hi all,
I had my monthly blood test this morning and had my book filled in with last months results. I was somewhat concerned to find that I had no result for CRP, MCV (size of red blood cell) or ALT (liver) They were just listed as 'normal' The nurse said she had had several sets of results like that recently.
Now I keep a careful watch on my results and I like to know what is happening in my body. The is a wide range of normal and I don't like how this makes me feel. I know my RA is pretty well controlled with mtx and hydroy but I certainly want to know my inflammation levels more accurately than 'normal'. It just makes me feel a bit insecure.

Has anyone else found this happening?
Sue

Did the nurse indicate that she thought it was unusual as well or did she just mention it as a fact? Perhaps you could ask her to investigate further for you as to why this is now happening when it never used to be the case. Like Julie, mine too always have values.

Hi Sue,

Mine are also recorded as exact numbers and I can understand why you find it annoying to be just told "normal".
I leave my book with he practise nurse after the blood tests, she fills it in when the results are back and gets my GP to sign it and I can collect it a couple of days later.

Doreen xx

Hi Sue,

Like Anne, I always get a print-out of all my results, which come with all the numbers complete. I then copy the results into my blood-book, and keep the print-out in a file, along with my copies of hospital letters. I agree you should have rather more info than just "normal."

Kathleen C x

Hello everone
i noticed the most of you get your blood results written in for you i have to ring my health centre to get mine and fill in the booklet my self when i go to see my consultant he never asks to see it anybody else find this should he be checking iit i usually have it in my hand bag but once when i didnt have my handbag with me i had it in my hand he said i will just look at that when you have it there but no comment about results

Thanks all. Iwas wondering if I was just being fussy but feel better now I have read your replies. Shall have a word with my GP (who is great). The nurse showed me the results on the computer and she was puzzled that these were missing. It just made me feel that perhaps they hadn't even been done.
Thanks again
Sue

Hi Pet

Not a daft question at all and if you don't ask these things you don't get to know! Simples (I always ask far too many questions but I've also learned a lot along the way!)

Some drugs, such as the DMARDS (disease modifying drugs) require you to have regular blood tests so that the efficacy of the medication and possible side effects can be monitored. The results of these tests are recorded in your own monitoring book which you keep and take with you to all appointments. It's good to have this record and with time you will get to know your own patterns and what is happening with the RA. Makes interesting reading ... sometimes!

Lyn x

Hi everyone

I was never given a book or anything, however my daughter is in Oxford and she got a book at her first appointment!! Must be different depending which hospital.

In Oxford the GPs are responsible for organising the blood tests, checking results, prescribing medications. Where I am, under Portsmouth, the hospital does all this! - probably why a book isn't needed. I just get a printout of them all for myself as I like to know what is going on!!! (but that may be my medical background and the fact that my mum was a GP and always had a spreadsheet of all her results!!). I am very impressed with Portsmouth though.

Any one else down on the south coast by the sea! I actually live half way between Portsmouth and Southampton.

Anne

hi, i dont have a book either for results, i have asked before on here as it was a topic and i did bring it up with the gp and r/a team but still nothing i now have a new r/a/ nurse so think ill ask again,i got told if a problem they would contact me, wasnt happy with that ans so will try again,i forget as no one asks for it.