why you always need to look at your lab report yourself
I had labs done a couple weeks ago and got a copy of the lab report from the lab, as I always do. A couple results were missing, and just yesterday I spoke with someone from the lab and learned that something was wrong with the sample for the vitamin K level, so I have to get that one redrawn. Today, someone from my PCP's office called to let me know they got my labs back and they are all "within normal limits." Well, they didn't get the vitamin K level back, which I pointed out to the person on the phone. But if I wasn't on top of it myself, I might just think my vitamin K was fine and not even realize it never got checked.
Kelly
Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.
Things like that make me crazy! I agree with always getting your own copy of the report!
Sorry you have to go back for the redraw.
HW333--SW 289--GW of 160 5' 11" woman. I only know the way I know & when you ask for input/advice, you'll get the way I've been successful through my surgeon & nutritionist. Please consult your surgeon & nutritionist for how to do it their way. Biggest regret? Not doing this 10 years ago! Every day is better than the day before...and it was a pretty great day!
It makes me crazy, too. They didn't even bother to check to make sure they had all the results, but called and told me they were all fine.
Kelly
Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.
Not to mention the fact that the doctor's office doesn't keep track of trends. My iron had dropped consistently every time I had labs drawn and if I had not started taking iron on my own (had not been taking any because i had a hysterectomy), by the time this years labs came around, I would have been anemic (but because the last lab was "normal" but BARELY, they didn't flag it.
Lora
14 years out; 190 pounds lost, 165 pound loss maintained
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.
Oh, I know. And they often say "everything was normal" and when you look at the lab report, something was actually flagged high or low. Which was the case on my recent labs - my B12 was 1800-something, so I am cutting back on my B12. But the PCP's office said everything was "within normal limits." Now, B12 that high isn't dangerous or anything, but they should have let me know if was high and that I could cut back if I wanted.
Kelly
Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.
My PCP's office now uses this fantastic online electronic medical records site that I have access to and I can see my records as they come in to their office. My hospital also uses the same site but unfortunately my bariatric Dr. does not and in Florida only the Dr. that orders the tests get's copies :(.
I also find that doctors can be very inconsistent with ordering labs and interpreting them. And the "normal range" doesn't seem to be the range that we need.
Is there a list somewhere that has all of the lab tests that we should be getting done, along with the results we need to get?
6'3" tall, male.
Highest weight was 475. RNY on 08/21/12. Current weight: 198.
M1 -24; M2 -21; M3 -19; M4 -21; M5 -13; M6 -21; M7 -10; M8 -16; M9 -10; M10 -8; M11 -6; M12 -5.
There is not an official list, no.
Here is a list of what I get checked:
CMP
Lipid Profile
CBC with differential
B12
Bili-direct
Ferritin
Iron/TIBC
PTH
Magnesium
Folate
Thiamine (B1)
B6
Vitamin E
Vitamin K
Uric Acid
Vitamin A
Vitamin D (25 hydroxy)
Zinc
Phosphorus
Copper
Selenium
Prealbumin
Here's a link to a blog post I wrote about the results we need: http://www.gastricbypasscoaching.com/normal-lab-values-after -gastric-bypass-surgery/
You can find more info at vitalady.com and at wlsvitagarten.com.
Kelly
Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.
