So why have they got to repeat my blood tests? There's only so much blood I can spare!

[DorrisMcWhirter]

Loooooong story short:
Loads of minor problems health wise. Went to Dr's and she (scarily) didn't say 'Ahh, Dorris, it's nothing. Don't worry'.
She ordered a huge range of tests and has even recommended I go and see an eye specialist (linked to dizziness and fainting).
The Gp's receptionist rang me yesterday and the Dr has requested that I have my bloods redone in 2 weeks time.
I'm just slightly curious as to why they'd need redoing after such a gap? Have they found something and want to see if it's still there? I'm trying not to worry, but I hate it when they ask for these tests but don't explain why!

Ahh - are you sure they are not repeating the bloods to ensure you are in a fasting state? The eye thing along with the dizziness may make them think of diabetes, in which case, you would have to give a fasting sample. If you are that worried, you can always ring and ask why they want a repeat

Mind you....ahem...I know people who work in the NHS and ahem...samples get lost at times in transit so it may even be that!

Guessing won't help you, and not knowing will drive you mad - so ring the GP and ask why you need the tests repeated.

Speak to the GP rather than the receptionist - if the GP is not available when you ring, ask when would be a good time to call back or whether the GP can call you.

Last one was fasting puss (I was starvin'!) They were checking for diabetes alongwith thyroid stuff I noticed - written on the sample envelope!
If they'd lost it, why would they wait 2 weeks? Unless they were just trying to look as if they hadn't lost it of course!

Yes shitehawk, I had thought of that but have had a manic week (interviews on top of everything else!) and just haven't got round to it
I have anappointment with the same dr on Monday so will drill her about it then.
Does it sound like the sort of thing to worry about?

dh has laods of tests done. if one throws up an odd result, then they do like to repeat it 2-3 weeks later to check whether its an ongoing issue or just a blip on one test. this weeks special is liver function blood tests.

That does make sense Misdee, I wonder what my blip was? Your poor Dh, repeated blood tests are a pain, mind-you, I know he's been through a lot worse Hope he's doing well.

You need to ask them, it could be anything - I had the same reqest last week, but then I rang again to ask when I should do it, and they said no there was no need after all

Still not a clue what that was all about...hope it's nothing scary for you too xx

Bless them for putting you through the worry FA! Got to love the lack of commnication sometimes!
I'm hoping it is only something as serious as under / over active thyroid or diabetes or anaemia etc (not that these aren't serious but not as bad as some other things!) These were the sort of things they were testing for. Do they test for other things while they're there?

It depends what was on the request form the Dr sent them.
They wouldn't normally look for other things, no - just what is asked for.

Perhaps something was borderline or slightly above/below normal and they want to see if it normalises itself in a few days.

mine had low white cells and that could have been a cause for concern but I think she saw my other results and realised it wasn't anything serious because they would be off too, iyswim?

I hope you can get some sense out of them. If you ring the surgery they will often give you some detail if you ask them - depends if they are a person who can interpret the results or not.