If you've ever asked your doctor to send you the results of your laboratory or medical tests and found yourself staring at a list of abbreviations and numbers or a string of very long words that you can't find in the dictionary, let alone pronounce, these sites may help:
Lab Tests Online™ is a "peer reviewed, non-commercial, patient-centered" resource that provides plain language explanations of clinical lab tests, how they are used and what the results mean. Other topics include genetic testing, pharmacogenomics, and news articles about testing and screening guidelines. See http://www.labtestsonline.org
The Merck Manual has a good overview of common medical tests and procedures with pronunciation guide and links to more detailed explanations. See http://www.merck.com/mmhe/appendixes/ap2/ap2a.html?WT.z_resource=Common%20Medical%20Tests
Recent research from Weill Cornell Medical College shows that doctors did not notify patients about abnormal test results in one out of every 14 cases of abnormal results. Ask your doctor when you can expect to hear from her. Do not assume that no news is good news. Take the initiative and call. It’s a good idea to ask for a copy of the test results to be mailed to you.
The purpose of getting informed is to help you feel confident in participating in treatment decisions and making sure you get the very best care. Laboratory and medical tests need to be interpreted by a healthcare provider within the context of your overall health. So if you have any questions, ask your doctor.
The purpose of getting informed is to help you feel confident in participating in treatment decisions and making sure you get the very best care. Laboratory and medical tests need to be interpreted by a healthcare provider within the context of your overall health. So if you have any questions, ask your doctor.
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