Blood Tests

[tobeloy]

I have been asked to go and have blood tests performed by a doctor. I would like to know if this blood test is standard from the information I have supplied below off the blood test form, and also I want to know if from the information supplied any illegal or legal prescription drugs will show up in this test.

On my blood test form, in Haematology FBC is ticked, HBA1C is written in info box underneath. On biochemistry Renal, Liver, Bone, Glucose is ticked and in the information box underneath TFT's, Lipids, cholesterol and prolactin is to be tested too.

[bednobs]

firstly, its very unlikely a doctor will take these test from you - a phlebotomist most likely will
FBC= full blood count (pretty bog standard when anything is wrong, will tell you what your red blood cells, and white blood cells levels are
HBA1c is to do with diabetes (i think) Again, pretty standard
all of the rest are standard. its not a toxicology screen, drugs wont show up, but the effect of drugs might (ie my biochemistry blood tests are never right because of the medication i have to take)

[bednobs]

actually, take back the first sentance - i have no idea under which circumstances you are having a blood test

[tobeloy]

Just bog standard test but i do take some prescribed drugs and wondered as I havent been keeping up with taking them and I thought the doctor may be checking if I have been taking them?

[bednobs]

well it depends what they are - if for example you are diabetic and havent been taking your meds then the HBA1c will show there is a problem (although it might be better to tell the doc, as they might assume they are not working and increase the dose or something). I reckon about 90% of people who "take" regular medication either dont take it, dont take it right, or not as prescribed, so dont worry

[bednobs]

in fact, i dont know what your reason for not taking them is but i am very much the same as you. I will be on tabs for the rest of my life, but i'm utterly hopeless at taking them as prescribed for several (rubbish) reasons
1) i absolutely resent having to take them!
2) it makes me feel more in control to feel like i actually have the power to decide whether to take them on a specified day or not ( it kind of makes me think HA! in your face, illness) even though i know this thought is completely irrational and totally counter productive, and makes me feel worse in the long run
3)1 of the tablets has some really complicated instructions that i can never be bothered to comply with
4) some of them make me feel sick = i dont take them!

However, my gp knows the above because she wanted to investigate why the ones i had werent working - so i told her they werent working because i wasnt taking them. You can often work in conjunction with the health care professionals to overcome the reasons you dont take them (ie change to ones with less complicated regimes, ones that dont have the same side effects)
This is a really rambling way of saying let your gp know you are not taking the meds

[missrandom]

this site is great for things like this

http://www.labtestsonline.org.uk/

[tobeloy]

Thanks for all your help really helped =)

[foodluva]

Hi,

As Bednobs stated, mostly pretty standard tests. TFT's are Thyroid Fuction Tests. The HBAC1 test will give a general picture of your blood glucose levels over the last 3 months. Everything else she has explained.

Don't fret!

[maggs7]

these tests are to check your general health all standard tests hba1c is blood sugar, the liver tests may show if you are drinking too much