Test results

Lab tests are generally done for one of the following reasons:

• To find the cause of symptoms
• To confirm a diagnosis
• To screen for a disease. Screening tests are often done for people of a specific age or those who have a higher risk for a specific disease.
• To help rule out a disease or condition
• To assess the severity of a disease
• To monitor the progression of a disease, how well an organ is working, or if treatment is helping
• To verify specific events (for example, urine testing to look for drug use)

Many conditions can change your lab results. Your doctor will talk with you about any abnormal results as they relate to you.

It can be hard to wait for the results of medical tests. They may be very important to your future. Most doctors, labs, and hospitals are busy, and you may not want to bother them. But you have a right to know your results.

Here are some tips for following up on tests.

• Find out when you can expect the results.
• Ask how you can expect to get your results. For example, your results may be sent to your online patient portal, your doctor's office may call you with your results, or you may be scheduled for an appointment.
• Ask what you should do if you don't get results when you expect to.
• Meet with your doctor as soon as you can to discuss your results and what they mean for you.
• Ask your doctor's office how to access your results in the future.

You can do some types of tests at home, such as testing for blood sugar, pregnancy, urinary tract infections, and HIV infection. Some home tests give you results right away, such as a pregnancy test. Others provide a way for you to send a sample to a lab for testing. The lab then reports results back to you.

The quality and reliability of home tests vary greatly. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to recommend a reliable brand. Follow the instructions, and check with your doctor if you are concerned about the results. Your doctor will usually do further testing to confirm your results.