Blood test results

[shaneystar2]

What does it mean when blood test results come back as abnormal .
My son was tested last week for a whole range of things and when he rang for the results today this is what he was told . He is seeing the doctor on Friday but can someone put my mind at rest please .

[LoftyLottie]

Hi Shaney, try not to worry. Mail me.

[Sqad]

It means that one or more of the tests were abnormal (not normal)

[shaneystar2]

Thanks folks .
All the receptionist said to him was the "results" were abnormal .Which could mean anything as he was tested for a whole load of things .She didn't go into details as to which particular test was abnormal .

[Sqad]

Shaneystar.....could he have misheard "abnormal" for "all normal?"

[sandyRoe]

It was hardly the receptionists job to be telling your son anything about his test results. She should have said that the Dr wanted to discuss them with your son.

[Sqad]

sandy.....exactly....that is why I wondered if he had misheard the receptionist.

[shaneystar2]

Tiny possibility Sqad but I doubt it .That one has ears like radar scanners.
He can hear you put the kettle on 20 miles away :)
He is signed off work at the moment and has been complaining of pains in his arms and legs so there must be something wrong as he's always been a healthy sort .Never poorly except for the usual childhood illnesses .For him to go to the doctor off his own bat is pretty unusual.

[boxtops]

I think it is dodgy that receptionists give results since they are not medically trained (although many are quite knowledgeable). I was told that I was in the risky range on one blood result but my GP subsequently told me that I was one point outside the top of the range and it wasn't significant. Until your son has seen the GP I would not get too worried, it means that one or more of the results are outside what they consider to be a normal range.

[shaneystar2]

Well sandyRoe the receptionists at our surgery always tell me the details of any results I have because I have regular tests for thyroid function and RA factor .You are put through to results and they give you the info .It's usually flagged up if you have to go back and see the doctor about them .

[LoftyLottie]

Our receptionists never give out results. They will always get you to phone back to speak to the doctor or the doctor will phone back. Sometimes I have had a message back from a receptionist that a doctor has told her to say the results are fine. Sometimes the message is that the doctor would like to see me but they never indicate whether results are normal or abnormal.


Shaney I agree with boxtops. My kidney function results were outside the range of normal. GP wanted another blood test but asked me to make sure I had plenty to drink on the morning of the next one. It came back as fine!!

x

[ethandron]

don't agree with you boxtops, anyone can read out a list of numbers. the important thing is that the doctor has seen the results BEFORE they're given to the receptionist/results dept so they can flag up if they want to see the patient or not. it's not the receptionist who decides that.
our surgery works a similar system to shaneys. our results dept will give you all the numbers for any test you have, and tell you any which are a bit high/low but the results have always been seen by the doctor first and it's his deicison what the next step is.

[LoftyLottie]

But our receptionists would never be allowed to tell you that your results are abnormal, even if they tell you that you need to see the Doctor. They can't make any comments. Obviously surgeries vary. I would go to pieces if a receptionist told me my results were abnormal. I would rather the doctor tell me so that I can talk about it straight away rather than have to worry.

[ethandron]

but if the doctor wanted to see you to discuss any results, wouldn't that tell you that the test result was abnormal anyway lottie, even if the receptionist didn't actually say the word 'abnormal'?

[LoftyLottie]

Yes. But if I am told I have to see the doctor by a receptionist I then ask her to ask him to give me a ring about it and he always does. Perhaps we are lucky with our doctors. I just don't like the word 'abnormal' - my doctor is more gentle than that!

[ethandron]

seems like you have a 'tame' doctor lottie, you're very lucky :)
must say, we can now request a telephone consultation, which saves everyones time and effort. maybe next time i have any tests, i'll be able to discuss the results with the doctor over the phone too.

[LoftyLottie]

So much better and saves lots of worrying. Not knowing is worse than knowing, even if it's not good news. We are lucky where I live - when I hear of the problems in some areas. We can always see a doctor on the same day, even if it's not our own doctor and we can always come in and see a nurse and if she is worried then you get into a doctor straight away. Small town.

[shaneystar2]

Oh dear ,well no doubt all will be revealed when he sees the doctor on Friday .I am now wondering if it was maybe the practice nurse ,who deals with all the tests etc that he spoke to .I'm quite happy for anyone to give me my test results as they are a regular thing and I know that the doctor flags it if he wants to see me about them .
Our doctor is very good and I have no doubt that if it was anything untoward he would have been contacted pretty quickly .It's just that I tend to worry .I heard the word abnormal and panicked considering family health history .

I wish he'd asked for more details but that's men for you :)
Thanks everyone .