Blood Work

[toni]

I had my appointment with my family doctor. I had been asked to come in because of an abnormality in the blood work that TGH had me do prior to my angiogram (which is tomorrow).

After waiting for over an hour...
it seems my hemoglobin is low...117. I asked what was normal and she said 130. She wanted to book me for a colonoscopy but I hesitated. Two years ago my levels were 129, last year 119 and now 117. (Why did she wait until TGH flagged it to call me?) Since in one year the level hadn't changed that much she agreed that the colonoscopy could wait but in the meantime I have to do a stool kit (how glamorous! ) and start taking iron pills.

If the stool kit shows anything then I'll have to go for the colonoscopy.

Sometimes I think she overreacts...this is not the first time she has jumped ahead. Last summer my sugar was a bit high...around six. Instead of sending me for a blood test (A1C? I think) which checks your blood sugars for the last six months, she had me do a two hour glucose test which showed I was not diabetic.

Well, tomorrow we travel to Toronto for my 6:15am angiogram. I'll be glad to get that over with.

Toni

[wendyco]

hey Toni, good luck tomorrow....I will be thinking of you the whole day....think this is like the heart cath I had and it's a breeze so don't be nervous....just a little med and you will feel fine.......

as for the other...it does seem now a days doc's are over reactive and am glad you can hold off on the colonoscopy til later....

[Blossom/Jackie W.]

Toni; I think you made the wise decision (IMHO)

As for tomorrow........ lady; we'll be there with you. Maybe not "physically" but in spirit! I know you're nervous, and I know you want the best results; heck that's human nature;
AND we want the best for you!

Gotta tell you.... since all of this journey started for you, you seem so much more relaxed. This is a good sign and a GOOD thing.

Good luck tomorrow Tony.... from all of us!

[bobbioh]

I second that Hang in there your doing great. Bobbi

[susanny]

It'll be a piece of cake, Toni. My brother's had the test several times and says it's painless. Hope it all turns out fine. And yes, Blossom's right. You do seem more relaxed and going with the flow now.

[wendyco]

Any word from Toni??? don't know if you had to stay overnight.....hope it went well and am anxious to hear how you're doing

[John]

Good luck Toni If you need me to watch "Rosie" tommorow I can

[spike99]

Hi Toni.

I wish your "great luck" in your tests as well.

If wondering, hbA1C tests sugar levels based on how much Glucose is stuck to one's red blood cells. It's for a 3 month average with emphasis given in the most recent month. hbA1C test is NOT 100% accurate. Being "an average" test (shown in a single number), its output number does not distinguish between someone who has a steady BG numbers compared against someone who has wild ups / downs BG changes. From a single number "average" perspective, both folks could appear the same. But the person with wild ups / wild downs has Diabetis xx% of the time (as seen in high BG spike patterns). On "an average" perspective, hbA1C tests are not 100% accurate. The more accurate test (to determine if one diabetic and non-diabetic) is an OGTT test. re: diabetes-diagnosis.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_glucose_tolerance_test

Also, some medications (like beta blockers to reduce high BP) and prednisone family drugs (to help battle COPD) raises BG levels as well. It can make a normal working pancreas work under "too much" stress. Thus, one's BG numbers go higher - which makes the person appear they have diabetis. When your doctor reads / explains your OGTT test results (which should have 0 hour, 1 hour and 2 hour readings), I hope they also fully explain other BG number "influences" as well - like medically induced Diabetes.

For more details about "normal body" BG numbers, surf all pages within:

www.phlaunt.com/diabetes/16422495.php


Hope this helps explain the hbA1c and OGTT tests in more detail....

.