Sparta Community Hospital provides 24/7 full laboratory services to the patients in our service area. Our laboratory is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment that delivers quality testing on the same level as larger, “big city hospitals”—conveniently close to home.

Our laboratory services are overseen by board-certified pathologist, Dr. Olaronke Akintola-Ogunremi, who is affiliated with Christian Northeast Hospital in St. Louis. This collaboration ensures that the patients in the SCH service area consistently receive premium-quality pathology services.

Access your SCH laboratory test results anytime through the online patient portal. 

General Fasting Guidelines

Fasting requirements for blood work vary depending on the tests being performed. Here are general guidelines to follow, but always confirm specific instructions with your healthcare provider:

  • Fast for 8-12 hours before the test. Water is usually allowed during this time.
  • Avoid all food, beverages (other than water), chewing gum, and mints.
  • Continue taking prescribed medications unless otherwise directed by your doctor. If a medication must be taken with food, consult your provider.
  • Avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours before the test.
  • Avoid strenuous activity before the test, as it may affect certain results.
  • Avoid smoking during the fasting period.

Common Lab Tests

Descriptions and Reasons Tests May be Ordered (List & Reasoning is Not Comprehensive)

CBC-Evaluates white blood count (infection), red blood count (oxygen transport), and platelets (clotting). Test used for diagnosing anemia, infections, and blood disorders.

WBC Differential-Identifies specific types of WBC’s to pinpoint infections or immune conditions.

Hemoglobin & Hematocrit (H&H) -Focuses on oxygen-carrying capacity and blood volume.

Reticulocyte Count – Monitors bone marrow health and RBC production.

Lipid Panel-Measures cholesterol (HDL/LDL) and triglycerides to assess heart disease risk. Fasting required.

C-reactive Protein (CRP) -Detect inflammation, useful in autoimmune or chronic inflammatory conditions.

Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) -Detect inflammation, useful in autoimmune or chronic inflammatory conditions.

Prothrombin Time (PT/INR) & PTT -Evaluate blood clotting ability and the effects of anticoagulants.

D-dimer-Diagnoses blood clotting disorders

Pro-BNP – Biomarker to help diagnosis, monitor and assess the prognosis of heart failure.

Fasting Blood Sugar-Checks glucose levels after fasting. Fasting required.

Hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) -Measures average blood sugar over 2-3 months.

Glucose Tolerance Test-Monitors glucose metabolism and diabetes risk. Fasting required.

Urinalysis (UA) -Detects UTIs, kidney disease, and metabolic issues.

Microalbumin-Creatinine Ratio-Identifies early kidney damage.

Ferritin-Detects iron storage.

Iron-Detects iron storage

TIBC-Detects iron deficiency or overload.

Magnesium-Assess nutritional and metabolic health.

Folate -Assess nutritional and metabolic health.

Vitamin B12 -Assess nutritional and metabolic health.

Vitamin D -Assess nutritional and metabolic health.

Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP) -Assesses kidney function, glucose, calcium, and electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride, CO2). Fasting required.

Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) -Includes BMP tests plus liver function (ALP, ALT, AST, Bilirubin), blood proteins (Albumin, Total Protein). Also monitors for side effects of drugs. Fasting required.

TSH, T3, T4 Free-Diagnose thyroid disorders affecting metabolism, energy levels, and hormonal balance; as well as autoimmune disorders and obesity.

Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) – Screening for prostate cancer.

Occult Blood Test—Checks for hidden blood in stool to screen for colorectal cancer. Avoid red meat or certain medications. Consult insert with test.

EKG-A test commonly used to detect irregular heart rhythms, assess heart function, identify signs of heart disease, or monitor the effectiveness of certain treatments. Used for both screening and diagnosis.

Hepatitis A-Tests detects current or past infections and assess immunity from vaccination. Hepatis A may lead to complications like fatty liver disease, arthritis, decreased vision & hearing, migraines, or microvasculitis (inflammation of small blood vessels).

Hepatitis B-Tests detects current or past infections and assess immunity from vaccination. The CDC recommends Hepatitis B testing for all adults at least once, as it can cause significant liver damage if untreated.

Hepatitis C-Tests detects current or past infections and assess immunity from vaccination. Hepatitis C is a curable infection with symptoms such as fatigue, joint pain, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine and jaundice.

Please discuss any questions or concerns with your healthcare provider.