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Lab ignored doctors blood test request.

C

Cazmia

Member
Messages
7
Location
Scottish Borders
So, my doctor recently ordered me to have an Hba1C test along with a fasting glucose test. I called for the results today, and it transpires that the lab has completely disregarded my doctors requests for the HbA1c even though I've been having high fasting blood sugars, and some higher than expected post prandial sugars.

I dont know how to proceed with this. Obviously I'm furious that my doctors requests for an Hba1c have been ignored. She wanted that test to get an overall view of where my glucose levels have been for the past three months given Ive been having some wacky results for a normal person, and that I am prediabetic.

I know the test was sent off as a Fasting glucose and Hba1C as I was watching the phlebotimist do the processing of it on her computer.

I guess what I really want to know is, can the lab take it upon themselves to completely ignore part of a lab work up that my doc has asked for? How the heck do I proceed with this, obviously with the family history I have anyway, im well aware of the risks of not catching this early, and what can happen if its left unchecked.
 
Think you will have to go back to your docs and explain.
 
This happened to me all other tests done on the 6 month review except hba1c. I had to go back a week later and wait another week for result. Why they should forget the most important one who knows !!!

Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
 
I had the same, but it turned out that they had not ignored the request, but that the nurse taking the sample used the wrong type of container for an hba1c and the sample could not be used as a result, i think some containers have some kind of chemical coating
 
Hi,
In the UK they usually do two Hba1c's two weeks apart for diagnoses and will not do a glucose tolerance test unless pregnancy is involved.

Clearly, I wouldn't qualify for the latter test! :)

Otherwise I was told labs won't process an Hba1c if 12 weeks or similar has not elapsed since the previous test.
Derek
 
Sometimes mistakes just happen. I got a letter to go and discuss my blood results with my doctor. He looked bemused since he did not have any blood results. He phoned the lab who told him that the name on the paperwork and the name on the tube were different so they binned it all.

They didn't tell anyone about it though.
 
lindisfel said:
Hi,
In the UK they usually do two Hba1c's two weeks apart for diagnoses and will not do a glucose tolerance test unless pregnancy is involved.
Click to expand...

Im in the UK (Scotland to be precise) and when I rang back later on Friday afternoon, the receptionist I spoke to then said that it said on the results they had recieved that the lab had marked it as "inappropriate for the diagnosis of Diabetes" and had only completed the Fasting glucose test. Hopefully my GP will be calling me back tomorrow about this as I have asked for her to do so.
 
Please don't initially blame the lab were not all that bad!.
I work in an nhs laboratory and you will be surprised about the number of errors that can occur with specimens. A lot of the time they are rejected due to either inadequate details on the form or specimen or that they have been labelled incorrectly.
It is very likely that this has occurred which means it can't be analysed (patient safety!) or that the sample volume is too small or that there is no clinical need (if you have had a hba1c less than 3 months ago). It could also be the case they haven't requested the test, I know you said you saw it on the computer but if they haven't got autocomms (paperless requesting) they might not have written it on the form.

N.B. these errors are small in number compared to samples that the laboratories receive on a daily basis but human error can still occur so I mean no disrespect to other healthcare workers cause they all do a fan static job.
 
Please don't initially blame the lab were not all that bad!.
I work in an nhs laboratory and you will be surprised about the number of errors that can occur with specimens. A lot of the time they are rejected due to either inadequate details on the form or specimen or that they have been labelled incorrectly.
It is very likely that this has occurred which means it can't be analysed (patient safety!) or that the sample volume is too small or that there is no clinical need (if you have had a hba1c less than 3 months ago). It could also be the case they haven't requested the test, I know you said you saw it on the computer but if they haven't got autocomms (paperless requesting) they might not have written it on the form.

N.B. these errors are small in number compared to samples that the laboratories receive on a daily basis but human error can still occur so I mean no disrespect to other healthcare workers cause they all do a fantastic job.
 
Something similar happened. Had my HbA1c done a couple of months ago before a visit to the dietician. Nurse apparently filled in wrong forms and I got basic blood test results instead of HbA1c and fasting BG's. GP wasn't bothered by it and didn't ask for it to be done again.

Since diagnosis in January I've only had one correct test done - how often do any of you folks get their HbA1c done?
 
the lab had marked it as "inappropriate for the diagnosis of Diabetes" and had only completed the Fasting glucose test
Click to expand...
. I was wondering whether the Scottish health authorities have in fact issued guidelines to introduce the use of HbA1c for diagnosis. I can't find whether they have or not. The use of HbA1c for diagnosis is fairly recent (2011) and not all countries have adopted it. Two fasting tests of 7mmol/l are still valid criteria.
Scotland DUK includes the same page as the England and Wales one on the use of HbA1c
http://www.diabetes.org.uk/About_us/Wha ... _diabetes/
but the the SIGN(equivalent of NICE) guideline was produced 2010 and says
At the time of publication HbA1c was not recommended as a diagnostic test for diabetes, but there is ongoing work to standardise HbA1c reporting worldwide which may lead to further developments in the role of HbA1c
Click to expand...
.
England and Wales started using HbA1c in late 2011.

Another possibility is the presence of a condition where HbA1c is not useful for diagnosis. These aren't that common. They are listed in the first link and described in slightly more detail here http://www.patient.co.uk/doctor/Glucose ... -Tests.htm
 
Cazmia said:
So, my doctor recently ordered me to have an Hba1C test along with a fasting glucose test. I called for the results today, and it transpires that the lab has completely disregarded my doctors requests for the HbA1c even though I've been having high fasting blood sugars, and some higher than expected post prandial sugars.

I dont know how to proceed with this...
Click to expand...

Surely if your GP has asked for these tests then you shouldnt have to do anything except perhaps chase up the results only your GP can ask for the test to be redone if there was a problem with the blood test, have you asked him/her?

Labs will only do what they are asked and as has already been said accidents do occasionally happen, it can be frustrating but all you can do is ask to have the tests again if there has been a problem.
 
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