Types of blood test.....

JJ · 12-01-2005, 07:25 PM

Recently I had my new dr. send me copies of all my bloodwork, as she had alot done and I wanted to see exactly what was done. Most of it was the usual stuff, and of course the Lipid tests. I know I have seen folks on here ask for certain tests to be done to determine their risks, although like anything, nothing is 100% fool proof. I did ask her if she did a homosystien (sp.?) test, and she said no, will include that in the one for Jan.

I see nothing about any CRP either, so is that a seperate type of test? Only thing I see on there that I have seen on this board is an ALT test, which I believe is a liver test, and that came back as 12. From what I have read, 12 is fairly low. Naturally I see a Calcium result also, but don't think that is like having one of those screening things to see if U have calcium deposits, so it probably is of no value in that respect. At times my potassium level has been a lil low, so they keep a check on that, and this time it came back as 3.9, which is up from a 3.4, which I know is a lil low. Is there anything else on the report I should be looking at, or would any risk tests have to be done seperately? Thanx in advance for any info.

Have a good nite......

ARIZONA73 · 12-03-2005, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJ

Recently I had my new dr. send me copies of all my bloodwork, as she had alot done and I wanted to see exactly what was done. Most of it was the usual stuff, and of course the Lipid tests. I know I have seen folks on here ask for certain tests to be done to determine their risks, although like anything, nothing is 100% fool proof. I did ask her if she did a homosystien (sp.?) test, and she said no, will include that in the one for Jan.

I see nothing about any CRP either, so is that a seperate type of test? Only thing I see on there that I have seen on this board is an ALT test, which I believe is a liver test, and that came back as 12. From what I have read, 12 is fairly low. Naturally I see a Calcium result also, but don't think that is like having one of those screening things to see if U have calcium deposits, so it probably is of no value in that respect. At times my potassium level has been a lil low, so they keep a check on that, and this time it came back as 3.9, which is up from a 3.4, which I know is a lil low. Is there anything else on the report I should be looking at, or would any risk tests have to be done seperately? Thanx in advance for any info.

Have a good nite......

Well, I've taken a look at all my previous blood tests, and have found no mention of homocysteine or CRP until I had the most recent test. So, I guess that now they are finally beginning to look at these numbers. My CRP was 0.3, and the homocysteine was 7.1. PSA was 0.58 (I guess you don't have to worry about that number). Your Potassium level seems to be in the normal range now. To be quite honest with you, I really don't pay too much attention to the rest, unless the number is flagged. The only numbers that were flagged were MCV (98), Monocytes (14.4), TC (234), and HDL (107). I have no idea what MCV and Monocytes are, but the doctor never said anything about them, so I'm not worrying about it. I've never had my Lp(a) measured, either. The homocysteine, CRP, and Lp(a) levels are important risk factors for heart disease, so I guess if you are interested in finding out what your levels are, you may want to mention it to your doctor the next time you have your blood test.

JJ · 12-03-2005, 01:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ARIZONA73

Well, I've taken a look at all my previous blood tests, and have found no mention of homocysteine or CRP until I had the most recent test. So, I guess that now they are finally beginning to look at these numbers. My CRP was 0.3, and the homocysteine was 7.1. PSA was 0.58 (I guess you don't have to worry about that number). Your Potassium level seems to be in the normal range now. To be quite honest with you, I really don't pay too much attention to the rest, unless the number is flagged. The only numbers that were flagged were MCV (98), Monocytes (14.4), TC (234), and HDL (107). I have no idea what MCV and Monocytes are, but the doctor never said anything about them, so I'm not worrying about it. I've never had my Lp(a) measured, either. The homocysteine, CRP, and Lp(a) levels are important risk factors for heart disease, so I guess if you are interested in finding out what your levels are, you may want to mention it to your doctor the next time you have your blood test.

Nope, doubt I need a PSA...LOL I had asked her about the Lp(a) and all she said was .."what good would that do". Needless to say, I just dropped the subject, but she did put the homocysteine on for the next test. Both hubby and I are due in late Jan. for tests, will have to see is any of this stuff is on his, as he is under a cardio drs. care also.

I just looked at the paper and the MCV is 94...range is 80.0-100.0 They have 2 Monocytes....Monocytes % 6.8 no range listed just a bunch of stuff under it with the % sign, and Monocytes Absolute 565..range 200-950. God only knows what either of them mean, sure is Greek to me. Oh well, I'm not going to worry about it, all this stuff can make ya nuts. Yes, at one stage my Potassium was 3.3 and the dr. got a bit concerned about it, so I was happy to see it go up to a normal range.

One of these days when my son isn't half blind trying to cram for his nursing degree, I will have to email him some of this stuff and ask him. Oh well, the clock is getting to the bewitching hr., so I had best put this old body to bed. Thanx for the info. even if we are still in the dark, sometimes I swear, the less we know the better off we are.

Have a great weekend, snowed again some tonight, and guess they expect 2-3" by morning...OH JOY!!! Sleep well, and TTYT...

Lenin · 12-03-2005, 08:39 AM

JJ, there are some tests you just have to ASK for, they won't get done otherwise.
In this realm are the commoner homocysteine, hsCR-P, the more rarely done Lp(a), and it's kin apolipoprotein A and B. And then you have to BEG for the rarer fractions like HDL2 and HDL3 and the LDL's 1 though 4.

WHen he said "what good what THAT do?" referring to your request for Lp(a) you missed a GOOD return:

You: "Well couldn't we send it to someone who understands it's importance?"

(Save it for next time you ask.)

True, there isn't much you can DO about the number, but since it's one of the most potent blood lipid offenders, KNOWING it is vitally important. If only to know that, if it's rotten, it's important to push that much harder to get other, controllable risk factors into line.

Cold and crisp on the Hudson this morning.

Moxie75 · 12-03-2005, 09:05 AM

My new doc is big on getting the CRP but she told me that the homocysteiene is overated. I'm not sure I beleive either yet. As with everything else the jury is still out on that one. I have a question about the CRP Can that be rasied if I have tennis elbow? I think I may have asked this before but oh yea I forgot as I also forgot about that darn side effect from Zetia. I tend to have what I call mush brain syndrome while taking it. Sheesh I'm wondering why for the last week I have been saying silly things and forgetting. Now I remember why I took myself off the zetia before..Back to the drawing board I guess...Lisa