had labs drawn today

poet_kelly
on 6/10/13 1:06 am - OH

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).

View more of my photos at ObesityHelp.com          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.

 

Katie K.
on 6/10/13 1:28 am - Maitland, FL
RNY on 06/25/13

Are any of the light sensitive ones for vitamins? I've asked my pcp to order labs for me. My surgeon's office doesn't establish a baseline, so I thought it best to have it done now before something might become an issue.

poet_kelly
on 6/10/13 1:29 am, edited 6/10/13 1:30 am - OH

Yes.  Several of the vitamins need to be light protected.  The Lab Tracker Workbook says which ones.

View more of my photos at ObesityHelp.com          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.

 

Cicerogirl, The PhD
Version

on 6/10/13 6:56 am - OH

 

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.

poet_kelly
on 6/10/13 7:00 am - OH

Her book does say B12 should be protected from light, but also B1 (thiamine), B6 and vitamin A.

View more of my photos at ObesityHelp.com          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.

 

WannaWeighLess
on 6/10/13 4:08 am - PA

WOW! Thank God you've studied so much.

Best wishes on the lab results too!

d_mac682
on 6/10/13 8:56 am - Gilbert, AZ
RNY on 04/26/12

Ok, I am pretty dumb then. I had no clue about this, and now want to know more. Where can one find more info about this, thats not web-md or of the like? I have to throw out a huge thank you to you WLS vets out there that have taken time to share some knowledge with us. I really do appreciate it!!

         

d_mac682
on 6/10/13 8:59 am - Gilbert, AZ
RNY on 04/26/12

         

poet_kelly
on 6/10/13 9:11 am - OH

Yes, that's the book.

What exactly would you like more info on? 

View more of my photos at ObesityHelp.com          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.

 

d_mac682
on 6/12/13 5:54 am - Gilbert, AZ
RNY on 04/26/12

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.

         

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