Laboratory testing can provide clinically relevant information that may influence diagnosis, treatment planning, and symptom understanding. Testing is considered when medical, nutritional, hormonal, inflammatory, or metabolic factors may contribute to mood, energy, cognition, sleep, or emotional regulation. Lab testing is available in person throughout Western North Carolina and may be coordinated remotely when feasible and clinically appropriate for patients seen by telepsychiatry in North Carolina, Virginia, South Carolina, and Maine.

Purpose of Laboratory Testing in Psychiatry

Laboratory results can help clarify whether symptoms are influenced by:

• nutritional deficiencies

• thyroid or metabolic markers

• inflammation or immune activation

• hormonal fluctuation

• medical conditions that affect mood or cognition

• sleep or circadian rhythm variables

• medication interactions or side effects when relevant

Testing is not diagnostic on its own. It provides additional data that may improve accuracy, treatment safety, and individualization.

When Laboratory Testing May Be Appropriate

Laboratory testing may be recommended when:

• symptoms are new or unexplained

• medication response is unclear or inconsistent

• fatigue or low energy is persistent

• cognitive concerns or concentration difficulties are present

• mood symptoms emerge alongside medical conditions

• nutritional concerns are suspected

• sleep disturbance requires physiological clarification

• prior medication history raises safety questions

• monitoring is indicated for specific psychiatric medications

Testing is optional unless clinically necessary for safety.

Types of Laboratory Information Considered

Testing may include standard medical panels and, when indicated, more specialized markers. Examples include:

• complete blood count

• metabolic markers

• thyroid function

• B-vitamin or iron status when suspected

• liver or kidney function when relevant to medication safety

• glucose and lipid profiles

• selected hormonal markers when clinically indicated

Any test is ordered based on individual circumstances, not as a routine checklist.

Clinical Value and Limitations

Laboratory testing can:

• identify medical contributors to psychiatric symptoms

• support individualized treatment planning

• improve medication safety

• provide objective information for monitoring

However:

• lab values do not confirm psychiatric diagnosis

• normal labs do not exclude psychological or social drivers of symptoms

• abnormal labs require medical interpretation within clinical context

• treatment decisions are not based on lab results alone

Laboratory data are integrated with history, evaluation, observation, and ongoing clinical response.

How Testing Is Coordinated

Laboratory testing may be performed:

• onsite in Western North Carolina when available

• through local medical laboratories

• through a patient’s primary care provider if preferred and clinically appropriate

• through specialty laboratories when indicated

Coordination is individualized, and patient preference is considered whenever feasible.

Medication Safety and Monitoring

Some psychiatric medications may require periodic monitoring of laboratory values to support safety. If monitoring is recommended, frequency and scope are discussed clearly, and testing is ordered only when clinically indicated. Monitoring schedules are individualized and based on medical judgment.

ntegrative Interpretation When Relevant

Laboratory findings may help inform integrative decisions when clinically appropriate, such as nutritional optimization, medical follow-up, or lifestyle adjustment. Any supplementary or integrative recommendation is made only after reviewing safety considerations, possible interactions, and clinical appropriateness.

Integrative interpretation does not replace medical evaluation when abnormal or concerning results are identified.

Communication and Follow-Up

Results are reviewed with the patient in clear, accessible language. If additional medical work-up or specialty referral is appropriate, this is communicated transparently. The goal is clarity, not alarm.

Laboratory findings are integrated into treatment planning without pressure, assumption, or over-interpretation.

Areas Served

Laboratory testing is available:

• in person throughout Western North Carolina

• remotely coordinated for telepsychiatry patients in:

• North Carolina

• Virginia

• South Carolina

• Maine

Remote coordination depends on clinical appropriateness, laboratory access, and regulatory requirements.

Begin Your Care

If you have questions about whether laboratory testing may be clinically useful, a complimentary 15-minute call is available to discuss goals and determine whether evaluation and testing align with your needs.

Call to Action:

Schedule a complimentary call → (link to consult form)

Sources:

Mayo Clinic — “Mental illness — Diagnosis and treatment”: notes that diagnosis may include physical exam and lab tests (e.g., thyroid, drug/alcohol screening) to rule out medical contributors. Mayo Clinic

Contemporary Care — “What Is Psychiatric Medication Management?” explains that many psychiatric medications require periodic lab monitoring (organs, metabolic parameters, etc.) to ensure safety and effectiveness. Contemporary Care

PubMed (Anfinson et al.) — study “Screening laboratory evaluation in psychiatric patients” reviews routine screening labs and discusses limited utility of broad batteries in general psychiatric populations, supporting judicious use of labs rather than routine overuse. PubMedDon’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.