Current promotion
Tuberculosis (TB) Blood Test: QuantiFERON Gold Plus Screening
A single-visit, FDA-approved blood screening for immune markers associated with latent and active TB infection.
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QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus listed at $119.96 (regular $149.95, save $29.99), promotional pricing at time of writing.
At a glance
The QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus is an FDA-approved blood test that screens for immune-system markers associated with latent and active tuberculosis (TB) infection. It requires a single lab visit, no skin test or return appointment, and is commonly used by healthcare workers, travelers, and anyone with known or suspected TB exposure. Secure results are delivered online, ready to review with your doctor.
Best suited for
- Healthcare workers and caregivers who need periodic TB screening
- Travelers returning from regions where TB is more common
- Anyone with known or suspected close contact with a person with TB
- People with a persistent cough, night sweats, fatigue, or unexplained weight loss who want results to review with their doctor
- Those who received the BCG vaccine and want a screening option that is not affected by it
What's included
QuantiFERON®-TB Gold Plus (QFT-Plus) Tuberculosis Blood Test
The importance of testing
Tuberculosis can persist in the body as a latent infection that produces no symptoms, which is why screening matters even when you feel well. The QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus (QFT-Plus) measures interferon-gamma released by your immune cells in response to TB antigens, a marker associated with both latent and active TB infection.
Compared with the traditional skin test, the blood-based approach has practical advantages noted on the partner page: it requires only one lab visit rather than a return appointment to have the result read, and it is not affected by prior BCG vaccination, a common cause of false-positive skin tests.
This screening is frequently used by people with a higher likelihood of exposure, healthcare workers, recent travelers, and close contacts of someone with TB, as well as those noticing a persistent cough, fatigue, night sweats, or unintended weight loss. A screening result is a data point, not a medical conclusion: bring any positive or borderline result to your doctor, who can order confirmatory evaluation and advise on next steps.
According to the partner lab, secure online results for most tests are typically available within 24-48 hours, and more than 2,100 collection locations are available nationwide, so the screening is straightforward to fit into a busy schedule.
Promo code
ULTA1FF4Save 20% with code ULTA1FF4, current promotion; confirm final pricing on the partner page.
Ready to get your numbers? Order online, visit a nearby draw site, and receive private results to review with your doctor.
Order NowFrequently asked questions
Can I order a TB blood test without a doctor's visit?
Yes, through the partner lab you can order the QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus online yourself and complete it in a single lab visit, with no referral appointment or return visit required. Secure results are posted online, and you can then share them with your own doctor for interpretation and any follow-up.
What does the QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus test measure?
It measures interferon-gamma released by your immune cells when they are exposed to TB antigens, an immune-response marker associated with both latent and active tuberculosis infection. The panel is listed as 1 test covering 5 biomarkers, and it uses a standard blood draw rather than an injection under the skin.
How is this blood test different from the TB skin test?
The blood test requires only one lab visit, while the skin test requires a return appointment to have the result read. According to the partner page, the QFT-Plus also offers greater specificity and sensitivity and avoids false positives caused by prior BCG vaccination, which can affect skin-test results.
Does this test screen for latent TB as well as active TB?
Yes, the QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus screens for immune markers associated with both latent and active TB infection, including infections that are not causing symptoms. Any positive or borderline result should be reviewed with your doctor, who can arrange confirmatory evaluation.
How quickly will I get my TB test results?
For most tests, the partner lab reports that secure online results are typically available within 24-48 hours. Testing is available at more than 2,100 collection locations nationwide.
Is direct-to-consumer TB testing available in every state?
No, direct-to-consumer lab testing is restricted or prohibited in New York, New Jersey, and Rhode Island, so residents of those states may be blocked at the partner's checkout. If you live in one of these states, ask your doctor or local health department about TB screening options.
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