Wellness screenings blood draws begin next week

Annual blood draws for wellness screening in Saratoga, Encampment and Hanna are scheduled for next week starting in Hanna according to Sue Jones, coordinator for the Valley Service Organization (VSO), organizer of the Saratoga portion of the events.

The wellness screenings are offered statewide by Wyoming Health Fairs/Wellness Health Fairs (WHF).

The blood draw in Hanna is Tuesday from 6:30 to 8:30 a.m. at the Hanna Elementary School.

Saratoga blood draws will be held from 6 - 10 a.m., April 15 and 16 in the Platte Valley Community Center Great Hall. Upper Valley blood draws are from 6 – 10 a.m., April 17 and 18 at the Grand Encampment Opera House.

Participants are urged to fast for 12 hours before the blood draw, unless diabetic, and to drink plenty of water and take medications as usual. Those being screen for CRP are to avoid caffeine that morning.

Tests are to be paid for at the time they are taken. Wyoming Health Fairs do not bill insurance companies, but provide the proper information for the patient to receive reimbursement. This applies to Medicare recipients as well. Some companies provide employee vouchers for the screenings.

Results will be posted online 48 hours later, Jones said, and all participants also will receive their results in the mail.

The costs of screenings range from $25 for the Lead and Ferritan tests to $55 for the Estradiol test. The basic blood chemistry profile costs $35. This test is a full 32-level screening for bone and electrolyte levels, along with heart and kidney functions and liver and lipid functions with cholesterol, protein, iron glucose and thyroid levels. Other screenings available are: Hemogram (CBC); PSA for men; Vitamin D, Hydroxy; Testosterone; Celiac screening; Vitamin B12; Thyroid Panel T3, T4; Hemoglobin A1C; C-Reactive Protein (CRP); Blood Type, and Nicotine. Also available are the ColoKit ($10), a take-home test to screen for the risk of colon cancer; bone density test ($15 if available), and a health risk assessment (HA) online with the Mayo Clinic ($30). In addition, free blood pressure and Body Fat Analysis//BMI screenings will be offered.

For more information on the tests and payment procedures, call 800-979-3711 or view the WHF website, http://WHF.to.