There are so many ways to get sick or be out of balance somewhere in your body. Our bodies are incredibly complex and any sort of deviation or trouble with one of our systems can lead to unpleasant symptoms or generally feeling unwell.

Since there is so much going on in your body at any given time, it can be hard to pinpoint a diagnosis on your own at home! Thankfully, we are here seven days a week to dig deeper into your symptoms for you.

AFC Urgent Care Hixson is proudly equipped with a variety of reliable diagnostic tools, including a state-of-the-art lab. Read on as our team explains what tests we can run in-house to help diagnose you faster.

What Tests Can Be Processed in the Lab?

We are grateful to have a lab right in our center because it allows us to diagnose you much quicker. If we didn’t have this resource, any tests we run would have to be sent off site to be processed, which takes much more time. We offer a variety of rapid tests that can detect the flu, COVID-19, strep throat or RSV in just a few minutes! In addition, we can do things like a urinalysis or a culture to diagnose certain infections.

Our technicians can also draw your blood and perform various tests. One of the most common tests we run is called a CBC, or a complete blood count. This test takes a sample of your blood and is run through a machine to count and measure your blood cells. These levels give our providers a really good baseline for your wellness because having a high or low count of a certain type of blood cell can offer a quick diagnosis.

Possible CBC Test Results

• Anemia
• An infection
• Immune system disorders
• Blood diseases

Is Anemia Dangerous?

Anemia is a condition where your body isn’t producing the proper amount of red blood cells in your body. This is one of the most common diagnoses we offer after confirming a patient’s CBC test results. Mild to moderate anemia is treatable with diet and lifestyle changes, but untreated anemia can lead to severe anemia. Over time, severe anemia can negatively impact your heart and lungs and lead to further complications.

If you are experiencing lightheadedness, fatigue, a rapid heartbeat or dizziness, come see us and we will draw up a CBC lab for you. Oftentimes, increasing your iron intake through your diet or a supplement can help your body create more red blood cells over time.

Ways to Incorporate More Iron Into Your Diet

• Eat iron-rich foods like lean meat, fish, eggs and dried beans.
• Consume more folic acid from dark, leafy green vegetables.
• Increase your vitamin D intake.
• Take an iron supplement if recommended.

Have you been feeling faint or lightheaded? Come see us for a quick CBC test at AFC Urgent Care Hixson.