothly.

Follow Your Physician’s Instructions

If your healthcare provider sets up your lab test, you should receive some instructions. When you’re heading to the medical lab at the request of your employer, you probably aren’t receiving a lot of guidance.

A quick phone call to the medical lab should provide you with some basic instructions. These usually include avoiding alcohol several hours before the test, which can be especially crucial if your test screens for toxic substances.

Even though alcohol is legal, it’s probably not something you want showing up on an employer-mandated toxicology test. Other foods and beverages you should try to avoid include herbal teas and red meat.

If you haven’t followed your physician’s instructions or those provided by the medical lab, let the technician know before starting your test. You should also let the technician know about any medications you’re currently taking, which includes multivitamins and over-the-counter medications.

Some medications can falsely alter your test results, and this can impact your treatment. For example, if you’re taking medications to regulate your blood sugar levels. If you take the medication before the test, your results may be incorrect.

Fasting May Be Required

Okay, don’t panic. You don’t need to go days without eating. You’re only fasting for a few hours before your medical lab test. If your lab work is scheduled for the first thing in the morning, you may need to skip both dinner and breakfast. However, if the test is in the afternoon, you’re probably only going to miss your morning meal.

Once again, your physician should let you know if you can eat before the lab test. The medical lab should also be able to provide some guidance. If you’re wondering why you may need to skip a meal, it has to do with test results. Some nutrients, like medications, can produce false test results.

Avoid Smoking and Strenuous Activity

Are you a smoker? If so, now’s the time to put down your cigarettes, cigars, vaping devices, and any other product containing nicotine. Not only is taking a break from smoking a smart move for your health, but it’s often necessary to ensure accurate lab tests.

Engaging in strenuous exercise right before your medical lab appointment also isn’t the best idea. If you usually go for a morning run or hit the gym before work, take the day of your lab test off. You can always get your exercise in after your lab appointment.

Why should you skip exercising? Your elevated heart rate and blood pressure can interfere with the testing process. Ideally, you should feel calm and rested before heading into the lab. After all, you only want to do the test once and not multiple times.

Dress Appropriately

The dress code at medical labs in Sugar Land, Texas is pretty lax. As long as you’re wearing pants, a shirt, and shoes, you’re good to go. With this being said, what you wear can make it easier or more difficult for a technician to take your sample. If you’re only giving a saliva sample, what you wear doesn’t really matter but it’s different when you’re giving blood or urine.

Dressing comfortably in loose-fitting clothes is usually the best advice. Drawstring and elastic waistbands make it easy to provide urine and stool samples, and loose sleeves are ideal for blood tests. Something else to consider is the indoor temperature. Medical labs like hospitals tend to keep indoor temperatures on the cool side, which helps inhibit the spread of bacteria and germs. Bring a light sweater or jacket to stay warm. You may also want to wear a loose sweater or sweatshirt.

Remember to read the lab’s policy regarding clothing with pockets. Some medical labs discourage patients from wearing clothing with deep pockets. This typically only applies to toxicology tests, but it’s always a good idea to know the rules before showing up at the lab.

You’re Now Ready For Your Medical Lab Appointment

Getting ready for your lab test isn’t difficult or time-consuming. You might need to skip a meal or forgo an evening drink, but it's a small sacrifice to receive accurate results.

These results can significantly impact everything from your prescribed treatment plan to your employment, so it's essential to follow the preparation guidelines carefully. Doing it right the first time ensures you avoid delays or complications in getting the information you need.