Many dietitians and health coaches ask the question, “Can I Order Lab Tests?”. The answer is: it depends!
In this blog post, we will explore the different scenarios in which a dietitian, nutritionist, integrative health professional, or health coach would be able to order lab tests. We will also discuss the benefits of ordering lab tests for your clients, and how you can work with your preferred lab or partner to get the most out of them!
Why Lab Tests Are a Vital Part of Diet Recommendations and Nutrition Care
As a nutrition professional, you are likely well-versed in the importance of labs give you insights into the nutritional status of your clients. Although your client may have shared their medical records with you, oftentimes, they don’t include all of the tests that have been done.
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Scope of Practice for the Registered Dietitian says that “Registered dietitians (RDs) are qualified to order and interpret laboratory tests related to nutrition assessment and care.”
This means that, as a dietitian, you have the ability to order lab tests, stool tests, blood tests, and other tests for your clients! You can use these tests to assess their nutritional status, identify underlying health conditions, and track their progress over time in your scope of practice.
Lab tests can provide valuable insights into your client’s overall health, and can help you to make more tailored recommendations.
For example, a simple lab test can reveal if your client is deficient in certain vitamins or is struggling with food sensitivities. This information can help you to fine-tune their nutrition plan and supplement regimen for food intolerances or other nutrition interventions. There are a number of reasons why you might want to do this. For example, if you have a patient who is struggling with weight loss or food allergies, ordering a lab test can help you to get a better picture of their health and nutritional status.
As a licensed practitioner, this can be a huge advantage for your client since you can easily identify the changes in patients’ diets they need to make to their diet to achieve their goals.
Lab tests can provide valuable information about a client’s health, and can be used to treat a variety of conditions.
For example, laboratory tests can be used to:
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- Evaluate an individual’s hormone levels
- Screen for genetic disorders
- Detect nutrient levels and the nutrition status in patient diets
- Paint a complete picture for a nutrition assessment as part of nutrition counseling
And that’s just the beginning!
Lab tests can give us a wealth of information about your client’s health, which is why they are such an important part of nutrition care and medical nutrition therapy.
In a private practice setting, this valuable information can help you recommend supplements, make dietary changes, understand your clients’ nutritional status, and create an individualized nutrition plan that will help your clients reach their health goals.
In follow-up appointments, you can use lab results to monitor your clients’ progress and make sure that they are on track to reach their goals.
Additionally, ordering lab tests for your clients can save them time and money.
For example, if a client is struggling with fatigue, ordering a comprehensive panel of lab tests can help you identify the root cause of the problem (e.g., anemia, hypothyroidism, adrenal fatigue) and recommend the appropriate treatment.
In the next section, we will discuss the different types of blood tests that dietitians can order, as well as how to work with your preferred laboratory to get the most out of them!
What types of laboratory tests are available?
The type of lab test that you order will depend on the individual needs of your patient. Some common labs that dietitians order include:
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- Basic metabolic panel (BMP)
- Lipid panel
- Hemoglobin A-IC
- Fasting glucose
- Candida Panel
- C-reactive protein (CRP)
- GI Panel
- Metabolism Panel
These are just a few examples – there are literally hundreds of different types of laboratory tests that can be ordered by nutrition professionals, depending on the needs of the patient.
When Can Dietitians Order Lab Tests?
In most cases, dietitians are able to order lab tests through what is known as a “standing order.” A standing order is a written order from a physician or other qualified healthcare professional that allows a health care provider to order specific tests or procedures for their patients.
In some cases, health care professionals may need to get an individualized order from a physician in order to order certain tests. This is typically only necessary when the test is considered to be “medically necessary.”
How do dietitians order labs?
The process of ordering labs will vary depending on the state in which you practice. In some states, dietitians may be able to order lab tests directly from a laboratory. In other states, dietitians may need to work with a physician in order to get an order for lab tests.
Regardless of the process, it is important to work with a laboratory that you trust, and that is accredited by the College of American Pathologists (CAP). The CAP is the gold standard for accreditation in the United States and ensures that laboratories meet high standards for quality and safety.
Another option is a service like Rupa Health. Rupa Health is a CAP-accredited laboratory that offers a convenient, easy-to-use platform for ordering a wide variety of tests. Rupa Health makes it easy for dietitians to order tests for their patients and provides discounts on all of their services.
What are the benefits of ordering lab tests through a service like Rupa Health?
There are a number of benefits to ordering labs through a service like Rupa Health, including:
Convenience – Rupa Health makes it easy for dietitians to order blood tests for their patients. With just a few clicks, you can order any of the hundreds of available tests.
Discounts – Rupa Health offers discounts on all of its services, making it more affordable for dietitians to order blood tests for their patients.
Faster turnaround times – Rupa Health’s state-of-the-art laboratory ensures that all tests are processed quickly and efficiently. This means that dietitians can get results back from Rupa Health faster than from other laboratories.
By ordering your tests through a service like Rupa Health, dietitians can provide their patients with the convenience, discounts, and faster turnaround times they need.
How to get started with ordering lab tests as a dietitian?
If you’re ready to start ordering blood tests for your patients, the first step is to create a free account with Rupa Health or another CAP-accredited laboratory. From there, you’ll be able to order any of the hundreds of available tests.
Once you have an account, ordering tests is easy. Simply log in and select the tests you’d like to order. You can then choose to have the tests shipped to your office or directly to your patients’ homes. Patient results are typically available within 48 hours, and you can easily track the status of each order online.
Decide on the types of tests your practice will offer
Depending on your niche, the next step is to decide which lab tests your practice will offer. There are a variety of different types of lab tests available, so it’s important to choose the ones that are most relevant to your patients. Here are some of the most popular lab tests ordered by dietitians:
Cholesterol panel:
This test measures the levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol, HDL (good) cholesterol, and triglycerides in the blood. It’s used to assess the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Glucose test:
This test measures the level of sugar in the blood. It’s used to monitor diabetes and prediabetes.
Hemoglobin AIC test:
This test measures the level of sugar in the blood over time. It’s used to monitor diabetes and prediabetes.
Kidney function tests:
These tests measure how well the kidneys are filtering waste from the blood. They’re used to monitor kidney disease.
Liver function tests:
These tests measure the levels of enzymes in the blood. They’re used to monitor liver disease.
Food Sensitivity Testing:
This test measures the body’s immune response to specific foods and food intolerances. It’s used for abnormal weight gain or weight loss, food allergies, and intolerances.
As you can see, there are a variety of different lab tests that dietitians can order for their patients. The key is to choose the ones that are most relevant to your patients’ needs. By offering a comprehensive selection of labs, you can ensure that your patients receive the best possible care when it comes to dietary supplements, nutritional intake recommendations, meal planning, diet concerns, and more.
Providing Lab Testing as Part of Your Nutritional Care
As a dietitian, nutritionist, integrative health professional, or another type of provider, you know that these tests provide valuable information when it comes to your client’s diet and nutrition. This is an integral part of the nutrition care process and management of nutrition care.
You also know that lab testing can be expensive and inconvenient for your patients.
If you’re like most providers, you want to do everything you can to help your patients get the care they need – including ordering lab tests. But did you know that as a provider, you can actually order many types of lab tests directly from a lab?
This is called “direct access testing” and it means that patients can bypass their doctor’s office (and the associated costs) and go straight to the lab.
What are the benefits of direct access testing for your patients?
Cost savings: Patients, you play a vital role in the overall health and well-being of your patients. By offering lab testing as part of your nutritional care, you can help them to better manage their health conditions and improve their quality of life.
Faster turnaround times: When patients order blood tests directly from a lab, they can often get their results back more quickly than if they had to go through their doctor’s office. This is especially beneficial for those who are dealing with chronic conditions that require frequent monitoring.
Convenience: Direct access testing also allows patients to schedule their blood work around their own busy schedules. They don’t have to take time off from work or rearrange their lives to fit into a doctor’s appointment.
As a provider, you play a vital role in the overall health and well-being of your patients. By offering lab testing as part of your nutritional care, you can help them to better manage their health conditions and improve their quality of life.
If you’re interested in offering direct access testing to your patients, there are a few things you need to know. First, not all insurance companies will cover the costs of these tests. Patients will need to check with their insurance providers to see if they will be covered.
Second, while many labs offer a wide range of tests, some specialize in specific areas. It’s important to find a lab that offers the tests your patients need.
Finally, you will need to collect the necessary paperwork from your patients and send it to the lab prior to their appointment. This includes a completed health history form and any other required forms.
By offering direct access testing, you can provide your patients with a valuable service that can help them to better manage their health.
Creating a Care Plan From Test Results for your Private Practice
Once you’ve received your patients’ test results, the next step is to create a care plan. This care plan should include recommendations for diet, lifestyle, and supplements. It’s important to remember that each patient is unique, so there is no one-size-fits-all approach to care. Instead, you’ll need to tailor your recommendations to each individual patient. At this point, you may want to review your client’s medical records, nutrient levels, and other factors.
This can include personalized dietary plans, supplement recommendations, physical activity recommendations, and nutrition services such as meal planning, and other nutrition care plans.
If you’re not sure where to start, there are many resources available to help you create an individualized care plan. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics offers a variety of resources on its website, including template care plans and sample menus.
Once you’ve created a care plan, be sure to review it with your patient as part of their nutrition assessment or medical nutrition therapy plan. This will help ensure that they understand your recommendations and are able to follow the plan. It’s also a good opportunity to answer any questions they may have.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can dietitians order lab tests without a physician’s order?
In most cases, dietitians are able to order tests through what is known as a “standing order.” A standing order is a written order from a physician that allows a health care provider to order specific tests or procedures for their patients.
In some cases, dietitians may need to get an individualized order from a physician in order to order certain tests. This is typically only necessary when the test is considered to be “medically necessary.”
Are there any benefits to ordering labs through a service like Rupa Health instead of a traditional laboratory?
There are a number of benefits to ordering labs through a service like Rupa Health like convenience, turnaround times, and more.
Does insurance cover the cost of blood tests?
Most insurance companies will cover the cost of some tests if they are considered to be “medically necessary.” However, it is always a good idea to check with your insurance company to confirm coverage.
What are some of the most common tests that dietitians order?
Some of the most common blood tests that dietitians order include: complete blood count (CBC), lipid panel, thyroid function test (TFT), and vitamin D levels. These tests can help treat a variety of medical conditions.
Can dietitians order genetic testing?
Yes, dietitians are able to order genetic testing for their patients. Genetic testing can be used to identify a variety of conditions.
Do all laboratories offer the same discounts for dietitians?
No, each laboratory has its own discounts and pricing structures. Some services like Rupa Health offers discounts on all of their services, making it more affordable for dietitians to order tests for their patients.
When should dietitians order tests?
Dietitians should order tests when they suspect that their patient has a medical condition that can be treated with a blood test. Blood tests are an important part of treating any medical condition, and dietitians play a vital role in ensuring their patients have access to the necessary tests.
What are some client concerns about lab testing?
Some client concerns about lab testing include the pain of the needle stick, the fear of needles, and the cost of the test. These are all valid concerns that should be discussed with a dietitian before ordering a blood test.
In Conclusion
Offering lab tests is an important part of providing quality nutrition care to your patients. By ordering lab tests through a service like Rupa Health, dietitians can provide their patients with the convenience, discounts, and faster turnaround times they need.
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