What does 'satisfactory' really mean in regards to blood tests

[houseinthecorner]

I had some blood tests done last week because of some ongoing symptoms. Receptionist told me they are satisfactory but does this mean they are normal or 'they will do' kind of thing. Why didn't she just say normal!

There are so many versions of 'normal'. What is normal for one person won't be the same for another, you have to take into account medical history, age, lifestyle. I would take satisfactory to mean fine, no concerns.

Trying to get information out of your GP surgery can be annoying. Our surgery has a bizarre policy of not sharing test results with the patient.

I have regular blood tests to monitor liver function etc. due to medicines I take. Every month I have a test, then a few days later ask for the results in order to fill in my patient-held blood test record required by the hospital consultant.

Every month the receptionists and I have the same conversation:

‘Please could I have a copy of the blood test results in order to fill in this booklet?

‘No sorry, we don’t give test results to patients’

‘I know. But I need my results in order to fill in this record’

‘I’ll have to check with the doctor/practice manager/computer’

Five minutes later...

‘Here you are.’

‘Thanks, see you next month’

Actually, under the Data Protection Act, your results count as your data, so you are entitled to them, except in rare cases where clinical judgment is that you would be harmed by having them.

'Satisfactory' is probably another word for 'normal', which means nothing in this context and may be a long way from optimal.

It means they are without the normal ranges. That doesn't necessarily mean they are optimal or right for you. For instance, the normal range for TSH/ thyroid is way off what is optimal for many of us. Do you know what tests you had done?

I am sure satisfactory means normal, or at least nothing to worry about,
I cant believe you are not allowed access to your blood tests
If i have ever rung up the receptionists usually say normal, or Dr would like to see you to discuss them

For the chronic anaemic, for example, their results could be 'satisfactory' for them, and 'phone 999' for you. The 'normal' values are a guide and should only be used as part of a much wider assessment.

I suppose the word “satisfactory” implies there is also “good” and “poor” as possible results. With “normal” there is only really “abnormal” as an alternative. You can’t be “very normal”.

I would see it as a normal result but maybe ask the gp for more info and the actual data.

We have a "satisfactory" stamp and a "normal for patient" stamp(electronic). Means that whilst they aren't bang in the normal range (which is where 97% of the population lie) they are not concerning.

Our reception staff always ask me before giving print outs of results. For me it's in case something that is on the report that is fine to me may need a bit more explanation. We also once had a patient wanting their ct scan result. The investigation had been organised by the hospital (who therefore were responsible for the result) but had not been phoned to the consultant who had specifically asked for the result to be phoned if abnormal.
Fortunately my receptionist realised it was serious and managed to defer saying anything to the patient until I had managed to track down the consultant at 7am the next morning who was furious with the department and took the responsibility himself of phoning the patient to explain he had a brain tumour!

I am in full agreement that you should have access to your results but just like to think there won't be unexpected surprises or something that needs a little more explanation.

We don't have a lot of requests but some surgeries now charge to print things off. We don't but if it got out of hand I think we could do.

For me recently, after checking, it means a ferritin level of 18.