QUESTION: As part of a routine annual examination, my blood and urine were sent to the lab for testing.
When I returned for a consultation and the report of my results, my doctor told me that one of my liver tests was "a little off".
He questioned me further about any new symptoms or problems I might not have mentioned (there were neither) and checked me over briefly again, but then decided not to run any more tests.
Do you think we may be overlooking something that might be a legitimate cause of worry?
ANSWER: During an annual examination, it is customary to obtain a whole battery of laboratory tests that serve to screen the functioning of many systems.
When the results of a tests return with findings in an abnormal range, it's time to rethink the situation again.
Since some of these tests may have an answer that is considered a "false positive", that is an abnormal result when there is really nothing wrong, retesting may not always be considered necessary.
When the patient has no symptoms, and nothing can be detected by physical examination, and when the test result is borderline, many physicians do not feel it is imperative to repeat the examination.
In some cases additional history will uncover a medication being used that can affect the test results.
Among these medications are tetracycline and erythromycin (antibiotics), oral contraceptives, sulfonamides, and many others.
However, the purpose of an annual physical is to discover unsuspected ailments at the earliest possible opportunity, and to deal with them effectively before they advance and become dangerous.
That requires that even a small difference from the normal in lab results be viewed with just a bit of suspicion.
While I truly do not believe that you have serious cause for concern, prudence dictates that an abnormal test be repeated.
A normal result on the repeat test would certainly put your mind at ease, and if it is abnormal once again, a careful search for the reason is in order.
The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician.
Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.
