FYI - normal lab values

It's always a good idea to get a copy of the lab report when you have labs done. Doctors will sometimes tell you your labs are good when they really aren't, plus if you see the numbers yourself you can track trends. Like if you get your iron tested today and it's still in the normal range but it's dropped a lot since you had labs done three months ago, you'd want to start taking more iron. Docs usually will not tell you if it's dropped, just that it's normal now.

I have a spreadsheet I use to track my results.  I’d be happy to send anyone a copy if you want.  Pam has one on her blog you can download too.  Andrea sells a lab tracker workbook that includes all kinds of interesting info about labs and also has places to track your results.  Of course you can devise your own system, as well.

So look at your lab report. They are really easy to read and you don't need any special medical knowledge to read them. Your lab report will list the normal ranges and on mine, if something is high or low, they have it in bold type and put a big H or L next to it so it's easy to spot.

The normal values they list will all be accurate except two. You want to pay close attention to those two.

It will say something like 211-911 for B12 and you really want your B12 to be about 900-1000, but it's OK up to 2000. Below 550, people get symptoms like depression and fatigue. Below 400, people get permanent nerve damage in their hands and feet. I have no clue why they list it normal below that.

It will say something like 30-80 for vitamin D but you really want your D about 80-100.  Lower than that, we are at increased risk for things like osteoporosis, heart disease and some cancers.

Most other things, like iron and ferritin and protein, etc, you want near the top of the normal range.

Your PTH, you'd rather have near the bottom of the normal range.

This is all true for all people, not just those that had RNY.

I would love to have a copy of your spreadsheet.....just let me know how to get it .   Thanks !!!!

Just PM me your email address.  I don't think I can PM it to you, I don't see any way to attach something.

I just meant send it to me  privately so you didn't have to post if for everyone to see if you didn't want to.  I've sent it now, so you can delete it here if you're concerned about privacy.  I'm sure not everyone worries about that stuff like I do, though.

Thank you again for posting valuable information.

Case in point - I had a bone density done.  Gynecologist (who ordered the test) called and said it was normal.  I asked a copy to be sent to me. 

It is within the normal range - but has decreased considerably since the last one.  I took the results to endocrinologist and he was concerned and ordered further testing and it shows I am losing bone and have increased a couple supplements.

That "within normal limits" is just not a good enough answer for bariatric surgery patients.  We have to be our own advocates.

Thanks, Kelly.

It seems to be very, very rare for them to tell you if something has fallen, as long as it's still in the "normal" range.  That's where they spreadsheet comes in so handy.  It's so easy to see if stuff is going up or down.

I would like a copy of that spreadsheet too. I am new to this and want to stay on top of things as much as possible. Just send it to [email protected] and I'm not worried about people having that e-mail address.

Tracy

Yep, my B12 is 210 and listed as normal. After you told me to get it taken care of ASAP, I even called my PCP back about this on Friday and she said that I was not deficient and to quit worrying. However, I took my first B12 injection yesterday and plan on those weekly for at least four weeks