BASIC Arguably, the most essential tool in assessing how healthy one is and how best to achieve optimal function is to obtain comprehensive laboratory studies or blood work.

One needs to look deeper than the eye can see. Even if one feels well, it is imperative to act and measure biomarkers that often predate the onset of an illness.

I often like to draw my patients’ attention to this point by quoting President Reagan in dealing with the Russians, “we need to trust but verify.”

Most people don’t realize that there are comprehensive labs available thru such companies as Quest and Lab Corp which can measure important markers such as inflammation, glucose control, advanced lipid/cholesterol profiles, hormones, immune function, and nutrient depletions.

These, however, are not usually ordered by most primary care doctors or specialists.

This consult can be done in person or with secure telemedicine/video-conference or by phone.

This review is ideal for patients who have a primary care doctor and/or specialists but want to get a more detailed picture of their state of health and review labs that may have not been offered to them. It is important to note that the patient is responsible to check with the insurance plan to find out which lab company is preferred and if any labs will not be covered.

Our preference is to use Quest, which we believe has the most complete and inclusive tests available although Lab Corp also may be used.

How does it work?

1. Brief questionnaire that includes your medical history, list of medications and supplements, and any recent labs.
2. Ordering of personalized labs- once we have the above info we will create a requisition that is tailored to your needs and avoids any duplicate tests that you may have recently so as to save undue costs and excessive tests.
   1. If done through Quest labs we will transmit your requisition through the Care 360 portal which can be accessed at any Quest location in the area.
   2. If done through Lab Corp we will provide you with a lab requisition for you to take to one of their locations.
3. We will contact you when the labs are back and schedule a consult either in person, via telemedicine, or by phone and will usually last between approximately 20-30 minutes
4. You will receive:
   1. In depth lab interpretation and copy of all labs.
   2. Action items to for you to use which may include lifestyle changes, nutraceutical or supplement support, and next steps such as further testing to review with your physician.