I Have A "blood Test Results Time Table" Question

[jayhawkmom]

Honestly - I don't even know how to ask this... so forgive me if my wording is all discombobulated.

I realize that each lab has their own reference ranges. I understand that some labs are far more experienced and qualified to read and interpret the panel results. But, I'm wondering... aren't all the tests performed in the same way??

I read that in the cases of the tTg and the EMA - the blood is added to a piece of monkey esophagus or some similar tissue - and then they wait.

So, I guess I'm not sure why some labs are able to provide results within 48 hours and with others it takes 10-14 days or longer.

I guess what I'm confused about is the fact that if for the results to be accurate, the blood has to remain for X number of hours. If that's so, why don't all the labs do that?? It seems to me that there would huge inaccuracies across the board.

I realize I may not be making sense here. But, I'm confused. Due to the nature of our insurance, the panels for my daughter, older son, and myself were run by Quest Diagnostics. My 17 month old son's testing was sent to the Mayo clinic. We are now on day 10 waiting for the baby's results. (Granted, he's been gluten free since October so I anticipate a negative screening) But, it only took about 72 hours for the results of the others.

Is it an issue of Quest not being thorough enough? Or, is it just that the Mayo clinic labs are just SOO busy that it takes longer??

Any insight or thoughts on this would be appreciated.

[jayhawkmom]

With all the knowledge on this board.... no one has ANY insight??

[Jestgar]

It might be a "busyness" issue. They may do the test immediately, but the results aren't analyzed until later. Or the results aren't reviewed by a second person until the following week. Or the results aren't put into a form to be sent out until much later.

I just got results from a test I had done three weeks ago and I know they had to run the test immediately upon receipt of my blood, and the longest it could have taken to run it was about 12 hours. So I have to assume the hold-up was in the sending out of the results.

[jayhawkmom]

Ok. So, it's probably an issue of paperwork rather than an issue of a more thorough analysis. That would make sense.

I'm just tired of waiting. Though, I'm certain it's negative - so I'm not so sure why I'm concerned in the least.

Thank you!! =)

[Jestgar]

I hate waiting. I find myself tapping my foot impatiently waiting for the microwave! Thank heavens I wasn't born into a situation where I'd have to go out, find, prepare, get firewood, cook,THEN eat my meals. I'd be a basket case.