The hospitals of Mercy Health Network - North Iowa offer wellness laboratory testing to the public. This laboratory testing service differs in that the public can choose from a select list of laboratory tests, which are available without a doctor's order. The results of these tests will help patients monitor their own health status.

Because Americans are more health-conscious today, more aware of their own bodies, and more knowledgeable about physical health and illness in general, they are interested in knowing and monitoring their personal test results beyond what is provided at their annual physicals. While this service does not take the place of medical care, it is another tool for patients to access the information they need to monitor their own health.

Wellness laboratory testing will be offered from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday at the ten network sites as listed below. Everyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Results of the tests will be sent directly to the patient within one week. Patients are encouraged to share the results with their personal physician. Critical test results will be reviewed by a physician. Payment for the tests must be received at the time of service in cash or check; insurance will not be billed.

The wellness tests offered include:

Hematology Wellness $15

- White Blood Count
- Red Blood Count and Indices
- Hemoglobin
- Hematocrit
- Platelet Count
(Checks for anemia, infections)

Glucose Wellness* $10

- Glucose

Potassium Wellness $10 (not available at every hospital)

- Potassium

Cholesterol Wellness* $10

- Cholesterol

ALT Wellness $10

- ALT (Liver)

AST Wellness $10

- AST (Liver)

Potassium Wellness $10

 - Potassium 

Lipid + Glucose Wellness* $30

- Glucose
- Cholesterol
- Triglyceride
- HDL Cholesterol
- LDL Cholesterol (calc)
- Cholesterol/HDL Ratio (calc) 

Chemistry Wellness* $30

- Glucose (Diabetes)
- BUN (Kidney)
- Creatinine (Kidney)
- Calcium (Osteoporosis)
- Alkaline Phosphatase (Liver)
- ALT (Liver)
- Uric Acid (Gout)
- Total Protein (Nutritional Status)

Hemoglobin A1C Wellness+ $30

- Glycohemoglobin (Diabetes)

TSH Wellness+ $40

- TSH (Thyroid)

High Sensitivity CRP Wellness* $25

- High Sensitive C Reactive Protein (Cardiac)

Any recent illness, tissue injury, infection, arthritis, or general inflammation will raise the amount of CRP and give a falsely elevated estimate of risk. Taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (like aspirin, Advil, Motrin, and Naproxin) or statins (a class of cholesterol-lowering drugs) may reduce CRP levels in blood.

PSA Wellness+ $45

- Prostate Specific Antigen (Prostate Cancer)

PSA levels can also be elevated in a number of conditions other than cancer, such as benign prostatic hypertrophy (non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate), prostatitis (inflammation or infection of the prostate), and after manipulation of the prostate (i.e., after a prostate biopsy or urinary catheterization).

Blood Type $20

- ABO Type
- RH Type 

Vitamin D $65

- Vitamin D is a hormone, produced by the skin, carried by the bloodstream to the liver and then processed by the kidneys. Vitamin D helps absorb calcium from the intestines and  promotes bone mineralization. Vitamin D deficiency may lead to  a variety of disorders,such as osteoporosis.

* Indicated that individual should be fasting. Fasting, for the laboratory, means no solid food for 12 hours and no alcohol 24 hours prior to specimen collection. Water should be taken in normal amounts and you should continue taking your medications as directed by your provider.

+ Test not available at every Mercy Network site

The nine Mercy Network sites include:

• Mercy Medical Center - North Iowa, 1000 4th Street SW., Mason City, IA 50401
  641-428-7256 or toll free 1-800-243-6086 (Check in at Patient Registration near South Lobby Entrance at Mercy's East Campus).
• Ellsworth Municipal Hospital, 110 Rocksylvania Avenue, Iowa Falls, IA 50126
  641-648-7021
• Franklin General Hospital, 1720 Central Avenue E, Hampton, IA 50441
  641-456-5025
• Hancock County Memorial Hospital, 532 1st Street NW. Britt, IA 50423
  641-843-5050
• Regional Health Services of Howard Count , 235 8th Avenue W. Cresco, IA 51236
  563-547-2101
• Kossuth Regional Health Center , 1515 S. Phillips Street, Algona, IA 50511
  515-295-4663
• Mitchell County Regional Health Center, 616 N. 8th Street, Osage, IA 50461
  641-732-6050
• Palo Alto County Hospital, 3201 1st Street, Emmetsburg, IA 50536
  712-852-5412
• Mercy Medical Center-New Hampton, 308 N. Maple Avenue, New Hampton, IA 50659
  641-394-1617

For more information, contact the Mercy Health Network facility in your area.