Diagnostic Testing in Brooklyn, NY: Which Tests You May Need

Diagnostic tests give your doctor objective information about what is happening in your body. A blood panel can show how your cholesterol and blood sugar are doing, an EKG records your heart's rhythm, and imaging can look at bones or organs. The challenge for most people is not understanding that tests are useful, but knowing which ones they need and where to get them.

This guide explains the common diagnostic tests, how they are ordered, and how to find testing in Brooklyn, NY, including what KEL Healthcare says it offers and where you should confirm availability. For a closer look at preparation, see our guide to blood work and lab tests in Brooklyn.

Diagnostic testing includes lab work, heart tests, imaging and rapid tests that help your provider identify a condition, monitor one you already have, or screen for problems before symptoms appear. Tests are chosen based on your age, symptoms, family history and risk factors, so two patients rarely need exactly the same ones.

You can read more about when each imaging or heart test is useful in our guide to EKG, X-ray or ultrasound. For plain-language explanations of many tests, see MedlinePlus's medical tests library, the American Heart Association's page on the electrocardiogram, and the patient site Radiologyinfo.org.

In most practices the process works like this:

1. You discuss symptoms, history and goals with your provider.
2. The provider recommends tests that fit your situation, rather than a one-size-fits-all list.
3. Tests are done on site when the practice offers them, or you receive a referral to a lab or imaging center.
4. Results are reviewed and explained, and your plan is adjusted if needed.
5. Follow-up testing is scheduled if you have a condition that needs monitoring.

KEL Healthcare's diagnostic testing service lists on-site lab work, EKG and rapid tests, with results used to guide treatment decisions. When specialty care or outside imaging is needed, the practice offers referral services. You can read the full description on the diagnostic testing page, and see our overview of what KEL Healthcare offers on site.

An honest note for Brooklyn patients: the diagnostic testing page names Woodside and Wading River as locations for these services, and the Brooklyn location page states that not every diagnostic service is performed at every location. The website does not name X-ray or ultrasound as services. Call the Brooklyn clinic at (718) 874-2832 before you book so you know whether your test can be done there or will be arranged through a referral.

• Is this test available at this location, or will I need a referral?
• Do I need to fast or stop any medications beforehand?
• How long will results take, and how will I receive them?
• Will my insurance cover the test, and is the lab in-network?
• What happens if the result is abnormal?

Ask whether the practice and any outside lab are in-network for your plan. You can compare plans on NY State of Health, and Medicare patients can use Medicare Care Compare. KEL Healthcare says it accepts most major insurance plans and verifies coverage before your visit.

A single abnormal value does not always mean disease, and normal results do not rule out every problem, so review results with your provider. Our guide to understanding your diagnostic testing results explains how to read a report and what to ask. If you have symptoms that worsen or feel urgent while waiting, seek care right away.

The right diagnostic test is the one that answers your specific question. Talk with a provider who can explain why a test is recommended, confirm where it can be done and walk you through the results.

To discuss testing at KEL Healthcare's Brooklyn clinic, call (718) 874-2832 or book an appointment. This article is for general information only and is not medical advice.