Do others have annual blood tests to check their liver and kidneys? Last week I was called back because my serum creatinine was abnormal. Second test reveals it has just crept back into normal range but my serum urea remains well over range.
Nothing from the surgery yet. Should I poke a stick in the hornets nest?
Di
I get 6 monthly checks as just been returned to the care of my GP. when under the care of the cardiologist in the hospital I had just been put onto annual checks. So far the tests have not shown any problems. I would definitely be proactive and "poke a stick in the hornets nest" but that's me.
I have annual full blood tests by my surgery. Normally during the month of my birthday. Currently expecting telephone report on Monday am.
I had a quick look on Patient Access.
Yes Di, for those on DOAC’s it is important to have regular blood tests particularly to check the kidney function. As I understand it, it’s not because DOAC’s can adversely effectively these organs, it’s because it’s because the unwanted chemicals leave the body via the kidneys. I’m not sure what the situation is regarding Warfarin. Below is a link to the NICE guidelines, if you take a DOAC, just click on the appropriate type and scroll down.....
cks.nice.org.uk/anticoagula...
Personally, I would contact the surgery to make sure all is in order.
Will do!
Thanks v. much for the link. I am over 75 and NICE says I should have 6 monthly blood tests. My recent LFT results had a couple which were a bit above normal and ticked as no further action on line. I usually just look on line but may play dumb and ask to chat to GP.
Have they asked for a another retest? If they are at all concerned they will ask for repeat test and also a urine sample. I have these test every 3 months, reduced because of COVID from monthly and had to do a few repeat test + urine but nothing untoward happened as levels went back to normal over a 4-6 week period.
Personally - I would check with the surgery because sometimes things do get overlooked so I would ask if the GP had seen and cleared the test and if a repeat would be useful and you are concerned, if nothing else to ease your concerns.
Just had the two tests but results only yesterday. Looking at the bruises on my arm, I wouldn’t want too many of them!
I get blood tests done every 6 months ,at my instigation after reading on here. GP never argued about me requesting them but I'm never sent letters about them !
On edoxaban so annual tests, I have to request them.
I’m on Dabigatran
Yes. I thought mine should be annual, but it's meant to be every six months. I'm due to go in for a colonoscopy (yet again) this month and the nurse reminded me that I need to have a creatine blood test beforehand, so that will be next Monday.
On Apixaban & get a letter to go in for a blood test every 6 months
Hi-I'm on Apixaban and I get an annual blood test which I have to request. This year my GP rang me up and said my cholesterol was high-it was 5.1, last year it was 5.2 She said I should be on a statin because of my AFib and high blood pressure ( controlled) I said i would prefer to try and reduce my cholesterol through my diet and she accepted this but told me i must have another test in 6 months. Interestingly she gave me no advice about how I could do this or the optimum level of cholesterol I should be aiming for. I have since discovered that GPs get paid for each patient who goes on statins.
My doctor told me there is no cholesterol range on the blood test sheet. This is in Canada. Ask the doctor to show you the expected range on the recommended blood test range sheet. There may be none and maybe what the doctor tells you is just a guess. If it is a guess, then the guess should be patient relevant and not just the usual guess.
Apparently, the brain is 75% cholesterol and plaque does not contain cholesterol one supposedly qualified doctor stated in a YouTube video. The liver makes cholesterol if you need it. So drugs to reduce it and the question I would ask is where is it being reduced and really why. If the brain has this much, you probably don't want it reduced too much in the brain. Maybe this is why there is some thought that statins cause Alzheimers.
Maybe someone more knowledgeable than me will comment.
Thank you EngMac. I need to investigate this further. Thanks for the useful info. I'm not going on statins unless i absolutely have to.
Sounds like your surgery is not always on point so you might need to be chasing them.
My surgery are dreadful but I just had to congratulate them for their handling of Covid vaccination. Just brilliant!
Taking two diuretics would likely impact on your renal tests. I believe creatinine is a better guide to renal function and that a normal creatinine with raised urea could indicate dehydration.
Since your urea is well over range, I think you could reasonably ask for a repeat in a couple of weeks. I doubt that would activate any nasty stingy things, I think they are still biding their time.
I am on apixaban and have to remind the surgery about the annual blood tests.
As long as they don’t get to my fiddled thyroid results! 🙄
Oh, do share...
As if .....!
I have regular blood tests and take rivaoxaban. I also had same feedback last time re creatinine. Told to have a second test in a couple of months time. Check with you medic, always follow up if anything is out of range but my gp usually chases me anyway.
After my first blood test my creatinine was up so surgery sent me for another two weeks later. Creatinine just below top of range but urea racing away now.
I am supposed to but I generally have to remind them. They don't seem to mind!
I have annual blood tests because a DOAC. It’s usually February and surgery have been great in calling me in. If I’ve had hospital appointment around the same time and they’ve done bloods then they don’t. Seems like they are on the ball. X
I’m on Apixaban and told to have blood test six monthly. However when I went for it last week the nurse struggled to get enough blood. I phoned for results and was told liver function was normal but that the blood had clotted in second phial and was unusable. I’ve got to be retested next week. I find this strange considering I’m on anticoagulant! Any thoughts please?
A big Thankyou for all the moral support
What tests to get from new cardiologist? 
Calcichew for selftesters
up date on Potassium effects!!
