Vitamin Question

I am due for a new set of labs. And they do take about 10-14 vials of blood.  is there a list of specifics I can ask for maybe in more detail than the labs ive been getting? 

If they're taking about 14 tubes of blood, they are doing a full set of labs.  the number of tubes may vary a little bit from lab to lab because they can do more than one test on one tube, but depending on the lab, they may draw them a little bit different.

Do you get a copy of your lab report?  that's something I really encourage everyone to do because sometimes docs aren't real good at reviewing them.  I've had them tell me everything was fine when some things were clearly flagged as high or low, etc.

Just wanted to add to everyones great posts...Here is a sample of all the tests you SHOULD be getting, make sure you are being drawn for these...

COMPREHENSIVE METABOLIC PROFILE

LIPID PROFILE

Prealbumin *ONLY IF PROTEIN DEFICIENCY SUSPECT*

CBC w/ diff

B-12 & FOLATE, B-6 & Thiamine (B-1)

IRON, TIBC, % SAT, FERRITIN (this is iron stores)

VITAMIN A, E*not always & D (25-hydroxy)

THYROID PANEL (T3, T4, TSH)*only initially unless suspect.

ZINC, MAGNESIUM, Selenium, Copper

SERUM INTACT PTH

Homocystine, MMA **these are for more definite B12 issues not always needed

HGB A1C (only if diabetic or suspected)

DEXA SCAN every 1-2 years depends on results!

Diagnosis:

579.3 post-surgical malabsorption

268 vitamin D deficiency

269.2 hypovitaminosis

268.2 metabolic bone disease

244.9 hypothyroidism

401.9 hypertension

*This is courtesy of LIPO  (Long Island) Nassau meeting.  

Thanks Just Ducky , I am getting those tests, so thats good to know. Except I do not know what a DEXA SCAN is??? Can you fill me in on that a bit more??? 

A DEXA scan is a bone density scan. It's a unique type of x-ray to check your bones. Ideally, you would have one done before surgery, then every two years after, and track if your bone density is stable, or drops.

The calcium result in your bloodwork doesn't tell much. It says if the calcium level in your blood is ok, and almost always is. That's because your heart, among other things, needs calcium, and if your body isn't getting enough from food or supplements, it will leach it from your bones. So if the calcium in your blood is ok, you might still be losing bone mass to supply it. In this case the PTH blood test is more important. Generally speaking, you want this number to be on the low end. If it is high, it can mean you are losing bone mass to supply your body with calcium.

The DEXA scan shows how your bones are trending over time, and whether you need to increase your calcium intake.

Don't mess around with calcium. It's one of those things that gets really really hard to reverse as you get older. You may stop the loss, but won't build new bone to replace what was lost.

Thank you for that info grim traveler.  Something I am gonna have to ask for from my doc.  

Thank you Poet kelly. Yes i always get a copy of my results from the Dr. I keep them on file. The last set i did the only level that was low was my Vitamin C. That was almost a year ago. So I know i need to get in for new labs. 

I would also suggest a spreadsheet.  I also see an endocrinologist and an integrative physician in addition to the bariatric doctor.  I have my labs listed by date in columns by year.  I can look at a specific lab value and see the "trend".  It is very helpful.  I take the spreadsheet to each appointment and often the doctor wants to see it because it helps them to know if there is a "trend" and they can be more specific about what other testing may be necessary.

Also, do some research on your own and bring recommendations to the physician.  Most times they answer my questions and order testing because I seem to be somewhat knowledgable.

Best wishes, Penny