Wellness Checkup: Purpose, Procedure and Test Cost

The wellness checkup helps you identify whether your body is healthy. This test assesses the cardiovascular health, function & possible malfunction of your kidneys and liver as well as any sign of infection. The wellness checkup covers a broader scope of organ and body system health including the heart, liver, thyroid, circulatory system, kidneys, glands, nerves, bones, and muscles.

This article covers all the significant topics related to the wellness checkup such as the test cost, the purpose of the test, preparation for tests, risk factor, and how to get tested for a wellness checkup.

1. What is a wellness checkup?
2. Lipid panel: What does it measure, purpose, and results
3. Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP): What does CMP measure, purpose, and results
4. Complete blood count (CBC) with differential test: What does it measure, purpose, and normal range
5. Urinalysis: Methods and purpose of urinalysis
6. Thyroid Panel with TSH: What does it measure, purpose, and results
7. Hemoglobin A1C test: Uses and results
8. Preparation for the wellness checkup
9. What happens during the wellness checkup?
10. Provider locations

For our readers who are interested in knowing the wellness checkup cost beforehand, we begin with that section.

How much does the wellness checkup cost?

Wellness checkup costs range from $79 to $119 in different labs and facilities across the US. Prior appointment isn’t required. You can order tests online by comparing the price or visiting the nearest lab during lab business hours. You will get the results in your email in 2 to 3 business days after completing the procedure. Apart from this, doctor consultation is available for any kind of further treatment or medical advice.

The table below shows the wellness checkup provider and their prices. You can know more and book the test by clicking on the “Book Now” button.

Wellness checkup cost with insurance

Many insurance companies in the U.S. cover all the vital tests like the wellness checkup. However, the coverage provided by private health insurance companies and national health insurance programs like Medicare varies widely. Most of the health insurance policies cover wellness checkup costs only once or twice a year and when your physician orders more than twice in a year, you should pay the test cost out of pocket. So, you are recommended to check if your health insurance policy covers the wellness checkup cost.

Our wellness checkup testing providers do not accept any kind of health insurance policy. However, they can provide you with an itemized receipt containing all the details viz the name of the test, code of the test, and CPT code which is necessary for insurance reimbursement purposes.

What is a wellness checkup?

The wellness checkup is a comprehensive health assessment and a broad screening tool to evaluate organ function and checks for biomarkers that may detect heart disease and diabetes. It can help detect numerous illnesses that could be life-threatening if left untreated. And it can also screen for the early stages of major common conditions and helps you stay on top of your health by getting the proper treatment. A wellness checkup is recommended for people who wish to determine the status of their overall health and wellness.

Wellness checkup includes the following tests:

• Lipid Panel
• Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
• Complete Blood Count (CBC) With Differential Test
• Urinalysis
• Thyroid Panel with TSH
• Hemoglobin A1C (HgbA1c)

Lipid panel

A lipid panel measures the amount of certain fat molecules or lipids in the blood. Too many lipids (cholesterol & triglycerides) in the blood may lead to buildup in the blood vessels and arteries, which can cause damage and increase the risk of cardiovascular problems. The lipid panel is done as part of routine blood work conducted during an annual physical exam to screen for risk of cardiovascular concerns. A lipid panel may also be done when certain diseases are suspected by your healthcare provider.

A lipid panel is also called a complete cholesterol test, lipid profile, or lipid test.

What does a lipid panel measure?

• Total cholesterol – The sum of the blood’s cholesterol content.
• Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol – It is referred to as bad cholesterol. Too much low-density lipoprotein or LDL can raise your risk of heart attack, stroke, and atherosclerosis.
• High-density lipoprotein cholesterol – HDL is referred to as good cholesterol. It helps to carry away low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, keeping arteries open and your blood flowing more freely.
• Triglycerides – It is a type of fat from the food we eat. Excess amounts of triglycerides in the blood are related to cardiovascular disease and pancreatic inflammation.

Other measurements that can be done for a lipid panel include:

• Very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol level
• The ratio of total cholesterol to HDL
• The ratio of LDL to HDL

Purpose of the lipid panel

Healthcare providers use lipid panels to help evaluate cardiovascular health by analyzing cholesterol in the blood. A lipid panel can be ordered:

• As a routine test to find out if the cholesterol levels are normal or fall into a borderline-, intermediate- or high-risk category
• When your results are abnormal on earlier testing or risk factors for heart disease, this test can monitor the cholesterol in the blood
• To evaluate your response to treatment like cholesterol medications or lifestyle changes
• To help diagnose other medical conditions like diseases that affect the liver

Why do I need a lipid panel test?

You may need a lipid panel of tests when you have a family history of heart disease or stroke. And you may also need this test when your doctor believes you are at risk for heart disease. The risk factors may include:

• High blood pressure
• Diabetes or prediabetes
• Overweight or obesity
• Diet of unhealthy foods
• High total cholesterol
• Smoking
• Lack of exercise
• Stress

As children can have high cholesterol, they may need a lipid panel test. Doctors mostly use lipid panels for screening or monitoring cholesterol levels, but sometimes they may use them as part of the diagnostic process for certain health conditions that can affect your lipid levels, it may include:

• Chronic kidney disease
• Pancreatitis
• Hypothyroidism

What do the results mean?

The cholesterol levels are measured in milligrams (mg) of cholesterol per deciliter (dL) of blood and the ideal results for most adults are:

• Total cholesterol – Less than 200 mg/dL
• LDL – 70 to 130 mg/dL
• HDL – More than 40 to 60 mg/dL
• Triglycerides – 10 to 150 mg/dL

When the numbers are outside of the normal range, you may be at a higher risk of heart disease, stroke, and atherosclerosis. Your doctor may order a blood glucose test to check for diabetes when your test results are abnormal. They may also order a thyroid function test to determine if your thyroid is underactive. And the results and targets will vary according to age and health.

Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP)

A comprehensive metabolic panel or CMP measures 14 different substances in your blood. CMP provides the key information about the body’s chemical balance and metabolism (the process of how the body uses food and energy). Healthcare providers often use a CMP as a routine blood test and to evaluate liver function, kidney function, and nutrient levels.

The comprehensive metabolic panel is also called chem 14, chemistry panel, chemistry screen, or metabolic panel.

What does the comprehensive metabolic panel measure?

• Glucose – This is a type of sugar that provides energy for the brain and body. Glucose is also known as blood sugar and can be elevated with metabolic problems (diabetes).
• Calcium – Calcium is one of the common and most important minerals in your body. Most calcium is stored in the bones, but you need calcium in the blood as well. Because blood calcium is essential for the proper functioning of the nerves, muscles, and heart.
• Sodium – It is a type of compound known as an electrolyte. Most of the sodium comes from the food you eat, and kidneys help regulate your body’s sodium levels.
• Potassium – Potassium is an electrolyte that is present in all tissues of your body and comes from the foods you eat.
• Bicarbonate – It is also an electrolyte that reflects the level of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the blood.
• Chloride – An electrolyte that functions along with sodium, potassium, and bicarbonate to control many processes in your body.
• Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) – It is a measurement of urea nitrogen, which is a waste product that your kidneys help eliminate from your blood.
• Creatinine – Creatinine is a byproduct of muscle activity and the waste product that your kidneys filter and remove from your blood.
• Albumin – Albumin is a protein produced in the liver and it transports important substances through the body and keeps fluid from leaking out of blood vessels.
• Total protein – Total protein is a measurement of the total amount of albumin and globulins. These are proteins related to blood vessels and immune function.
• Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) – This is an enzyme that is found in tissues throughout the body and supports numerous biological processes.
• Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) – This enzyme is primarily found in the liver.
• Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) –This enzyme is present in the liver & other tissues of the body.
• Bilirubin – It is a waste product made from the breakdown of red blood cells. And the liver plays a central role in eliminating bilirubin from the body.

Purpose of comprehensive metabolic panel

A comprehensive metabolic panel is used to check several body functions and processes. It may include:

• Liver & kidney health
• Blood sugar levels
• Blood protein levels
• Metabolism
• Acid and base balance
• Fluid and electrolyte balance

Apart from this, it may also be used to monitor the side effects of certain medicines.

Why do I need a comprehensive metabolic panel?

A comprehensive metabolic panel is often done as part of a regular checkup. You may also need this test:

• If you are experiencing symptoms related to kidney, liver, or metabolism issues
• If you had a prior test result that was abnormal, your doctor may want to test again to see if the levels have changed or remain abnormal
• When you are taking a treatment for a medical condition they may test to see if the treatment is working
• If you are starting a new medication that can affect your kidney or liver function

What do the test results mean?

If anyone result or a combination of CMP results are not normal, it may indicate many different health conditions. It may include:

• Liver disease
• Kidney disease
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure

You will likely need more tests to confirm or rule out a specific diagnosis if you have an abnormal result. It is important to know that having an abnormal level in one of CMP results does not necessarily mean that you have a medical condition. Approximately one in 20 healthy people will have an abnormal result. As many factors can affect the results, your doctor will let you know if you need to undergo further tests.

Complete blood count (CBC) with differential test

A complete blood count or CBC is a blood test that is used to evaluate the overall health and detect a wide range of disorders like anemia, infection, and leukemia. And this test also checks your blood for signs of medication side effects. Doctors use CBC to screen for diseases and adjust treatments.

The complete blood count is also known as complete blood count with differential, CBC with diff, full blood count, or blood cell count

What does the complete blood count measure?

• White blood cells or WBC – WBC helps the body fight germs. When a person has too many of WBCs, it can indicate an infection, inflammation, a medical reaction, or other health condition. And if it’s low, it could be at a higher risk for infection.
• Red blood cells or RBC – RBC carries oxygen throughout the body and removes carbon dioxide. If the RBC count is too low, it can indicate anemia or another condition.
• Hemoglobin – Hb or hemoglobin is the protein in the blood that holds oxygen.
• Hematocrit or Hct – Hct tells how much of your blood is made up of red blood cells (RBC). When the count is low it may be a sign that you don’t have enough iron, the mineral that helps the body make red blood cells. And when the count is high it may indicate that you are dehydrated or another condition.
• Mean corpuscular volume – It is the average size of the RBC. If they are bigger than usual, the MCV will be higher, it can happen if a person has low vitamin B12 or folate levels. And when they are smaller, it could indicate a type of anemia.
• Mean corpuscular hemoglobin – It is the average amount of hemoglobin (Hb) in the average red cell.
• Platelets – Platelets help blood clot and control bleeding. Changes in these levels can put a person at risk for excessive bleeding.
• Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration – It is the average concentration of hemoglobin in a given volume of red cells.
• Mean platelet volume – Average size of platelets in a volume of blood.

Purpose of the complete blood count

Your doctor can recommend CBC as part of a routine checkup or if a person has unexplained symptoms. A complete blood count can help the doctor do the following.

• Evaluate overall health
• Detect abnormalities in the blood (can be signs of disease)
• To diagnose a blood disease, immune system, disorder, infection, or other medical conditions
• Monitor various blood diseases
• To monitor a medical treatment because certain medical treatments can affect the blood cell counts

Why do I need a complete blood count?

You may need a CBC if you have symptoms like bruising or bleeding, fatigue or weakness, fever, nausea, vomiting, inflammation, joint pain, or problems with heart-rate/blood pressure. Your healthcare provider may order CBCs as part of your checkup or monitor the side effects of some prescription medications.

What do the CBC test results mean?

Conditions that cause an abnormal CBC level may require additional testing include iron or other vitamin and mineral deficiencies, heart disease, cancer, bleeding disorders, autoimmune disorders, bone marrow problems, infection, or reaction to a medication. In case of abnormal levels, the doctor may recommend another blood test to confirm it.

Normal ranges:

• White blood cell – 3,500 to 10,500 cells/mcL
• Red blood cell – Men: 4.32-5.72 million cells/mcL and women: 3.90-5.03 million cells/mcL
• Hemoglobin – Men: 135-175 grams/L and women: 120-155 grams/L
• Hematocrit – Men: 38.8-50% and women: 34.9-44.5%
• Mean corpuscular volume – 80 to 100 femtoliters
• Mean corpuscular hemoglobin – 27 to 32 picograms
• Platelet count – 150,000 to 450,000/mcL
• Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration – 32 to 36%
• Mean platelet volume – 7.5 to 12.0 fl

Each lab has different ways of studying, so the range will depend on the lab that handles the blood tests.

Urinalysis

A urinalysis examines the visual, chemical, and microscopic aspects of your urine. This test can manage & detect a wide range of disorders like urinary tract infections, kidney disease, and diabetes. While a urinalysis cannot determine the cause of a disease it can suggest the nature of a disease and may be used to support a diagnosis.

Urinalysis is also called a urine test, urine analysis, and UA.

Methods of urinalysis

For a urinalysis, the sample can be evaluated in three ways – visual exam, dipstick test, and microscopic exam.

• Visual exam – Doctors examine the sample for abnormalities like clouded appearance (can indicate an infection), abnormal odors, and reddish or brownish appearance, it can indicate blood in your urine.
• Dipstick test – During the dipstick test, the doctor inserts a chemically treated plastic stick into the sample. And the stick changes color based on the presence of certain substances. This can help doctors look for blood, protein, bilirubin, concentration or specific gravity, changes in pH levels or acidity, and sugars. High concentrations of particles may indicate that you are dehydrated. High pH levels may indicate kidney or urinary tract issues and the presence of sugar can indicate diabetes.
• Microscopic exam – During the microscopic exam, doctors look at drops of your urine under a microscope. Doctors look for abnormalities in the red or white blood cells (may be signs of infections, kidney disease, bladder cancer, or a blood disorder), crystals (may indicate kidney stones), epithelial cells (may indicate a tumor), or infectious bacteria or yeasts.

Purpose of urinalysis

Often urinalysis is also included as a part of a routine medical or physical exam. Apart from this, it is also used before surgery and as a preemptive screening (during a pregnancy checkup). This is one way to identify certain illnesses in their earlier stages, it may include kidney disease, liver disease, and diabetes.

Why do I need urinalysis?

As a urine sample can provide many insights into your health, healthcare providers may order urinalysis tests for several reasons. They may order a urinalysis for the following reasons:

• When you are experiencing the symptoms of diabetes or kidney disease
• To monitor health conditions, you are receiving treatment for (like diabetes or kidney disease)
• To diagnose UTI or urinary tract infection
• If you have been admitted to the hospital

Apart from this, doctors may order urinalysis when you experience certain symptoms like abdominal pain, back pain, blood in your urine, or painful urination.

What do the urinalysis test results mean?

A urinalysis is used as a tool to monitor certain conditions. When results are abnormal, your urinalysis should be evaluated in connection with other tests to provide a proper diagnosis. Generally higher abnormal levels are related to conditions that require medical attention. One to two ounces of urine is collected & examined visually for color and appearance. And then it will be tested for specific gravity, pH, protein, glucose, ketones, occult blood, leukocyte esterase, nitrite, bilirubin, and urobilinogen.

Thyroid Panel with TSH

The thyroid is a small gland that is located in the lower-front part of the neck. And it is responsible for helping to regulate many of the body’s processes like metabolism and energy generation. The thyroid panel evaluates the functioning of the thyroid gland and helps diagnose and monitor the treatment of thyroid disorders. It includes multiple measurements which can provide a detailed understanding of how well the thyroid gland is working.

The thyroid panel is also called as thyroid function panel and thyroid test.

What does the thyroid panel measure?

The thyroid panel uses a blood sample to test for multiple elements related to thyroid function. It is used to diagnose and help find the cause of thyroid diseases such as hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism and checks how well your thyroid is working. Three hormones are part of a standard thyroid panel – TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone), free T4 (thyroxine), and free T3 or total T3 (triiodothyronine).

Purpose of the thyroid panel

Thyroid tests are used to diagnose thyroid disorders linked with hyper- or hypothyroidism. It may include:

• Thyroiditis
• Thyroid tumors
• Goiter
• Graves’ disease
• Hashimoto’s disease
• Thyroid nodule
• Thyroid cancer

This panel can also be used to monitor the treatment of hyperthyroidism and assess patients receiving levothyroxine therapy.

What do the thyroid panel results mean?

The reference range for thyroid hormone differs based on health status, age, and the laboratory that performs the testing. Ranges for the thyroid panel are:

• TSH – 0.5 to 4 mIU/L
• Free T4 – 0.8 and 1.8 ng/dL in adults
• Total T3 – 80 to 180 ng/dL

As this is a panel test, the results can be interpreted together. Though TSH is the primary indicator of thyroid function, free T4 & total T3 values help doctors understand the severity of thyroid disorders. When results are abnormal, your doctor will explain to you the specific findings and what they mean in your situation.

Hemoglobin A1C test

The hemoglobin A1C test measures the average blood glucose levels over the past 2-3 months. It can help identify diabetes or keep track of how well diabetes is being controlled. Hemoglobin is a protein found in RBC and it gives blood its red color. It carries oxygen throughout your body. The measurement of HbA1C shows the percentage of hemoglobin A attached to glucose compared to the total amount of hemoglobin A in the blood. When your hemoglobin A1c percentage is too high, it indicates that the average blood glucose in the previous months has been too high as well.

The hemoglobin A1C test is also known as A1C Test, glycated hemoglobin test, HbA1C, or Hgba1c.

What does the hemoglobin A1C test measure?

When sugar enters the bloodstream it gets attached to hemoglobin. Every person has some sugar attached to their hemoglobin, but people with higher blood sugar levels have more. This test measures the percentage of the RBC that has sugar-coated hemoglobin.

Why do I need a hemoglobin A1C test?

You may need this test if you are under the age of 45 and have certain risk factors. It may include:

• High blood pressure
• History of heart disease
• Being overweight or obese
• Physical inactivity

This test should be done every 3 years, and more frequently when your results show you have prediabetes. Additionally, you may also need a test when you have symptoms of diabetes like increased thirst, increased urination, blurred vision, and fatigue.

The CDC recommends adults (over the age of 45) get tested to screen for prediabetes and diabetes. When results are normal, you need to repeat the test every 3 years. And when results show you have prediabetes, you need to get tested every 1 to 2 years.

What do the hemoglobin A1C test results mean?

The test results of hemoglobin A1C are reported in percentage. And the results for a diagnosis are interpreted as:

• Normal – HbA1c below 5.7%
• Prediabetes – HbA1c between 5.7% and 6.4%
• Diabetes – HbA1c of 6.5% or higher

The American Diabetes Association recommends keeping HbA1c levels below 7% when you have diabetes. Depending on your overall health, age, weight, and other factors, your health care provider may have other recommendations for you.

Preparation for the wellness checkup

Fasting is required for wellness checkups so, you should not consume food or beverages other than water for at least 8 hours before visiting the lab. 

What happens during the wellness checkup?

A blood and urine sample is required for a wellness checkup.

Usually, the blood sample is drawn from a vein in the arm or some tests can also use blood obtained from a finger prick. A healthcare professional will take the sample from a vein in your arm. In order to make the vein fill with blood & swell up, they will tie a band around the upper part of the arm. And then your healthcare professional will clean the area with an antiseptic and place a needle into the vein. After inserting the needle, the blood will be collected into a vial or test tube. After taking the blood sample, they will remove the needle & band. And then they will put a piece of gauze and a bandage over the spot to stop the bleeding. It is common to have soreness/tenderness around the site where the blood is drawn.

When a urine sample is needed, the health care provider will tell you what type of urine sample is needed. The common methods of collecting urine are 24-hour urine collection and clean catch urine specimens.

Provider locations

A wellness checkup can be done in any of the following locations by visiting the lab near you. To know the wellness checkup cost, refer to the first section of the article.

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Florida
• Hawaii
• Georgia
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Mexico
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Puerto Rico
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

Frequently Asked Questions

Will insurance cover my testing cost?

No, insurance will not be covered in the billing. However, they will provide you with a receipt for insurance reimbursement purposes.

How should I book my appointment?

You can choose the most suitable provider from above and make an appointment by following the instructions mentioned by them.

Can I cancel my lab test order?

Yes, you can cancel your lab test order any time before your testing. A refund will be initiated after deducting the cancellation fee. However, cancellation is at the discretion of the provider.

Do the providers offer result interpretations?

Yes, a few providers may provide doctor consultation who will take you through the results and provide clarification if needed.

How do I receive my report?

To ensure your privacy, the test report will be mailed to you by the provider.

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Summary

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Brand Name

DxSaver.com

Product Name

Wellness Checkup

Price

USD 79

Product Availability

Available in Stock