Contact Us
Easily advance your clinical
testing program today.
Contact Us
800 Hudson Way
Huntsville, AL 358061-87-SIMPLY-25 ( 1-877-467-5925 )
Not your typical laboratory. We are decidedly and intentionally different from others in the testing space. Without a middleman, we can control the testing process, which includes turnaround times, supply chain, and customized testing solutions.
All testing is performed by Alimetrix, Inc., a state-of-the-art College of American Pathologist (CAP) accredited and CLIA-certified laboratory owned and operated by Spectrum Solutions®.
FAQ’s
Frequently Asked Questions
- “Test-of-cure” follow-up testing recommendations are not established for monkeypox.
- Coinfection rates of monkeypox with other STIs and HIV are extremely high — approximately 40% for person’s diagnosed with monkeypox are coinfected with another STI or HIV.
- The CDC recommends that any person diagnosed with monkeypox, also be tested for other STI infections and HIV.
Coinfection of monkeypox and HIV is common. About 40% of monkeypox patients have HIV. Any persons diagnosed with monkeypox should also be tested for HIV. Coinfection of monkeypox and other STIs is also common. Approximately 40% of monkeypox patients have been diagnosed with another STI within the preceding year. Any persons diagnosed with monkeypox should also be tested for other STI infections. (CDC)
- “Test-of-cure” follow-up testing is not recommended for genital and rectal infections unless symptoms persist.
- “Test-of-cure” is recommended 7–14 days following treatment for oral gonorrhea infections.
- Because re-infection is common, the CDC recommends that men and women diagnosed with gonorrhea be retested three months after treatment.
A test-of-cure – follow-up testing to be sure the infection was treated successfully – is not needed for genital and rectal infections; however, if a person’s symptoms continue for more than a few days after receiving treatment, he or she should return to a health care provider to be reevaluated. A test-of-cure is needed 7-14 days after treatment for people who are treated for a throat infection. Because re-infection is common, men and women with gonorrhea should be retested three months after treatment of the initial infection, regardless of whether they believe that their sex partners were successfully treated.
Gonorrhea can be cured with the right treatment. CDC recommends a single dose of 500 mg of intramuscular ceftriaxone. Alternative regimens are available when ceftriaxone cannot be used to treat urogenital or rectal gonorrhea. Although medication will stop the infection, it will not repair any permanent damage done by the disease. Antimicrobial resistance in gonorrhea is of increasing concern, and successful treatment of gonorrhea is becoming more difficult.
- “Test-of-cure” follow-up testing is not recommended for Chlamydia infections unless symptoms persist.
- Because re-infection is common, the CDC recommends that men and women diagnosed with Chlamydia be retested three months after treatment.
Repeat infection with chlamydia is common. Women whose sex partners have not been appropriately treated are at high risk for re-infection. Having multiple chlamydial infections increases a woman’s risk of serious reproductive health complications, including pelvic inflammatory disease and ectopic pregnancy. Women and men with chlamydia should be retested about three months after treatment of an initial infection, regardless of whether they believe that their sex partners were successfully treated. If a person’s symptoms continue for more than a few days after receiving treatment, he or she should return to a healthcare provider to be reevaluated.
Chlamydia can be easily cured with antibiotics. HIV-positive persons with chlamydia should receive the same treatment as those who are HIV-negative. Persons with chlamydia should abstain from sexual activity for 7 days after single dose antibiotics or until completion of a 7-day course of antibiotics, to prevent spreading the infection to partners. Although medication will stop the infection, it will not repair any permanent damage done by the disease.
Periodontal diseases are mainly the result of infections and inflammation of the gums and bone that surround and support the teeth. In its early stage, called gingivitis, the gums can become swollen and red, and they may bleed.
A recent CDC report1 provides the following data related to prevalence of periodontitis in the U.S.:
- 47.2% of adults aged 30 years and older have some form of periodontal disease.
- Periodontal disease increases with age, 70.1% of adults 65 years and older have periodontal disease.
- This condition is more common in men than women (56.4% vs 38.4%), those living below the federal poverty level (65.4%), those with less than a high school education (66.9%), and current smokers (64.2%)
Understanding a patient’s cortisol levels is important to diagnose and treat several co-morbid conditions, including Cushing’s syndrome and Addison’s disease. A patient’s cortisol levels can also provide insight into his or her overall wellness, including sleep patterns and stress levels. (American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, 2018).
Although blood and saliva contain different amounts of cortisol, both provide accurate measurements. Testing saliva can help monitor cortisol levels over time. Saliva tests are less invasive and more cost-effective than blood tests. Furthermore, patients requiring frequent testing can avoid additional trips to the doctor for blood draws since salivary testing can be performed at home. Therefore, saliva testing is a preferred method of monitoring cortisol levels.
Keevil, B. G., MacDonald, P., Macdowall, W., Lee, D. M., Wu, F. C., & NATSAL Team (2014). Salivary testosterone measurement by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry in adult males and females. Annals of clinical biochemistry, 51(Pt 3), 368–378. https://doi.org/10.1177/0004563213506412
A blood test has historically been the most common way to detect cortisol. Blood is drawn from an arm vein and sent to a laboratory for analysis. (U.S. National Library of Medicine).
Although blood and saliva contain different amounts of cortisol, both provide accurate measurements. Testing saliva can help monitor cortisol levels over time. Saliva tests are less invasive and more cost-effective than blood tests. Furthermore, patients requiring frequent testing can avoid additional trips to the doctor for blood draws since salivary testing can be performed at home. Therefore, saliva testing is a preferred method of monitoring cortisol levels. (Keevil, 2014)
Keevil, B. G., MacDonald, P., Macdowall, W., Lee, D. M., Wu, F. C., & NATSAL Team (2014). Salivary testosterone measurement by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry in adult males and females. Annals of clinical biochemistry, 51(Pt 3), 368–378. https://doi.org/10.1177/0004563213506412
Cortisol testing may be recommended at different intervals depending on physicians’ recommendations and treatment plans. Depending on the patient, testing might be needed every few months or once a year. For instance, a patient with Addison’s disease might need more frequent monitoring than a patient with Cushing’s disease. (American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, 2018)
