Advice please - wrong tests done at the lab

[Kimmicustard]

Hi Guys

A slightly long post - please bear with me as I have a few questions that I need advice on. I have Hashimotos hypothyroidism.

I went to see my Endo last Friday after having my bloods done a few days before. As my parathyroid was out previously, I had the test early morning as usual as instructed by him. On the morning of my test, I handed over my blood form and the nurse started messing about with the computer like she didn't know what she was doing. She only did one tube of blood which I questioned as the tests were the same as the last few times I had been and they have always taken two tubes of blood before. Anyhow, the long and short of it is, the lab tested for PCOS rather than parathyroid and then completely missed the electrolytes/creatin/urea test! My endo didn't even notice this, it only came to my attention when I was reading through my results printout when I got home.

At my appointment, my endo said my TSH was better now (I'll post results below) and said FT3/FT4 fine (even though they were better last time and he said they needed tweaking!) he was reluctant to up my meds until I told him how terrible I have been feeling for a month now ( I really am feeling unwell at current) - I printed out the symptoms list and highlighted them - as soon as he saw them (there were many!) he then said OK - we'll try you on 75mg levo one day then 100mg the next. The last time my parathyroid gland was out my corrected calcium was too - and on this test the corrected calcium is the lowest its ever been. I'm wondering if this is why I'm in so much pain with my bones?

Please can I have your thoughts on my results and what you think I should do about the missed tests? Surely they are of importance if he requested them? Also - don't know if the results from the wrong PCOS screen may say anything about me/relate to my thyroid problem so if you know anything about them it would be much appreciated - I'm sure people have mentioned sex hormones etc. on here before?

My vitamin D has gone up after 3 months of being on 4000iu a day so i thought I should be feeling better now. Please see below my test results and a list of medication I am on - any help on tweaking things with supplements would be much appreciated too. Sorry for the waffling! Thanks for your help!

TSH - 0.86 (0.2 - 4.0) (last test was 1.5)

FT3 - 4.4 (3.5 - 6.5)

FT4 - 16.7 (11-22.6)

Albumin - 45 (35-50)

Calcium - 2.23 (2.2 - 2.6)

Corrected calcium - 2.13 (2.2 - 2.6)

Phosphate - 0.82 (0.8 - 1.5)

Vitamin D - 94.2 (previously 13 then 60)

PCOS Screen

Follicle stimulating hormone U/L - 11

Free androgen index - 2.2 (0 - 4.5)

Luteninising hormone U/L - 64.6

Sex hormone binding globulin - 36 (28 - 146)

Testosterone - 0.8 (0 - 2.7)

Medication:

75/100 levo alternate days (new dose - previously on 75 per day)

4000iu vitamin D3 per day

Tried magnesium but it made me feel unwell however I couldn't find a gluten/lactose free one - I think it may have been this that made me feel unwell rather than the magnesium itself. (Gluten/dairy free due to Hashis)

Thank you!

[MaisieGray]

From what you say, it sounds like there's every possibility that the labs did the right tests ie the ones they were asked to do, but that the nurse ordered the tests incorrectly. I had a similar experience and the nurse actually lied to my surgery about a particular fact, when they queried the tests, which I was able to prove. I then made a formal complaint to the hospital via PALS (we all make mistakes but it was the deliberate lie which got to me!) and I was so glad I did as the subsequent investigation & formal report highlighted a substantial training need of the nurse concerned, and a shortcoming in the protocols - both of which were addressed as a result of my complaint. So if you are concerned about the nurse's competence or knowledge, it might be worth raising it formally to avoid it happening to others.

[Kimmicustard in reply to MaisieGray]

Thanks MaisieGray. I have a copy of the bloods request form as my Endo gives me a few at a time and the PCOS test is not on there. The electrolytes/creatin/urea/parathyroid tests are on there though and weren't done so really don't know what's happened - all I know is my Endo hasn't seen the results he requested which may be of importance to my health (and he didn't notice either!) I think I may ring my GP to ask them what to do about it - I don't see my Endo again now until 6-8 weeks.

[JAmanda]

If he’s increased you a little, it might improve your symptoms over time, I hope. Just wondered about the test for albumin - my level was 34 on the same scale as yours but the Endo wasn’t interested. Do you know why they test it or the possible significance of being low?

Rgds, amanda

[Kimmicustard in reply to JAmanda]

Hi JAmanda

Thanks for answering - I haven't had many replies on this post regarding the results so I'm still in the dark as regards to the correlation between things. I have just googled Albumin though and found this:

This test measures the amount of the protein albumin in your blood. ... Albumin carries substances such as hormones, medicines, and enzymes throughout your body. This test can help diagnose, evaluate, and watch kidney and liver conditions. When your kidneys begin to fail, albumin starts to leak into your urine.

Hope this helps!