Blood test results

[Sandiedc]

So I decided I'm going to take charge off my own destiny etc dramatic independent woman moment... You know how it is.... and have asked for my last two sets of blood tests - have picked them up and guess what, I have no idea what they mean!!

What am I looking for? Can only see my ESR as relevant would they have my RF? And is there anything else? any help greatly appreciated. I am off to teach a middle school 'Rio' from 'Rio' this morning which is slightly embarrassing after last nights football result.....

[allanah]

If you look on the NRAS website they have loads of advice on bold tests xxx nras.org.uk.

[nomoreheels]

I have monthly bloods taken as I take MTX, but mine are written in a drug monitoring record book which I hold. If you wish I could relate what is taken for analysis for that. It's a bit long winded & don't have the time at the mo but if you want them (& the normal values) I will post them later. My RF isn't taken monthly here, though it was included in the 40 odd when my bloods were taken in Spain so don't get why it's not taken here regularly as I did find it a very useful figure to give me a quick indication as to how I was doing.

[earthwitch]

Most test results will give the "normal" range somewhere next to the actual result, so you can see if yours is higher or lower than the normal range. Some labs will report with either an asterisk, or an H (for high) or an L (for low) against abnormal results.

BUT.... an isolated abnormal result isn't usually seen as a problem, and depending on what it is, your doctor may just repeat the test. Also some people naturally fall outside the so-called normal range, and for some things (eg ESR) the normal changes with age. Also, for some things its combinations of results that are significant - so two or more results that are well outside the normal range may be significant, whereas just one might not. Some things are only seen to be significantly high (eg some of the liver function ones) when they get to be two or three times the upper limit of normal, whereas others will be significant if they go just a little bit over.

Keep on getting your results - what is more important is the pattern of change, for example if one particular test just keeps on increasing (or decreasing) every time your bloods are done. Thats useful to ask your doctor about, as they don't always notice slow changes over time when they are just looking at one blood result. Ask your doctor about anything you don't understand in the tests - no point in ever getting all worked up about something only to discover it wasn't significant. Doctors do generally notice abnormal results when they check them, and if they are worried they will do the test again. If they don't then you can usually be reassured its OK.

[Sandiedc]

That's all amazingly helpful thanks very much guys - I'll keep on top of it!

[Coastwalker]

Pop your results up on the 'Thyroid UK' site on here, (Health Unlocked,) go up to 'Communities' on the green bar above and click on it. Many blood tests are read daily by other clever members who are good at reading bloods.