The 'Why' Behind the Tests

Have you ever wondered why Dr. Munjal requests labs within a certain time frame, why labs need to be drawn on a regular basis, or why a particular lab was ordered? You’re not alone! The ‘why’ is just as (if not more) important than the ‘what.’ Let’s talk about all things lab orders. 

Why do these labs need to be drawn within a certain time frame?
There are a number of reasons why Dr. Munjal requests that labs be drawn within a certain time frame or with specific instructions. Some of these include:

• Medications: Changes in medications can affect lab results. He may want you to stop or start a particular medication or wait a certain amount of time after stopping a medication or treatment regimen. 
  
• Result Time: Some labs take longer to result than others. For example, Stonerisk tests can take up to three (3) weeks to result, so we want to make sure those are done in a timely manner to avoid having to reschedule an appointment.
  

Why do labs need to be done on a regular basis?
Regular labs give Dr. Munjal a ‘big picture’ view of your kidney health over time to help track trends. Additionally, regular labs can:

• Reduce delays in prescription refills: labs done on a regular basis give an up-to-date view of the kidney function which can affect changes in medications. Because of this, labs and a follow-up appointment are required at least once a year to continue receiving refills to help us make sure your prescriptions are the correct dosage and frequency. 
  
• Track changes sooner: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is called the silent killer for a reason. By the time patients are experiencing symptoms, they are already in advanced stages of kidney disease. By doing labs on a regular basis, we are able to catch changes sooner and better manage your kidney disease.
  

Why was this particular lab ordered?
All patients require different care and different tests to adequately follow-up and maintain their health. Both blood and urine tests can be included to measure different aspects of the kidney function. Listed below are a few of the most common tests that Dr. Munjal orders:

• Basic or Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (BMP/CMP), Renal Panel
  
• Protein, Total, Random Urine
  
• Uric Acid
  
• Urinalysis with or without reflex
  

Click here for more information on these lab tests and what’s included.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your tests, results, or kidney function, give our office a call to schedule an appointment with Dr. Munjal. As always, stay safe and healthy!

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