Page Banner

Testing Options for Long
COVID Assessment

The use of various diagnostic tests for Long COVID should be considered for patients with ongoing symptoms associated with Long COVID to assess for conditions that may respond to treatment, once basic testing such as complete blood count, basic metabolic profile and liver function tests have been completed. The CDC recommends that laboratory testing be guided by the patient’s history, physical examination, and clinical findings.

Testing Options to Consider for Long COVID Assessment

LifeLabs offers two test menus, based on CDC recommendations, to assist with Long COVID assessment testing. The Basic test menu is used as a follow up to tests that have already been completed. Whereas the Expanded test menu includes additional tests for patients that have not had any tests done before.

Anyone who had, or thinks they had, COVID-19 and is experiencing ongoing symptoms should talk to their health care provider about whether Long COVID assessment testing is right for them. Based on symptoms, a group of tests or certain specific individual tests, like a Vitamin D test, may be ordered.

For further information about the Long COVID assessment testing options available through LifeLabs, please see the FAQ section below.

If you’d like to learn more about Vitamin D testing, please visit 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D Test.

FAQs

Long COVID consists of a wide range of new, returning, or ongoing health issues that people experience after being infected with the virus that causes COVID-19. Most people with COVID-19 get better within a few days to a few weeks after infection, so at least four weeks after infection is the start of when Long COVID conditions could first be identified. Anyone who was infected can experience these conditions. Most people with Long COVID conditions experienced symptoms days after first learning they had COVID-19, but some people who later experienced these conditions did not know when they got infected.

Some of the signs and symptoms of Long COVID include:

  • Fatigue
  • Memory problems
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Shortness of breath
  • Anxiety and depression
  • General pain and discomfort
  • Difficulty thinking or concentrating
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

About 10-30% of patients continue with lingering symptoms four or more weeks after COVID-19 infection, including those who had mild, or no symptoms termed as Long COVID. The CDC recommends laboratory testing be guided by the patient’s history, physical examination, and clinical findings. Specialized tests might be considered if symptoms persist for 12 weeks post COVID. There are a group of individual tests, such as Vitamin D, that can be considered for evaluation of persistent symptoms.

If you had a confirmed case of COVID-19 or suspect that you may have had COVID-19 in the past, even if you were asymptomatic, and you are now experiencing symptoms associated with Long COVID, you should have a discussion with your healthcare provider about whether certain tests, like a Vitamin D test, are right for you.

Your doctor may order testing if you meet the following criteria:

  • You are experiencing the signs and symptoms of Long COVID
  • You were, or suspect you were, infected with the virus that causes COVID-19
  • You have already had basic testing such as complete blood count, basic metabolic profile and liver function tests completed with inconclusive results

All testing that relates to Long COVID is completed by LifeLabs at a Patient Service Centre or via our mobile lab service (available in select cities) through simple blood and urine samples. You will require a test requisition signed by your healthcare provider.

For tests not covered by a provincial health plan, payment can be made by you at one of LifeLabs’ Patient Service Centres at the time of sample collection. For convenience, Visa, Mastercard and Debit Cards are accepted.

You are encouraged to check with your private healthcare insurer to see if coverage is provided.

All test results will be provided directly to your doctor for discussion with you.
Certain test results are available on LifeLabs’ patient results portal. LifeLabs® aims to have results available in MyCareCompass within 5-10 business days from sample collection if you provided your Personal Health Number (PHN) or Health Card Number (HCN) at your appointment. Your PHN or HCN will not be used for billing purposes.

References:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/long-term-effects/index.html
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/symptoms/post-covid-19-condition.html
https://www.mlo-online.com/disease/infectious-disease/article/21257612/the-longterm-health-consequences-of-covid19

FAQs

There are two suggested work ups offered for assessment and evaluation of patients with Long COVID conditions. The expanded work up was created for testing of patients that have not been tested before. Whereas the basic test work up was created for follow up testing. For a complete list of the individual tests in each suggested work up, please see below.

Long COVID Expanded Test Menu

LifeLab’s Long COVID Expanded Test Menu – This offering is to be considered if no previous testing was performed.
Category Lab Tests OHIP covered MSP covered

Blood count, electrolytes and renal function

 

Complete Blood Count with possible Iron Studies to Follow Yes Yes
Basic Metabolic Tests Some Some
Urinalysis Complete Yes Yes
Liver Function Liver Function Tests Some Some
Inflammatory Markers C-reactive Protein Yes Yes****
ESR – Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate Yes Yes
Ferritin Yes Yes
Thyroid Function TSH Yes Yes
Free T4 Yes Yes***
Vitamin Deficiencies Vitamin D No* No**
Vitamin B12 Yes Yes

Long COVID Basic Test Menu

LifeLab’s Long COVID Basic Test Menu – This offering is to be considered for persistent symptoms if initial testing such as Complete Blood Count, Basic Metabolic Profile, and Liver Function Tests have been completed.
Category Lab Tests OHIP covered MSP covered

Blood count, electrolytes and renal function

Urinalysis, Complete Yes Yes
Thyroid Function TSH with Reflex to Free T4 Yes Yes
Inflammatory Markers C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Yes Yes****
Vitamin Deficiencies Vitamin D, 25-Hydroxy, Total, Immunoassay No* No**
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) Yes Yes

OHIP: *L606 25-hydroxy vitamin D is insured for persons with the following conditions: osteoporosis, rickets, osteopenia, malabsorption syndromes and renal disease, or for persons who are on medications that affect vitamin D metabolism

MSP: ** 92455: Vitamin D (1,25 dihydroxy) and T92460: Vitamin D (25 Hydroxy-cholecalciferol)

Notes:

  1. T92460 is not intended for other metabolites of Vitamin D.
  2. Payable only for beneficiaries under the age of 19 years or when ordered by a specialist.

***Thyroid disease tests:

  1. TSH is the preferred test for the initial investigation of thyroid disease and for monitoring thyroid hormone replacement therapy.
  2. ) For the initial diagnosis of thyroid disease, confirmation of an abnormal TSH with a free T4 is indicated.

Laboratories should only perform fT3 in addition to fT4 and TSH if the TSH is abnormal but the fT4 is not elevated and there is suspected hyperthyroidism. Laboratories may substitute free hormone assays when total T4 or T3 are ordered
****91300 – C – reactive protein: When requested concurrently with 90515 (Sedimentation rate), only 91300 is payable

Basic Metabolic Tests

  1. Calcium
  2. Carbon Dioxide
  3. Chloride
  4. Creatinine with GFR Estimated
  5. Glucose
  6. Potassium
  7. Sodium
  8. Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
  9. BUN/Creatinine Ratio

# Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) and BUN/Creatinine Ratio are not covered by MSP

Liver Function Tests

  1. Albumin
  2. Globulin (calculated)
  3. Albumin/Globulin Ratio (calculated)
  4. Total Bilirubin
  5.  Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP)
  6. Alanine transaminase (ALT)
  7. Total Protein
  8. Lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) total
  9. Prothrombin time (PT)
  10. Aspartate transaminase (AST)
  11. Gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT)

# AST and GGT are not covered by both OHIP and MSP

#OHIP disclaimer:

L222 SGOT (AST) is only insured for persons when ordered by or on the advice of a physician with expertise in hepatic disorders.

  •  [Commentary: Physicians must write “uninsured” beside the test name if the test is not an insured service. The patient will be responsible for payment. It is the authorized healthcare practitioner’s responsibility to inform the patient when the service is not an insured service and that the patient is expected to pay for the service].

#MSP disclaimer:

  1. Fee item 91065 Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) is the preferred liver function test and is a superior marker of hepatocellular damage compared to the 91210 Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) test. 3-17 Revised as of January 1, 2019
  2. In addition, measurement of AST 91210 in conjunction with ALT 91065 rarely adds clinical value and should not be co-billed, unless clinically indicated.
  3. 91210 AST should only be requested to evaluate liver fibrosis or steatohepatitis

 

If your patient is experiencing symptoms associated with Long COVID, you may consider ordering these tests. The CDC has provided recommendations on its website for public education and awareness around Long COVID.

The CDC recommends: “Before ordering laboratory testing for post-COVID conditions, the goals of testing should be clear to the healthcare professional and to the patient. Laboratory testing should be guided by the patient history, physical examination, and clinical findings.”

Patients can get their samples collected at a LifeLabs location and must present a requisition form signed by a physician or healthcare provider.

Healthcare providers may order these tests by individually selecting the test name on the requisition or by writing the test name in the ‘other tests’ section of the standard requisition form as applicable.

It is recommended that healthcare providers explain coverage criteria to patients for some of the tests included in the expanded and basic test menu. Payment for tests not covered by provincial health plans will be charged by LifeLabs at the time of sample collection.

Separate individual test reports with respective reference ranges will be provided for all tests ordered by the physician. As these are individual tests, there will be no combined test report and interpretation provided.

The cost will vary depending on the selection of tests ordered and whether they are covered by OHIP in Ontario and MSP in British Columbia.

For tests not covered by a provincial health plan, payment can be made by the patient at one of LifeLabs’ Patient Service Centres at the time of sample collection. For convenience, Visa, Mastercard and Debit Cards are accepted.

Patients are encouraged to check with their private healthcare insurer to see if coverage is provided.

While many of our tests offer a 24-48 turnaround time on results once received by the lab, test turnaround times for Long COVID may vary depending on the selection of tests ordered.

We have a wealth of medical experts available to support you in interpreting test results.

Consults with our experts are available upon request. Request medical consultation.

People who looked at the Long COVID Testing were also interested in:

Featured
Services
Assessing risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD)

Klinrisk

Klinrisk is an algorithm based on results from routine blood and urine tests. It generates a score for patients with CKD, to predict the progression of disease before kidney function is lost. The model is built on a foundation of lab data from large national/i...
Testosterone Test

Bioavailable Testosterone Testing

Measures total available testosterone to be used by the body.
Assess your risk of developing liver fibrosis

Liver Fibrosis Testing

Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) Index and Enhanced Liver Fibrosis (ELF™) Score are used to screen for liver fibrosis in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients. Screening is essential for treating patients with fatty liver disease and associated risks, like ob...
Sexually Transmitted Infection of the Genital and Urinary Tract

Mycoplasma Genitalium Testing

Canadian studies estimate the prevalence of Mycoplasma genitalium infection at 3-8%. 
Your trusted healthcare partner for supporting Immigration Medical Exams.

Immigration Diagnostic Test Panel

LifeLabs® is the largest medical diagnostic laboratory in Canada, that works with government-regulated immigration panel physicians to offer immigration medical exams in an efficient, timely, and customer-focused manner. The Immigration Medical Exa...
COVID-19 Antibody Testing

COVID-19 Antibody Blood Test Panel

IMPORTANT: This test is no longer available for purchase.  For customers that already have a requisition, samples will continue to be collected at our Patient Service Centers until Sept 30, 2023.

Diagnosing Allergies

Serum Allergy Testing

The serum allergy test is one type of allergy test that can be used to assist in the diagnosis and management of allergies. Through a simple blood test, analyzed in a laboratory, your doctor can uncover the amount of allergen-specific antibodies, called Immuno...
Diagnosing H. pylori Infection

H. pylori Infection.

The Urea Breath Test (UBT) and the H. pylori Stool Antigen test are common tests used to accurately diagnose whether you have an H. pylori infection. Detecting H. pylori is essential in identifying the cause of your symptoms and/or ulcers in the absence of mor...
COVID-19 Antibody Testing

COVID-19 Antibody Blood Test

Find out if you’ve had COVID-19 through an Antibody test.
This blood test detects prior infection, even if you never experienced symptoms.
Reaching a definitive diagnosis of hypertension

24-Hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM)

Take the guesswork out of your diet

IgG Food Sensitivity Testing

Symptoms associated with food sensitivities develop slowly over time and can create inflammation and contribute to symptoms of a variety of diseases. The RMA FST™ IgG Food Sensitivity test can help identify potential food sensitivities and t...
Colorectal Cancer Screening

Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT)

FIT is a safe and painless at-home cancer screening test. FIT checks someone’s stool (poop) for tiny amounts of blood, which could be caused by colon cancer and some pre-cancerous polyps (growths in the colon or rectum that can turn into cancer over time). W...
Colorectal Cancer Screening

Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT)

FIT is a safe and painless stool-based test used for screening people at average risk of developing colorectal cancer. FIT checks for the presence of occult blood in the stool, which can be an early sign of colorectal cancer and/or pre-cancerous lesions. When ...
(Omega-3)

Omega-3 Fatty Acid

The Omega-3 Fatty Acid test quantifies the fatty acids present in a sample of a patient’s whole blood. Specific levels of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, specifically Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in the blood hav...
Helping Naturopathic Doctors Gain a Better View of the Health Status of their Patients

Patient Assessment Panels

Patient Assessment Panels enable you to provide your Naturopathic Doctor with a complete picture of your health. Now you can access the blood work required to make informed decisions on how to be your healthiest you!
1. Convenient
2. Comprehensive <...
Personalized Risk Assessment of Prostate Cancer

SelectMDx Testing

Learning you have elevated PSA can be alarming news, but elevated PSA does not mean you have clinically significant disease and require a biopsy or treatment. SelectMDx is a novel decision support tool and provides your urologist with additional important info...
Fecal Calprotectin Testing

Differentiating Between
IBS and IBD

Canada has one of the highest incidence and prevalence rates of inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome in the world. With symptoms of these two conditions appearing similar, Fecal Calprotectin testing can provide an accurate diagnosis in many ...
QuantiFERON®-TB Gold Plus (QFT-Plus)

QUANTIFERON-TB GOLD Plus (FOR TB SCREENING)

QuantiFERON®-TB Gold Plus (QFT-Plus) is a simple blood test that aids in the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacteria which causes tuberculosis (TB). Like its predecessor, QFT-Plus is an interferon gamma release assay, commonly known as an IGRA, ...
Know Your Risk for Heart Attacks

SMARTVascular Dx

The second leading cause of death among Canadians, heart attacks are often a silent killer with no signs or symptoms before they strike. Often resulting from coronary heart disease, heart attacks can be predicted and even prevented if you know and manage your ...
Early Detection of Prostate Cancer

Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test

One in seven men in Canada will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. The third leading cause of cancer death, when prostate cancer is detected early, the more likely it can be successfully treated.
Determine your risk of bone fractures

Osteoporosis

Known as the “silent thief”, osteoporosis is responsible for the loss of bone mass without obvious symptoms until a bone is broken. By knowing your risk through a Serum CTX Test, you can prevent, delay or reduce bone loss.
Early Detection of Cervical Cancer

HPV Testing

About 75% of sexually active women will get a least one HPV infection in their lifetime. With HPV the primary cause of cervical cancer, the HPV test detects the presence of high-risk HPV strain(s).
Diagnosing Celiac Disease

Celiac Disease

Celiac disease can arise at any age creating damage to your intestines and starving your body of critical nutrients. With a range of symptoms commonly associated with other conditions, knowing if you are celiac, or simply have a gluten allergy or intolerance, ...
Detecting Rheumatoid Arthritis

Anti-CCP

The daily pain, stiffness and swelling of rheumatoid arthritis can go undiagnosed for months causing permanent damage to your body. Diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis at its earliest stages can prevent damage and improve long-term quality of life.
Fertility Test

Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH)

With one in six couples across Canada experiencing difficulty in becoming pregnant, AMH levels can provide valuable insight into predicting a response for IVF treatment.
Vitamin Levels

25-Hydroxy Vitamin D Test

Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium and phosphorus and is essential
for proper growth and healthy teeth and bones throughout your life.

Steps for getting tested

What are the testing options

Print this helpful guide and bring it with you to your next doctor’s appointment to discuss available Long COVID testing options.

Print Guide

How are these test performed

Blood and Urine Samples

Individual tests are performed using patients’ Blood and Urine Samples as per their respective laboratory requirements