1. 1. Order Your Tests

    Browse from hundreds of tests and select the ones you want.

  2. 2. Visit a Lab

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  3. 3. Get Your Results

    Physician-reviewed lab results are available online within 24-72 hours.

Tuberculosis Test (TB Test)

This Tuberculosis Test, or TB test, is designed to identify whether or not TB is present in your blood.

$199
Order Test
Test Preparation:
None
Testing Method:
Blood draw

This Tuberculosis Test, or TB test, is designed to identify whether or not TB is present in your blood. Tuberculosis is a highly contagious disease spread through the air by way of coughing, sneezing, or simply breathing in close proximity to another person. Common symptoms include weakness, fever, chest pains, and severe coughing spells, though it is possible to have the disease and show no symptoms whatsoever. Fortunately, TB is treatable and curable if caught early enough. But, the only way to know for sure is to take a Tuberculosis Test.

How It Works

If your doctor or care provider has concerns that you may have tuberculosis, or TB, you may need to act quickly to get a test that will help you determine whether you may have this highly contagious illness. Add the TB test to your cart, then check out. Then, come in to one of our many testing facilities for a blood draw. One of our qualified technicians will draw a tube of blood, and we will send it to the lab for processing. You don’t need to make an appointment to come into the lab; instead, you can simply come in at your convenience. Generally, we will have results for you within 24-72 hours, which you can access via our online portal. 

Symptoms of Tuberculosis

General symptoms of tuberculosis include weakness, overall sickness, weight loss, and night sweats. As TB progresses, you may notice lung-related symptoms, including coughing, chest pain, or coughing up blood. You may also notice loss of appetite, shortness of breath, or swollen lymph nodes, depending on where the tuberculosis is located in the body.

Some patients with tuberculosis may not have obvious symptoms. 

You may need a TB test if you have any symptoms of tuberculosis or if you have been exposed to TB and worry about transmitting it to others, including potentially vulnerable family members. A blood test can help clear up whether you have tuberculosis and allow you to receive prompt treatment.

Interpreting Your Results

Your tuberculosis test results will show three columns. The first column will indicate the range tested for in the TB test, which can give you a better idea of the normal range. Next, you’ll see a results column, which will indicate the specific results of your test. Finally, the flag column will note, based on the results of your test, whether you likely have TB. 

Choosing the Right Infectious Disease Test

Sometimes, your doctor may recommend multiple infectious disease tests to help rule out common ailments that could be causing your symptoms. You may need to have several infectious disease tests. For example, mononucleosis may cause some of the same symptoms as TB, as can Lyme disease. Talking to your doctor can help you determine what condition you have the greatest likelihood of exposure to, what infection your symptoms most likely match, and what test you need to best identify any potential health problems you may be facing.

FAQs

  • At Priority Lab Testing, our care counselors can help you evaluate and understand the results of your test. They cannot, however, offer medical advice. You may need to speak to a doctor about treatment for TB if your tuberculosis test comes back positive. A doctor can help you decide on the course of treatment that is best for your specific needs. 

  • At Priority Lab Testing, our test results are highly accurate and trustworthy. You can feel confident, overall, in the results of your TB test.

  • The rate of tuberculosis, nationwide, is much lower today than it was in the 1940s and 1950s. Today, people can be vaccinated against tuberculosis if needed, though this vaccine is not typically recommended in the United States.

  • There are treatments for tuberculosis, which can help reduce the severity of symptoms and decrease the odds of negative outcomes. Talk to your doctor about your tuberculosis test, any symptoms you may have, and the steps you may need to take to protect yourself and others if you have tuberculosis.