ESR tests

[Wobbies]

Have monthly ESR tests at GP and 8 weekly ESR tests at hospital. The GP tests always come in about 20 points higher that hospital, even if only 1 week apart. So, is someone just making them up? Which would you believe? Have to say I believe different ones on different days depending on my pain level. Perhaps it is all part of patient choice. 😜

[Hezekiah]

I find similar discrepancy readings with blood pressure, using the machine I have and the one at the surgery. Given the massive range of readings over the past 2 years, I find it difficult to believe that BP is a useful metric of anything. Of course, I may just be preparing to shuffle off this mortal coil tomorrow.........

[Gilliancheche]

I spent 18 months having fortnightly blood tests when I started MTX due to low white cells and neutrophils. During they time occasionally I had to move the day of the test by a day or 2. I discovered the results much more favourable just before my MTX compared with a day or 2 after MTX. Could something like this be affecting your results?

[CeeY]

All blood test results can vary from day to day for all kinds of reasons (mostly benevolent). Also, tests will vary by individual lab. When my family doctor orders tests I go to a lab near my house. When my rheum orders tests I go to the lab at the hospital. They don't even have the same thresholds for "normal". My results, even when a few days apart, are always different between the two. Lab differences seem like the likely reason for the discrepancy esp if it is consistently higher at the hospital lab. I think we sometimes expect too much from the medical experts - trust the science and such. I'd say its about 50/50 art and science!