Laboratory

Location: Suite 2205, second floor

Telephone: 734-764-8305  For test results, please contact your clinician or clinic receptionist (see Clinician Profiles).

Department hours:*

* Hours may vary during semester breaks and holidays.
^ Saturday: Only tests ordered on Saturday will be performed.

Services:

The UHS Laboratory:

• Processes tests ordered by UHS clinicians (does not process tests ordered by non-UHS clinicians)
• Processes most tests at UHS (some tests are sent to other laboratories)

Test results:

• Patients are routinely contacted with test results. If you have not received your result, please call 734-764-8320, option 4. (By law, the Laboratory cannot release test results.
• Results are typically ready in 1-2 work days; but some tests may take a week or more.
• You can ask when results will be ready at your visit.

Blood draws:

• New disposable needles are used, and needles are destroyed after use.
• Our recliners can help you relax.
• You will feel a small prick when the needle is inserted. It usually hurts less than when you accidentally stick your finger with a pin, because your arm has fewer nerve endings.
• If you're nervous, tell the lab staff or person who draws your blood.

Fasting test preparation: Fasting tests require fasting  for 12-16 hours before the specimen is taken. Please follow these instructions carefully because food, gum and even black coffee or tea can affect metabolism of some blood constituents, which tests are designed to measure.

• On the day of the test, do not eat, drink, chew gum, or engage in strenuous exercise before the test. Water is always permitted; if you drink water, it will not affect test outcomes.
• During the 12 -16 hours of the fasting period, until after the blood is drawn, no more than four (4) cigarettes are permitted.
• On the day of the test, please do not take any medications or other drugs before the test without consulting your clinician.
• On the day of the test, please report to UHS Laboratory no earlier than 12 hours after eating or drinking but do not fast longer than 16 hours.
• NOTE: Blood specimens are usually taken in the morning because most people are on a day schedule. Fasting from 4 AM, for example, then doing a full complement of the day’s activities before having the specimen collected at 4 PM could alter the level of glucose or lipids. However, if you are not on a day schedule, (i.e. you work afternoon or midnights), accommodations can be made to your schedule. Please mention your schedule to the receptionist.
• If you are an insulin-dependent diabetic, follow the instructions given to you by
  your clinician.
• If you have any questions regarding these instructions, please ask the
  laboratory receptionists or technologists about them. You may either do this in person or call the Laboratory at 734-764-8305.

Fees:

Currently enrolled UM students pay no fees for most laboratory tests.

Students pay fees for:

• Genetic testing
• Antibody titers which are not medically necessary
• Tests required for administrative purposes (for example, employment, fellowship, immigration)
• Tests not related to active health problems