Read Your Medical Test Reports

[bigwheelzip]

I've posted on this topic before, but had to dredge it up again today.

Almost all medical providers offer a "Patient Portal" with access to your test results. Your layman's medical review could potentially see something overlooked by your doctor, and save your life. I know many of you do this already, but if you haven't bothered, please consider this:

Cousin Susann's doctor was "watching" a spot on her lung with CAT scans for 15 years. She recently became incapacitated with severe pain and just got a PET scan and biopsy which confirmed "end stage" lung cancer metastasized to her spine.

She asked for the report on the annual CAT scan she received a year earlier, and clearly spelled out on the first page by the reviewing radiologist and clearly missed by her doctor, is the cancer that has now run rampant and unchecked in her body for a year.

Radiologist statement in report missed a year ago.

So lets be diligent health care consumers, and if you could spare a Prayer for my beloved cousin, I'd deeply appreciate it.

 

[pawncop]

Prayer from Texas for her healing and recovery. Words are inadequate to express my sorrow for her situation.

 

[BC38]

What a sad bit of news. Prayers for your cousin to be healed and spared suffering.

 

[lkabug]

Prayers from my corner.

 

[jbtrucker]

Prayers peace and comfort for your cousin .

 

[ditrina]

Prayers up... Stay strong.

 

[Onomea]

Prayers sent for Susan.

That is an egregious oversight by her doctor.

Good advice, BWZ. No one cares for our health as much as we ourselves, or our loved ones, do. We all need to take responsibility, and "trust but verify" when it comes to diagnoses.

 

[mckenney99]

For the last 10+ years I've been dealing with a chronic medical condition and before each semi-annual check-up I would have blood work done and x-rays taken. I ALWAYS took a hard copy of the x-rays so I could look them over myself before my appointment and I always reviewed my lab results prior to meeting with the Dr. It became routine for the Dr. to ask ME what my x-rays looked like, because he would never look at the Radiologist report prior to even walking into the exam room.
Assembly line medicine these days with only small time windows allotted to each patient are a symptom of a broken healthcare system. It is getting worse, with many physicians choosing to retire and get out of the business completely.
It is also getting exceedingly more difficult to find Dr's that are willing to actually listen to their patient's symptoms and complaints to help narrow down what your problem is. Instead they just start going down a list of labs and tests and hope they get lucky. Almost like taking a car into a mechanic and they just start replacing parts, hoping they finally fix the issue.

 

[Abbynormal]

Save the documentation and lawyer up.

At least the descendants will have a better life.

Even if it is without her.

 

[Rustyt1953]

Prayers for your cousin.

I am fortunate that all my lab and test results are available to me through MyChart and that I have a nurse to interpret them for me.

 

[STCM(SW)]

I have had CT scans that show a spot that has doubled from the last time
in my right lung. Took 56 months for that to show up.
Radio active test showed it to be none maligant.
So I am not going to worry about it like some cancer DR wanted to put
a 16 MM whole in my lung.....

 

[ACORN]

I'll pray for her.
No matter how good the doctor it all boils down to the fact that they are human too and make mistakes. Some huge. Not excusing it, just saying.

 

[vonn]

Cancer is evil. Praying.

 

[Jim R]

Prayers sent for your cousin and your family

Jim R

 

[Sgt911]

I asked my doc to have a specific blood test to check my aldosterone and
renin levels. Doc told me it was fine. I pulled the report and found the doc had completely missed verifying the ratio between the two. The ratio is an indicator of Conns syndrome, a cause of high blood pressure. My ratio was out of wack and they should have caught that.

I had a CT scan to check for nodules on my adrenal glands, which can cause Conns syndrome. They said I was fine. I pulled up the report and they had checked everything BUT the adrenals. I asked them to request a re-read and yup, I had a nodule on my left adrenal. That lead to a more extensive investigation. It turns out I DO have Conns, but it is bilateral hyperplasia not caused and the nodule is non functioning. By be being alert and diligent it lead to a diagnoses and proper medication. As a side note to those who have high blood pressure and are on multiple meds, that don't seem to work even with diet and exercise. I was told that Conns is more common than once thought. as many as 25% of people with HBP have it and most die without ever having a diagnoses.

I was looking at my routine blood test and noticed my calcium had been increasing for the the last couple of years, and was one tic over the norm range. Doc said nothing about it. I asked doc to check my parathyroid levels, and sure enough it was pretty high. I referred myself to an endo surgeon, he did a couple simple test and within a week I had surgery to remove two bad parathyroid glands.

So yes, be vigilant

 

[Old_Cop]

Every class has a doctor that finished last. No disrespect to your cousin, I pray for a positive outcome.

 

[woodsltc]

Prayers up for your cousin. God Bless.

Thanks for the very good advise about the test reports.


Don

 

[Tom Kent]

Prayers for your cousin and may she find peace.

 

[robrossk]

I hate cancer. Went through this myself just two months ago. Fortunately my pulmonologist caught a small tumor growth. Ended up with a thoracotomy to remove left lower lung lobe. Feeling pretty good 2 months out from surgery. Definitely keep on top of your own details. Prayers for your cousin.

 

[Delta Expatriate]

Prayers have been sent for your cousin, Susann, and all involved - family, friends and loved ones, as well as all medical personnel.