Who checks blood tests

[Elaine1]

can someone tell me who checks blood test before you get your mtx dr has not been sent any since may. phone up hospital and ask please would you send me my results no we can't do that. Because my crp was 46 I want to see if it's gone down (still in lots of pain.)Plus it's my right to get results I thought.

[helixhelix]

Yes you should be given your results. Have you phoned your rheumy nurse? Mine will give them over the phone if I ask, or I get a print out when I next visit hospital as they don't send them in the post. I used to phone to get them every month, but now am more relaxed so wait until I next see a doctor/nurse.

As for who checks, it depends on where you get your blood taken. Some people have it taken at GPs surgery, so the GP should get the results. I have mine done at the hospital as I find the phlebotomists there are better skilled at getting the blood out of me (not easy sometimes...) And then they are automatically assessed by a computer, and if anything is not normal then the consultant and nurse are alerted. But each area seems to have a slightly different way of doing things. Pollyx

[Hidden]

In my area the GP orders the blood tests so the results go to him regardless of where they're taken. I phone my surgery each month to check they are ok but the receptionist also fills out the results in my mtx record book. My rheumatology team also get them as they bring them up on the screen at my appointments. If the results are problematic the GP decides what action should be taken ie contact rheumy or repeat the test. I would say yes it is your right to know your results so ask your Dr or rheumy team what the correct procedure is for doing this.

Paula

[earthwitch]

Most of the protocols I have seen say that the doctor should NOT prescribe the next lot until they have checked the blood results. I'd put the onus back on your GP to chase them up. As Paulywoo says, you should also have a recording book as well, so that you can take the results between GP and rheumatologist. If you have problems, try making a complaint to the practice manager at the surgery, and say that it is important that the blood monitoring is done properly with drugs that have such potential danger.

[Hidden]

It depends if it's a shared care situation and it doesn't sound as if this is the case here for Elaine unfortunately Earthwitch. Like Paula my GP's surgery monitors my blood each month and the GP checks the results but I usually phone in for the results 24 hours later just to check before my next dose of MTX anyway. They don't monitor the disease activity but I do that by asking for my ESR to be taken at the same time and letting my GP know if I've pain or swelling so they can report to my rheumy. I think it's essential that you have this information and would pester your GP to sort this out for you as your current situation is unacceptable. Good luck. Tilda x