Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I request my own laboratory tests?
Although it is always better to get the laboratory tests prescribed by your Physician, You can yourself request the tests without Doctor’s prescription also, if you are sure of the tests to be done. You can refer to the My Lab section for help and guidance. - Do I need to fast before submitting my blood specimen?
Most of the blood tests are best when taken in fasting state, though not mandatory. Few tests like Glucose- Fasting, Lipid Profile etc. need to taken on empty stomach. You can contact your doctor to determine the requirements for your specific testing. - What information can be had from routine and culture test of urine?
Routine urine examination tells about the presence or absence of certain substances the glucose, proteins, ketones, nitrites, bilirubin which could be an indication of certain diseases like diabetes, jaundice, infection etc. Blood in urine indicate infection, stones etc. Pus cells indicate infection. Casts indicate real disease. Crystals like oxalate, urate etc. are seen following high dietary intake of food rich in these minerals. Culture of urine helps us to isolate bacteria causing infection so that specific treatment for infection may be administered by your Doctor. - What typical time is taken for urine culture and sensitivity
Routine examination is done by directly visualizing urine under the microscope and doing certain chemical tests on the urine sample which takes a little time. In culture, the urine is plated on culture media which provide nutrition for the bacteria to grow. After overnight incubation bacteria grow on the media and then are replated on media on which different antibiotic discs are put and again after overnight incubation we see which antibiotics are able to prevent the growth of the bacteria. So the urine culture report is usually ready by third day. - Is the morning sample of urine necessary for a test?
Morning sample of urine is the ideal sample for culture, but a sample can be collected at any time of the day after proper cleaning and washing the area with soap and water to prevent bacterial contamination from the surrounding areas or this may give you erroneous result. - What should the time gap be between collection and giving the urine sample to the laboratory?
Urine sample should be brought to the lab as soon as possible (within 1-2 hours of collection) as the urine provides an excellent source of nutrition to the bacteria present and the bacteria multiply and will give a wrong result when tested after a longer time interval. In case there is a delay, the sample can be placed inside the refrigerator (not freezer) - What should the time gap be between collection and examination of a stool specimen?
Stool specimens should be delivered to the laboratory within one hour as the organisms die out quickly and may not be detected. - What is the difference between sputum and saliva?
Saliva is the watery secretion in the mouth which contains different types of bacteria present normally in the mouth. Sputum is the thick yellow secretion from the lungs which usually contains the bacteria causing infection in the lungs. To bring up a sputum sample one should placed both hands on the waist, take 2-3 deep breaths and cough up vigorously so the sputum comes out from the lungs. You can try a hot drink before coughing up sputum.
