From playground to practice: Convenient lab testing for kids and teens

Published March 16, 2026

Allergies, sports, and everything in between: When lab testing may help

Lab testing can offer another way to better understand your child’s health. If an appointment is still weeks away, you want to recheck labs between visits, or you need to meet a school or sports requirement, Quest offers testing options designed to fit real life.

• No doctor visit required
• Independent healthcare provider oversight
• Fast, accurate results you can share with your child’s care team
• FSA/HSA-eligible*

1. Iron, TIBC, and Ferritin Panel — Ages 10+

Adolescence is a time of rapid growth and development, and the body’s need for iron increases right along with it. Iron is critical for growth, brain function, energy, physical endurance, immune health, and for making hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body.¹

Research suggests that nearly 40% of adolescent girls and young women ages 12 to 21, and up to 52% of adolescent female athletes, may have iron deficiency.²,³ Adolescent male athletes are also at risk, particularly during periods of rapid growth or high-intensity training.¹

Iron deficiency, with or without anemia, may affect how a child feels and functions, including at school and in sports. Symptoms may include fatigue, weakness, headaches, dizziness, difficulty concentrating or thinking, reduced cognition, irritability, feeling cold, or shortness of breath with activity. Left untreated, it can progress to iron deficiency anemia, when hemoglobin levels fall below normal and symptoms may worsen.¹

2. Celiac (Gluten) Disease Panel — Ages 13+

Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition that affects how the body responds to gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. When someone with celiac disease eats gluten, their immune system reacts and damages the lining of the small intestine. Over time, this damage can interfere with the body’s ability to absorb nutrients. An estimated 2 million people in the US are living with celiac disease.⁴

Symptoms can vary widely and may not always be a reliable indicator of celiac disease. While some children experience frequent stomach aches and digestive issues, others may have low energy, slowed growth, delayed puberty, mood changes, or no symptoms at all. In one large-scale pediatric study, nearly 10,000 children were screened for celiac disease antibodies. Of the 2.4% who screened positive, 70% had no symptoms and 90% had no known family history.⁵

3. Food Allergy Panel with Reflex to Components — Ages 10+

A food allergy happens when the immune system mistakes a certain food for something harmful. The body responds as if it’s under threat, triggering an allergic reaction that can range from mild to severe. Symptoms may include itching, hives, swelling, vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, or wheezing. In some cases, exposure can cause anaphylaxis, a serious and potentially life-threatening reaction that requires immediate medical attention.⁶

An estimated 5.6 million children in the US have a food allergy, or roughly 2 in every classroom. More than 40% of those children have multiple food allergies. The most common triggers include cow’s milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, fish, wheat, soy, and sesame. About 37% of children miss school because of their food allergy, and nearly 23% miss more than 2 days each year.⁶,⁷

4. Cholesterol (Lipid) Panel — Ages 9+

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance in the blood that’s important for many bodily functions. But when levels remain too high, it can build up in blood vessels and increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular conditions.

Guidelines from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that all children have their cholesterol checked once between ages 9 and 11, and again between ages 17 and 21. Earlier or more frequent testing may be recommended if certain risk factors are present.

A large study of more than 21,000 people followed for an average of 35 years found that high LDL and non-HDL cholesterol levels in childhood are closely linked to a higher risk of heart disease and cardiovascular events in midlife. Identifying these risks early can make a difference. Many children can improve cholesterol levels through healthy lifestyle changes, and those habits have the greatest impact when established early.⁸

5. Tuberculosis Blood Test — Ages 10+

Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious, contagious infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria. TB usually affects the lungs but can also involve the brain, kidneys, spine, or other parts of the body. There are 2 forms of TB infection: active TB disease, which causes symptoms and can be spread to others, and latent TB infection, which is inactive, doesn’t cause symptoms, and can’t be spread to others.

An estimated 13 million people in the US are living with latent TB infection. But because they don’t feel sick or have symptoms, most don’t know it. Latent TB infection can remain in the body for months or years before “waking up” and developing into active TB disease. Without treatment, 1 in 10 people with latent TB infection will eventually develop active TB disease. Symptoms may include a chronic cough, chest pain, fever, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, and night sweats. If not treated, active TB disease can be life-threatening.⁹

Recent data highlights why testing matters. The CDC reports that TB cases in the US have been rising since 2021.¹⁰ In 2024, several states reported outbreaks, including one in Kansas involving 68 active and 91 latent cases.¹¹ Outbreaks have continued into 2026, including a California high school cluster where multiple active cases and over 200 latent TB infections were confirmed.¹²

6. Sickle Cell Trait Screen Test with Reflex — Ages 12+

Sickle cell trait is an inherited condition where a person carries one gene for typical hemoglobin (hemoglobin A) and one gene for sickle hemoglobin (hemoglobin S). It’s not the same as sickle cell disease, where a person carries 2 genes for sickle hemoglobin. People with sickle cell trait usually have no symptoms and live healthy, active lives. An estimated 1 to 3 million Americans and more than 100 million people worldwide have sickle cell trait, including athletes at all levels, from high school sports to college, Olympic, and professional sports.¹³,¹⁴

In rare cases, sickle cell trait can become a concern when the body is pushed to extremes. During high-intensity exercise, red blood cells can sickle and interfere with normal blood flow and oxygen delivery. Risk increases when intense exertion occurs suddenly or alongside dehydration, high heat, or high altitude.¹³

Because of this rare but very real risk, the NCAA and some other athletic programs require student-athletes to provide documentation of their sickle cell trait status. Knowing trait status helps coaches, trainers, and medical teams take appropriate precautions so athletes with sickle cell trait can train, compete, and thrive in their sport.¹⁴