How It Works
Walk In
Quick Blood Draw
Results in 48-72 Hours
What does the QuantiFERON Gold Test Detect?
The QuantiFERON Gold TB test (sometimes called QFT or TB-Gold) is a modern blood test that detects whether you've been exposed to tuberculosis bacteria. It takes just 1 simple 15-minute visit, and you never have to come back for a check. You do not need an appointment or a doctor's order to walk right into our Mesa lab. We draw your blood quickly, and your secure results are sent straight to you via our secure patient portal in 48 to 72 hours.
Why People Choose the TB Gold Blood Test?
QuantiFERON Gold is the right TB test for healthcare workers, nursing students, and anyone on a tight clearance timeline. It's a one-visit blood draw—no return trip 48-72 hours later for a skin reading.
Your test results will be sent to you through our secure patient portal within 48-72 hours.
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For anyone with a prior BCG vaccination, QuantiFERON Gold avoids the false-positive risk the skin test carries.
It also skips the placement injection, the return visit, and the chance of missing the 48- to 72-hour reading window, which would require starting the whole process over.
How the QuantiFERON Gold Test Works
QuantiFERON Gold is an IGRA test—an Interferon-Gamma Release Assay.
It works by measuring how your immune system reacts to small pieces of the TB bacteria in a controlled lab environment.
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Here's what happens after your blood draw:
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The sample is split into three tubes. Each tube contains a different substance: one with proteins specific to TB bacteria, one with a general immune response trigger, and one with nothing (the control).
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The lab measures interferon-gamma. This is an immune-system chemical your white blood cells release when they recognize an infection they've seen before.
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Your results compare the three tubes. If your white blood cells release significantly more interferon-gamma when exposed to TB proteins than to the control tube, the test reads positive—your body has been exposed to TB bacteria at some point.
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The test detects exposure with about 95% sensitivity and 98% specificity in adults with healthy immune systems. Because QuantiFERON measures your immune response to TB-specific proteins (not the broader response triggered by BCG vaccination), it gives a much more accurate reading for anyone with a prior BCG history.
TB QuantiFERON Gold FAQ
What's the difference between a TB skin test and QuantiFERON Gold? The TB skin test (PPD) requires two visits — one to place the injection and another 48-72 hours later to read the result. The QuantiFERON Gold blood test is one visit. We draw a single tube of blood and send it to the lab. Results post to your patient portal in 24-48 hours. QuantiFERON is also unaffected by BCG vaccination, while the skin test often produces false positives in BCG-vaccinated individuals.
Do I need an appointment for a TB QuantiFERON Gold blood test? No. We're a walk-in lab — no appointment, no doctor's order, no insurance card required. Walk in Monday through Friday, 7 AM to 5 PM. Most QuantiFERON visits take about 15 minutes from check-in to the blood draw, and your results are sent to your patient portal within 48-72 hours. You can also book online if you prefer
How fast can I get my QuantiFERON Gold results? Results are typically sent to your secure patient portal in 48-72 hours after your blood draw. For nursing students, healthcare workers, or anyone needing TB clearance on a tight timeline, this is significantly faster than the 2-visit skin test process.