“Lab results are all normal. Come back in one year”

[Anonymous]

I need ideas on how to respond to the pediatrician and dermatologist who ignore borderline and above normal range lab results. I’ve been fuming about this.
For example, liver enzyme ALT upper limit for labs now is 40 but in reality should be 25, as it was many years ago. Labs moved it to 40 because so many people have liver disease. An ALT lab result of 22 is not perfectly normal.
Hg A1c of 5.8 is not perfectly normal.
Triglycerides results above 100 is abnormal, NOT perfectly normal for kids.

Ugh

[Anonymous]

You sound like a hypochondriac

[Anonymous]

Ask them to document in writing their recommendation not to do anything given the results of those tests.

[Anonymous]

What do you want them to do? It’s not clinically impacting you- so all you can do is monitor. What are your expectations?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What do you want them to do? It’s not clinically impacting you- so all you can do is monitor. What are your expectations?

Prevention is the cure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You sound like a hypochondriac

+1 none of these sound at all concerning.

[Anonymous]

Do you have actual symptoms related to these results?

If I had high A1C or triglycerides, I would try lifestyle changes, so why not do that even if the doctor says it's fine?

[Anonymous]

Folks, OP is talking about a child's lab test results.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Folks, OP is talking about a child's lab test results.

Yep, sounds like Munchausens by proxy.

[Anonymous]

You need to feed your kid a better diet.

[Anonymous]

Different labs have different ranges. On top of that the bloodwork captures only a snapshot of something that changes throughout the day. I wouldn’t worry if some values are “on the edge” unless they are consistently on the edge…. And my doctor indicated I should be concerned. Each value is read in context with the others.

[Anonymous]

Were those labs taken during fasting? If not I agree with PP - It’s just a snapshot. If it was an afternoon draw after lunch, that could impact the values.

[Anonymous]

What prompted you to get those tests for your kid in the first place?

[Anonymous]

Fuming? That doesn't seem appropriate. Labs are viewed in context of a full picture. If one value is border line but all others are well within normal range, an astute physician would consult you not to worry.

What kind of treatment/attention are you hoping for, for this child?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Different labs have different ranges. On top of that the bloodwork captures only a snapshot of something that changes throughout the day. I wouldn’t worry if some values are “on the edge” unless they are consistently on the edge…. And my doctor indicated I should be concerned. [b]Each value is read in context with the others[b]. [

This is what many docs don’t seem to get. I’m not paying the pediatrician to get a lecture on lipid panel interpretation from me, but will have to bring a book with marked pages for him to read. Tg/hdl ratio is above 2, which indicates some problem.