All Tests, Immunity & Infectious Disease
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Tuberculosis (TB) Blood Test

$ 149.0
$149

Screen for a Tuberculosis infection with a simple, convenient blood test.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a highly contagious bacterial disease caused by infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and is typically spread person-to-person through coughing or sneezing. Tuberculosis mainly attacks the lungs but can also infect other parts of the body such as the brain, spine, and kidneys.1 

 

The Labcorp OnDemand QuantiFERON™ Tuberculosis Blood Test can help find out if you have ever been exposed to TB bacteria or if you need evidence of a negative TB test.

 

Note: This screening test is not intended to be used to diagnose a latent TB infection or active TB disease. This test is not recommended for people with any active TB symptoms such as a cough for more than 2 weeks, fevers, night sweats, weight loss. You should contact your provider for next steps if you have TB symptoms.

Tuberculosis (TB) Blood Test
$ 149.0
$149

Test Details

Sample Type: Blood
Collection Method: In person at a Labcorp location
Age: 18+
Results: 2-5 days from when your sample arrives at our lab.
HSA/FSA: Accepted
Test must be taken by purchaser

Preparation: Vaccines (such as MMR, Varicella, Yellow Fever) may affect test results. It is recommended to either get the TB blood test the same day as vaccination or wait 4-6 weeks after getting the vaccine. 

Why Consider This Test

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Greater risk of exposure?

You should consider a blood test for TB if you work in a high-risk setting (correctional facilities, healthcare settings, nursing homes, shelters, etc.) and/or recently relocated or traveled to an area with high rate of TB disease (most countries in Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and Russia). 

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Need proof of negative results?

Proof of negative results is commonly a requirement for work, school or travel.

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Risk factors for TB

Medical conditions that weaken the immune system—such as, HIV infection, diabetes or cancer—may increase your likelihood of developing TB. This also includes people receiving medical treatments with corticosteroids or specialized treatment for rheumatoid arthritis or Crohn’s disease. Talk to your provider to determine if this test is right for you.2

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Accurate and reliable solution

The TB blood test is the preferred TB test to find out if you have been exposed to TB bacteria. Unlike the TB skin test, it eliminates the need for a second visit and is the preferred TB test for those who have been vaccinated against Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG).

References:

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Basic TB Facts. March 20, 2016. https://www.cdc.gov/tb/about. Accessed April 18, 2023.

2. CDC. TB Risk Factors. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. March 18, 2016. https://www.cdc.gov/tb/risk-factors. Accessed May 5, 2023.

3. CDC. IGRAs – Blood Tests for TB Infection Fact Sheet. May 4, 2016. https://www.cdc.gov/tb/hcp/testing-diagnosis/interferon-gamma-release-assay.html. Accessed April 19, 2023.

4, 5. CDC. Testing for TB Infection. April 14, 2016. https://www.cdc.gov/tb/testing. Accessed April 18, 2023.

6. CDC. TB Screening and Testing of Health Care Personnel. August 30. 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/tb/topic/testing/healthcareworkers.htm. Accessed April 21, 2023.

What's Tested
  • Interferon-Gamma Release Assay (IGRA) Blood Test

    The QuantiFERON™ TB test is an Interferon-Gamma Release Assay (IGRA) blood test that measures a person’s immune reactivity to M. tuberculosis.3

How It Works

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Purchase Your Test

Simply purchase this test online. A healthcare provider will review and approve your test requests; no healthcare provider visit is required.
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Provide Your Sample

Visit a Labcorp location near you for sample collection. Visits may be scheduled online.
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Get Your Results

View your easy-to-read results online in your Labcorp Patient™ account, including Linked Accounts. For certain results that require prompt attention, you will also be contacted by phone or mail.

Patient Service Centers

Labs in more than 2,000 locations across the country.

Find a Location Near You
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FAQ

  • This blood test screens for TB but does not diagnose active TB disease or latent TB infection. Your test results will come back either positive, negative or indeterminate:

     

    • Positive TB blood test: This result suggests that M. tuberculosis infection is likely. You should contact your provider for next steps. Your healthcare provider may recommend additional tests and exams to confirm if you have an active TB disease or latent TB infection.4
    • Negative TB blood test: This result suggests that M. tuberculosis infection is unlikely. Although rare, some people who are immunocompromised (meaning a weakened immune system), may have false-negative results. 5
    • Indeterminate: This result indicates uncertain likelihood of tuberculosis infection and may warrant a repeat test. 

  • Some people who have been exposed to TB may not become sick and show symptoms, meaning they have a latent TB infection. However, those who do become sick and experience symptoms have an active TB disease.

     

    Symptoms of an active TB disease may include:

    • Fever
    • Night sweats
    • A long-lasting cough that may bring up bloody mucus
    • Chest pain
    • Unexplained weight loss
    • Loss of appetite
    • Weakness or fatigue

     

    This test is not recommended for people with any active TB symptoms such as cough for more than 2 weeks, fevers, night sweats, or weight loss. You should contact your provider for next steps if you have TB symptoms.

  • Per CDC guidelines:

     

    Certain people should be tested for TB infection because they are at higher risk for being infected with TB bacteria, including:

     

    • People who have spent time with someone who has TB disease
    • People from a country where TB disease is common (most countries in Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and Russia)
    • People who live or work in high-risk settings (for example: correctional facilities, long-term care facilities or nursing homes, and shelters)
    • Healthcare workers who care for patients at increased risk for TB disease

     

    TB screening is often required before starting a new job or attending a new school. TB tests may also be required before or after travel to certain locations. Double-check requirements for school, work and travel to see if you need to be screened.

  • TB tests are generally not needed for people with a low risk of infection with TB bacteria.

     

    CDC recommends annual TB screening for healthcare personnel at an increased occupational risk for TB exposure or in certain settings if transmission has occurred in the past (e.g., emergency departments).5

  • The QuantiFERON™ TB Gold Plus test screens for tuberculosis and is recommended by the CDC as an alternative to the tuberculosis skin test (TST). The blood test is a modern alternative and offers quicker, more reliable and accurate results in comparison to the skin test:

     

    • TB Blood Test: A sample of blood is tested in a lab to find out how strongly the immune system reacts to TB bacteria.
    • TB Skin Test (TST): A small amount of substance called purified protein derivative (PPD) is injected under your skin by a health care professional. If exposed to TB bacteria, a red, raised bump appears on your skin at the injection site. A TB skin test requires two visits with a health care professional. 

  • Check out the following trusted resources:

     

    1. Labcorp. https://files.labcorp.com/labcorp-d8/2019-08/L12082-0717-2.pdf. 2023. 
    2. CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/tb/communication-resources/tuberculosis-fact-sheet.html October 28, 2011. 

  • Your testing will be performed in a CLIA-certified clinical laboratory. Labcorp provides leading-edge medical laboratory tests and services through a national network of primary clinical laboratories and specialty testing laboratories. Our labs perform regular quality assurance testing to ensure our results are accurate.

  • Your results will be provided to you through our secure online portal to view or print. Results are also made available through a secure portal to the independent healthcare provider who placed your test order.  If you are accessing your results through your Labcorp Patient™ account, all users linked to the account will have access to all OnDemand test results. Results may also be provided to a local, state, and/or federal health authority; for example, many states require the testing laboratory and physician to report test results for certain communicable diseases, such as COVID-19, to local or state health departments.  

     

    If you have questions or comments regarding the Labcorp Notice of Privacy Practices, or have a complaint about our use or disclosure of your PHI or our privacy practices, please contact: privacyofficer@labcorp.com, call us at (877) 234-4722 (877-23-HIPAA) and ask for the Labcorp HIPAA Privacy Officer, or send a written request to: HIPAA Privacy Officer, Labcorp, 531 South Spring Street, Burlington, NC 27215. You also may file a complaint with the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

  • Visit the Labcorp OnDemand® website to browse and purchase laboratory tests and create your Labcorp Patient™ account to view your results. All Labcorp OnDemand testing requires an order from an authorized healthcare professional. For your convenience, Labcorp OnDemand has contracted with independent professional entities (collectively, Providers) to deliver healthcare provider services. Visit a Labcorp location for sample collection; or, if using an at-home collection kit, collect your sample yourself. We’ll let you know when your results are ready and can be accessed through your Labcorp Patient™ account.

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