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Original poster

Any phlebotomists about? Blood tests are missing.

17 replies

Friendproblems · 03/12/2018 18:56

I had a blood test to check for lithium today. The nurse also said that the doctor ordered liver, FBC, glucose, kidney and liver check and thyroid as well.

When I went on to patient access to order a prescription I was surprised to see that the results were back already (never been as fast before).

The liver, kidney, glucose and FBC are there, but there is no lithium or thyroid.

What do you think has happened? Lithium is usually back within a day, but I'm sure it doesn't take as long to process as the others, and I'm sure they send the results back together.

So I'm guessing this means the lithium (very, very overdue, was supposed to be August), hasn't been done.

Can a nurse really make a mistake like that? The others were just ordered as part of the yearly check, but the lithium was vital.

Most worrying is that I was told I couldn't get another prescription without the bloods to check the level (due to side effects), and I had trouble getting there, not really prepared to go in again, and I need my script.

OP posts:
Emelene · 03/12/2018 18:59

I believe lithium can take a little longer as it is a specialist test. Worth ringing the GP first thing tomorrow - if the test hasn't been ordered they may be able to ask the lab to add it on, same with thyroid.

PurpleAndTurquoise · 03/12/2018 19:03

Any one who is human can make mistakes. Nurses included.
Hope your results come through ok. They might just take a bit longer or not have been put on the computer.

Original poster
Friendproblems · 03/12/2018 19:04

Thank you Emelene, that's great to hear Flowers.

You're probably right, but in the past all the tests have come back together the next day. Weird that the blood was taken this morning and came back the same day.

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Original poster
Friendproblems · 03/12/2018 19:06

Absolutely Purple, she's amazing (been seeing 3 monthly for years), and she asked if it was lithium and I said yes, then she said the GP had ordered others too. Just worry as I'm having some side effects now, so anxious to know. Thank you.

OP posts:
Walkingthroughawall · 03/12/2018 19:09

probabky just takes a bit longer than the others - I suspect they won’t do many batches of Li testing a day. If the test was ordered & the blood was taken then it will be done. Perhaps it’d be best not to let it become so overdue again to avoid the stress (and risk of complications).

Walkingthroughawall · 03/12/2018 19:09

Probably obvs

heartknot · 03/12/2018 19:10

Liver, kidney and fbc only take an hour or two to do. Lithium and thyroid take longer. Don't worry yet.

Original poster
Friendproblems · 03/12/2018 19:15

Thank you all Flowers

Walking - I definitely won't wait so long for the next one (March is marked on my phone).

Thanks heart, good to know.

OP posts:
DarkDarkNight · 03/12/2018 19:18

Not a phlebotomist but I work in a lab. The Nurse could have forgot to order the test, or the person in the lab could have missed it. In our lab we have manual and electronic request cards so things may be missed.

In our lab lithium is done alongside LFT, U&Es etc. so if it was ordered at the same time there shouldn’t be a delay, but all labs are different. We refer thyroids to our main lab, your lab may refer Lithium tests hence the delay.

We would be able to add a lithium on seeing as the sample is in the lab and spun down so ask the Nurse to ring and check it has been requested and add on if needed.

Original poster
Friendproblems · 03/12/2018 19:25

Thanks @DarkDarkNight, hmm...a bit more concerning. Hopefully it's referred (you're not in Buckinghamshire are you?)

Will phone in the morning, hopefully it won't be too late, as the surgery is closed now.

OP posts:
DarkDarkNight · 03/12/2018 20:57

Friendproblems I’m not, sorry. Do you know if it was a gold or red sample? We use Gold for lithium, once spun they are ‘saved’ and tests can be added on later.

Not much good to you when you need the result now, but speaking for my lab at least we could add it on days later. Chase it up with wherever you got the blood took from as soon as you can and hopefully it can be added.

xmasmenopause · 03/12/2018 22:33

I’ve had a phone call today to say that all of my hospital blood tests taken two weeks ago are missing. They gave it a few extra days thinking they may turn up but they haven’t.

I am appalled that this has happened. They had pre-printed labels so not sure how it’s happened. Hospital have asked me to repeat, which I will. However those forms have my personal details on.

Original poster
Friendproblems · 03/12/2018 22:43

Sorry Dark I don't know what colour they were.

xmasmenopause - how utterly dreadful! Appallingly bad form from your hospital! Have you contacted PALS? Hope it's resolved for you Flowers

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xmasmenopause · 03/12/2018 22:54

Not yet but I think I will. Sorry to hihack your thread - I’ve just started my own as also prescribed incorrect treatment.

Hope you get yours resolved.

Original poster
Friendproblems · 03/12/2018 23:13

No worries, just hope you get some action re: the missing results, and when you do get more taken, that the results are OK.

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Original poster
Friendproblems · 04/12/2018 11:06

Just to update - both the 'missing' tests were there this morning.

Thanks all for your help Smile

Hope you get some resolution soon xmasmenopause x

OP posts:
xmasmenopause · 04/12/2018 12:46

Glad you’ve got your results.

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