It may sound corny but truly, health is wealth. We are lucky these days that some diseases are preventable with the use of modern diagnostics. A lab test is just one of them and most people are already familiar with it. Read more to see which test is best for your condition and the cost it involves.
Why Is Lab Test Needed?
A doctor may prescribe blood chemistry analysis depending on what symptoms are presented to them. However, even you may request for it as a routine medical exam to monitor your health. Whether it is for prevention or confirmation of an illness, it has become the standard that doctors prescribe.
Package Rates
The price of lab tests in Philippine hospitals depend on whether you will have them as a package or stand alone procedures. Some doctors have a request slip where a check list is indicated as to what tests you should have. Present this to the hospital staff and the total cost will be provided.
Here, we are providing you the average price list of the most common laboratory exams requested by doctors.
Note that these prices are based on averages and may change depending on market cost movements.
Prices Of Lab Tests
We have compiled here the list of common lab tests and their prices. See which one is prescribed by your doctor.
Albumin
A test that detects the function status of the liver and kidneys. Low levels of albumin could men liver of kidney disease. The price of albumin test starts from Php 140 and is one of the cheapest type.
Price: Php 140 and above
Normal Albumin Range: 3.4 to 5.4 g/dL
BUN
Known as the blood urea nitrogen, it measures the amount of urea nitrogen in the blood to see whether the kidneys are properly working. BUN price in clinics start from Php 120 and above.
Price: Php 120 and above
Normal BUN Range: 6 to 24 mg/dL (2.1 to 8.5 mmol/L
Blood Typing
This procedure draws a minimal sample of blood from a finger. The sample will be used to categorize whether the patient has an A, B, AB, O blood type. Blood typing cost in the Philippines starts from as low as Php 90.
Price: Php 90 to Php 100.
Sometimes, local LGU and Red Cross offer free blood typing to their constituents.
CBC
The complete blood count or CBC is used to test for indication of loss of blood and dehydration. It can also be used to identify the life span of the blood cells and their destruction at a given period. In Philippine clinics, CBC test for the blood costs Php 150 to Php 350.
Price: Php 150 to Php 350
- Normal White Blood Cells: 4,500 to 11,000 cells per microliter (cells/mcL)
- Normal Red Blood Cells: 4.5 million to 5.9 million cells/mcL for men and 4.1 million to 5.1 million cells/mcL for women
- Normal Hemoglobin: 14 to 17.5 grams per deciliter (gm/dL) for men and 12.3 to 15.3 gm/dL for women
Source: WebMD
CD4 Count
It is a test that measures the CD4 cell count in the blood. The procedure is commonly used to diagnose HIV infection or even AIDS. It can also be used to measure the efficacy of the HIV drug treatment or monitoring the effect of an organ transplant. As one of the more expensive tests, CD4 count price range from Php 2,000 to Php 3,000.
Price: Php 2,010 to Php 3,000
Normal CD4 Range: 500 to 1500 cell/mm^3
A drop below 200 indicates HIV/AIDS infection Source: WebMD
CKMB
Also known as Creatine Kinase MB, it is a test in the blood to measure the isoenzyme of creatine kinase. Patients who are suspected of having a heart attack may need this test according to the doctor’s prescription. The price of CKMB test in hospitals range from Php 1,060 to Php 2,000.
Price: Php 1,060 to Php 2,000
Normal CK-MB Range: 3 to 5% or 5 to 25 IU/L
Creatinine
A blood marker which diagnoses how well the kidneys are working. (Mount Sinai) The price of creatinine blood test starts from Php 140 and above depending on the prevailing hospital rate. Creatinine price in the Philippines starts from Php 140 and above.
Price: Php 140 and up
Culture and Sensitivity Test
It is a test that determines the possible infection coming from bacteria or fungus. Culture test is essential especially in detecting any types of germ infection that causes symptoms and illness. On the other hand, sensitivity will provide info on which medication will work. Culture and sensitivity test price ranges from Php 1,200 to Php 2,000 among hospitals.
Price: Php 1,200 to Php 2,000
The test may involve various components with average prices indicated here:
- Blood – Php 1650
- Pleural fluid – Php 1200
- Sputum – Php 1200
- Wound discharge – Php 1200 to Php 1500
- Urine – Php 1350 to Php 1500
- CSF or cerebrospinal fluid – Php 1200 to Php 1600
Electrolyte Panel
The electrolyte blood test measures at least three components such as Sodium, Potassium and Chloride. However, the doctor may also prescribed additional test components such as Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphate and Bicarbonate.
Price: Php 1,000 (Sodium, Potassium, Chloride)
FBS
Fasting blood sugar is used to measure the amount of glucose in the blood. It is one of the markers to diagnose diabetes. FBS blood test price is from Php 150 and up.
Price: Php 150 and above
Normal FBS Range: 70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L) and 100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L)
Fecalysis
Also called stool test, fecalysis identifies microorganism in the fecal matter to identify disorders in the digestive tract. The cost of Fecalysis starts from Php 140 depending on clinic rates.
Price: Php 140 to Php 350
Ferritin Test
It is a lab test that detects the amount of iron in the blood protein. A lower than normal level could mean iron deficiency. In the Philippines, the price of Ferritin test is from Php 1,500 to Php 2,690.
Price: Php 1,500 to Php 2,690
GFR
It is a test on the natural filtration of the kidneys to see its proper function. eGFR stands for estimated glomerular filtration rate. The EGFR test price starts from Php 5,000 in most Philippine clinics.
Price: Php 5,000 and above
HbA1c
It is a test to diagnose type 2 diabetes. Unlike the other blood sugar test, HBA1c determines the amount of sugar attach to the blood cells. The price of HbA1c in hospitals range from Php 700 to Php 1,300.
Price: Php 700 to Php 1,300
HBSAG
Hepatitis B Surface Antigen or HBsAg is a test used to determine if the person is infected with Hepatitis B. A positive result from the test means you are infected. HBSAG cost in the Philippines is from Php 175 to Php 600.
Price: Php 175 to Php 600
HCG
An HCG tests for pregnancy by identifying a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin. Price of HCG in clinics ranges from Php 1,000 and above.
Price: Php 1,000 to Php 1,180
Hematocrit
It is one of the many blood tests that analyzes the proportion of red blood cells. This way, the doctor can make a diagnosis regarding your symptoms and health problems. In the Philippines, hematocrit test costs Php 90 and above.
Price: Php 90 to Php 150
Lipid Profile
The lipid profile includes several blood tests depending on what the doctor has prescribed. Lipid profile test price in the Philippines is from Php 540 to Php 800.
Price: Php 540 to Php 800 (LDL, HDL, cholesterol, triglycerides)
If you wish to avail individually, the rates start from Php 120 and up.
OGTT (Oral Glucose Tolerance Test
It is a test to see how the body processes large amount of sugar. It is also used as a separate test to diagnose diabetes. OGTT price rate in Philippine diagnostic centers range from Php 815 to Php 1,200.
Price: Php 815 to Php 1,200
Procalcitonin Test
This procedure helps in identifying the possibility of a sepsis. It can also detect whether an infection is bacterial or non-bacterial. It is quite expensive but is necessary for you to rule out sepsis. The cost of procalcitonin test in the Philippines starts from Php 2,700 and above.
Price: Php 2,700 to Php 3,800
Urinalysis
A urinalysis uses urine samples to diagnose any problems in the kidneys and urinary tract. Urinalysis test price is from Php 110 to Php 300 among clinics and hospitals.
Price: Php 110 to Php 300
Urine Culture
A urine culture test and sensitivity may be prescribed for suspected urinary tract infections.
Price: Php 755 to Php 1,500
VDRL
Syphilis is one of the STDs that may affect a person. A doctor may recommend the use of VDRL test to know if someone is infected.
Price: Php 300 to Php 600
See: List of Hospitals for Lab Tests
Is walk-in accepted? Yes walk in patients may avail of the blood chem packages in hospitals and diagnostic clinics. Simply choose the test that you think is significant to your health. On the other hand, most of these clinics also have package promos based on client’s preferences.
Note that some tests require at least 10 to 12 hours of fasting before blood extraction.
Can I Use HMO
Based on our experience, health cards are accepted for blood chem and lab tests. Most HMOs have partnership with hospitals and diagnostic clinics for such procedures. Depending on your plan type, the tests covered will include the ones for routine check up.
As part of the medical service, the laboratory test rates are discounted up to 20% for senior ID holders.
Primary Clinics
On the other hand, the blood chem test will also be covered if the accredited doctor has prescribed it. Some HMOs have stand alone clinics where you can have the service for free as part of your annual check up benefit.
When Are Results Available
Hospitals usually release the results after 24 hours. However, some diagnostic clinics may offer online results checking which you can access the night after the test. One example of such feature is Hi Precision’s online results portal.
References:
https://djrmh.doh.gov.ph/rates-and-fees/laboratory-fees?showall=1
https://lcp.gov.ph/rates-and-fees
About the Author: The MedicalPinas team publishes articles to help Filipinos find info on various medical services and their prices.