This is just something I was thinking about yesterday, after reading some posts. I was wondering how many people actually see or get the results of their blood work? I was diagnosed in 1988, and in all these years, have only gotten copies of my blood work once, and that was probably an accident. My first GI would tell me things, like, my white count was high, etc. The GI I have now doesn't offer them up either. Just noticing that alot of people on here seem to know numbers, and what the numbers mean. Possibly I was just diagnosed too long ago, there are more things looked at now. Hmmmm.......:confused2:
Do you get your blood work results?
- Thread starter CLynn
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I would request your records. I felt bad doing this for some reason but when I talked to the nurse she said it was actually very important information for me to have if we were traveling and my son needed medical attention.
If you feel like after 20 plus years there would be too much info in that file I would definetly ask for a copy of the last years blood draws or tests. The information I found in my son's records was very helpful.
If you feel like after 20 plus years there would be too much info in that file I would definetly ask for a copy of the last years blood draws or tests. The information I found in my son's records was very helpful.
My first GI left Missouri to practice in GA. I so wish that he would have left me my whole file, it was nearly 6 inches thick. My new GI has nothing to go on as far as my history, my meds, etc. So I think I will start requesting copies of my blood work at least, and see if I can get other things too. It's maddening.
We have a patient portal that I can log onto and look at my son's bloodwork results. It stores all labs from the past and you can compare them to track your progress. I want to know EXACT numbers! Just a part of my controlling OCD behavior I guess
Well I normally am too, but my first GI was so OCD himself, took such good care of me and explained anything I ever asked (sometimes even more than he needed to) that I never felt the need. Was to in shock at the news he was leaving to think to ask for my file. My new GI was very frustrated to have no history to fall back on.
DustyKat
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I ask for copies of everything...blood tests, imaging, doctors letters...the lot. One of the reasons I also ask for doctors letters, as in specialist to GP and so on , is they generally contain recommendations/instructions about care and basically sum up the visit nicely.
I understand what you are saying about your old GI hun and there is nothing wrong with what you did, you were fully informed and and as you say, you therefore never felt the need. It's a shame about the file but now that you have a new GI start requesting copies of everything.
Dusty. xxx
I understand what you are saying about your old GI hun and there is nothing wrong with what you did, you were fully informed and and as you say, you therefore never felt the need. It's a shame about the file
but now that you have a new GI start requesting copies of everything. Dusty. xxx
David
Co-Founder
I've gone ahead and added an actual poll to the thread as well
I personally think it's incredibly important to get test results. It allows you to advocate for yourself, correlate how you feel with numbers, etc. For example, let's say your B12 is 300 and you know from having results from the past that when it gets down to 290 or below you start to feel bad. But "normal" according to many doctors is 200 and above. You request a B12 shot and the doctor says, "You don't need it you're normal" but since you know better, you can argue in your favor.
There's just so many possibilities and since this is (at present) a lifelong, chronic disease, I think it's best to play an active role in its management.
I personally think it's incredibly important to get test results. It allows you to advocate for yourself, correlate how you feel with numbers, etc. For example, let's say your B12 is 300 and you know from having results from the past that when it gets down to 290 or below you start to feel bad. But "normal" according to many doctors is 200 and above. You request a B12 shot and the doctor says, "You don't need it you're normal" but since you know better, you can argue in your favor.
There's just so many possibilities and since this is (at present) a lifelong, chronic disease, I think it's best to play an active role in its management.
Catherine
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I now ask for copies of all results.
My daughter had pelvic ultrasound in June 2011. We were told by the GP that the ultrasound was clear. In way it was as did not show a Ovrian cyst..
At this time they give dx of ibs.
Yes are bits of the report I don't understand but the last line is quite clear.
"if inflammatory bowel disease is a clincial possiblity then perhaps MR enterography should be consider"
My daughter illness, lot steady worse over the next 7 months. And this is report that led to Sarah having an urgent colonscopy.
Maybe this explains my trust issues with doctors.
My daughter had pelvic ultrasound in June 2011. We were told by the GP that the ultrasound was clear. In way it was as did not show a Ovrian cyst..
At this time they give dx of ibs.
Yes are bits of the report I don't understand but the last line is quite clear.
"if inflammatory bowel disease is a clincial possiblity then perhaps MR enterography should be consider"
My daughter illness, lot steady worse over the next 7 months. And this is report that led to Sarah having an urgent colonscopy.
Maybe this explains my trust issues with doctors.
Oh yes, definitely get copies of ALL test results and blood tests. I really do not even think doctors really look at them half the time or they just scan over them quickly. I also have HUGE trust issues with western medicine. I have been sick for 9 years and have learned just how screwed up the western medical field is. It scares the crap out of me knowing that we have to rely on doctors for help.... Unfortunately, the good one are very far and few inbetween. After seeing my mom pass away and seeing what I have gone through in the last 9 years with doctors, my own dad who is going to be 67 this July will not set foot in a doctors office anymore. He said they are all idiots and they only cause more damage to people. ( this is true in alot of ways unfortunately).....
mikeyarmo
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In the past I have not asked for a copy of the result of my blood work, but for the first time I have requested a copy of the bloodwork I had performed last week.
Similar to what others have posted, I want the ability to track my own results as even though a test might come back normal, there could still be a significant change over a previous test or over a period of time.
I should get my first results later this week!
Similar to what others have posted, I want the ability to track my own results as even though a test might come back normal, there could still be a significant change over a previous test or over a period of time.
I should get my first results later this week!
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I keep copies of all my medical records. I had issues with a psych dr. and have been neurotic about copies of everything since. I used to have to ask for copies, once had to pay a .30 cent copy fee or something, kind of a pain. Now my hospital system has everything online, ready to be printed out. It's new and not perfect, but it will be nice when it works right.
I'd at least get copies from your GI of all your paperwork. After the tornado they couldn't get mine for 2 weeks, and I was really glad I had them. If I ever have to try to get disability I'm sure having everything here will help with the paperwork too.
I'd at least get copies from your GI of all your paperwork. After the tornado they couldn't get mine for 2 weeks, and I was really glad I had them. If I ever have to try to get disability I'm sure having everything here will help with the paperwork too.
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I can understand that. Until I had problems I always thought the Dr.'s would take care of that and not leave me hanging out there. It's one of those things that doesn't seem like an concern until a problem comes up.
I'd track down your GI and call them and ask nicely for copies of every record they have on you. Your new GI. might have already requested them, but I'd ask for a copy of my own for personal records.
I asked the new GI's office for copies of my bloodwork faxed to me yesterday. They had no problem and faxed to work for me within 3 hours. It will be my standard procedure now on. Going to call the GP who ordered bloodwork for me this fall, it was more of a complete work up, so will have more on it I think. The GI's is just CBC with/Auto Diff....whatever that means, lol! I see a few things that list me as high or low, but no idea what most of them are, with exception of WBC, I know that's my white blood cell count.
David
Co-Founder
If you want to post any specifics and the lab's reference ranges, I'm sure someone can help explain things
Well, the WBC was high, expected that. Not sure my B-12 was measured on this one, don't see it. I had 4 things listed as "high" and one as "low".
MPV 9.5 H (L=7.0 H=8.2)
% Neut 80.6 H (L=36.0 H=66.0)
# Neut 10.6 H x10^3 (L=2.10 H=6.5)
% Lymph 12.0 L (L=24.0 H=44.0)
MPV 9.5 H (L=7.0 H=8.2)
% Neut 80.6 H (L=36.0 H=66.0)
# Neut 10.6 H x10^3 (L=2.10 H=6.5)
% Lymph 12.0 L (L=24.0 H=44.0)
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Hi CLynn,
The W.B.Count totals all the types of white blood cells; neutrophils, lymphocytes, moncytes, basophils and eosinophils.
High neutrophil count can indicate inflammation.
The lymphocyte percentage can be lower simply because there are more white cells overall, so the proportion of them is therefore lower. They may also have listed them as a count?
Blood contains red cells, white cells, and platelets.The MPV is the mean platelet volume. This is actually a measurement of the size of the platelets. Higher MPV can indicate some anemia, or inflammation (surprise!)
The W.B.Count totals all the types of white blood cells; neutrophils, lymphocytes, moncytes, basophils and eosinophils.
High neutrophil count can indicate inflammation.
The lymphocyte percentage can be lower simply because there are more white cells overall, so the proportion of them is therefore lower. They may also have listed them as a count?
Blood contains red cells, white cells, and platelets.The MPV is the mean platelet volume. This is actually a measurement of the size of the platelets. Higher MPV can indicate some anemia, or inflammation (surprise!)
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I have Kaiser insurance and they have their own website. When you sign up for it you can get email notification that your lab tests are in; when you sign in you can see almost all of your results. I get my complete blood count and urinalysis almost immediately, I get CRP, ESR and ALT in a few days.
I just picked up the results from my gp, from a blood draw at the end of Sept. the first results were from January. The gp's work up was more detailed, and looked at more. The lymp (it says "absolute lymphocytes) had a count as well, 1610, but then the percent was 14.5. I don't even see MPV on the gp's results. Thanks so much for explaining! :kiss:
You don't get them routinely on the NHS for the simple fact that if your not medical they presume they don't mean much, you are told if the are high, low or normal. If you request them though you should be given them or an interpretation of certain results. Any tests you get done privately you are given plus the actual scans, x-rays etc etc as you own them. I don't always ask for exact results or copies of everything but I always get exact blood results.
David
Co-Founder
TPMT is a very specialized test. It is conducted if your doctor is going to put you on a thiopurine such as Imuran or 6MP. It wouldn't be added in normal blood tests.
David
Co-Founder
Yes, it is supposed to be done prior to commencing treatment of Azathioprine otherwise the results will be skewed. Not all doctors do it, but it's recommended. Once on the thiopurine, then blood levels such as what you posted above are tested regularly to make sure the drugs aren't causing bad side effects.
David
Co-Founder
Catherine, I assume she had the TPMT genetics test done then? If it was the enzyme levels it would have been thrown off by the Azathioprine already in her system.
