Waiting for doc to leave comment. Blood tests.

[loveyoutothemoon]

Would would you think to this?
Had blood tests done. Called for results and receptionist said that they are all fine but we're waiting for the doctor to leave a comment on one. Eventually speak to the doctor and she says they are all fine.
So why the wait for the comment? Was there something picked up but maybe borderline but felt it wasn't worth mentioning? Regret not asking her.
Any experiences welcome. Thanks.

I've had that with recent set of results which show that the regular prescription I take is working, and levels adjusted to near normal. A doctor then needs to decide whether this affects subsequent dosage (carry on as before, lower dose or stop) which is different depending on the reason for the medication.

Also had this with DC's blood tests, where presumably the qualified doctor has to interpret the results as they know what they ordered, why, and what they are looking for.

Ime though, if it all comes back as 'normal' that automatically gets processed as 'no action' and it is assumed all is well with the patient unless they go back to see a doctor again.

It's perfectly normal. All blood that's taken get a doctor to look at it, to make comment about if it is normal or if action is needed.

Sorry to post again! You can ask for a print off of the test results to see yourself. You would have to pay a little for photocopying and the desk staff have to check with a Dr, but it does happen a lot.

But surely there must've been something amiss cause of the very fact they were waiting for a comment?!

Not necessarily. I'm a (nice) GP receptionist & I am not allowed to give results out until a GP has commented - even if it's normal

If it was normal, why would they have to comment?! I've had lots of blood tests before and never had this before.

Just because a blood result is in it's target range it doesn't mean it's necessarily right for that patient, if it's out of range it can be right for that patient. Every blood taken gets reported on by a doctor.

So it could've been out of range? That's why I had to wait for a comment?

Every single blood test result gets 'commented' on by a doctor - receptionists cannot and should not be expected to interpret results.

They probably just needed sign-off from the doctor as a formality. Calm down OP, if there is a problem they would have told you.

Blood tests also often arrive at the surgery in 'batches' - haematology may send a blood count v quickly, whereas, say, iron level take a bit longer, so are another result. Biochemistry may send kidney function separately from liver function and thyroid tests for instance.
So the receptionist may have been able to say that those results that had been commented on where normal, but could not comment one way or another on those that had not passed over a dr's desk yet.

Ah yes, PacificDogwood has it. Get that quite a bit, when one of our routine tests has taken a bit longer than others to get back to the surgery.

Honestly, if you want to query anything ask to see the results yourself and if you then have a question for your doctor, you can ask for a call back.

Breathe a bit op! It's just standard practice. Receptionist aren't allowed to give out results with dr's commenting. Some tests take longer than others to process in the lab so your results may not have been all back on the same day/time.

Thanks everyone. Was a bit slow there wasn't I?!

I think OP was asking a valid question. I didn't realise different depts analysed a blood sample. I just assumed one lab technician did all the tests. You learn something new all the time on MN!