MDLabTests Weekend Coupon

This weekend only MDLabTests.com is offering 10% off all their tests.  Use coupon code "july2613" to get your discount.  This coupon is good 7/26/13 - 7/28/13.

Nurse Titer Panel

Attention Nurses

Did you know that you can order your Titer Testing online? The test results are delivered directly to you, and can then be presented to your employer / school for proof of immunity.  Check out MDLabTests.com for lab locations in your area.  There is no appointment needed and you simply take you requisition form that MDLabTests provides to you upon completion of your order.

How To Read a Titer Test Report

Came across an e-How article on this and thought I would give a quick share.

New Jersey Antibody Titer Law

Avoid Unnecessary Vaccinations in NJ

MMR vaccinations are usually given to children 12-15 months old, and then again at 4-6 years of age.  The 2nd vaccination is administered due to the fact that 2-5% of children do not develop antibodies after the first vaccination.

However, what if your child already has the antibodies after the first vaccination?  Why go through another round of MMR if the antibodies are already there?  This is exactly what the Antibody Titer Law in NJ accounts for.  It allows parents to obtain a Titer Test to verify that the child already has the proper antibodies and can prevent an unnecessary 2nd round of vaccinations.

Read more about this New Jersey law...

Am I Immune? - What Is a Titer Blood Test

Titer Testing - What in the world is it: 

The Titer test is a blood test that measures the amount of antibodies your immune system has against a given bacteria / virus.  The immune system generates these antibodies after our body has been exposed to the bacteria / virus.  The exposure could come by contracting the virus, such as chicken pox, or by receiving a vaccination against the virus.

Why is My Employer or School Requesting This Test:

Certain settings carry a higher risk of being exposed to viruses, especially those working in the medical field.  This ensures that you are not at risk for contracting these viruses on the job and that you don't pass them along to a patient who may have a compromised immune system.

What Happens If I Don' t Have Anitbodies Against a Virus:

Getting the proper vaccination against the virus will ensure your body can build up the antibodies needed to protect against contracting the virus.  Wait 6-8 weeks after vaccination before getting the Titer Test done to allow your body time to build up the necessary anitbodies.

Will My Insurance Cover This Test?

Make sure to check with your insurance company to see if this is covered on your plan.  It is a good possibility that it may not be.  However, there are affordable alternatives that can be ordered online, such as, MDLabTests.com.

Steps To Order Online

1. Add the Titer Test to your cart and go through the checkout process.  The checkout process will also allow you to select a laboratory which will process your blood work.  All major credit cards and paypal are accepted.
2. In about 24 hours, you will receive an email notifying you that your laboratory requisition is ready.  Log into your account on the MDLabTests website and print the requisition in the "account maintenance" area.  This will need to be taken with you to the laboratory.  It instructs them as to what tests to perform on your blood, and verifies that you have already paid for your test.
3. In about 3 days (sometimes more depending on the tests being performed) you will receive another email indicating your results are ready for your review.  Log back into the "account maintenance" area of the website and click on the "result" icon.  This is a PDF of your Titer results which can be give to your employer or school.