Over the interpretation of blood tests?

[MyOtherCarIsAPorsche]

A blood test result taken last night has shown a level which is concerning.

So hospital want another blood sample the next day. So they get a better result for themselves so they don't have to take action?

Why?

Don't they believe their own blood tests?

If a blood has been sitting for a while before being processed it can show a falsely high potassium level.
What blood is it?

They could be doing a slightly different test to clarify something, maybe a screen or to break down into smaller components.

There are loads of different types of blood tests, some are time-dependent. They probably want to ensure a test goes straight from you to the lab, no delays.

My daughter once had to wait for a foot courier to arrive before her bloods were taken, as the test had to be in the London lab within four hours and we live in Manchester.

Your initial tests were probably a general set and now the hospital wants to repeat something that was flagged as borderline abnormal. It’s not because they don’t trust their own results, it’s because blood testing is complex and variable.

Or a blood clot in a sample tube can bugger up the platelet count.

https://www.imaware.health/blog/why-do-blood-test-results-vary#:~:text=If%20subsequent%20blood%20test%20results,the%20test%20to%20confirm%20results.

I can understand a repeat being needed sometimes, just to check that nothing has gone wrong with the collection, storage or processing of a sample. But on the other hand, this does seem to happen way too often.
i have annual thyroid tests for example, as im at higher risk of developing autoimmune thyroid issues. My results have always been borderline, which can be an issue in itself for thyroid. Then last time, I was out of range and thought they'd actually do something about it. No, not out of range 'enough'. Which does beg the question - why is that the range?

in your case. Why would they accept a repeat if it came back lower as the 'correct' one and not the one out of range? Doesn't make much sense.

Usually that's for potassium. If it sits about for too long you get an inaccurate and alarming result.

They probably just want to be sure of the diagnosis before they treat it.

It’s a bit crazy to believe that they are testing you again in an attempt to avoid treating you.

Blood was tested immediately and doctor called to say a particular reading needed to be done again.

It was done at 8pm in hospital.

By 10pm my daughter had just arrived home and had been rung to be told to take her child back to hospital this morning for a repeat test.

They used spray to numb the arm of her 3 year old son. The sample was difficult to collect and he screamed.

Now he has to have this trauma again because they don't believe/like the result?

My daughter believes they said coagulation? She's unsure.

For coagulation it can give an inaccurate result if it's slightly over or underfilled

So they get a better result for themselves so they don't have to take action?

Is this your assumption?

Why did they say they need another blood test?

Sometimes a blood test can show XYZ and then needs a different type of blood test to further investigate / clarify.

Now he has to have this trauma again because they don't believe/like the result?

I appreciate you are stressed but you are making things up here.

They redo blood tests for many reasons, none of them for fun.

Support your DD here. A further blood test is required - best get it over and done with. I assume this was in A&E and your grandson is poorly?

(my 6yo has regular blood tests and they get a "play specialist in to help distract her - ask your DD to ask if they have anything like this)

My assumption was that they usually try to minimise blood tests for young children.

Either the sample has clotted so was unusable or it was a coagulation test and underfilled.

Perhaps you could trust that the hospital are experts in interpreting blood results and know what they are doing?

Oh ffs they aren’t repeating the test because they don’t “like” the result, or believe their own tests, or to avoid treating him or because they enjoy hurting him. That’s a ridiculous attitude.

If there is doubt about the sample being coagulated, or any of a range of other potential problems, they need to repeat it to make sure the result is not artefact (ie an abnormal result caused by a problem with the sample) before they start treatment based on that result.

They do try to minimise blood tests for small children but sometimes it is unavoidable.

Yesterday, my daughter rang the GP at 8am for an appointment for her son.

He was sent to hospital.

The blood test was at 8pm.

A result was 'unexpected' so they need to recheck.

He's now screaming (in anticipation) on the same ward he was on yesterday and they haven't done the blood test yet. It's upsetting.

They need to recheck if the test shows up anything unusual. I had this last year. They said my consultant was sure it was a spurious test but I had to go straight back. The initial test was confirmed and I needed five units of blood immediately. It's better to be safe.

Indeed, and that's precisely why I would let them go ahead, as uncomfortable as it unfortunately will be for a short period. I would take this as an indication that it's important for your grandson to be checked properly. I hope all is ok and he's on the mend soon.

Yes, what kind of weirdo would want to double check an unexpected blood test result in a three year old? Far better to either barrel in with treatment he might not need, or ignore it altogether

So they get a better result for themselves so they don't have to take action?

I don't know why this would be your immediate assumption? Surely it makes sense to double check a surprising/worrying/unusual result?

My assumption as well

if it were me I would take it as an indication they are concerned enough to decide on investigating further…. so very important it is done.

You’ve answered your own question! The outcome was unexpected

It would be good practice to redo the test to ensure the result was correct. Would you rather they put your GC through unnecessary treatment?

Your assumption that the retest is to purposefully change the results for the doctors benefit is wild

Because the likelihood of a positive result being an actual positive result is probably lower than the likelihood of it being a false positive. Just due to the sheer number of people that are tested.

Sometimes blood can clot (haemolyse) and give inaccurate results especially alarming high potassium. It is standard practice to repeat to ensure that it’s accurate. Far better to have another blood test rather than unnecessary treatment.

I appreciate you’re concerned for your grandson but you’re being a bit of an arse about this.

They explained already. Something ‘unexpected’ so now they need to clarify what that ‘unexpected’ is.

It is traumatic, it is stressful, but it is also necessary.