Blood tests and samples

Ultrasound blood test available

Have you received a request from a doctor for a blood test or any other sample-taking? At Clinique LeBlanc + Savaria, we understand that our patients’ time is precious. To offer you the fastest and most complete service, all samples are done ON SITE in the comfort of our clinics by our medical team and are analyzed in private laboratories. Depending on the type of analysis required, some results are available within 24 to 48 business hours.

Transmission of results

When the referral comes from our clinics : we contact ALL of our patients to provide them with the results, whether positive or negative.

When the referral is external (does not come from our clinics): the laboratory communicates the results directly to the attending physician. We do not have any control over the delays, the results, nor do we notify the patients.

The results of some analysis may take longer to obtain; do not worry, as soon as they are available, you will receive a call from us. If the referral is external, your doctor is responsible for having the results sent to you.

Who can prescribe and perform a blood test or collect a sample?

In Québec, only physicians, medical residents, dentists, pharmacists, midwives and nurses (specialized nurse practitioners [SNPs] as well as certain clinical nurses who are trained and allowed to prescribe) are authorized to prescribe blood tests or any other sample collection. As for the medical act itself, it is performed in our clinics by nurses and nursing assistants.

Why do we require blood tests?

Blood tests are intended to complete medical examinations and check-ups and are a common practice in medicine. The results are usually used to establish a diagnosis, to determine the causes of a health problem or to set up a treatment and monitor its effectiveness.

Do I have to fast before a blood test?

Unless your doctor or nurse informs you of specific measures, most laboratory analysis of blood tests or other samples do not require special preparation or fasting. However, should fast be required, it will be specified on your request. The patient must notify medical staff of any conditions that may affect the results of the analysis. For example, if fasting was required and it was not respected, or the taking of certain medications and the time at which they were last taken or administered. The medical staff indicates this information when sending the request to the laboratory to facilitate the interpretation of the results of your analysis.

Did you know? We can now check sugar levels and perform a lipid profile without the need for prior fasting. Find out more!

Book an appointment quickly

To meet our clients’ needs, a blood test or other types of tests can be booked directly at Clinique LeBlanc + Savaria, during the week or on the weekend, in the day or in the evening, according to our opening hours. Contact us today and get a quick appointment. We accept referral for laboratory tests from other physicians or authorized professionals.

Which tests must I take and what are the costs?

To obtain an estimate for your blood tests or sample analysis, send us a copy of your request at info@cliniqueleblancsavaria.ca

The fees for such laboratory tests are reimbursed by most collective or private insurances. If, however, you are not covered by such insurance, you may be eligible for a tax credit for medical fees.

Are you a “difficult stick”? Ultrasonographic-guided blood test is the right option for you

For whatever reason, if medical staff often has difficulty taking your blood, if you have deep or rolling veins, Clinique LeBlanc + Savaria offers blood samples by ultrasound. In addition to visualizing all superficial veins, ultrasound allows access to deeper veins that are not visible or palpable by hand. Studies have shown that the success rate of blood samples […] under ultrasound in patients who have difficult intravenous access was up to 97% (versus 33% for the same type of patients without ultrasonography guidance).[1]

[1] Costantino TG, Parikh AK, Satz WA et coll. Ultrasonography-guided peripheral intravenous access versus traditional approaches in patients with difficult intravenous access. Annals of Emergency Medicine, 2005, 46(5):456-61.

Blood tests and other sample collecting at Clinique LeBlanc + Savaria
  • Blood tests and samples are collected by members in good standing of the Ordre des infirmières et infirmiers du Québec (OIIQ) and the Ordre des infirmières et infirmiers auxiliaires du Québec (OIIAQ).
  • Nurses follow up on analysis by telephone (transmit and explain results, answer patients’ questions, etc.).
  • We offer blood profiles; individual blood tests; blood tests and samples related to sexual health and women’s health (Pap test, human papillomavirus — HPV, endometrial biopsy); urine, stool and sputum collection; pediatric blood tests; etc.
  • Learn about our various laboratory tests related to genetics, gluten intolerance, antibodies to vaccine-preventable diseases (hepatitis, chickenpox, rubella, etc.), prenatal screening (trisomy 13, 18 and 21), the HarmonyMC (prenatal test to assess the risk of common fetal trisomy, including trisomy 21 — also known as “Down syndrome”), etc.

Refer to the charts below for an overview of the main laboratory analysis we offer. This list is intended as a tool to easily identify the most frequently requested tests and is not exhaustive.

Contact us for a list of all tests that can be conducted at Clinique LeBlanc + Savaria.

 

Main tests and blood profiles (blood tests)

 

Complete blood count (CBC) — Blood count

Function:
Assess the general condition and detect possible infection
Assess ongoing blood loss (hemorrhage)
Detect leukemia, thrombocytopenia or thrombocytosis

What is analyzed
Red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets (total red blood cell count — erythrocyte count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, average amount of hemoglobin per red blood cell, total white blood cell count in general and amount of each type of white blood cell)

Without fasting

 

Lipid profile

Function:
Assess the risk of developing atherosclerosis that causes cardiovascular disease
Control the adjustment of lipid-lowering drug once treatment has begun

What is analyzed
Cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL

With and without fasting

 

Blood glucose test

Function:
Diabetes diagnoses
Follow up with the diabetic patient and the treatment effectiveness

What is analyzed
Fasting or random blood glucose and/or HbA1C levels (average of blood glucose levels over the past 3 months)

With and without fasting

 

Liver function test (Liver profile)

Function:
Detect possible liver dysfunction or an ongoing acute problem

What is analyzed
Transaminases (ALT, AST, GGT, PA), bilirubin, albumin

Without fasting

 

Renal function

Function:
Assess kidney function (e.g., acute or chronic renal failure)

What is analyzed
Blood creatinine, creatinine clearance, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), urea
Other measures may be added (sodium, potassium, albumin, etc.)

Without fasting

 

Electrolyte panel

Function:
Measure the main ionic constituents of blood (or electrolytes)

What is analyzed
Sodium, potassium, calcium, chlorine, magnesium, bicarbonates, iron

Without fasting

 

Thyroid function

Function:
Detect hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism
Adjust the medication and verify the treatment effectiveness

What is analyzed
Thyrotropin (TSH), T3 and T4 hormones

Without fasting

 

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test

Function:
Detect prostate cancer

What is analyzed
Amount of PSA in the blood

Without fasting

 

Sexual health

 

Chlamydia

Type of screening
Vaginal or cervical swab (preferable to a urine test for women)/urine test (often for men)

Window period (time between sexual contact and screening)
More accurate after 2 weeks

 

Condylomes et dépistage du cancer du col de l’utérus (VPH)

Type of screening
Swab test/visual examination/Pap test
Pap test: cervical cancer (HPV) screening
Treatment of condylomas with nitrogen or with an immunomodulatory cream (in case of doubt, a biopsy can be done)

Window period (time between sexual contact and screening)
Variable

 

Gonorrhea

Type of screening
Vaginal or cervical swab (for women)/urine test (for men)

Window period (time between sexual contact and screening)
More accurate after 7 days

 

Hepatitis A, B and C

Type of screening
Blood test

Window period (time between sexual contact and screening)
On average
Hepatitis A: 4 weeks
Hepatitis B: 30 to 60 days
Hepatitis C: 6 to 10 weeks (most infections are detectable within 2 weeks)

 

Herpes

Type of screening
Swab test (if active lesion)
Blood test (if non-active lesion

Window period (time between sexual contact and screening)
Swab test: 2 to 12 days if there is a lesion
Blood test: 3 months after infection

 

Syphilis

Type of screening
Blood test

Window period (time between sexual contact and screening)
3 to 4 weeks

 

Trichomoniasis

Type of screening
Swab test

Window period (time between sexual contact and screening)
4 to 28 days

 

HIV

Type of screening
Blood test

Window period (time between sexual contact and screening)
95% accurate results after 6 weeks
Can take up to 3 months for a definitive result

 

Women’s health

 

Pap test

Function
Detect pre-cancerous conditions of the cervix or uterine cancer, diagnose an infection or inflammation, check for abnormal cellular changes, screen for condylomas (HPV)

What is analyzed
Collect a small cell sample from the cervix

Type of screening
Swab test/soft rubber brush

Preparation
Do not take test during menstruation (light vaginal bleeding “spotting” is usually not a problem), do not douche (or do not use vaginal medication or vaginal spray or vaginal powder or contraceptive cream) at least in the 24 hours prior to the test, you must not have been treated for a cervical or vaginal infection in the 2 weeks prior to the test, empty the bladder before the test

 

Quantitative hCG test (for pregnancy)

Function
Confirm a pregnancy

What is analyzed
Measure hCG levels

Type of screening
Blood test

Preparation
None

 

Glucose tolerance test

Function
Confirm the diagnosis of diabetes, pregnancy diabetes or glucose intolerance

What is analyzed
Measure blood sugar concentration after drinking a sugary drink

Type of screening
Blood test

Preparation
Do not eat or drink 8 hours prior to your test

 

Vaginal culture

Function
Confirm the diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis, yeast vaginitis, or trichomoniasis

What is analyzed
Determine if streptococcus (e.g., group-B strep), bacteria, fungi or parasites are present

Type of screening
Swab test

Preparation
Do not take test during menstruation (light vaginal bleeding “spotting” is usually not a problem), do not douche (or do not use vaginal medication or vaginal spray or vaginal powder or contraceptive cream) at least in the 24 hours prior to the test, you must not have been treated for a cervical or vaginal infection in the 2 weeks prior to the test, empty the bladder before the test

 

Other tests

 

Urine sample for culture/analysis

Function
Verify: general health, urinary tract, kidneys, kidney disease, urinary tract infections, diabetes, if a woman is pregnant
Help diagnose certain cancers (kidney, bladder)

What is analyzed
Find and quantify electrolytes, sugar (glucose), proteins, blood, cells and bacteria

Preparation
Urine sample for culture/analysis
Verify: general health, urinary tract, kidneys, kidney disease, urinary tract infections, diabetes, if a woman is pregnant
Help diagnose certain cancers (kidney, bladder) Find and quantify electrolytes, sugar (glucose), proteins, blood, cells and bacteria
No specific preparation is usually required
In some cases, you may be asked to stop taking certain medications (taking antibiotics at the time of a urine culture may alter the results; for this reason, the culture should always be done BEFORE starting the antibiotic), to not eat or drink several hours before (fasting) or to avoid food

 

Stool sample for culture/analysis

Function
Beneficial in the search for complications of the digestive tract (gastrointestinal tract — GI tract)

What is analyzed
Check for bleeding in the digestive tract, parasites, digestive disorders, infection caused by bacteria (or a virus or fungus)

Preparation
The stool sample is collected at home and returned to the clinic, and from there it is then sent to the laboratory

 

Sputum sample for culture/analysis

Function
Detect pathogens that cause a lung infection

What is analyzed
Recover secretions from the deepest part of the lungs (it is not saliva)

Preparation
The sample is collected in the morning, on an empty stomach, after cleaning the mouth

 

Wound culture

Function
Determine the treatment plan for wounds and changes to the skin, and provide appropriate care and treatment

What is analyzed
Determine microorganisms and bacterial load in wound tissues
Choose antibiotics that are not resistant to a particular bacterium

Preparation
None

 

Get an appointment quickly! Call us now see a doctor as soon as possible.