Main Clinic: 575-538-2981 Deming Clinic: 575-544-4422 Family Clinic: 575-388-1242 Urgent CARE Clinic: 575-388-5953

Laboratory Information


Lab Work We have a full service, fully accredited lab at Silver Health CARE. Every two years our lab undergoes a state inspection to ensure that our lab facility, lab results and our record keeping are of the highest quality. We are able to run over 50 different tests in-house, including tests for diabetes, kidney functions, liver functions and much more. We are the only lab in town to offer a breath test to check for active H.Pylori infection, which is a leading cause of ulcers. Lab work will be scheduled through the telephone operators. Lab orders must accompany the patient in order for the labs to be done. For lab results, the patient will receive a letter or a phone call from their practitioner or he/she will go over the results in a follow up appointment. We acknowledge lab orders from outside physicians for Silver Health CARE patients only. The only exception is the test for H.Pylori. Lab blood draws are done from 7:00 am to 12:00 pm, Monday through Friday

Interesting Lab Facts Do you know what "fasting" means when you need lab work done? Most of the time your doctor or nurse will tell you not to eat or drink anything and to come to the clinic for lab tests. This is misleading. You can have water before having lab tests drawn. In fact, we recommend it! You can have black coffee too! You cannot have cream or sugar or other additives though in your coffee. You also cannot have juice of any kind. When your doctor is testing for cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL or LDL (lipid profile) you should not eat for 12 to 14 hours prior to the test. When your doctor is testing your blood sugar (glucose), you should not eat for 8 hours Certain x-ray studies need empty stomachs so water and coffee are NOT allowed. Did you know that blood thinners like Coumadin don't really "thin" your blood? They slow down the clotting of your blood. When you cut yourself you bleed longer until a clot can form to stop the bleeding. Did you know that male, female children and adults all have different "normal ranges" for their lab test results? Your doctor can tell you what result is normal for your age and health status. Did you know that one pint of blood is about 500 milliliters? Most of the tubes we use are 5 or 10 milliliters. We would have to draw 100 tubes to get a pint! So, if you feel a little weak after you have lab test is drawn, it's probably because you want your breakfast. Do you know the best way to get your "blood typed"? The best way is to donate a pint to United Blood Services. They will type you for free! You will be re-typed each time you give blood or receive blood.

What is a Bone Density Test? A bone density test, or scan is designed to check for osteoporosis; a disease that occurs when the bones become thin and weak. Osteoporosis happens when the bones lose calcium and other minerals that keep them strong. Osteoporosis begins after menopause in many women, and worsens after age 65, often resulting in serious fractures. These fractures may not only bring disability, but may affect longevity. As many as one-fourth of women who fracture their hip after age 50 die within one year. What is osteoporosis? Osteoporosis is a disease that occurs when the bones lose the calcium and structure that kept them strong. If often occurs after menopause (around 50) in women and in old age in men. What is calcium? Calcium is a mineral that helps build bone. After menopause when women start making less of the bone protecting hormone estrogen, they may need to increase their intake of calcium. Most people today will get a bone density scan from a machine using a technology called Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry or DEXA for short. This machine takes a picture of the bones in the spine, hip total body and wrist, and calculates their density. If a DEXA machine is not available, bone density scans can also be done with dual photon absorptiometry (measuring the spine, hip and total body) and quantitative computed tomography scans (measuring the spine). Bone density scanners that use DEXA technology to just measure bone density in the wrist (called pDEXA scans) provide scans at some drug stores. Yet, these tests are not as accurate as those that measure density in the total body, spine or hip - where most fractures occur. Not all doctors routinely schedule this test. If the following factors apply to the patients they may need a bone density test. At risk for osteoporosis Is near menopause Has a broken a bone after a modest trauma Has a family history of osteoporosis Uses steroid or anti seizure medications Has had a period of restricted mobility for more than six months