23 Comments
When you get lab work done, does your T1D health care provider discuss the results with you?
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My HbA1c is discussed quickly as it is almost always in a desired range, but we spend more time looking at the Tandem and Dexcom reports and trying to understand causes or new basal rates.
I also see them before the doctor does with MyChart. I actually get them all within hours.
My provider doesn’t discuss them with me but if something is off he will send me a one sentence note in Mychart to alert me.
My endocrinologist will send an email analysis that clarifies the results, and if necessary offer suggestions about what may work better.
I get my lab work done 1-2 weeks prior to my appt. That way Dr. Has recent results to discuss w me rather than results that are 4-5 months old (what good is “old” news?).
I said “usually” because it depends on who ordered the lab work (I see other docs for other issues, some more closely related to my diabetes than others) and when the results came in.
Lab results are only discussed if thee is a change.
She will discuss if I have specific questions but only if I bring it up.
I have the lab app and the clinic portal so I check my own and if I have questions I contact my doctor’s. If it’s something that needs immediate attention they contact me.
Always via email, but frequently also via in-person or video appointment.
I answered “Always,” because my doctor at least lets me know what my A1C is. He may not go over all of my test results, but he does at least go over those that are a concern. Understanding, that he is likely under pressure from the insurance company to see “X” number of patients per hour, I appreciate that he takes the time to bring what is necessary to my attention.
My lab results are posted in my account on the clinic’s site, so I can review them all and the endo usually comments if they are favorable or not. We discuss anything worthy of comment on our, for the last 4 visits, virtual meeting.
Ditto
Always. But the exciting thing about data / IT (if data/IT can be exciting?!) from the local hospital is that you can click on single items in the blood work revealing history, explanations, and purposes of the item. I have A1c’s going back 20 years, along with HDL, LDL, triglycerides, and cholesterol. Trends and directions over the years are good, solid graphs and data points. All with one click. 🌻
If there is nothing out of the ordinary I’ll usually just get a “Everything looks good” comment. If they show that a medication might need to be changed then it will be more in depth. My A1c is always in the same range and I really wouldn’t care if it wasn’t done. I can see my TIR from my CGM which is much more informative.
If, looks good, is a discussion…
Always. Within a week, lab results are posted on the portal with doctor’s comments and/or suggestions. Next visit 3 months later he’ll review results: usually “stable, keep doing what you’re doing.”
My endo that retired always ordered my labs ahead of time. So I could go in the week before my appointment for labs, and she would have the results for my appointment. Then she would go over everything. The one I have now does the labs after an appointment, and I get results online. She will sometimes add comments. It’s not nearly as good that way.
I receive the results before my appointments, so I go through them, and if I have questions, my doctor and I discuss them. Generally everything is okay, so it’s rare when there is anything to actually discuss in relation to the lab work. (Thank goodness!)
My A1C is always in a good range so it is just mentioned but not discussed. I frequently get a letter from my PA in endocrinology with a smile on it saying the my results are wonderful. Keep up the good work. 🙂 What sometimes is discussed is my CGM graphs depending if I seem to have a time of day that may need some adjustment.
The lost hear I her a case in the mail “All labwork within normal ranges, maintain same care…”
Bad typing and proofreading “This past year I get a piece”
lab result are usually post visit. I do receive results on-line against acceptable test value. I’m lucky, never had a bad lab result