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Your Lab Results: When They Appear and What They Mean

View your test results and visit summaries in one place. 

Learn when results appear and what to do if you have any questions.

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Explore the Resources and Information Below

Understanding Your Lab Results

Lab results appear in MyChart at different times depending on the type of test and how long the laboratory needs to process the sample. Some tests can be completed very quickly, while others require more time or specialized equipment.

Lab results may appear in MyChart at different times depending on the type of test. Some results may be available the same day, while others may take several days to process. In general, most results appear within 1 to 9 days after your test is completed. You may see results in MyChart before your provider has reviewed them.

Patients may also notice the following when viewing results in MyChart:
  • Pre-Review: In many cases, results are posted to MyChart automatically when they are ready. This means you may see the result before your provider has reviewed it or contacted you.
  • Notifications: If notifications are turned on in MyChart, you may receive an email or mobile alert when new results are available.
  • Accessing Results: Results can usually be viewed in the MyChart test results or health record sections after logging into your account.
  • Limitations: Some test results may not appear in MyChart right away or may require provider review before they are released.
Why This Matters for You: Knowing when results may appear can help you understand what to expect and when it may be appropriate to contact your care team with questions.

Epic is designed to give patients faster access to their health information. Because of this, many results are released to MyChart automatically once the laboratory finishes processing them.

Your provider may still need time to review the results and determine what they mean for your health. Providers look at the full medical picture, including your symptoms, medical history, and other test results, before making recommendations.

Common reasons for this include:
  • Automatic Release: Results are automatically released when the laboratory completes testing.
  • Provider Review Needed: While results are available, providers still need time to interpret them within the context of your overall health, including your symptoms and history.
  • No Follow-Up Required: Some results do not require follow-up if they fall within normal ranges.
  • Treatment Changes or Additional Tests: Your provider may contact you later if treatment changes or additional tests are needed.
If a result requires follow-up care, your care team may contact you with additional instructions. In some cases, results that fall within normal ranges may not require a phone call.

Why This Matters for You: Seeing results early helps you stay informed, but your provider will still review the information and contact you if medical guidance or follow-up care is needed.

Lab results often include numbers, ranges, or medical terms that may be unfamiliar. While these results can give helpful information, they do not always explain what the result means for your specific health situation.

Your provider reviews these results and interprets them based on your overall health, symptoms, and medical history. Even results that appear outside a normal range may not always indicate a serious problem.

It is important to remember that lab results are only one part of your overall care.

When reviewing results, providers consider:
  • Your symptoms and current health concerns.
  • Your medical history and past test results.
  • Normal ranges and what they mean for your situation.
  • Whether additional tests or treatment may be needed.
If you are unsure about a result, it is best to contact your care team rather than trying to interpret it on your own.

Why This Matters for You: Your provider helps explain what your test results mean so you can understand your health and make informed decisions about your care.

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions About Viewing Lab Results

Many results are automatically released in MyChart once they are ready. Your provider may review them later and contact you if follow-up care is needed.

Some results may appear the same day, while others may take several business days depending on the type of test.

If notifications are turned on in MyChart, you may receive an alert when new results are available.

Lab results that are released to MyChart are typically available for you to view for a long period of time. Many results remain in your MyChart record so you can review your health history over time. If you need copies of older results or cannot find a result in MyChart, you can contact your health center or request a copy of your medical record.

Questions About Getting Help

Contact your care team through MyChart messaging or call our Customer Service Center(opens in a new tab) for assistance.

You can contact the Peak Vista Customer Service Center at (719) 632-5700(opens in a new tab).

Visit the Epic & MyChart support page(opens in a new tab) for resources and guidance.