Just texted my pcp to set up an appointment (it has been nearly 6 months). I suggested i get hba1c, a cbc, and thyroid tested. He texted me back with a whole heap of things to test. Ionized calcium, lipid profile, uric acid, sgpt, creat, egfr, and urinalysis. He wants a chest xray too (which i won’t do without a good, reason as i don’t want radiation exposure). Was a bit taken aback by so many tests requested - though nice that he is vigilent. He’s likely to push me to see other specialists for additional checks. . Obegyn, derma, etc… hmmm…
Anyway that brings me to my topic. What tests do you people get, and how frequently?
I am sure, there is a huge range of what our drs do and don’t do. My ex endo only ever tested throid levels and hba1c, occasional ionized calcium. Part of the reason he is now my ex.
At my next appointment, I know that my endo will be ordering HbA1c, of course, but he will also be ordering a lipid panel, microalbumin/creatinine ratio. It has been a while since I had metabolic testing, so he may also order a a metabolic panel, a CBC and thyroid tests – If my endo does not order those tests, I’m also due to see my PCP in June, so he may order them, plus, potentially some other things.
Your question does bring up one that I’ve been having: What tests should I TELL my endo to order?
Every 90 days we do HbA1c and a basic metabolic panel. Once a year we do lipids and PSA. Occasionally we check vitamin D because I have a problem with it and we need to make sure it’s staying in range. Other tests are pretty much on an as-needed basis. For instance, this last time I asked to have c-pep checked because it had been a couple of years. So, essentially, “it depends”.
A1C, CBC & lipids testing. Blood glucose, electrolytes, liver function, cholesterol. A1C every time (every three months), CBC at least every 6 months and lipids once a year. I ALSO have a tendency toward low Vitamin D. Liver function is important because it’s the half of our insulin/glucose system that actually works (and that we’re depending upon now that insulin production is lacking). Cholesterol (lipids) testing is important because our higher BG can make us more prone to things like strokes.
Also, yearly retinal eye exam to make sure that my D isn’t messing with my vision and regular foot sensation testing to make sure I’m not developing neuropathy.
LOL. Liver function is important, full stop. It’s called “liver” for a reason; you need one to live.
Yeah, forgot to list that one. Also, every few years I have a fluorescin angiogram. More in-depth and revealing, but you usually need to go to a retina specialist to get it done.
The retinal eye exam ended up being more important than most for me. The doctor discovered that I had a congenitally thin optic nerve in one of my eyes. He said I should keep an eye on it. Why not two?
I get a basic panel done every 3 months including A1C, sodium/potassium/chloride, and the “mins and ins”, then every 6 months he alternates a lipid panel with cholesterol, microalbumin and TSH/thyroid, celiac every 3 years. Not sure what the chest x-ray would be for unless you had other complaints that he wanted to rule out.
Every 3-4 months I get a metabolic/electrolyte panel and cbc, tsh, t4, lipid panel, fructosamine, glycomark, vit D, vit b12, pth, and some others I’ve forgotten. If you don’t eat gluten there is no point doing the current celiac test. When the new one comes here I will ask for that. Even though I have hashimotos now confirmed and I’m medicating for it I haven’t had the antibodies redone or the other thyroid tests.
I don’t normally get pth and vit d every time but my vit D was low and pth was high with high normal calcium and one high calcium and high urine calcium. I only get the urine testing 1-2 x per year.
My hematologist who I see once per year does a metabolic/electrolyte panel and more extensive cbc as well as a bunch of other tests for ebv, ana etc. I saw a rheumatologist who did a whole series of auto-immune testing also as well as repeat chem/cbc etc.
Other than the chest x ray, which I would have done if you haven’t had one in years because it’s very low radiation now, I wouldn’t complain about testing. It’s mostly all done in one blood draw anyway. Some of the tests you mentioned are often part of a full metabolic panel which we need to show kidney and liver function.
I also have a1c each time too with endo, something I NEVER had done even once prior to my diagnosis.
I also go to a retinologist who does testing… pics of my optic nerve and blood vesses etc., dilation/exam/glaucoma, vision etc. and others. no angiogram as far as I recall- one year she checked the blood flow to my eyes/brain with ultrasound. I go to another eye doc who does my rx glasses because she doesn’t do that. He also tested for close angle glaucoma for free even though the insurance won’t cover it which was nice.
I would definitely go to a gyn once per year for an exam at least.
I get the typical panel done 1-2 times per year. I have a sister with T1 diabetes that also developed autoimmune thyroid disease and Addison’s disease, so I ask my doctor to test for those things as well.
It took her doctor quite awhile to figure out the Addison’s disease thing, so if you’re struggling with any of those symptoms, I’d recommend asking for that test.
