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What Are the Tests in The Long COVID Test Package?
If you are experiencing complications after COVID, these tests are crucial to take control of your health.
Please note that our packages are just a guide, you can pick any of these tests, add extra tests or take out any test. Choose what suits your needs!
Full Package: R1 308
The Long COVID Test Package Explained
Inflammation /Arthritis Profile
This test looks for abnormalities in your blood, such as unusually high or low numbers of blood cells. This common blood test can help to diagnose a wide range of illnesses, infections and diseases. Doctors use this test to find abnormalities and then use further tests to find the source of these abnormalities.
Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)
This blood test measures how quickly red blood cells (erythrocytes), separate from a blood sample that has been treated, so the blood will not clot. The test is most useful for diagnosing and/or monitoring diseases that cause pain and swelling from inflammation.
This test is used to find inflammation in your body. Inflammation could be caused by different types of conditions, such as an infection or autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease. This test measures the amount of CRP in your blood. CRP is a protein made by the liver and sent into the bloodstream. Blood levels may be higher when you have inflammation or an infection.
A D-dimer test looks for D-dimer in blood. D-dimer is a protein fragment (small piece) that’s made when a blood clot dissolves in your body. A D-dimer test is used to find out if you have a blood clotting disorder.
COVID has been linked to blood clotting disorders (Biswas et al., 2021). Researchers, Janardhan and Kalousek (2020) have gone so far as calling COVID a blood clotting disorder pretending to be a respiratory illness. It is therefore crucial to find out if you might be at risk.
A vitamin D blood test measures the level of vitamin D in your blood. Abnormal levels of vitamin D can indicate bone disorders, nutrition problems, organ damage, or other medical conditions.
This test checks the amount of vitamin B-12 in the blood or urine to gauge the body’s overall vitamin B-12 stores. The Vitamin B12 test helps to diagnose or rule out if you may have vitamin B12–deficiency anaemia. Also known as cobalamin deficiency, this is a condition that develops when your body can’t make enough healthy red blood cells because it doesn’t have enough vitamin B12. Your body needs vitamin B12 to make healthy red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
Additional Tests on Request
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
This is usually the first test your provider will do to check for thyroid hormone imbalance. Most of the time, thyroid hormone deficiency (hypothyroidism) is associated with an elevated TSH level, while thyroid hormone excess (hyperthyroidism) is associated with a low TSH level. The thyroid makes hormones that regulate the way the body uses energy. It also plays an important role in regulating a person’s weight, body temperature, muscle strength, and even their mood.
R216
The lab result provided by Epicentre does not provide a diagnosis. Laboratory test results should be taken to a medical practitioner for a diagnosis and treatment.
The Long COVID Test Package Procedure
Coming in for this package is as easy as booking a test on our site or just coming through to one of our Drive-Thru testing centres. One of our nurses will take a little blood from you and use it to test for these health targets identified in this package.
The effects of COVID-19 can stick around long after the infection has passed. These effects, can include brain fog, fatigue, headaches, dizziness, and shortness of breath (Serna, 2022).
Basically, Long COVID is when symptoms last weeks or months after the acute infection has passed—affects about 2.5% of COVID patients. While patients who were hospitalized are more susceptible, even those with mild cases can experience Long COVID (Serna, 2022).
If you have been experiencing any of these symptoms or are at risk
Who Should Get The Long COVID Test Package?
When Should You Get The Long COVID Test Package?
This package is crucial for those at risk of iron deficiency and anaemia and should be done as often as recommended by your doctor.
What Time Should I Come For My Test?
We would recommend coming in the morning as this test package needs fasting.
How Can the Long COVID Test Package Help You?
You need knowledge to take control over your health. This package will help you get that.
This package is all round series of tests, which is particularly useful for those at risk for complications after COVID. So it will help you check on your overarching health and give you more information on which areas of your body you may need to focus on more.
Can I Get Extra Tests With This Package?
Yes! You can build your own custom packages, choose which tests you would like by ticking on the menu provided to you during your test. You can eliminate tests that
Book with Epicentre
For 20 years Epicentre has been fighting South African’s infectious diseases, and now we’re taking on COVID-19! We are a company founded on a vision, ending disease in South Africa! So we believe in making an IMPACT.
We are an independent organization that is committed to creating a positive impact on health & wellness for all in South Africa. We want to close the gap between unscreened, undiagnosed, and uncontrolled HIV & COVID-19 infections as well as other chronic diseases for all South Africans.
By booking your tests with Epicentre, you are supporting a real local company that has worked for 20 years in all 9 provinces, from Pollsmoor prison to Constantia; & you’re getting a gold standard service that experts trust!
