Abnormal results may indicate several different health conditions. If you receive an abnormal blood work result during your next regular checkup, talk with your doctor about what it means for you and what they recommend moving forward to understand it better. And of that number, how many are growing so slowly that the patient will likely die from some other cause before his cancer gets to that point? Group Leaders communicate with staff moderators and escalate potential violations for review, but they dont moderate discussions. Bacteria or other germs. If you haven't had your genetic testing labs yet I wouldn't worry to much. These other tests can include urine tests, x-rays, MRI scans, and CT scans, among others depending on your case. The pathologist describes the findings in a pathology report, which contains details about your diagnosis. This can be done using other tests or by taking another sample of your blood to check again. Some results might be available quickly, such as a full blood count. Were looking for writers & cross-posts. Hospital Road, Upper Hill Nairobi, Kenya, Upperhill Cardiovascular Centre in partnership with, | Copyright 2023 Upperhill Cardiovascular Centre. Results are reported as how many millimetres of clear plasma are present at the top of the column after one hour. First, I had an echocardiogram, to investigate why there was a strain on my heart.It was the same as a pregnancy ultrasound, only you see your heart pumping on the screen and what a sight it was; it was quite surreal. DEAR READER: A printout of lab results typically indicates normal ranges for each blood test next to your personal results. Provides medical oversight to Medical Staff Associates, including the training of other physicians and Medical Staff Associates. Use of this site is subject to our terms of use and privacy policy. If two or more tests show problems, you should ask for an explanation because these results may indicate that other medical conditions exist. The communication of such important results should be a priority, and in certain . Ditto test results suggesting diminished kidney function, and for many other abnormal blood test results. HPV is a very common sexually transmitted infection which usually shows no symptoms and goes away by itself. You may need an ECG test if you have risk factors for heart disease such as high blood pressure, or symptoms such as palpitations or chest pain. There are several potential reasons for abnormally high or low results, including everyday factors like diet and exercise, which can skew your normal values; less common factors like an infection or injury; or even more serious conditions like cancer. The neurologist has scheduled me for an emergency consult with a neuro-surgeon on Monday. Recommendation 2: Abnormal liver blood test results should only be interpreted after review of the previous results, past medical history and current medical condition. A Group Leader is a What to Expect community member who has been selected by our staff to help maintain a positive, supportive tone within a group. A blood glucose test is a type of test that is used to monitor diabetes and diabetes treatment. Receptionist said it was non-urgent but still feel concerned. My doctor says its fine, but Im still worried. When the results realized from the tests lie above or below the usual range, it may be an indication of an existing abnormality. It provides information about your heart rate and rhythm and shows if there is an enlargement of the heart due to high blood pressure or evidence of a previous heart attack. If you have a condition that requires treatment, your doctor will prescribe a treatment plan. ! A "non urgent" appointment is exactly that..non urgent!! For 8 years my GP said I have fibromyalgia but is now swaying towards RA she said some results indicate yes some no ? Imaging and simple blood draws fall into that category. All and ask to talk to your doctors nurse and tell her youre having a lot of anxiety and ask for an explanation of why you need the appointment. Blood sugar levels, for example, vary depending on what and when we ate. These abnormalities at most times are due to a person suffering from ailments, conditions or body system infections. thank you I will call them and explain that my anxiety is just making things worse. Knowing me, I'd raise cane and demand an appointment. Youre experiencing unusual, persistent symptoms. So, one who is ordered to undergo some blood tests should not panic if the results come out abnormal. The most common laboratory abnormalities in patients hospitalized with pneumonia include leukopenia, lymphopenia, leukocytosis, elevated liver transaminases, elevated lactate dehydrogenase, and elevated C-reactive protein ( Table 7.1 ). Patients with lupus characteristically have the following lab test results: Antibodies against their own . The levels of many molecules in our blood change, sometimes from hour to hour. It is not possible to diagnose or treat any disease or problem with a blood test alone. Its probably something minor like a vitamin D deficiency. And, in diagnosis, there is no such thing as a false positive; you either have one disease or another. Thank. I feel like Im being strung along by my doctors. 2005-2023Everyday Health, Inc., a Ziff Davis company. My metabolic panel is marked as abnormally low; my creatinine was 8, reference range is 9-23. It results in an abnormality in the oxygen-carrying protein haemoglobin found in red blood cells. Maybe if you go up to the office they can give you more information. Last month I had my thyroid tests done, I have been hypo since I was born in 1967, my results came back abnormal, TSH 0.28 (0.38- 5.33) FT4 18.5 (7.9-14.4) I asked for a doctor to contact me but had a text message from a gp to say he had tried to ring me several times last Friday, on checking my phone he tried once and only let it ring 2 times . But they told me on the phone what the problem is. Such as beta-blockers, sodium channel blockers, and calcium channel blockers. A few of my values fell just outside the normal range. Abnormal Pap test results: An abnormal test result may also be called a positive test result. Aside from the issue of who pays for the test, patients are much more willing to undergo tests that are not painful or invasive just to be sure. Download Best WordPress Themes Free Download. E-mail us a copy of your piece in the body of your email or as a Google Doc. Your doctor may suggest that you get further testing for an abnormal blood work result. Ok that's just ridiculous. <> In tesing, the magnitude of the result matters. Hematocrit levels that are too high might mean you're dehydrated. (level 5, grade D) Recommendation 3: The extent of liver blood test abnormality is not necessarily a guide to clinical significance. Thanks all, Ill just try and relax until my appointment. Whether its high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, or diabetes, what should you do if your doctor says your test results are abnormal? Inadequate levels of blood due to excessive blood loss or from having long-lasting ailments. Lab tests are often included in a routine checkup. The resting ECG is different from a stress or exercise ECG or cardiac imaging test. Abnormal 'Non-Urgent' blood results E Emj56 Mar 29, 2018 at 10:49 AM Call from the doctors to say the blood tests I had over 3 weeks ago have come back abnormal and no appointments available before the 16th April. I was borderline anemic with my first and was prescribed iron supplements. Knowing levels of various blood components, such as. You may also need it if you already have heart disease. To help you get started read our. Your babe is basically taking it from you and hoarding it away for after birth. Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Someone having a heart attack may require cardiac catheterization or surgery to allow blood flow to return to the heart. Moreover, patients may also think about the consequences of being wrong if they should decline tests like a PSA or mammogram and then find out too late that they have late stage cancer. Screening tests are performed on patients at risk of developing a disease or condition. I know everything they have tested so far are not pregnancy related. <> x;koFR3df|%-oUdd,Uw.&_~}UryG0\}%:K3.i]$od-7_ Yy Non urgent - you will be absolutely fine. For Hematocrit Blood Test When the results have inadequate red blood cells, it may be an indication of anaemia, among other diseases. The genes you inherited can affect results and may cause your results on particular tests to be outside the normal range every time tests are done. Having Low Levels of Blood Platelets A condition described as Thrombocytopenia especially when a person has been taking certain medications, having been subjected to a virus infection, conditions that affect the bone marrow, or having an autoimmune ailment. If you had a positive COVID-19 test, please self-isolate at home as much as possible . Please specify a reason for deleting this reply from the community. For example, a person with dehydration may have imbalanced electrolytes that are causing an abnormal ECG. My mother got back abnormal blood work on Just her bloodwork and then today they called and said the test is abnormal what to be expected with this being said? Finally, a lot of marginally useful testing that gets built into the definition of the standard of care in this country probably has more to do with defensive medicine that reflects the litigiousness of our society than the desire to drive revenue for the physician practice or hospital system. A 'Positive' Test Result May Not Be Positive News. Hemoglobin is an iron-rich protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. We respect everyones right to express their thoughts and opinions as long as they remain respectful of other community members, and meet What to Expects Terms of Use. Consider doing it easily and affordably from home by clicking here. Count the population or the total number of red blood cells, white blood cells and blood platelets in the collected blood sample from an individual. 2 0 obj I think its weird they would only give you partial information like that. If you feel a message or content violates these standards and would like to request its removal please submit the following information and our moderating team will respond shortly. However, what happens if your blood work turns up abnormal results? Other results change with age. Get breaking news delivered to your inbox as it happens. 4 0 obj The educational health content on What To Expect is reviewed by our medical review board and team of experts to be up-to-date and in line with the latest evidence-based medical information and accepted health guidelines, including the medically reviewed What to Expect books by Heidi Murkoff. Gifts processed in this system are not tax deductible, but are predominately used to help meet the local financial requirements needed to receive national matching-grant funds. It might just be your iron or B12,I had very bad iron levels at the end of my pregnancy and even though it wasnt urgent it needed attention. A Group Owner is a member that has initiated the creation of a group to connect with other members to share their journey through the same pregnancy & baby stages. When results of liver blood tests are abnormal, the clinical response should include: obtaining a thorough clinical history; performing examinations; and, in appropriate patient groups, considering primary sclerosing cholangitis and viral hepatitis (see Box 1 and Figure 1). I'm sure it's fine but I would call them in the morning and see if you can find out anything, Update: it was low iron. Practical tips and tricks from new, curated research showing you how to rapidly improve your health. Reviews of new health care products and startups. But, the greater the potassium level, the more the diagnostic and treatment decisions may vary. I'm starting to feel like these offices are unorganized and insensitive! An abnormal test result for potassium, then, is one whose value is greater than the highest in the range of values in normal people. Many heart, lung, and kidney conditions can be diagnosed using blood tests. When the results came back as abnormal - all it turned out to be was that I was officially undergoing the menopause which had flagged up whatever it is that shows when hormones go up or down and so on. The pattern of the liver function tests can give a clue to the cause and can allow . The more abnormal it is, the more information it contains in terms of making a diagnosis. For example, if your cholesterol is elevated on one test but not on another, it could mean that you have hyperlipidemia rather than high cholesterol. Depending on how serious it might be, getting treated early can drastically reduce your chances of developing chronic conditions in the future. The results obtained from blood tests are likened to charts that show the normal range of values for the different blood tests. /end rant, Your email address will not be published. Unfortunately, its not uncommon for people to find out that they have abnormal blood work. Help!!! Read More. A little over 4 weeks ago I started having some spotting. The test is not useful in routine checkups for people who do not have risk factors for heart disease such as high blood pressure or symptoms of heart disease, like chest pain. Add message Save Share Report Bookmark Advertisement 4. If you do have an infection, you may be. Hence, a value of 30 means you have cancer. This is found using a blood test called a full blood count (FBC). Ive never dealt with anything like this before and I am not great at handling stress due to my anxiety , I got a call similar to that when I was expecting. Basically it says the doctor wants me to make a non urgent appointment regarding my abnormal result (clinically significant) what does this mean? With some tests there is danger if the result is abnormally high or abnormally low. Theres no magic about the cutoff point for calling a test result abnormal. Your health care provider will recommend monitoring, more testing, or treatment. endobj Very impaired: .08-0.40 percent BAC. I am writing to patients with my blogs. For this test, a blood sample is sent to a laboratory for analysis. A Group Leader is a What to Expect community member who has been selected by our staff to help maintain a positive, supportive tone within a group. they probably just want to tell you your results are normal hence no need to rush in. False positives pertain to screening well people. endobj Sometimes, medications given to improve the hearts rhythm can have the reverse effect and cause arrhythmias. My lipid panel is marked as abnormally high; my triglycerides were at 102 mg/dL. Your doctor will work with you to determine what steps are best to figure out whats going on. To put it differently, a not-insignificant portion of healthy people have blood work that may appear worrisome . If you have not made an appointment within 1-2 weeks of receiving this test result you will be contacted by our medical centre requesting you make a review appointment. Abnormal results can indicate diabetes, among other medical conditions. I've had blood work and a urine culture. Thanks. This can be incredibly frighteningespecially if you dont know what it means. In some cases, medication will be recommended as well. The test is PSA, or prostate specific antigen. Other symptoms may include confusion, nausea, and drowsiness. I agree it's probably anemia or another non-baby-worrisome thing, but I would call back and demand a phone appt with the doctor. | All Rights Reserved | Designed ByMM Digital Marketing Kenya, Our top Kenyan cardiologists pride ourselves with providing you highly personalized and comprehensive cardiac care. If you're worried about what the result means and no one has contacted you, get in touch with your GP surgery to ask. Blood tests can check for example: the number of white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets in the blood (full blood count) how well organs such as the liver and kidneys are working. All ready been through it all, this is the second lot of bloods iv had done. Is Marital Status in a Febrile 5-year-old Child Important. He told me the results over the phone, there was no time to waste . Follow our Instagram for daily health facts and tips. There are other reasons which may cause the blood test values to be abnormal. If a result is abnormal but not life threatening, the GP gets them within around 48hrs depending on test, but you have to allow GP time to read, file, make comments etc. What Does BHCG 7.5 means for Female with no pregnancy and no menstrual period? There are multiple reasons that someone might have abnormal blood work results, including some diseases and infections. Although its always best to talk to your doctor when you get an abnormal blood test result, in some cases, you may be told to simply wait and retest later. A positive test is one in which the result of the test is abnormal; a negative test is one in which the tests result is normal. When the ratio is higher than normal it is a clear indication that an individual is suffering from dehydration or they have extra red blood cells in their blood system a condition known as Polycythemia. An abnormal EKG result can be a sign that one region or section of the heart is larger or thicker than the others. Im 37 weeks pregnant pls help the stress is not helping me or my baby especially since my appointment is after nearly 2 weeks. Its just having to wait till next Tuesday is gonna kill me haha. For example, kidney diseases, polycythemia which may indicate suffering from Polycythemia Vera, diseases that affect the lungs or when one has physiological problems especially for those people who live in areas of high altitude. So, heres my general advice for dealing with laboratory test results. Urinary casts Mucus. Hang in there! Don't stress about it. Hey everyone! Blood diseases: Hematologists specialize in diagnosing and treating blood diseases. However, with some tests there is more variation in the results from one lab to the next. If if your first trimester was low risk it's very unlikely there is anything wrong now. For example . If they are not fully aware of the guidelines to follow, there is a need to check with their doctor on the same. If youre not sure what to do about abnormal blood test results, its important to see your doctor.If you haven't done routine blood work in a while and don't want to drive or wait or pay crazy amounts to have it done. If you feel a message or content violates these standards and would like to request its removal please submit the following information and our moderating team will respond shortly. The Pap smear . Columns. A serum potassium test result may be as low as 3.0 and as high as 4.0 in normal people, for example. This includes incidents where test results or clinical correspondence have not been managed appropriately. 8. They are probably much more hesitant to get tests that are painful or uncomfortable or involve unpleasant preparation. Do I need to be? This is a test to check the types and numbers of cells in your blood, including red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Your post will be hidden and deleted by moderators. Unfortunately, theres no straightforward answer. Thanks all and Happy Easter! Couldnt tell me over the phone and will have to wait till Tuesday to make an emergency appointment. A problem with this way of teaching about the value of test results is that often physicians and patients think there are only two possible test results, normal or not. Q: PSA 7.1 Man 62 with Normal MRI, Do I need Free PSA? Management of test results Managing test results in general practice can be complex. Suffering from Leukopenia Which is a condition brought about by having low white blood cells in the blood system. Hi there I am so stressed and anxious about a letter I received from the doctors. The implication here is that about 5 percent of the healthy population lands somewhere beyond this "normal" range. Generally, lab results provide an indicator of what healthy blood looks like for 95 percent of the population. IGG, IGA, IGE, and IgM. Assistant Professor in Pulmonary Medicine, GMERS Medical College, Ahmedabad, stick to the guidelines before going for any test, The Lasting Effects of COVID-19: Understanding and Coping with Post-Recovery Symptoms, Holistic Health: 7 Tips How You Can Improve Your Gastrointestinal Health With A Holistic Approach, Learn How to Include Rice on Your Recipes The Healthy Way, Whats Normal HRV Based on Different Factors. Your doctor will determine what is right for you based on your history and current health status. Abnormal blood work results are common, especially when you get routine blood testing. Use of this site is subject to our terms of use and privacy policy. non urgent = something trivial like mild anemia, low vitamin B12, slightly raised cholesterol or whatever. Learn more about, Well, that is frustrating! Most of the patients suffering from malfunctioning of the liver may exhibit no symptoms at all or minimal ones and the tests done on their blood is commonly abnormal. HOMEHEALTH CONCERNSERVICESDR. Routine mammograms and prostate screenings are examples of screening tests. The views expressed in community are solely the opinions of participants, and do not reflect those of What to Expect. Maternal serum (blood) tests. Q: Can prostatitis misunderstood as soft lesion |do we need to go for biopsy? The development of electronic health records has helped in notifying physicians of abnormal lab results or a suspicious imaging result on a CT scan or chest X-ray, but some results can still be overlooked. However, that level of the test never occurs in other diagnoses (in this example). No advice regarding the specifics. A Group Owner is a member that has initiated the creation of a group to connect with other members to share their journey through the same pregnancy & baby stages. Screening tests are used to see if your baby has a high chance of a genetic health condition. Should you worry? I had the same yesterday - had to make a non urgent appointment for results. A markedly abnormal blood result may indicate that the patient needs urgent treatment. In the table below, I present a single tests possible results. Group Leaders arent expected to spend any additional time in the community, and are not held to a set schedule. Couldn't tell me over the phone and will have to wait till Tuesday to make an emergency appointment. Dnt stress hopefully all will be well x. These include: Defects or abnormalities in the heart's shape and size: An abnormal ECG can signal that one or more aspects of the heart's walls are larger than another meaning that the heart is working harder than normal to pump blood.