How often do you get your labwork done?

Happy Sunday everyone, How often do you get labs done?? I get mine done every 3 months when I have my regular visit with my PCP. I get a complete metabolic profile, CBC w/diff, B-12 level, folate level, lipid profile, liver profile. Is there anything else in particular that I should ask him to add every 3 months?? Thanks!! Eileen

Eileen--I get mine every six months. I am too lazy right now to search out my list of what I am supposed to get. If I find some energy later I will search it out.

Thanks, Lynda! If you find it, give me a holler! I appreciate everyone's input. Eileen

Quarterly, but as person who has had a heart attack, etc., I get blood drawn often enought to just have a spigot installed. Last B12 was 884 using sublingqls. I still do a fasting blood sugar stick in the AM. As far as what tests to get, my PCP asks me what I need and I remind her. In general my lab grocery list looks like with the addition of the diabetic profile. Nowhere Man/PH/Jay

Thanks, Jay! The subliguals didn't do squat for me and my b-12 went down to 264. It is back up to 664 with the b-12 injections. I guess I just don't absorb it well except by injection. Eileen

Because of my problems I am having long term they are run every 3 months. Important ones for us are PTH and 25 Hydroxy D.... This is what I recommend to my support group people... LAB TESTS Regularly - for gastric bypass patients* *Keep track of any levels which are declining from one set of tests to the next, even if not yet in the low range. Make any corrections necessary in your diet before the levels get too low. COMPREHENSIVE METABOLIC PROFILE (sodium, potassium, chloride, glucose, BUN, creatinine, calcium, total protein, albumin, total bilirubin,alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase) (Nc,K,C1,CO2,Glu,BUN,Cr,Ca,TP,Alb,Tbili,AP,AST,ALT) LIPID PROFILE (cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides, chol/HDL ratio) (Fasting specimen) , Tchol,Trig,HDL,Calc,LDL) ALT (SPGT) GGT LDH PHOSPHORUS - INORGANIC URIC ACID CBC (HEMOGRAM/PLT/DIFF) B-12 & FOLATE IRON, TIBC, % SAT FERRITIN THYROID PANEL (T3U, T4, FTI, TSH) MAGNESIUM SERUM INTACT PTH

Thank you, Darlene! That is a great list! I really appreciate you posting it! Eileen

Hey Girlie, I get mine done every 3 months. I used to just get whatever he marked on the sheet, making sure to ask him if he remembered the protein/calcium levels. Now I insist (thanks to recommendation from Leilani) on a Chem 25, and he always does my thyroid levels. He also usually adds the cholesterol, although I'm not sure why, cuz mine has never been high. I track my labs on an Excel sheet Lei gave me, and I can send it to ya if ya like. Its great to see the patterns, and by tracking them myself on this one sheet, I can see if there is any substantial dips, that wouldn't alert my PCP (due to being still in the normal range) but should be watched, based on past trends. One thing I noted that the Chem 25 doesn't include is the B12, and I have a mental note to insure he checks that box off next time, as its been quite a while since I've gotten my values on that.. suprisingly, cuz he gives me the perscriptions for the injections, and my values haven't been reported on labs in over a year.. big mental note on that one! Hope this helps. Wendy

Thanks, Wendy! Yes, please send me the spread sheet again. Lei sent it to me once, but I lost it in my filing cabinet when my AOL zonked out on me and I had to reinstall it. Did you have a good weekend?? I am feeling a little more human today, but my sinuses are whacked out. Probably why I was feeling so tired. Love ya!! Hope to see you for lunch this week! Eileen

Mine are done the same as yours Eileen. I'm wondering the same thing if there's anything else I should be having checked. He also keeps a close check on my potassium, as I have suffered from HIGH potassium levels in the last year, but lately, the last 6 months or so, they have been normal. Elle