Diagnostic Imaging Services

An important part of good healthcare is being able to see your primary care doctor when you have a medical concern. At Palm Medical Centers, our providers are available to assess your condition when you need them. Sometimes, an evaluation will require additional diagnostic testing to help us identify what may be causing your symptoms. Once we know that, we’ll be able to most effectively treat you.

One of the many benefits of being a patient at Palm Medical Centers is that you don’t need to travel elsewhere for many of the most common diagnostic tests. We provide these services in-house for your convenience, quickly and easily – and while you’re already here.

Diagnostic Testing

The sooner we can diagnose your condition, the sooner you can get the treatment and care you need. Because these diagnostic services are offered in our clinics, you can count on getting the relief from pain or other symptoms, fast. Test availability may vary by location.

doctor and patient looking at chart

Most commonly called an “echo,” this diagnostic test uses ultrasound to create an image of your heart in action. There is no radiation involved and the entire procedure is noninvasive and painless.

During an echocardiogram, a Palm Medical Centers provider will gently move a hand-held device along the top of the skin of your chest, in the area of your heart. The device sends sound waves into your body, which bounce harmlessly off internal organs, helping to create a picture of what’s inside you.

Echocardiograms are used to evaluate the overall functioning of your heart. It may be ordered if a patient has been experiencing symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, or swelling in the legs.

An electrocardiogram, or EKG, is used to measure the electrical activity of the heart. It can detect heart rhythm abnormalities (arrhythmias), problems with blood flow to your heart (coronary artery disease), as well as whether you previously had a heart attack.

During an EKG, small adhesives will be applied to the skin of your chest, arms, and legs. You will be asked to lie still as the patches record the electrical signaling that create your heartbeat. Your doctor may recommend an EKG if you’re experiencing heart palpitations, dizziness, chest pain, and/or shortness of breath.

An EKG is a noninvasive and painless procedure.

Two of the most common diagnostic tests are blood tests and urinalysis. Both involve testing a sample of your blood or urine in a lab. The type of test done on the blood or urine sample will depend on what your doctor may be looking for.

Blood tests are used to identify a wide range of health concerns, including:

  • Anemia
  • Cancer
  • Diabetes
  • Heart disease
  • High cholesterol (HDL, LDL, and triglyceride levels)
  • Infections
  • Kidney problems
  • Liver disease
  • Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
  • Thyroid disorders

Urine tests can help identify kidney problems (including kidney stones), liver disease, infections (such as urinary tract infections, or UTIs), and diabetes.

Blood or urine tests may be used also to monitor your condition while you are undergoing treatment – that is, to determine if the medication or other treatment you are receiving is working.

Most people are familiar with ultrasound as the diagnostic imaging procedure used to monitor fetal development in pregnant women. However, ultrasound, which uses sound waves to create pictures of internal tissue and organs, can be used to diagnose a wide range of medical conditions, such as:

Ultrasound may also be used to guide a needle biopsy.

Medical Care & Diagnostic Tests at Palm Medical Centers

If you or a loved one has a medical concern, talk to your primary care provider at Palm Medical Centers. If diagnostic testing is called for, our doctors and medical providers can order it – and, in a majority of cases, can conduct the test in our clinic during your visit.

If you’re already an established patient, simply call your provider’s clinic use the patient portal to make your appointment.

To become a patient, call Palm Medical Centers at (833)500-PALM (7256) now. We have 20 clinics located throughout South Florida and Central Florida.