Different illnesses and conditions can cause a wide range of symptoms, and each person can experience those symptoms differently. That can sometimes make it harder to diagnose yourself at home! The internet searches can sometimes be helpful, but more often it will just leave you with more questions and anxiety.

Leave it to the experts at AFC! Our providers are really efficient at diagnosing patients, and we have a variety of diagnostic tools at our disposal to help us along the way.

Each of our AFC Urgent Care NC locations has an X-ray machine, access to rapid tests and a full-service lab on site to help us diagnose you faster and more efficiently. Read on as we explain more about our labs.

How Fast Can the Labs Catch Conditions?

Since our labs are located directly in our center, we can process tests much faster and get results almost immediately in some cases. Our rapid tests can detect illnesses like the flu, COVID-19, strep throat and RSV in as little as 10 minutes! We can also process urinalysis and cultures that will help us determine if you are suffering from an infection.

We can also run a variety of different blood tests that can help us figure out what is causing your symptoms. One of the most common tests we run is called a CBC, or complete blood count. This simple test takes a sample of your blood and counts and measures the different blood cells in your body. This is a really good measurement for our providers to use as any sort of variation in your levels can tell us a lot about you and your health.

Common Diagnoses After a Blood Test

• Anemia
• An infection
• Immune system disorders
• Blood diseases

How Does a CBC Diagnose Anemia?

Your blood contains multiple types of cells and each category has a different job within your body. Red blood cells have the main function of carrying oxygen from your lungs and delivering it throughout your body. When you have anemia, your red blood cell count is lower than it should be.

This can cause symptoms like dizziness, fatigue, lightheadedness and a rapid heartbeat as your body reacts to this diminished level of oxygen. While that may sound scary, anemia is often easily treated with some lifestyle changes and additions to your diet. Come see us if you are experiencing any of those symptoms and our lab techs will happily draw your blood! We will help you feel better faster.

Common Treatments for Anemia

• Eat iron-rich foods like lean meat, fish, eggs and dried beans.
• Consume more folic acid from dark, leafy green vegetables.
• Increase your vitamin D intake.
• Take an iron supplement if recommended.

Have you been feeling faint or lightheaded? Come see us for a quick CBC test at one of our AFC Urgent Care NC locations.