Post-COVID Blood Test & Urine Test - Basic

What

Our Post COVID-19 Basic Test Panel includes C-Reactive Protein (CRP), Thyroid Function Test, Vitamin B12 Test, Vitamin D Test, and Urinalysis.

Who

Must be 18+ years of age to purchase.

How

Blood and Urine

Where

Find a location near you

Schedule an appointment, then visit a Quest Diagnostics patient service center location.

About the Test

Despite having mild or no symptoms while infected with COVID-19, 10-30% of people experience lingering symptoms lasting 4 weeks or longer, commonly known as post-COVID-19 conditions, or long COVID.

Some people who have had a severe COVID-19 infection may have symptoms that linger for weeks or months. While the link is still unclear, these long-term effects may increase the risk of diabetes, heart conditions, autoimmune disorders, and neurological conditions.

Clinical findings are an important key in evaluating care and potential treatment pathways for those with Long COVID or Post COVID-19 conditions, as stated by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). This panel of laboratory tests provides information for those with ongoing symptoms.

These tests are to help you and your doctor determine if your current symptoms are potentially due to a post-COVID-19 infection or if you have another underlying health problem causing your symptoms.

Although there is no current pattern as to who may develop Post COVID-19 symptoms or health complications, there are tests that can be performed to further understand your symptoms.

Our Post COVID-19 Basic Test Panel measures the following components: C-Reactive Protein (CRP), Thyroid Function Test, Vitamin B12 Test, Vitamin D Test, and VitaminD. This test does NOT test for or diagnose COVID-19.

The C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Test measures the amount of CRP in your blood. CRP is a protein produced by the liver and is a marker of inflammation. Increased CRP levels are found in inflammatory conditions including bacterial infection, rheumatic fever, potential malignancies, autoimmune disorders, active arthritis, cardiac disease, heart attack, and conditions related to the immune system.

Those with severe lingering COVID-19 symptoms may also have elevated CRP levels which could indicate higher risk of cardiovascular disease.

The Thyroid Function Test measures thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels in the blood to evaluate thyroid function, which is critical for regulating weight, energy, body temperature, mood, and overall health. If your TSH levels are abnormally high or low, this may indicate that your thyroid is either underactive (hypothyroidism) or overactive (hyperthyroidism). If test results identify abnormal TSH levels, free thyroxine (T4) blood levels will be evaluated using your submitted sample to provide information needed to accurately diagnose hypothyroidism.

There is a potential parallel between Long COVID and abnormal thyroid function which may trigger pre-existing thyroid disease or autoimmunity caused by a thyroid infection, however many thyroid conditions can be managed with treatment.

The Vitamin B12 Test measures the level of vitamin B12 in your blood. Vitamin B12 is absorbed in the small intestines and then makes its way to the blood and cells. The body also stores vitamin B12 in the liver for future use. Vitamin B12 is essential in supporting the nervous system, making red blood cells, and creating DNA (the genetic material present in our cells).

Vitamin B12 must be supplied by the diet or supplementation because the body is not able to produce it independently. It is naturally found in animal proteins, such as red meat, fish, poultry, eggs, and dairy. Plant foods are not a reliable source of vitamin B12 unless they are fortified. Low levels of vitamin B12 may occur if you do not consume enough vitamin B12 or the body does not store or absorb enough of the vitamin. People who are deficient in vitamin B12 may or may not have any symptoms of anemia (a condition in which your body does not have enough healthy red cells to carry oxygen to your body’s tissues) or nerve damage. Early detection is important to prevent irreversible damage over time, especially to the nervous system.

Vitamin B12 supports the immune system and helps your body fight off viruses. Many symptoms of Long COVID are the same as those with a vitamin B12 deficiency. If your body is low in B12, you may not be able to fight viruses as well.

The Vitamin D Test measures the amount of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, an indicator for the level of Vitamin D in your body. Vitamin D is involved in regulating calcium and phosphorus, which are essential nutrients to promote bone strength and cellular health. Vitamin D can also help the immune system fight infections. Your body produces Vitamin D after exposure to sunlight or from consuming certain foods and supplements.

An adequate level of this vitamin is necessary for immune function, heart and blood vessel health, insulin regulation, and mood. Abnormal levels of vitamin D can indicate bone disease, nutrition disorders, or other metabolic complications.

Many symptoms of Long Covid are the same as those with a Vitamin D deficiency. If your body is low in vitamin D, you may not be able to fight off viruses as well.

A urinalysis, also called a urine panel, consists of a series of tests used to evaluate visual, chemical, and microscopic features of urine. Urinalysis may be used to identify potential risks for diabetes, liver disease, and kidney disease.

A urinalysis can help to identify lower urinary tract symptoms and kidney injury caused by inflammation from a severe COVID-19 infection.

Post COVID conditions include a wide range of symptoms that can last more than 4 weeks or even months after infection. Post COVID conditions may not affect everyone the same way, and they can happen together or separately over time. Although most symptoms slowly improve with time, for some people, Post COVID conditions can last weeks, months, or longer after a COVID-19 infection and could result in a disability.

People who experience Post-COVID conditions most commonly report:

General symptoms

Constant fatigue that interferes with daily life
Symptoms that worsen after physical or mental effort (post-exertional malaise)
Fever

Respiratory and heart symptoms

Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Cough
Chest pain
Fast-beating or pounding heart (heart palpitations)

Neurological symptoms

Difficulty thinking or concentrating (brain fog)
Headache
Sleep problems
Dizziness when you stand up
Pins-and-needles feelings
Change in smell or taste
Depression or anxiety

Digestive symptoms

Diarrhea
Stomach pain

Other symptoms

Joint or muscle pain
Rash
Changes in menstrual cycles

This test is for anyone who wants to evaluate potential health concerns after they have had a COVID-19 infection. You must be 18 years of age or older to purchase. Purchases not permitted in: AK, AZ, HI.

You do not need to do anything special to prepare for the sample collection. Fasting is not required for this test.

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After your purchase, schedule an appointment at a nearby Quest Diagnostics location and have your specimen sample collected by a trained healthcare professional.

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Access test results from your phone as soon as they’re available, with the option to discuss your results with an independent physician at no extra cost.

Your results are available on our free, secure patient portal that you can access on your smartphone, tablet, or desktop. You will receive an email notification when your results are ready. You can also share your results with your healthcare provider, family, or friends.

FAQs

Are there any additional symptoms for Post COVID-19 conditions or Long COVID?

Yes. People with Post COVID conditions may develop or continue to have symptoms that are hard to explain and manage. Clinical evaluations and additional testing, such as chest x-rays and EKGs, may be considered after you’ve discussed your results with a doctor.

Who is most likely to develop Post COVID-19 issues?

Researchers are working to understand who is more likely to have Post COVID conditions, and why. Studies have shown that Post COVID conditions may affect some people more than others. Below are a few examples (not a complete list) of people who may be more at risk of developing conditions after COVID-19 infection including those who:

Have experienced more severe COVID-19 illness, especially those who were hospitalized or needed intensive care
Had underlying health conditions such as obesity, heart disease, or diabetes prior to a COVID-19 infection.
Have never received a COVID-19 vaccine
Experience multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS) during or after COVID-19 illness

What is the difference between a COVID-19 test and the Post COVID-19 Basic Test Panel?

A COVID-19 Active Infection Test detects the presence of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, at the time of taking the test. Our Basic Post COVID-19 Test Panel does NOT test for or diagnose COVID-19. This panel of tests can provide information and potential answers to those with ongoing symptoms linked to COVID-19, but whose symptoms or effects of COVID-19 have lingered after the initial infection has ended.

What is the difference between the Post COVID-19 Basic Test Panel and the Post COVID-19 Expanded Test Panel?

The basic panel includes C-Reactive Protein (CRP), Thyroid Function Test, Vitamin B12 Test, Vitamin D Test, and Urinalysis. The expanded panel includes Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP), Complete Blood Count (CBC), C-Reactive Protein (CRP), Ferritin, Hepatic Function Panel, Thyroid Function Test, Vitamin B12 Test, Vitamin D Test, and Urinalysis.

Is there another name for Post COVID-19 conditions?

Yes, long-haul COVID, post-COVID conditions, long COVID, post-acute COVID-19, and even chronic COVID are all terms for post COVID-19 conditions. These are general terms used to describe the variety of ongoing health issues that some people may experience following an active infection.

Post-COVID-19 Basic Test Panel