Laboratory Tests and Keeping Records compiled by doctordee | Search LMS site |

Keeping Records Interpreting Laboratory Tests
Keeping Records
Collect all reports: operation reports, biopsy reports, scan reports, Xray reports, lab reports, letters from doctors to other doctors...in short, all official medical records. You are entitled to a copy of each. Organize them in a looseleaf notebook. You may need a second notebook for correspondence about bills and payments. Make sure you make notes of whom you spoke to, when, and what was said. You may need a third notebook about medical arrangements or treatment protocols. Make sure you make notes of whom you spoke to, when, and what was said. You will also need a weatherproof artists' portfolio for your scans, so you can trundle them around safely. One of the collapsible metal luggage carts might be useful if your scans are numerous and not yet on CD.
Interpreting Laboratory Tests
A laboratory test is a medical procedure that involves testing a sample of blood, urine, or other tissues or substances in the body. Such tests have a variety of uses: 1. They are often used as part of a routine checkup to identify possible changes in a person's health before any symptoms occur. 2. Laboratory tests also play an important role in diagnosis when a person has symptoms. 3. In addition, tests may be used to help plan a patient's treatment. 4. Tests are used to evaluate the response to treatment. 5. Tests monitor the course of the disease over time. Normal Ranges Laboratory test samples are analyzed to determine whether the test results fall within normal ranges. They also may be checked for changes from previous tests. Normal test values are usually given as a range, rather than as a specific number, because normal values vary from person to person. What is normal for one person may not be normal for another person. Many factors (including the patient's sex, age, race, medical history, and general health) can affect test results. Other factors that sometimes affect test results include specific foods, drugs the patient is taking, how closely the patient follows preparatory instructions, and variations in laboratory techniques. It is also common for normal ranges to vary somewhat from laboratory to laboratory. Tests results must be interpreted with respect to the entire situation. Some laboratory tests are precise, reliable indicators of specific health problems while others provide more general information. Laboratory test results may help decide whether other tests or procedures are needed to make a diagnosis, or can be used to develop or revise a treatment plan. All laboratory test results must be interpreted in the context of the overall health of the patient and are generally used along with other exams or tests. The doctor who is familiar with the patient's medical history and current condition is in the best position to interpret that person's test results and explain their implications. Discuss questions or concerns about laboratory test results with your doctor. Reference ranges ("normal ranges") Because reference ranges are usually defined as the range of values of the middle 95% of the healthy population, it is unlikely that a given specimen, even from a healthy patient, will show "normal" values for all the tests if a lot of tests are done. Caution should be exercised to prevent overreaction to mild abnormalities unless they correspond to the clinical condition. Units of measurement: America against the world American labs use a different version of the metric system than does most of the rest of the world, which uses the Système Internationale (SI). [The American system generally uses mass per unit volume, while SI uses moles per unit volume. Since mass per mole varies with the molecular weight of the analyte, conversion between American and SI units requires many different conversion factors. ] Dennis Jay, PhD, has kindly made available an online converter between SI and conventional units: http://dwjay.tripod.com/conversion.html Liver Function Tests Leiomyosarcoma tumors do not always cause symptoms. Tumors may grow vigorously in the liver, but unless there is pressure in a confined space, there is no pain. Until liver tissue has undergone major destruction, there will be no symptoms from the tumor. However, liver function tests done on the blood may show high levels of liver enzymes. These liver enzymes are actually proteins released from dying liver cells. So the first indication of a liver metastasis might be a shadow on a scan, or elevated liver enzymes in a blood test. Blood Counts Blood counts, the levels of the red cells, white cells, and platelets in the blood, are often done during radiation or chemotherapy. Radiation and Chemo, and other targeted agents, as well as the tumor itself, can result in lowered numbers of these cells, causing symptoms of fatigue, infection or bleeding. Organs that Share Enzymes Alkaline phosphatase is present in bone, liver, and other organs. If the alk phos is elevated, whether it is from liver or bone becomes important. If one cannot tell clinically [no bone pain, no other liver functions elevated], then a special test that separates out and reports the levels of the different types of alkaline phosphatase can be done. "Isoenzyme determination" may help determine the organ/tissue responsible for an alkaline phosphatase elevation. Likewise, SGOT [serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, also known as AST] is present in liver, but also in red blood cells. If blood is drawn too quickly through a small needle, the red blood cells can break down, and create an artificially elevated SGOT [AST] level that has NO clinical significance. Testing the Patient Sites that describe and explain the significance of individual laboratory tests and abnormalities are listed below. Look up the names of each of the lab tests that you are concerned about. Uthman Lab Site Diagnostic Tests Information at Harvard Lab Tests Online Home Page Lab Tests Online Information compiled by doctordee updated January 2004

The information on this site is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with your doctor. Please consult your doctor with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition. Copyright © 2001-2006 LMSWEBSITE