If Anything Is Abnormal After A Blood Test Do They Contact You Asap?

[Raidergal2022]

Been having some odd symptoms and had a blood test 10 days ago.

I have a follow up appointment for the results in 4 weeks and am wondering if anything abnormal is found will they contact me about it before the appointment?

Or could I be waiting 4 weeks to be told bad news?

If it makes any difference this is what they are testing
https://ibb.co/3CPSX55

[calmck]

Did the doctor not tell you what they were testing for

[jno]

they tested me once to check my platelet levels. The phone rang as soon as I got home, to tell me they were at danger level. So yes, if anything's seriously amiss they should tell you asap.

[Raidergal2022]

Calmck ..they didn’t say specifically no but it is mainly for systemic/ inflammatory disease. I have been having odd symptoms - mottled skin/hand cramping and recent throat issues.

[Raidergal2022]

Thanks jno that is quick, hope things turned ok for you

[DarceyK123]

Yes, they will contact you if anything shows up.

[jno]

lol, the message was "If you get a nosebleed call an ambulance at once" (platelets are needed so your blood clots). Things have improved though not as much as I'd like.

Could you call your GP to see if they have your results on file yet?

[Raidergal2022]

Oh that’s quite scary

It is with a private medical company bupa I did ring up the secretary and she just said that she couldn’t discuss any results and that I’d have to wait. I didn’t want to mither anymore so left it.

Won’t be able to afford bupa for long lol will likely be back with NHS and the forever length waiting times next year

[barry1010]

I can access my results online, usually within 24 hours but the surgery always rings quickly if there is an abnormality that needs a discussion or treatment.

As you are with BUPA I would expect to get the results quickly whether there is a problem or not. Reassurance is very important.

[Old_Geezer]

In my experience of blood tests, you can not guarantee they will bother.

One year, during a visit to my GP, I was asked whether my cholesterol level was any lower yet. Cholesterol level ? What cholesterol level ? Yeah it was high last time. High, no one told me !

Then reasonably recently, a few years later, I got sent a text, not telling me I had anything, but including a link to a document regarding a particular health issue and how to deal with it.

That was something I suppose, but I had to infer that they were hinting that I had the issue.

If in doubt and concerned, contact them and ask.

[naomi24]

It worries me when people ask questions like this because different areas have different systems. Please call your clinic directly and ask them.

[barry1010]

Naomi, she did ring and was told to wait for her appointment in a few weeks

[Sqad]

A silly stupid thread.
Any significant abnormal result will be reported to the patient.
What is abnormal to the patient may be normal to the doctor.

Why would a Dr "sit on" an abnormal test result?

[wolf63]

Sqad - because doctors are human and they can make mistakes or forget to do things - like the rest of us.

[Rosie29]

Sqad- see OGs post above

[Sqad]

Wolf........indeed.

[THECORBYLOON]

SQAD, "A silly stupid thread."

Really?

Something silly or stupid to you might be a cause for concern to someone else so perhaps have that in mind before posting a similar comment.

[Sqad]

Thank you Corby, I will keep your comments in mind.

[Raidergal2022]

I think whether the thread is idiotic or not comes down to how the reader perceives what is being asked

To be more specific I know that anything requiring urgent treatment would be reported to the patient but other abnormalities like suspected chronic inflammatory disorders for instance, well I don’t know if this would be reported asap or not

[Sqad]

Raider........each result would be taken on it's merit, depending upon previous results and the clinical picture.

[Raidergal2022]

^ Fair enough, thanks