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Who takes my Blood Tests? |
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Blood tests are performed at the Surgery by the phlebotomist (a person who has been trained to take blood samples). Nurses can also take your blood tests. If a blood test is required, the Doctor will advise you of the tests that need to be done. You will be asked to make an appointment with Reception. You will usually be given an appointment with the phlebotomist or nurse to have the blood taken. You may however be advised to go to the pathology lab. At Wharfedale General Hospital, especially if it is more convenient for you. |
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How long do the results take? |
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Depending upon the type of blood test you have had, your results generally take between 1 and 5 days to come back to the surgery. Some other tests this can take longer. See below:-
Cervical Smear - up to 8 weeks Osteoporosis scan - 1 month X-ray - 1 week
You will be advised by the Nurse, Phlebotomist or GP of the timescales.
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What does the Doctor do with my Results? |
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The Doctor will read your results and enter these onto your computer medical record. When you telephone, you will be advised by a Receptionist if you require a prescription, or if the Doctor needs you to, arrange an appointment to discuss your results or discuss over the phone. If the Doctor needs to speak to you sooner, we will contact you by telephone. Please ensure we have your correct contact details – you can update these on our website in Online Services.
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How do I get my results? |
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For test results, please telephone the Surgery on the given day, after 2.30pm, and speak to a receptionist. [ Top ] |
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Test Types and what they are |
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U&E
This means "Urea and electrolytes", and this test measures the functioning of your kidneys and the level of various salts in the body. The salts can become low if you take a diuretic ("water tablet") and we usually perform this test on an annual basis on patients who are taking this medication, and also on other blood pressure medication. This test may also highlight dehydration after diarrhoeal illness or vomiting. It may also give us clues as to how well your kidneys are working.
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LFT
This means "Liver Function Test". It measures various chemicals involved in liver and gall bladder disease, as well as bone metabolism. It may give clues to indicate gall stones, whether you drink too much alcohol, or whether you have a number of different bone diseases. It may also reveal jaundice (this is the condition where people develop a yellow appearance due to excessive amounts of a chemical called "Bilirubin"). This test can become abnormal if you take certain types of medication.
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TFT
This means "Thyroid function test". It measures the activity of the thyroid gland and the response to thyroid hormone replacement in people who are deficient in the hormone. The thyroid gland lies at the front of the neck. It may become "over" or "under" active. If you have an under active gland, you will need to take thyroid hormone replacement - but the dose required will be different for different people, and may well change. This test tells us whether the dose needs to be altered but we cannot tell until you have been taking a particular dose of Levothyroxin (thyroid hormone) for at least 6 weeks.
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Lipids
This is a check of the blood fats. There are 2 main types of fat that we measure and they are called "Cholesterol" and "Triglycerides". With time, these fats may become deposited on the walls of the blood vessels so that they become narrower. Unfortunately, this process can lead to many diseases including heart attacks, angina and strokes. If the levels of lipids are high, this process may occur at an early age. The test is performed after an overnight starve. The Doctor or nurse will be able to advise you whether you need to follow a diet or start tablets to lower the blood lipids if they are high.
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Glucose
This is a test of the level of a sugar called "glucose" in the blood. If the level of glucose in the blood is high, it can be a sign of diabetes. However, if you have just had food or a sweet drink, the level will go up. For this reason, we usually advise having this test on an empty stomach (i.e. having not had anything to eat since the evening before). The symptoms of diabetes may include thirst, passing lots of urine, weight loss and tiredness, and repeated infections or thrush. Diabetes that comes on in middle age can be hereditary. You will be at a higher risk of developing the disease if you are middle aged, overweight and have blood relatives with diabetes that started in middle age.
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Serum Urate
This test measures the amount of uric acid that is in the blood. Uric acid is a product of the breakdown of proteins in the body.
A doctor may order this test when a person has symptoms of arthritis or gout. He or she may also order this test when a person has kidney disease.
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Gamma GT
Gamma GT stands for gamma-glutamyltransferase, a liver enzyme in the blood level. This can be elevated with excessive alcohol consumption, but also with other disturbances of liver function.
The test measures the amount of the enzyme in the blood. GGT participates in the transfer of amino acids across the cellular membrane and in glutathione metabolism. High concentrations are found in the liver, bile ducts, and the kidney.
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CPK
CPK is an enzyme which is very useful for diagnosing diseases of the heart and skeletal muscle.
When a muscle is damaged, CPK leaks into the bloodstream. Determining which isoenzyme (specific form of CPK) is elevated will help determine which tissue has been damaged.
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HbA1c
This tests forms one of the battery of standard tests performed before Diabetic Clinic. It tells us the average blood glucose in the preceding weeks before the blood was taken. It helps to tell us if Diabetics really have been sticking to their diet!
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FBC
This means "Full Blood Count". It can measure a number of different elements in the blood, such as your "haemoglobin". This gives your blood its red colour.
If the haemoglobin is low, you are anaemic. There are many different types of anaemia - not all are responsive to iron treatment, so your Doctor will need to determine the exact type and why you are anaemic. This test also looks at the size of the red blood cells. If they are large it can be a sign that you drink alcohol regularly, or have thyroid disease or vitamin deficiency (amongst other things).
The FBC also looks at the white blood cells. These are the cells that fight off infection. The white blood cells may be increased when you are suffering from an illness. [ Top ]
CRP
This is a blood test that measures the level of CRP in the blood. The C-reactive protein (CRP) is a substance produced by the liver that increases whenever there is inflammation somewhere in the body. This information can be important in diagnosing infections and inflammatory conditions or evaluating the effectiveness of certain treatments.
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PSA
Prostate cancer can often be found early by testing the amount of prostate-specific antigen (PSA). The PSA level can be increased in disorders of the prostate or in men with prostate cancer.
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FSH
This is the key test to determine whether or not you are in menopause.
A sample of your blood is taken to measure the levels of FSH - Follicle Stimulating Hormone - in your blood.
Your FSH levels rise when your ovaries stop producing enough oestrogen, high FSH levels can signal that your body is entering menopause.
This test can also be done to determine causes of infertility.
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PV
This means "Plasma Viscosity". When you are ill, whether it is arthritis, a sore throat, or virtually any disease, the cells in your blood become "sticky". This test can be difficult to interpret because it is normal for the PV to increase with age and, if it is high, it gives no indication as to the cause. It is often used to monitor the response to treatment of arthritis.
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Helicobacter Pylori Breath Tests
Testing involves taking 2 breath samples into a special test tube as a baseline breath assessment, swallowing a tablet which takes affect in your stomach for 20 minutes, then a further 2 breath samples are taken.
All breath samples are then laboratory tested and the results are known within a few days. You may then be prescribed drugs to eradicate any infection by your GP, and further eradication tests will then be required after 6 weeks. The tests are very accurate.
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