Your at-home lab testing experience just got better

Our Metabolic Health labs include the following tests: 

• Creatinine (to measure kidney function)  

• AST/ALT (liver function tests)  

• Lipid panel

• Hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c)

• Insulin levels

• Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) 

Our board-certified physicians will review your labs with you and provide guidance and treatment based on your results.

Next steps for your metabolic health test kit: 

1. Kit ordered: your doctor will order the kit during your office visit. You receive an email when your test has been ordered. If you want this kit to be ordered after your visit, please email info@plushcare.com.

2. Collect sample: Follow the provided instructions to collect your sample, package it in the mailer included with the test kit, attach the prepaid return label and drop it off at USPS. 

3. Sample processing: The lab will process your sample within 2-5 days. 

4. Results ready: You'll receive an email when your results are ready, generally within 3-5 business days.

5. Results available: We will upload your results to your dashboard for both you and your doctor to view. 

6. Book a second appointment: Once you receive an email from your physician with your lab results, book a second appointment to discuss your results with your doctor and discuss treatment options for your results.

   1. Provide your doctor a full measure of your metabolic health from home during your second appointment: 

      1. Fully understanding your metabolic health helps both our physicians and your insurance in determining the appropriate care path and coverage for your medication (if applicable). For the best chance of success, we recommend checking your blood pressure, stepping on a scale, and measuring your waist circumference. These numbers can help you understand your risk of heart disease or diabetes.  

      2. To check your blood pressure, visit your local pharmacy to use their free blood pressure cuff or, if you have your own cuff, learn more about how to take your blood pressure at home. Once you have your reading, you can easily log it in the PlushCare app by going to Personal Care Plan > Track your vitals > Add vitals. Here you can enter both your blood pressure and weight. Your doctor will be able to see your vitals during your next visit. 

      3. To check your waist circumference, wrap a tape measure around the smallest part of your waste. This can be used to calculate a weight-to-height ratio. The higher this number, the higher the risk of cardiovascular disease. Let your doctor know your measure during your appointment. 

• Detailed instructions on collecting and mailing your sample are in your kit. You can also download PDF instructions here: PDF1 and PDF2. 

• Completing and mailing your test: 

  • Fill out the label on the blood card with your full name, date of birth, and date of collection. 

  • Get hydrated and get your blood pumping! Drinking water and moving around before collection will help blood flow. 

  • Choose (and clean) the best finger. The best finger to get blood from is your ring or middle finger from your non-dominant hand. 

  • Be sure to let your blood flow freely onto the circles. Do not press your finger against the card. 

  • Each circle should be filled completely with blood, not lots of little dots. 

  • Make sure your blood soaks through the paper and that you leave enough time to dry. There will be a desiccant pack in the biobag to help keep it dry in transit. 

  • Return your sample ASAP! Samples are only stable (usable) for so long once they have been collected.

• Turnaround time: If you return the sample promptly, it typically takes 13-15 days between your doctor ordering the lab kit and you receiving your results. 

  • Your kit is typically ordered and shipped within 24-48 hours of your appointment. 

  • Once shipped, it typically takes 1-5 days to deliver to your door. 

  • After mailing your sample, it typically takes 1-5 days for the lab to receive it. The lab will then process the sample and return the results to your physician within 3-5 days. Your physician will usually review the results within 3 days of receiving them.  

• If you don’t hear back or there is an issue with your kit: Contact our care team by emailing info@plushcare.com if you don’t receive your results within the expected timeframe or if there is an issue with your kit. We are here to help.

Changes in level of activity, weight, age, or medical conditions can all change your metabolic health. Your metabolic health includes how your body processes and stores the foods in your diet.

Changes in our metabolic health can lead to an increase in blood pressure, high blood sugar, heart attacks, strokes, liver disease, kidney disease, and thyroid disease, and can even increase the risks of many cancers.  Labs are used to screen for metabolic changes so that they can be treated before they progress.  If you are considering treatment for weight loss, labs also help us determine which medications are safe for you to use to help you lose weight.

For more information on the importance of getting labs done prior to starting medications, please check out our article on the importance of lab tests for weight management.