had labs drawn today
I usually get labs every six months but it's been a little over a year this time because I've been avoiding doctors and hospitals as much as possible. But since I broke down and went to see my PCP to get pain meds for my back last week, I asked for an order for labs while I was there.
I have learned it's very important to advocate for ourselves when we get labs done. The first thing I noticed was that the phlebotomist had 10 tubes lined up on the table, and usually it takes 15 or 16 tubes. I asked if she was sure she had all the tubes she needed. She checked, and realized she was missing four tubes.
Then she started to put the tournequit on my arm and I realized none of the tubes were wrapped in foil and I didn't see any of those sleeves some labs use to protect blood samples from light. I said "You know some of these have to be light protected, right?" She looked startled and said "They do?" I said yes. So she had to stop to check which ones.
She was very nice about it, and apologized, and thanked me for pointing it out to her. But if I hadn't been paying attention, I would have ended up having to go back to get some of my labs redrawn because she would have done some of them incorrectly (and I guess not drawn some of them at all, since she was missing four tubes altogether).
Kelly
Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.
Yes. Several of the vitamins need to be light protected. The Lab Tracker Workbook says which ones.
Kelly
Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.
I don't have Andrea's tracker so don't know what it says, but I know that traditionally, B12 was considered light-sensitive. My lab posted a sheet a while back that indicates that new studies show it is not and that they no longer use the wrapped tubes for B12 samples.
Lora
14 years out; 190 pounds lost, 165 pound loss maintained
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.
Her book does say B12 should be protected from light, but also B1 (thiamine), B6 and vitamin A.
Kelly
Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.
Are you referencing this workbook?
http://wlsvitagarten.com/products-page/books/lab-tracker-wor kbook/
Yes, that's the book.
What exactly would you like more info on?
Kelly
Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.
Well, this was news to me about how it is supposed to be collected. I will watch it next time and look into getting a copy of that workbook. I just need to spend some time researching what the benefit the vitamins I take give and what happens when I don't get them in the correct amounts. Honestly I was not a healthy person before the surgery and I am still learning how to live healthy.
