What if my doctor is hiding something?

[Matt]

Original post deleted. I just get suprised when doctor's say that I have had an abnormal blood test result but won't tell me which one.

[Teddy]

What the....???

How can they do that? Did your doctor refuse, or just hedge it for now, until he/she has more information? Here, we can demand copies of all medical records and legally doctors are obliged to give them, unless they feel it would seriously (and it has to be seriously) compromise the patient's mental status, or put them or someone else in danger, etc etc.

I'd certainly want to know if I was you!! :mad:

[Matt]

Yes, I did ask which one and he said something like, "it was the imunopharaesis one...It wasn't the IgG, it was the IgM". That doesn't tell me which test it was, just that it was a test for antibodies. He has made it clear that I don't have sle or sarcoidosis. He didn't seem to want to tell me which test it was. I've been given a lot of antibody tests.

My father was there, and he says that the doctor didn't seem to be too concerned about the abnormal test result, so most likely it's one of those things that doesn't mean anything all by itself without other manifestations of whatever illness it is supposed to test for.

I'll have to ask the next time I see him. Like you, Teddy, I sorta want to know. He probably decided that he didn't want to get me worried over a test result that doen't mean to much. I don't totally remember why he brought it up in conversation.

[*Joy*]

Hi Matt,

Can you call the nurse and ask that a copy of your test results be mailed to you?

My doctor always has copies ready for me because she knows I keep a file. I'm always amazed when I read that some doctors are so reluctant to do this. I'd ask.

Sorry you had an abnormal result, whatever it was.
XOXO
Joy

[Teddy]

Matt, I agree with Joy, I would ask the nurse to send it to me or even to check with the doctor and clarify it for me. I've asked my neuro's secretary send me copies of reports; notes etc and although she tutts she always complies. It's just not good enough that the doctor gave you a throw-away line and incomplete information.

The only abnormal blood test I've had throughout all my diagnostic palaver was a slightly low folate level, and my neurologist showed me the level and discussed it with me fully.

[pals1107]

What the....???

How can they do that? Did your doctor refuse, or just hedge it for now, until he/she has more information? Here, we can demand copies of all medical records and legally doctors are obliged to give them, unless they feel it would seriously (and it has to be seriously) compromise the patient's mental status, or put them or someone else in danger, etc etc.

I'd certainly want to know if I was you!! :mad:

Teddy, they use this clause quite a bit over here in the US, at least they seem to with me. When I get records I'm always getting pages missing, or whole visits missing, and testing that I know I've had done but don't release the results. They also throw out the "can't give you that report because another doctor, or their comments are mentioned."
When I had a spinal and it said 0-1 bands, they refused to disclose which it was, siteing that it was against the law to tell me. I don't buy it.

I think they are trying to cover their butts, especially when nothing has been diagnosed yet, they don't want the patient to know or figure out their incompendance in figuring out things.

I am in a HMO, and I think they are particularly bad about these things.
Pat

[cricket52]

Good grief Matt!

That is outrageous. Maybe the laws are different in the US than Canada and Australia, but you have enough to worry about getting through a day without wondering if, as Teddy so succinctly puts it, something is 'wonky'. pals has spent a lot of time and is an expert on fighting the system. Now there's an pro in getting what she needs - right pals?

They must think we are stupid. I know we are crazy :D, but we are not stupid. Hope you see him soon or can get a copy soon. Maybe it's not major and your neuro isn't concerned yet, nonetheless, it would be nice to know if its a harbinger of something to come or a blip on the radar.

I tried to get two pages from my hospital chart recently. The cost - $187.00. I raised the roof and contacted the Ontario Hospital Association (in writing). Needless to say, the head of medical records called me, forwarded the two pages to my PCP at no cost and the public relations officer for the hospital called and fell all over herself. The Ontario Hospital Association responded to my letter saying there are changes pending in the legislation and that hospital do have a policy of assisting individuals who can't afford to pay that amount. I tell ya, you have to fight every inch of the way to stay on top of things. When I read my chart in 2001 after my hospitalization I had to write the internist and keep bugging him, showing up at his office until he fixed the mistakes on my chart (in writing). Needless to say he wasn't amused. Too bad.

Keep us posted, hope it's nothing major. :(

[*Joy*]

Pals, that's wicked about the spinal tap. I wouldn't buy that either!

[snack]

You can also call the lab that did the test. In the future you might want to add a "copy to patient" on the lab requisition. I always try get a copy faxed to me at the same time as the doctor, half the time the lab forgets and I have to call them to get it faxed (or mailed), but I always have the results before I go to the doctor in case I have a question about them.

Often doctors don't care about borderline results or they forget to call if there are concerns etc etc so I always want all lab results, MRIs, cat scans etc. etc. it is our bodies we are the customer here and it is our right to know what the tests show.

[UNDX Craig]

:) Hi Matt,

I wouldn't be too concerned about this the particular tests your referring to is for IgG and IgM which are test for Liver enzymes and they can flucuate very easily. It is only when they are three times the normal that a doc even pays any attention to them. So you may have just been a bit high but again not enough to worry about.

My PCP always goes over the whole lab sheet results but that might be because I understand what is normal and what is way out of whack. I used to do organ transplantation for five years so I have a tad more medical knowledge than the normal person. Years ago I asked him to do this for me and it is now our standard procedure.

Not to worry but you can follow some of the advice already given and get a copy of the lab sheet before you leave the office.

[Matt]

Thanks everyone. I think I will just write myself a reminder for my next doctors visit and then at least ask which one they are referring to. I won't worry too much about it.

[*Joy*]

Matt,

Here is a link with a good explanation and normal values for when you do get those results.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003544.htm

[Matt]

Thanks for the link Joy! I think my neurologist has been so thorough in the tests that he has ordered that he doesn't know what to say about positive test results. If my IgM is elevated, maybe that just means that he will keep testing me for autoimmune diseases, but since all of the other tests for autoimmune diseases other than MS are normal, this result probably doesn't mean anything to him, which is why he isn't worried.

When he mentioned elevated IgM, I asked about lymphoma. He said no, they would definitely be on top of things if there were any reason to suspect me of having lymphoma.

[Jifr]

:confused: The report is yours.......Tell them to give you a copy.

[Matt]

Thanks for the suggestion. I think they charge a lot of money in Canada to patients who want copies of their test results.

[pals1107]

Crickett, I'm no expert at getting records. I always request them but some doctors aren't to willing to give them up.

Snack, I did call the lab that did the results, I got the same reply from them too.

Well wish me luck I am off to the Cleveland Clinic in about 9 hours, "road trip". Searching for answers and praying they have them for me.
Pat

[cricket52]

pals:

Good luck and have a safe trip. Here's hoping they have some answers for you. You are in my prayers.

[Matt]

I also wish you luck. I hope this trip is a good experience for you.

[Teddy]

Hi Matt, just curious - your doctor would charge a lot of money for copies of test results?

Pat, I also wish you luck at the Cleveland Clinic.

[Matt]

Hi Matt, just curious - your doctor would charge a lot of money for copies of test results?

Pat, I also wish you luck at the Cleveland Clinic.


Yes. My general practitioner would. I have a list of what he charges for different services that aren't covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan, and I remember that he charged a lot for that one.

[*Joy*]

Good luck pals. I hope it's a good visit.
Hugs

Yes. My general practitioner would. I have a list of what he charges for different services that aren't covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan, and I remember that he charged a lot for that one.

Matt,

How much COULD a person ask in penance for a Zerox?
I'm flabbergasted.
A big hug for you too :)

[Teddy]

I'm flabbergasted too! Just out of interest, would they charge you for asking to review your file, rather than them making a copy of the results?

[cricket52]

Hi Teddy:

If we want to look at our medical file at our little hospital the fee is $100.00/hour. If we want a copy from that file it's $187.00. Each hospital sets it's own fee schedule.

The provincial privacy legislation is changing and there will be set fees, much more reasonable. The last I heard the recommended fee for hospital copies for 1-5 pages was $35.00.

PCP's set their own rates too. Mine doesn't charge me because I am on disability. He leaves my chart now if he has to leave the room, he knows I am only going to read it upside down anyway. :D

[*Joy*]

Wow Cricket. $100 per hour? Is that $187.00 for one copy or for a copy of your whole file?

In the southern States, the charge is much less. So much per copy. The last time I got hospital records it was 25 cents a copy (which I thought was ridiculous).

Sorry you have such an expense getting your records.

[Matt]

If I remember correctly, it's something like 31$ plus one dollar per page. It's quite absurd.

I can go and talk to him about my file for free, though.

[cyclingzealot]

If we want to look at our medical file at our little hospital the fee is $100.00/hour. If we want a copy from that file it's $187.00. Each hospital sets it's own fee schedule.

WOW!! I'm stunned too. That's incredible.

[cricket52]

The $187.00 is for 1-5 copies. There is an additional charge above that if you want more copies, i.e. the report is six pages long - you pay more.

Since our medical care and drugs are free the hospitals have to make money somewhere I guess. (When I say free drugs I mean for individuals on disability).

Some hospitals only charge the recommended amount of $35.00. Depends where you live.

Most people don't say anything, they just pay it. I however, make a huge stink about it and always get my way - the records are free for people who have financial hardship. Most individuals don't know that, so they either don't get their records or they pay a ridiculous amount.

[*Joy*]

Most people don't say anything, they just pay it. I however, make a huge stink about it and always get my way - the records are free for people who have financial hardship. Most individuals don't know that, so they either don't get their records or they pay a ridiculous amount.

Very important information for your fellow Canadians, Cricket. Making a stink here probably works fairly well too. :)

[agate]

This overcharging for medical records isn't just in Canada.
I've run into quite a few instances of equally outrageous fees for copies of records here in the US.

I didn't realize I could have insisted on my rights. I'll have to try that next time.;)

[Matt]

I didn't realize I could have insisted on my rights. I'll have to try that next time.;)

Me too.

Here is a link on how to interpret the results.

http://www.fpnotebook.com/HEM122.htm

It's just so nonspecific. I will ask for more information about it though..whatever my doctor can tell me.

[elizabeth]

I think it's fair to ask straight out what's abnormal, what it means, and why the doctor seems unwilling to discuss it.

If the doctor does not know what it means, or seems reluctant in any way to talk about it, I'd just ask for a copy of the relevant tests and find someone who WILL talk to you about it in a straight forward and honest way.

I have had it up to my eyebrows with doctors who " didn't wnat to worry me" or who "didn't think that was worth mentioning", etc. about various results that seemed a little off here and there over the years. The short story there is that IF these "concerned" obfuscators had really been honest, my MS might have been diagnosed about 8 years earlier. Who knows what my situation would be like if that had happened?

Let's face it, sometimes doctors don't know. Then it's fair to ask them to find someone who does. It does you NO favors to have a screwy result and NO explanation. For that matter, it does your doctor no good either. Talk about avoiding any further learning??! :p

ASK! NAG! PESTER! It's your body, your health, and ultimately, your money paying for your testing. Shouldn't you get answers to your questions, all considered? I think so.

Best of luck to you. :)

[*Joy*]

Elizabeth (hahaha) I had to look up "obfuscators".

I need another cup of coffee after that. :)

[Matt]

Thanks for all the advice. I will ask about it, just to make sure that he is doing all the necessary follow-up. I don't want to know about any still undiagnosable and serious conditions that it could be. I'll ask him if he thinks that there is any reason to do any further investigations.

Matt