According to the College of American Pathologists (CAP), up to 70% of the decisions your doctor makes about your health are based on lab results. It is important that the lab your physician uses provides quality and accuracy in the test results.

Fasting for a lab test means that you should not eat or drink anything except water before having a lab test - usually for 8 hours or more. It is important to drink water during fasting to avoid dehydration. Your physician will tell you if you need to fast and, if so, for how long prior to your test. Common tests that require fasting include lipid tests, diabetes screens, glucose tolerance, and iron studies.

The choice of what lab you go to is usually up to you. However, if your doctor wants you to go to a certain lab, you should follow your doctor's instructions. It is important to know if the lab you use is in your health insurance provider's network.

The best way to know if your insurance will pay for a test is to contact your insurance company's customer service department or the benefit specialist. The phone number should be on the back of your insurance card.

Many routine results are sent to the physician within 24 hours of collection, but some test results may take longer.

Yes, To ensure accurate results, be sure to inform your physician of all prescription, over-the-counter medicines and supplements you are taking.