Raise your hand if you get your lab results before your doctor/PA/NP visit and....

[steve2470]

worry a tad about the slightly abnormal results. I do (I admit it).

Case in point: in my latest blood work, my sodium is a tad too low. That has NEVER happened in my entire life, to my knowledge. I was tempted last night to "do something" about it, but logic reigned and I will wait for what he has to say. He may very well want to retest me. I am on Lithium Carbonate 2x day, so this is a tad serious for me.

You also ?

[skylucy]

1. Yep! I get mine on my phone and every time one of the results comes in, the phone dings and

I freak out before even looking at it. I am a nervous patient and also a former teacher. I want to pass all tests with flying colors and if I don't my doctor has to talk me down. My doctors advice is usually "Stop googling!!"

[steve2470]

2. I'm the same about my tests lol nt

[multigraincracker]

3. My results are post on my portal

at the same time my doc gets them. University of Michigan Health System. I have to google most to see what they are.

[catbyte]

4. I was, but I'm starting to relax a little now. I'm 66 so my doctor wants to see me every 6 months

to stay ahead of any potential problems. I started seeing her in February 2019 and was really nervous because I had foolishly neglected my health for years (too engrossed in mitigating my late husband's seriously declining health so I let mine slide.) My first blood test showed my A1C was a bit elevated (5.9) but everything else was, according to my doctor, "perfect." Every test since then has been "perfect" and my A1C has lowered, too, (diet, exercise, and a 2,000 mg Ceylon cinnamon capsule 2 x day) so I'm no longer considered pre-diabetic.

I think it's natural to be a little nervous; just try not to stress too much about it. And it's wise to wait to see what your doctor says. Good luck!

[skylucy]

7. I can relate! I am 67 and I am a thin person (5 ft 4 and 108 lbs). My A1C is 5.8.

The first time my doctor used the word "prediabetic" I was so upset I cut out all sugar and carbs and upped my exercise. I lost weight and was much too thin but I thought my A1C would improve. Nope. It was still 5.8 and all I got was a stern lecture from my doc about losing weight and how 5.8 was just fine for my age. I went home and ate a cookie.

[50 Shades Of Blue]

5. I usually do but I'm usually too chickenshit to look at them.

I know lithium can have some shitty side effects (someone close to me is on it) but I didn't know that low sodium could be one of them, so thanks for adding to my knowledge base! I hope you get reassuring info from your doctor.

[steve2470]

8. I have a theory about what happened with my sodium level....

If you're not that interested, feel free to click out now.








Ok, you are still here ! Here is my theory: 1- "gastrointestinal distress", to put it politely, can cause your sodium level to decrease; 2- Decreasing your caffeine intake can cause your lithium level to go up, which tends to suppress your sodium level (they are both salts); 3- Therefore, between a recent bout of GI distress and radically decreasing my caffeine intake made my sodium level decrease.

Of course, I could be all wrong, not being a doctor With Lithium Carbonate, it is very important to take it correctly, get the blood tests regularly and make sure you get enough sodium in your diet because of the effect of the lithium carbonate.

[50 Shades Of Blue]

9. I think your theory makes a lot of sense!

I didn't know caffeine interacted with lithium either. It certainly seems possible that your low sodium result could have the result of those other factors, since they weren't the norm for you.

[KarenS]

6. of course,,,, doesn't everybody?

[Lars39]

10. My doctor won't order labs until I see her, so I'm usually

kinda woggy headed from fasting for the labs.