Order Your Own Anemia Screen with My Lab ReQuest™

Are you experiencing symptoms of anemia? Fatigue and weakness are common symptoms of anemia, but other symptoms may also be present. Certain health conditions and diseases can also put you at greater risk for anemia, so proper diagnosis and treatment are important. If you wish to confirm your status, order your own anemia screening with My Lab ReQuest. No doctor’s order required. Schedule your screening today and take charge of your health with My Lab ReQuest!

Order your screening, schedule an appointment at a local patient service center, and access your test results all online. Most results are available within one to two days and can be accessed using our secure online results portal. Test results can be shared directly with your doctor in order to discuss the next steps to take with the management of your health.

Why Order Your Own Anemia Screen with My Lab ReQuest?

Since the passage of the law in 2015 that allows for consumers in Arizona to order their own lab tests, thousands of patients have used our My Lab ReQuest service to take charge of their health and make more informed healthcare decisions. Our Blood Type (ABO/Rh) test is just one of a complete range of general health screening and monitoring tests that we offer to patients to check their health status. 

Patients choose Sonora Quest Laboratories to meet their lab testing needs for a wide range of reasons, including:

Award-Winning Quality

As the nation's largest integrated laboratory system, Sonora Quest Laboratories delivers award-winning quality services every day to more than 23,000 patients across Arizona. We are the #1 bioscience company in Arizona, according to Ranking Arizona, and we are also the only healthcare company to even win the Arizona Governor's Award for Quality. Most importantly, we are accredited by the College of American Pathologists (CAP), the organization whose accreditation ensures the highest standard of care for laboratory patients.

Convenient Locations

Schedule an appointment or walk in to any of our 70 Patient Service Centers located across Arizona! We have over 45 locations in Metro Phoenix, 14 locations in Tucson and Southern Arizona, and various other locations across Northern and Western Arizona. Moreover, several of our locations are conveniently located inside of Safeway markets so that you can plan your screening around your trip to your neighborhood grocery store.

Learn More about Anemia

What is anemia? 

Anemia is a condition in which your blood does not carry enough of the oxygen you need to the rest of your body. As a result, you may begin to feel weak or experience other symptoms. Various diseases or conditions may cause or increase your risk for anemia. Anemia may also be a sign of other more serious conditions that require medical attention. There are numerous different types of anemia, including iron-deficiency anemia, which is the most common type.

Who is at risk for anemia?

Anyone can be at risk for anemia. However, certain conditions or diseases can put you at greater risk. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, the following conditions and diseases can lead to anemia:

• Heavy periods
  
  
• Pregnancy
  
  
• Ulcers
  
  
• Colon polyps or colon cancer
  
  
• Inherited disorders
  
  
• Diet low in iron, folic acid, or vitamin B12
  
  
• Blood disorders
  
  
• Aplastic anemia
  
  
• G6PD deficiency

Because of the physical changes during pregnancy, women that are pregnant should pay special attention to signs any symptoms of anemia. For additional information on anemia during pregnancy, visit the American Society of Hematology website.

What are the symptoms of anemia?

The most common symptoms of anemia are fatigue and weakness. According to the American Society of Hematology, additional symptoms of anemia are:

• Weakness
  
  
• Shortness of breath
  
  
• Dizziness
  
  
• Fast or irregular heartbeat
  
  
• Pounding on “whooshing” in your ears
  
  
• Headache
  
  
• Cold hands or feet
  
  
• Pale or yellow skin
  
  
• Chest pain

How can you prevent anemia?

Certain types of anemia, such as iron-deficiency and vitamin-deficiency anemia, can be prevented with the appropriate diet. With iron-deficiency and vitamin-deficiency anemia, eating a diet high in iron and vitamins can help prevent anemia. The following iron- and vitamin-rich foods are recommended:

Iron-Rich Foods

• Red meats and chicken
  
  
• Clams, oysters, shrimp, and tuna
  
  
• Beans and lentils
  
  
• Spinach and other leafy greens

Vitamin-Rich Foods

• Fruits and dark green leafy vegetables
  
  
• Eggs, milk, cheese, and yogurt
  
  
• Bread, cereal, and pasta

While iron-deficiency and vitamin-deficiency anemia may be able to prevented with the appropriate diet, many of the other types of anemia cannot be prevented. As a result, proper screening and diagnosis are the best way to manage these other anemias.

When should you get tested for anemia?

If you have signs or symptoms of anemia, or have risk factors for anemia, an anemia screening might be right for you. Talk to your doctor about your symptoms and risk factors, and your doctor can then provide guidance as to the appropriate laboratory testing.

How is anemia diagnosed?

Routine laboratory testing is used to help diagnose and guide possible treatment for anemia. Our anemia screen checks for anemia by checking your iron levels to determine if there is an abnormally high, abnormally low, or a sufficient supply or iron. This test includes Iron, Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC), % Iron Saturation, and Ferritin.

What is the treatment for anemia?

In some milder cases of anemia, medical treatment will not be necessary. However, some cases may require medical treatment depending upon the type and the severity of the anemia. Medical treatments for more moderate and severe cases of anemia include:

• Dietary changes
  
  
• Nutritional supplements (iron or over-the-counter-vitamins)
  
  
• Intravenous iron therapy
  
  
• Surgery
  
  
• Blood transfusions

To determine the best course of treatment for you anemia, contact your medical provider.