"But my surgeon said to take a couple of Flintstones vitamins and I'll be okay!"

"Full blood panel?" I'm not sure what that means, but get copies of your labs. Make sure they included PTH, ferritin, Vitamin D 25-OH, Vitamin B-12, full CBC, and full CMP, at an absolute minimum.

Thanks.

Yep, every test you mentioned is regularly run. And yep, I get copies. I also get my cholesterol checked as well and all perfect.

Did they check your copper?  Zinc?  Not all docs check those.

Kelly

TIBC (transferritin)?
plasma retinol?
plasma zinc?
copper?
selenium?

Were some of the tubes covered in foil immediately?  Some marked "do not spin"?

And were there something like 7 tubes minimum?


We ask because all too often, people get 2 tubes pulled, typically a CMP and maybe an iron level, and they think this is all there is.  A full panel is really like 7-10 tubes depending on the lab and ordering physician.

Andrea, should they be checking selenium?  Because I don't think many doctors check that.  Most don't check copper, either, unless you ask them too.  I did ask them to check my copper last time I had labs done but did not think to ask for selenium.

Kelly

Once a year, a FULL panel should be pulled, including as many trace elements, especially if one does not have enough nuts in their diet and aren't taking good vites.

OK.... but if I tell the doctor I want a "full panel" does that mean the doctor will include selenium?  "Full panel" isn't really a technical term.  But you are saying that you do recommend we get our selenium checked?

Kelly

I take a list of the labs I want drawn and say "here, draw these" and give them a stink eye.  Generally, they don't complain.

It could be cause they are afraid of me, or of my children.  I'm  not certain which.  Or the fact that I might LEAVE MY CHILDREN THERE.  Which is probably the most likely.  Including the toddler who is in time-out right now for shoving her brother off the couch.

I've printed out the recommended list (found here) and I hand it to my doctor when they're about to write up my script for blood work and they comply.  I've never had them give me any guff about it.

-Cyn

You are right about  the labs, in fact I wish I could find the paper that says exactly what's to be checked.  It's a huge list, and the results are long....BUT it's complete and checks everything!

Checking iron and albumin and others alone isn't enough.

I was surprised how many tube they pulled that time, but everything was checked.  Including the test where the blood can't be exposed to light.

I'm thankful and now feel blessed that my surgeon's office has made wonderful recommendations!