- Who it’s for
- Patients whose care plan includes blood, urine or imaging tests
- Visit length
- Varies by test — ask when booking
- Fasting
- Only if we ask you to fast — plain water is usually fine
- What to bring
- Lab orders, medicine list and any recent outside results
- Insurance
- Most tests billed to insurance — call to confirm your plan
Blood and urine tests
Our on-site lab can run some common tests during your visit. Other tests are sent to an outside laboratory. Tests Dr. Shin may order include:
- Blood sugar tests, such as glucose and A1C, to check for or follow prediabetes and diabetes.
- Cholesterol tests to help estimate your heart disease risk.
- Thyroid tests, such as TSH, when symptoms or a known thyroid condition call for them.
- Liver function tests to check for liver damage or disease, including possible effects of some medicines.
- Urine tests, including urinalysis and urine culture, to look for infection and other problems.
For a blood draw, a small needle collects blood from a vein in your arm. You may feel a quick sting, and there is very little risk.
Getting ready and getting results
Many tests need no preparation. If we ask you to fast, don’t eat or drink anything except plain water, usually for 8 to 12 hours, and keep taking your medicines unless we tell you otherwise. Drinking water can make a blood draw easier.
How long results take depends on the test and the lab. We’ll tell you how and when you’ll hear about your results, and Dr. Shin will explain what they mean for you. Please don’t email questions about results — call us instead.
X-ray and ultrasound
On-site X-ray and ultrasound can help with many common needs at our Torrance office. An X-ray uses a small amount of radiation to make pictures of bones, the chest and other areas. Ultrasound uses sound waves instead of radiation to look at organs and soft tissues: a clear gel goes on your skin, and a handheld probe is moved over the area.
Before an X-ray, tell us if you are or might be pregnant, and remove jewelry or metal from the area being imaged.
MRI and CT scans
When you need an MRI or CT scan, we order it at a nearby imaging center and go over the results with you.
How lab and imaging tests work
Order
Dr. Shin explains why a test is recommended and what it can and can’t show.
Prepare
We tell you whether to fast or do anything else before the test.
Test
Your sample is collected or your images are taken here, or at an outside lab or imaging center.
Review
Dr. Shin goes over your results with you and explains next steps.
Common questions
What are the 5 main tests for full body checkup?
There isn’t one standard set of five tests that everyone needs. Dr. Shin chooses tests based on your age, history, symptoms and risk. For example, the USPSTF recommends diabetes screening for adults 35 to 70 who have overweight or obesity (2021), but found too little evidence to recommend routine thyroid screening in adults without symptoms (2015).
Do I need to fast before a blood test?
Only for some tests, such as certain blood sugar and cholesterol tests. If fasting is needed, we’ll tell you how long, usually 8 to 12 hours. You can drink plain water, but not coffee, juice or soda. Ask us before skipping any medicine.
When will my test results be available?
It depends on the test. Some can be run during your visit, while others go to an outside lab and take longer. We’ll let you know what to expect for your specific tests and how you’ll receive the results, and Dr. Shin will explain what they mean.
Do you do MRI or CT scans?
MRI and CT scans are done at imaging centers that have that equipment. When you need one, Dr. Shin orders it at a nearby imaging center, reviews the report and goes over the results with you, so your care stays coordinated in one place.
Is an X-ray safe?
X-rays use a small amount of radiation, kept to the lowest amount needed to make a clear image. For most X-rays the risk is very low. Tell us if you are or might be pregnant, because unborn babies and young children are more sensitive to radiation.
Important information
- Which tests are done in our office can change. Please call (310) 326-2161 to confirm a test and ask how to prepare.
Sources & further reading
- What You Need to Know About Blood Testing (opens in a new tab) — MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Fasting for a Blood Test (opens in a new tab) — MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Urinalysis (opens in a new tab) — MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Liver Function Tests (opens in a new tab) — MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
- TSH (Thyroid-stimulating hormone) Test (opens in a new tab) — MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
- X-ray (opens in a new tab) — MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Ultrasound (opens in a new tab) — MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes: Screening (2021) (opens in a new tab) — U.S. Preventive Services Task Force
- Thyroid Dysfunction: Screening (2015) (opens in a new tab) — U.S. Preventive Services Task Force
Last updated October 2026. This page is educational and does not replace a visit with a clinician.
