Lab Testing in Arlington, TX

Lab testing may be performed during the initial psychiatric diagnosis and assessment process and throughout care on an as-needed or periodic basis. These diagnostic services may include blood tests and urine screenings (urinalysis) and may be used to evaluate for a variety of factors, from psychiatric or genetic conditions to substance use. Board-certified psychiatrist Dr. Julie Pittman may recommend lab testing to better understand your treatment needs and how physical and mental health conditions may be related. The results of lab testing may also be utilized to help our providers determine the best approach when treating mental illnesses or substance use disorders. Please contact Pittman Psychiatry & Recovery in Arlington, TX for more information on the benefits of laboratory testing.

Dr. Pittman and our other providers routinely order blood tests and urine screenings to gain detailed information about our patients' overall health. This information may be essential when prescribing certain types of psychiatric medications and in helping us determine what types of medications might work best in certain situations. Lab work may also be used to help:

• Establish baseline health data before initiating treatment.
• Identify genetic biomarkers in the blood to help better understand how a patient might react to medications for psychiatric conditions, like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
• Rule out or detect medical concerns that could be contributing to symptoms of a mental illness, such as depression, anxiety, or panic disorder. These medical concerns could include neurological disorders, thyroid conditions, hormonal fluctuations, a vitamin deficiency, or low levels of iron in the blood (anemia), among others.
• Identify any health conditions that may prohibit certain medicaments or treatment modalities, such as heart, liver, or kidney conditions.
• Monitor the effects of psychiatric medications over the course of treatment.
• Detect the presence of drugs or other substances in the body.

Diagnostic lab tests may be an integral part of identifying and treating mental health and substance use disorders. At Pittman Psychiatry & Recovery, we use blood testing to detect genetic biomarkers and other health indications along with urine drug testing to screen for evidence of substance use or additional factors. To learn more about lab testing, or to set up an appointment with Dr. Pittman or one of our certified nurse practitioners, please contact our Arlington, TX office today.