Medical Lab Testing Dallas, TX

Onsite Drug Screening

There are many reasons you may want to screen your employees for drug abuse.  Although some small businesses drug test only to lower their insurance premiums it is a good idea and very cost-effective to drug test any employee who handles money, interacts with customers or works with heavy equipment.

First let me introduce myself.  My name is Greg Johnson and I own Any Lab Test Now® locations in North Dallas.  Apart from DNA and medical lab tests we also perform on site drug screens for employers all over the North Texas and Oklahoma region. 

If you stumbled upon this blog then chances are you are researching mobile drug screening for your business.  Your first question will either be “can you do this…” or “how much do you charge” so I will address these two questions first.

“How much do you charge for onsite drug screening?”

We start at $39 per drug screen for employers testing 5 or more people.  There is no travel charge, collection fee or additional fees.  If you are testing about 25 people we charge $29 per drug screen. 

“Can you do [insert question here]?”

Yes we can.  I have received all sorts of questions and special instructions from employers from time to time.  I can perform an onsite drug screen anywhere in North Texas/Oklahoma in practically any situation.  One employer asked us to meet five of their truck drivers at a mile marker outside Denton on highway 380 between 2am and 5am in the morning and perform a DOT drug screen.

“What mobile employer drug screens are available?”

We perform either a 5-panel or 10-panel rapid drug screen.  The difference in the panels is that the 10-panel includes prescription meds.  Most employers find the 5-panel drug screens fit their needs.  There is no difference in cost between the two panels.

“How soon will I know the results of a mobile drug screen?

We can provide the employer with negative and non-negative results within 5 minutes of collection.  Employers wanting confirmation can have all non-negatives sent to the lab and results are usually ready within 24-48hrs.

We also are asked favors by employees from time to time; however, I assure you that we work for the employer.  All our collectors are certified in DOT collections and unless asked by the employer otherwise we use that standard for every single collection to ensure accuracy.  Most often, employers are not only drug testing their employees for piece of mind, but also to lower liability.  Performing each and every onsite drug test to this standard creates fool proof evidence should a legal matter arise.

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Sexuality involves both physical and emotional intimacy. A healthy sex life can positively affect all aspects of your life. It can improve your physical health, how you feel about yourself, how you work and play, and your dealing with family and friends. Certain things can negatively affect your sexuality. Having a satisfying sex life is a challenge in all relationships. The most common problem for women is dyspareunia, or painful intercourse. When sex becomes painful, it can cause problems in a sexual relationship, as well as having a negative emotional effect.

The most common cause of painful intercourse is an insufficient amount of vaginal lubrication. Of all the possible causes, it is also the easiest to resolve. It is common to have fears and concerns about sex and intimacy when you are in pain. The woman needs to focus on relaxing while her partner focuses on more foreplay, and take your time. If that doesn’t work, then you can move on to lubricant. Make sure it is water based. If the lack of vaginal lubrication is due to hormones or menopause, then you can try a water based lubricant. If that doesn’t help, then you will need to talk to your physician about using a prescription estrogen cream of hormone replacement therapy.

Another very common condition that can cause painful intercourse is vaginal infections, like a yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis. Both infections can irritate the vaginal walls and also cause inflammation inside the vagina. Once the vaginal walls become inflamed, the friction from intercourse can be extremely painful. You can use an over the counter treatment for a yeast infection, but you will need to get prescription antibiotics for bacterial vaginosis.

Many sexually transmitted diseases can be painful. Syphilis, Genital Herpes and Genital Warts can all cause sores in the vaginal area. These sores are extremely painful just to touch. If you have an STD or suspect that you have been exposed to an STD, you need to get tested immediately.

After giving birth, you should not have intercourse for at least 6 weeks. Your body needs time to heal. During delivery, you can experience an injury to the vulva or the vagina. If your doctor performed an episiotomy prior to delivery, it will require stitches, and having sex too soon may require you to need additional stitches.

Some women experience spasms of the vaginal muscles, called vaginismus. This is usually caused by a fear of being hurt. This is most common in women that have been sexually abused or raped. Her partner can try gentleness and patience, but more than likely you will need some sexual therapy. When looking for a counselor, make sure they are a certified sexual counselor.

You should seek immediate attention if intercourse suddenly becomes painful when it hasn’t been before, or if you suspect an STD or any other infection. You should also let your partner know immediately if you have an unusual reaction to sexual intercourse. An unusual reaction would be a headache, chest pain or pain throughout the body. If you experience painful intercourse, talk to your partner.

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PSA (prostate-specific antigen) tests that test for the risk of prostate cancer in men are sensitive to many outside factors that can affect the results. Unfortunately, many physicians do not inform their patients of this fact. This may cause one to need several tests performed to get accurate results.

Get a PSA Test

Several factors may elevate the results of a PSA test. The higher the level, the more likely cancer is present. A result with high levels due to some other outside factor could cause a false positive result and a lot of unnecessary stress and fear. Many things can cause an elevated PSA level that should not be cause for concern. For example, age alone can cause a rise in levels. As a man ages, his PSA levels rise as well. Also, men should abstain from sex at least two days before being tested. Studies show that ejaculation within this period before a PSA test may increase PSA levels in the blood. Stimulation of the prostate from something such as a bike ride may also elevate the levels. Infections of the prostate that may produce no symptoms may also lead to elevated PSA levels. Also, a man with a larger than average prostate may get results with higher levels even if his prostate is healthy due to the fact that larger prostates produce more PSA in the blood.

On the other hand, some factors can artificially lower the PSA levels. This could lead a patient to believe they have no risk when in fact, they may have higher levels than the results show. Many medications can lower PSA levels in the blood. For example, over the counter herbal remedies such as saw palmetto can reduce levels by as much as 50%. Also, men who regularly use aspirin or other painkillers have levels 10% lower than those who do not.

One should always keep in mind that there is no “normal” number for PSA test results. Many different factors should be taken into account. Also, it is important to realize that one abnormal PSA test result does not necessarily mean one has cancer. It is important to be tested on a routine basis to watch the levels for fluctuations. The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends that all men, beginning at age 50 and those at an increased risk of prostate cancer have a PSA test performed annually.

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Part-Time Phlebotomist- Any Lab Test Now!

McKinney, TX

Reports To: ANY LAB TEST NOW Owner and Manager

The Phlebotomist will be responsible for all operations when the owner/manager is not at the site.  It’s important that the phlebotomist has both strong people and clinical skills. 

If interested, email resume with references to plano@anylabtestnow.com.

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Full Time Medical Assistant/Chief Phlebotomist-Any Lab Test Now

McKinney, TX

Reports To: ANY LAB TEST NOW Owner

The Medical Assistant will be responsible for all operations when the owner is not at the site.  It’s important that the MA has both strong people and clinical skills. 

If interested, email resume with references to plano@anylabtestnow.com.

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It is really amazing what advances we are making in science.  I read the other day that some scientists came up with a device used for early detection of lung cancer.  It seems that individuals with lung cancer excrete certain molecules in their breath that healthy individuals do not.  Detect these molecules and you got lung cancer.

I feel this deserves more attention than the news organizations are giving.  This is HUGE.  Early detection is the key to survival during a battle with lung cancer.  Chances are, each person reading this has known someone who has died from lung cancer.  It seems that molecule detection is too easy to get notoriety.  I wonder if the early detection of lung cancer involved stem cells in some way would it would get more media attention. 

I would like to note that scientists have isolated these identifying molecules with many forms of cancer.  They have also linked the presence of cancer to mutations of a particular piece of our DNA.  These molecules and bits of DNA are referred to as tumor markers.  Although it can be pricy ($699-$899) you can visit your local “Any Lab Test Now®” and get an entire tumor marker panel. 

The female version includes a breast tumor screen.  This test looks for a snippet of DNA that has been linked to breast cancer.  Having this marker does not mean you have breast cancer.  All it means is that having this snippet of DNA puts you in the high risk category.  This can be analogous to fair skinned people having an increased risk of skin cancer. 

You may ask yourself why get a test that isn’t definitive.  The reason is early detection of cancer.  If you have fair skin you will probably make more frequent visits to a dermatologist.  This is similar.  Knowing your DNA gives you an increased chance of getting breast cancer would encourage you to get checked more frequently and thereby creating the opportunity for early detection of breast cancer.

One of the tumor markers for men is our PSA.  There having many medical studies that suggest a high value on a PSA test greatly increases your chance of prostate cancer.  It only costs $49 if taken by itself at an Any Lab Test Now® location and monitoring your PSA can save your life. 

The fact that this early detection breathalyzer isn’t getting as much media follows in line with most individuals thought process.  People tend to stick their head in the sand and think it won’t happen to them.  Their lives are a constant rollercoaster and they are concerned more about their current hill and would rather handle the big loop coming up when they have no other choice.  Sadly, this mentality is a death sentence with cancer.

If you have a family history of cancer or illness it is your responsibility to monitor your health.  You owe it to your family and friends.

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Infertility tests are done to help find out why a woman cannot become pregnant. The tests help find whether the problem is with the man, the woman, or both. Tests usually include semen analysis and blood tests.

Fertility / Infertility

The tests that are done look for many different reasons that could be causing the fertility problems. One of the very first things that your doctor is going to want to check is tests for sexually transmitted diseases and infections. Many STD’s will cause fertility problems and increase risk of a miscarriage. Standard STD testing will test for Herpes, Syphillis, Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, Hepatitis and HIV.

You will also need to check hormone levels. Tests for Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Progesterone may be done during a woman’s menstrual cycle to help see whether she is ovulating. LH may be checked in a man to see whether he has a pituitary problem that may be the cause. Prolactin is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland. It may be reveal if a woman has menstrual or ovulation problems.

The thyroid can prevent ovulation if it is not working properly, so you will need to test either a full Thyroid Panel or the Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH). If you have a history of thyroid problems or are taking medication for your thyroid, then you should do the full Thyroid Panel instead of just a TSH.

In some cases, a Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) test will be used to check a woman’s egg supply (ovarian reserve). FSH testing can also be used in men with a very low number of sperm to try to find out the source of the problem. A Testosterone test may be used to see whether a problem with the testicles or pituitary gland is preventing a man from being able to father a child. A low amount of testosterone can lead to low sperm counts.

Antibody blood tests may be done to find antisperm antibodies in blood, semen or vaginal fluids. Karyotyping is a blood test that looks for problems in the genetic material (chromosomes) in your cells. Some genetic problems make it hard to become pregnant or cause miscarriages.

Both partners will need to have all of these test done. You will want to have them done before any treatment is started.

The male partner will also need a Semen Analysis. A Semen Analysis checks the number of sperm (sperm count), the number of sperm that look normal, the number of sperm that can move normally, the number of white blood cells in the semen, and how much semen is made.

Infertility test can cost a lot and cause stress. You and your partner need to keep track of the frequency of sexual intercourse. While you are trying to get pregnant, make sure to follow the simple steps. You need to avoid certain medications, the use of caffeine, tobacco, alcohol, and illegal drugs. Tracking the menstrual cycle and exercise patterns can also help.

Infertility tests may find what is causing the problem and can help with treatment options. Sometimes the tests cannot find the cause of infertility and not all infertility problems can be treated. Infertility in men is often less successfully treated than infertility in women. You may still be able to become pregnant using assisted reproductive technology, which can treat male or female problems.

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