Knowledge and sourcing
Bloodwork buddies
Bring the printout. We read it together.
Appointments are short, results arrive badly, and people leave a clinic with a printout they cannot read and no idea what to be worried about. In this circle we read the printout together — the units, the reference ranges, what a trend looks like versus a wobble — and then everybody takes their own questions back to their own clinician.
Nobody leaves with a plan that somebody in this circle gave them. That is the rule and it is not negotiable.
Who this circle is for
- You have results you do not understand
- You want to prepare questions before an appointment
- You enjoy this sort of thing and are good at explaining it
Agreements here
- We never interpret anybody's results for them — we explain what the words mean
- No result is posted with an identifiable name or number attached to a person
Vitamin D in a Scottish winter
Ted7 replies
Starting a thread on this because it keeps coming up in ones and twos: Vitamin D in a Scottish winter I have read the paper and I am not sure I have understood it. The thing that has…
The three questions I took to my review
Vera16 replies
Starting a thread on this because it keeps coming up in ones and twos: The three questions I took to my review I have read the paper and I am not sure I have understood it. What I would…
How often is reasonable to be tested
Nell15 replies
How often is reasonable to be tested — putting it in its own thread so it does not get lost in the check-in. Evidence question. I would rather have an honest "we do not know" than a…
A trend over three years beats any single result
Mina17 replies
Something I have been sitting with: A trend over three years beats any single result Not looking for advice so much as other people's experience. Evidence question. I would rather have an…
Ferritin, iron studies and the fatigue question
Bertie9 replies
Ferritin, iron studies and the fatigue question — putting it in its own thread so it does not get lost in the check-in. Evidence question. I would rather have an honest "we do not know"…
A result that was a laboratory error
Inês14 replies
Something I have been sitting with: A result that was a laboratory error Not looking for advice so much as other people's experience. Putting this here because I do not want to be sold…
What my nurse checks and why
Gigi18 replies
What my nurse checks and why — putting it in its own thread so it does not get lost in the check-in. Putting this here because I do not want to be sold anything, I want to know what is…
Lipase and amylase — what they are for
Ray12 replies
A question rather than an update: Lipase and amylase — what they are for Evidence question. I would rather have an honest "we do not know" than a confident answer. I have read the guides…
Liver enzymes, mildly raised, and what my GP said
Jonty16 replies
A question rather than an update: Liver enzymes, mildly raised, and what my GP said I have read the paper and I am not sure I have understood it. Here is where I am. The medication side…
What a reference range actually is
Inês22 replies
What a reference range actually is — putting it in its own thread so it does not get lost in the check-in. Putting this here because I do not want to be sold anything, I want to know what…
eGFR moved and I panicked unnecessarily
Birdie17 replies
Something I have been sitting with: eGFR moved and I panicked unnecessarily Not looking for advice so much as other people's experience. Putting this here because I do not want to be sold…
My lipids went the wrong way and it took a while to understand why
Tinuke24 replies
My lipids went the wrong way and it took a while to understand why Writing it down partly to work out what I actually think. Putting this here because I do not want to be sold anything, I…
Reading a full blood count for the first time
Hattie16 replies
A question rather than an update: Reading a full blood count for the first time Putting this here because I do not want to be sold anything, I want to know what is actually established.…
Thyroid panel, in plain words
Gil20 replies
Starting a thread on this because it keeps coming up in ones and twos: Thyroid panel, in plain words I have read the paper and I am not sure I have understood it. I am aware some of this…