Labs, X-rays, and ultrasound in one place: why it matters

When your provider orders a test, the next step can feel like a chore: a separate lab, a different imaging center, another waiting room, and then a wait to hear back. At our Portland clinic, which serves Corpus Christi and surrounding areas, many of those tests happen under the same roof where you get your care. The answers come back to the provider who already knows your history.

Why one place makes a difference

Getting tested where you're seen has a few real benefits:

• Fewer trips. You aren't driving across the Coastal Bend to a second location for a basic test.
• Less chasing. Results don't have to be faxed or tracked down from another office.
• Context. Your provider reads your results alongside your symptoms, your medicines, and your past visits, not as numbers on a page.
• A clear next step. When a test answers a question, your plan can move forward sooner.

What we can test for

We offer EKG, X-ray, ultrasound, and lab draws in the clinic. Our diagnostics cover several areas:

• Radiology: X-rays for suspected fractures, chest complaints, and joint or back pain
• Heart: EKG and echocardiogram (a heart ultrasound)
• Blood vessels: ultrasound of the neck arteries, the abdominal aorta, and the arteries and veins of the legs, plus transcranial Doppler for blood flow in the brain
• Belly and general imaging: abdominal, pelvic, thyroid, and soft tissue ultrasound
• Lungs: pulmonary function testing (breathing tests)
• Nerves and balance: nerve conduction studies and VNG testing for dizziness
• Allergy: skin prick and intradermal allergy testing done in our office. We also offer allergy shots, and your provider can discuss whether they fit you.

Testing always starts with your provider, who decides which tests make sense for you and orders them. From there, our diagnostics team coordinates them, the same day when possible. If that doesn't work for you, or for the test you need, we'll schedule it at a time that's convenient.

What happens during common tests

An EKG records your heart's electrical rhythm. Small stickers go on your chest, arms, and legs. The test takes about five minutes, and it doesn't hurt.

An X-ray uses a small amount of radiation to make a picture of bones and some organs, like the lungs. A trained technologist takes the image while you hold still for a few seconds.

An ultrasound uses sound waves to show organs, blood vessels, or the heart in real time. A wand with warm gel moves over your skin. There's no radiation and no needles.

A lab draw is a small blood sample taken from a vein in your arm. It can check things like blood sugar, cholesterol, thyroid levels, and blood counts.

How to get ready

Most tests need little or no preparation. A few do:

• Some labs require fasting. Tests like a cholesterol panel or fasting blood sugar may mean no food for 8 to 12 hours ahead. We'll let you know when we set up your visit.
• Allergy testing may mean pausing antihistamines for a few days beforehand. Ask us first, and don't stop any prescription on your own.
• Wear comfortable clothes that make it easy to reach your arm, chest, or the area being checked.
• Bring your medication list so your provider can read your results in the right context.

What happens with your results

Once your results are ready, your provider reviews them and talks with you about what they mean. For an X-ray, your provider goes over the result with you. If something needs a closer look, we'll plan follow-up. That may be another test, a change in treatment, or a referral to a specialist.

You can also use our patient portal to review visit summaries, lab results, and medication lists.

When to call 911

Clinic testing isn't a substitute for emergency care. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you have:

• Chest pain or pressure, especially with sweating or shortness of breath
• Trouble breathing
• Sudden weakness or numbness on one side, a drooping face, or trouble speaking
• A badly injured limb that looks bent out of shape, or a bone poking through the skin
• Sudden, severe belly pain

We're closed on weekends, so for problems that can't wait until we reopen, a local urgent care center can help.

Get your testing done close to home

We care for adults and teens 12 and up at 125 Northshore Blvd in Portland, and walk-ins are welcome Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 7 PM. We serve Portland, Corpus Christi, and surrounding areas. Same-day visits are often available, and you can call (361) 208-6701 with questions. See our full list of in-office diagnostics, read our frequently asked questions, or become a patient so your next test can happen in a place that already knows you.