Routine lab ordering and review for Florida patients

Who this service is for

Routine labs may be helpful if you are in Florida and want to:

• check in on your general health or a known condition;
• get labs needed for weight management or men's hormone health care;
• understand results you already have from another lab or clinician.

What your visit covers

Labs are ordered as part of a visit, based on your health history, symptoms, and clinical need. The clinician talks with you about why each test is or is not recommended, so you only get testing that is useful for your care.

Depending on your situation, common routine labs may include:

• complete blood count (CBC);
• comprehensive metabolic panel, which includes kidney and liver function;
• lipid panel (cholesterol);
• hemoglobin A1c and blood sugar;
• thyroid testing;
• testosterone, or PSA when appropriate.

Getting your blood drawn

Telehealth visits do not include a blood draw. When labs are ordered, the clinician explains how the order is sent and where you can go to have your sample collected. Some tests require fasting or a morning draw, and you will be told ahead of time. Lab costs depend on the lab and your insurance and may be separate from your visit fee, so it is a good idea to ask before your draw.

Reviewing your results

The clinician reviews your results and discusses them with you, usually at a follow-up visit. You will learn what is in range, what may need attention, and what comes next. That may be no action, repeat testing, a treatment plan, or a referral for in-person or specialist care.

Video Visit or Text Visit?

Lab ordering and results review generally use a Video Visit, so there is time to ask questions. Text Visits are reserved for a short list of simple, qualifying acute concerns (upper respiratory tract infection, urinary tract infection, gout, and ear infection). The clinician will let you know if another follow-up format is appropriate for you.

Preparing for your visit

Have a list of your current medications and supplements, any recent lab reports, and the questions you want answered. If you are monitoring a condition such as diabetes, high cholesterol, or a thyroid condition, let the clinician know when you were last tested and what your previous results showed.

What to expect

1. Request a Video Visit through the secure SimplePractice patient portal.
2. Discuss your history and which labs make sense.
3. Complete your blood draw as instructed.
4. Review results with the clinician and agree on next steps.

Safety

Routine lab review is not for emergencies. If you feel severely unwell, or you are told a result is critically abnormal, do not wait for a telehealth visit. Call 911 or go to the nearest ER.

Clinical decisions, including whether treatment may include a prescription, are made after evaluation. Nothing on this site guarantees a prescription or a particular outcome.