Q: Is A1c used to diagnose Diabetes?

Yes. There are several ways physicians can diagnose diabetes including: Fasting Plasma Glucose, performing an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test, and A1c. Many physicians will use a combination of tests to confirm the diagnosis and will use A1c as the preferred method.

Q: Why are my A1c and blood glucose different?

A: Most people with diabetes are very familiar with blood glucose. Simply put, it is the blood glucose level in your blood at the time you test it and can fluctuate throughout the day. A1c is a 3 month average of your blood glucose control and will not fluctuate from day-to-day.

Q: Do I need a doctor order to get lab tests done?

A: No. We are certified and licensed to order, perform, and evaluate laboratory tests right here at Cheek and Scott. Since we are using these tests for screening purposes only instead of diagnosis, you do not need a prescription. You can share the results with your physician or we can even fax these results to them at your request.

Q: How quickly can I receive results?  Do I get a copy?

A: All of the tests are performed immediately after collection of a drop of blood with a simple finger stick. The tests take less than 7 minutes to perform and you can walk out of the store with the results in hand.

Q: Should I fast before I have my lab test?

A: This is only necessary for the Lipid Panel or a fasting blood glucose to obtain accurate results. The other tests we perform are completely unaffected by food consumption.

Q: What does a lipid panel profile tell me about my overall health?

A: The lipid panel consists of several important cardiovascular health markers including: Total Cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and Triglycerides. Having High Total Cholesterol, LDL, Triglycerides, and low HDL can all contribute to plaque buildup in your coronary arteries and poor cardiovascular health. As a part of this test we will also calculate your 10 year risk of having a heart attack.

Q: Why should I have my cholesterol levels checked if I’m healthy?

A: If you are healthy, it would be good to establish a baseline cholesterol level and continue to monitor for your cardiovascular risk. This may even help you catch a problem early so you can begin lifestyle changes to prevent the need for medication.

Q: Why should I have my cholesterol levels checked if I already have cardiovascular disease?

A: If you already have high cholesterol or cardiovascular disease, you can monitor between office visits to see how your medications or lifestyle changes are improving your cardiovascular risk.

Q: What is an INR and how often should I have it done?

A: INR is a test used to monitor the effects of the blood thinning drug called Coumadin or warfarin. The therapeutic dose for this medicine varies greatly from person to person and is adjusted to achieve an INR between 2 and 3. The patient usually tests a minimum of once monthly to adequately monitor therapy.