Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×
  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.




  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):



    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):


  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Test Results Lost


baggotlane

Recommended Posts

baggotlane Rookie

Dear All,

The lab that did my initial stool testing now says 10 weeks later that they lost the results! The lab is a well-known nationwide corporation - LabCorp. I have called for the results every week after the first and they said they were still working on it. Now they admit that they lost them. The trouble is not simply redoing them - I was on gluten then and went gluten-free a day later. It may take months to recover that initial condition.

If they lose things like stool samples, not simple small items in this case, what else can they lose? Can we trust them? I have told my doctor I will not be tested by them again, even though they have their offices in the hospital I attend. And if they can make mistakes like this how many more do they make that we do not hear about? Or how many are not really the results of a particular patient?

This is serious stuff, affecting the lives of patients. I think we should raise our voices to congress to investigate. I have read revcent reports of overcharging or mis-charging.

Andrew

San Diego


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



giselleacttwo Newbie

I'm sorry, that must be so frustrating. I can see why you would be very angry.

A few months ago I was scheduled for an emergency c-section. My doctor did an amniocentesis (a very hairy procedure, which involved 3 VERY large needles being stuck in my VERY pregnant abdomen) to check for fetal lung maturity. My c-section was scheduled the next day pending the lab tests, which were flown out of state(to San Diego, actually LOL) to be done by a certain lab. Lo and behold, just as I was getting prepped for surgery, with IV already in place they called the lab and the results were lost! We couldn't go forward with the surgery without it, and we ended up losing valuable time which could have endangered my life or my baby's. Fortunately, all turned out well in the end, but it was a long and frustrating ordeal which resulted in some not too pleasant words said about that lab.

Anyway, my point is, I concur that something needs to be done. It is no small thing when labs get lost and peoples' lives are at stake.

baggotlane Rookie

Well, The problem is worse than getting things lost. Getting things lost is just when the problems are seen. But, what percentage of cases are mishandled or mixed up internally? We will never know.

I have had another experience of late with this lab. They had to do special tests, not commonly done for my blood analysis (nothing to do with all the typical Celiac tests). Several weeks after it was done I was called back in to get it redone because the staff had not been told that for this case the blood had to be keep chilled after withdrawing it. I am glad that they found out in time on this occasion.

But, together with all the cases I hear about people getting billed for the wrong tests or tests not being done I fear we are using a very expensive and unreliable resaource. In my case I asked for second tests to be done - and yes there were real differences! In future I may seek a second lab for each test.

My message is - it is important to investgate the accuracy and reliability of the testing lab before one goes ahead, as I see here so often, to balme or question the doctor.

Andrew

celiac3270 Collaborator

I understand how frustrating that must be. Prometheus is probably the best lab for celiac testing.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      130,182
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    Portia
    Newest Member
    Portia
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.3k
    • Total Posts
      1m

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • trents
      First, welcome to the forum, @boy-wonder! Second, a little clarification in terminology is in order. Granted, inconsistency is rampant when it comes to the terminology associated with gluten disorders, but it has more or less become settled in this fashion: "Gluten intolerance" is a general term that car refer to either celiac disease or NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity). "Gluten Sensitivity" is the shortened version of NCGS. Third, Celiac disease is not an allergy to gluten. It is an autoimmune disorder characterized by gluten ingestion causing the immunes system to attack the lining of the small bowel, causing damage to it over time due to the constant inflammation that wears down the "villi" (mucosal finger-like projections that make up the lining). Over a significant period of time as gluten continues to be consumed, this generally results in impaired nutrient absorption. There are specific blood antibody tests available to check for celiac disease but the testing will not be valid while on a reduced gluten diet or a gluten free diet. Those already having having begun a gluten free diet must go back to consuming generous amounts of gluten for a period of weeks if they wish to pursue testing for celiac disease. Fourth, NCGS shares many of the same symptoms of celiac disease but does not damage the lining of the small bowel as does celiac disease. There is no test for it. A diagnosis for NCGS depends on first ruling out celiac disease. It is 10x more common than celiac disease. Some experts feel it can be a precursor to the development of celiac disease. Eliminating gluten from your life is the antidote for both. Fifth, you state that you are convince you don't have celiac disease by are just "gluten intolerant" (aka, gluten sensitive). How do you know that? It seems to me you are making a dangerous assumption here. I suggest you consider getting formally tested for celiac disease.
    • AllyJR
      Has anyone found a gluten free parakeet seed mix? I can't find a single one! My doctor wants me to make sure all pet food in the house is gluten free but I'm not sure if that's even possible with parakeets. We love our birds so much! I'm wondering if anyone has ever made their own bird seed mix if gluten free ones are not available. 
    • boy-wonder
      Hi, new member. About me, I had been suffering with weight gain, bloating and irregular and extreme bowel habits for a year or so. For example, I went on holiday in 2023, then again I  2024 at the same time of year and every shirt I wore in 2023 didn't fit anymore, couldn't even do the buttons up. Being in my mid 50s I put it down to age and middle aged spread. I'd been lucky all my life having good metabolism and being able to eat anything and as much as I like without putting on any weight, it drove my other half mad. Over a conversation with a friend health and age Related stuff came up and he mentioned someone he knew who had recently found out they were gluten intolerant,  I looked it up and had every one of 8 or so symptoms listed. Bloating,  weight gain,  headaches, brain fog,  constipation, etc etc. I took the decision to give going gluten free a try. Within 1 week I had lost 4 lb, now 7 weeks in I've lost 13 lb. I feel much better in general,  the bloating has severely subsided, it used to keep me awake at night as I felt so uncomfortable.  So pretty much a success story, as everyone here knows,  going gluten free isn't always easy, and eating out can be awkward,  but I consider myself lucky that I appear to have an intolerance rather than an allergy or being celiac.  I can deal with most of the gluten free options at the supermarket but, the big one for me is bread, I love bread, and the gluten free options I've tried are pretty poor. I was at a posh black tie event last night and chose all the food options I thought would be gluten free,  however,  there was bread on the table and I couldn't resist it, I had I small piece of bread,  god it was good, I wanted more but I resisted. Today I feel a bit dodgy, my stomach is churning, and I generally feel a bit urgh.  So here's the question, is that really down to 1 small piece of bread or is it coincidence?  I'd be interested in hearing how other people have reacted to a similar situation,  as I was considering having a day off every now and then and enjoying some lovely fresh bread.
    • ValerieC
      Does anybody know of a guide that ranks reevaluates universities and colleges in terms of their accommodation of celiac disease or food allergies?   Thanks in advance for any leads! Valerie 
    • thejayland10
      thank you, i have been doing that the last few weeks and will continue to do so. I had not had my ttg iga checked since I was diagnosed 14 yrs ago so I am not sure if they ever dropped below the 15-20 range.    all my other labs are completely normal but I am concerned that this may be signs of refractor celiac or something else since I'm so careful with gluten-free diet 
×
×
  • Create New...