To ask why a doctor would want a blood test repeated

[Thisismycon]

Had bloods on Thursday results were back that afternoon. Told to book a non urgent appointment I did. Appointment is the start of next month. I’ve since received another text saying I need to repeat the blood test in a couple of weeks and that a form has been sent set up. I’m confused as obviously I don’t know what the issue is.I’ve never had this issue before.

Might be incomplete. Apparently they can lose or contaminate samples at the lab. Or there may be an anomaly which could resolve by a second test.

1. To clarify a borderline result.

1. Because the sample damaged on way to lab.

1. Because the receptacle was incorrect.

Thanks both is it worth contacting reception to put my Mind at ease or not?

Reception probably won't know. The lab will most likely have contacted them to say they need a repeat test without saying why. Try not to worry, it's most likely just a damaged or inconclusive sample some reason. I used to work in a lab. Samples would get dropped all the time!

It’s just concerning me that they didn’t mention on Friday. I did have an issue with a clotted blood sample but I went straight in to get the blood tests repeated. This time they have told me in a couple of weeks.

Surely it's a good thing that they're not repeating it urgently? That suggests they're not checking a concerning result.

I guess but it’s the fact they have specified a couple of weeks rather than just go and get it repeated.

Maybe there's a result they want to keep an eye on. Not necessarily anything bad, could be something very minor but they want to be able to see if it was a one off or something to look at. They'd need a gap in order to check that

My liver is fucked and I had tests frequently.

I’ve had this before, low white cells it’s usually due to recent infection. Tested later and back to normal.

I had this it was my lymphocytes I think that's another word for white blood cells. The next time it came back fine.

What was it for?

For some blood tests, like infertility, you need to have a couple of tests a month or so apart. That just helps to confirm results.

The test won't have run properly, or they forgot to do a test the doctor asked for. It will be a lab problem rather than a fault with your sample.

If you download the NHS app you can view your test results.

Try not to worry, I always give a low result for one test. They often repeat test. It depends on another criterion being high, which is supposed to be impossible.

Test and test again.

" must be more than an armful by now"!

Would it be anything to do with hormones? Two weeks after the initial bloods you'd be at a different point in your cycle (if you have one) for example?

I recently had to get blood tests redone because my blood sample was dropped in the lab due to some system fault. I am not UK based but the lady at reception read the note attached to my non results from the lab.

I often need repeated blood tests due to borderline results (hba1c test for type 2 diabetes). The protocol seems to be (approx):

First test:
Below 42 - all OK
42-47 - repeat test
48 and over - diabetic

Second test (2-3 weeks later):
Below 48 - OK (with diet and lifestyle instructions as required)
48 and over - diabetic

If they are waiting a couple of weeks then I wouldn't worry, I would assume a borderline test result.

I’m thinking if it was a lab issue why would they say to wait two weeks? Technically I can book an appointment at the hospital to get it done tomorrow

I've had this before when my liver function tests were slightly increased

It wasn't concerning as lots of things can cause that but the test was repeated after a couple of weeks to check it was decreasing

Depends on what you’re being tested for.

Eg I had high inflammatory markers a while back. I repeated the tests three times over 6 weeks to check the levels were reducing.

I had a full blood count and live function

When ds had to repeat a blood test they'd put on the form "not enough blood".
My gp, who could be beautifully humorous in such circumstances said "that's a euphemism for 'oops we dropped it'."

He also told a friend that "grommets kept consultants in BMWs", although I have to say he was totally supportive of ds getting them (3 times-including one time when they'd refused, he got ds back in the middle of the next week and grommets f2 days later).

I did think a lab fault as I’ve had a clotted sample before but this time they have told me to wait.

Op I would query this with the surgery, why the repeat and why the wait.

I had to have blood test a few months ago, they called me about four days later to ask me to repeat the test as they thought it must have been corrupted. They felt that because the result was so low it couldn't be right.

Thankfully, I had lost patience and seen a private consultant who saw the same results and I had been admitted to hospital for emergency treatment by the time the GP called.

Not trying to scare you in any way, just suggesting you speak to GP and reasons clarified.