Pre-Op blood work. Issues detected

I had my pre-op blood work done last week and it detected issues (I'm in the early stages of referral).

It shows my fasting glucose was higher than it should be but nominally so, red blood cell count was high, cholesterol was very low and vitamin d was very low.

What can I do to decrease any delays to the process for me? Should I be taking a vitamin d supplement? If so which one is recommended?

I saw you said early stages. I am assuming you are still going through the screening process? If this is the case the blood sugar an cholesterol levels are fairly typical and will go down post surgery. The vitamin D is also common and they will request you to be on a D3 vitamin. Standard is 2000IU but from what I have read most of us, including me, are much higher. You will likely end up on calcium citrate (elemental calcium) and a multi vitamin as well.

For the high red blood cells, the more common reason is a low oxygen supply. Have you had your sleep study yet? Do you have sleep apnea? Do you wear a mask?

When the Dr filled out the paperwork to see if I need a sleep study I didn't score highly enough so he hasn't referred me for a sleep study (my bmi and blood pressure are my only 2 risk factors for sleep apnea. I don't snore, my neck size is smaller than the cut off, I'm female and under 50 with no visible apnea signs)

I will order VitD supplements today :)

You be required to get one as part of the process. I am in my 30s with a neck well under the limit and I still had to have one completed. Also just because you are not in the standard risk factor does not mean you are 100% in the clear. Stress could cause white blood cells to be elevated but not red. Red is most likely low oxygen levels. Asthma, sleep apnea, COPD etc are the normal cause. The other causes are performance enhancing drugs or high level athletes which I assume most people pre-op would not fall under.

In the paperwork sent to me by the hospital it has a questionnaire to see if you need to be referred for a sleep study and it's only required if you score over 3 on the test. I did not score over 3 so no sleep study is required.

I should add the red blood cell counts normal range is 3.6-5.4 and mine was 5.5 which is in the "high" range - even though it's only 0.1 above normal.

It may depend which centre you go through. I don't have to get a sleep apnea test.

Also, I have severe asthma and my red blood cells are in normal range.

Looks like it is a Hamilton thing. Most of the people I have talked to off of this site from Hamilton have to have it done. I just found out that wording is holding up my process which is why I don't have my surgery consent appointment yet. I had to call and have them revise the "treatment may be needed in the future" removed.

Oh gosh. That is so frustrating about the wording. Glad you figured it out and are having it removed. Time to get your consent for surgery!!!

Ya we didn't have the form screening they just said it had to be done in Hamilton. Looks like the other centers don't require it.

Most people are low in vitamin D... I took Jamieson brand a chewable one 1000iu each and I was taking 2 pills a day. I wasn't held up in the process. As for your glucose...you may be border line diabetic.. . A lot of people are who are in this process. There are 2 kinds of cholesterol good and bad. My good one is low and that happens due to lack of exercise and not being at my ideal weight. So I would work on vitamin D ... as the nurse will tell you that anyway. A phat.acisit can even tell you how many you should or can take.

Good luck and don't stress

Laura