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Blood tests
Blood tests are performed at Stockett Lane Surgery by nurses and a phlebotomist (a person trained to take blood). When a blood test is required, the doctor or nurse will list the investigations required on the computer. Please see the receptionist to book your appointment; the necessary form will be available on the day of your appointment. The blood taking sessions are Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday mornings.
Most results are received within 48 hours down a
computer link from Maidstone Hospital. Some blood
tests that are more specialist can take up to a
month. Common slow results are thyroid (one week),
HbA1C (diabetes test, two weeks), tests screening
for arthritis (one month). You can ring to check
your results. If the result is not back yet you
will be asked to call back another day.
ECG (Electrocardiogram)
ECGs can be done at Stockett Lane Surgery by any of
the Practice Nurses. Please book a 20-minute
appointment if the doctor or nurse suggests you
might benefit from one.
The ECG is painless and involves sticky pads being
placed on the chest wall, wrists, and ankles. These
are then attached to chest leads which read the
electrical activity across the heart. It is
important to relax and stay still whilst this is
being performed. If you are very hairy the Nurse
might ask your permission to shave small areas of
the chest to allow the pads to stick properly.
The ECG is performed to look for damage to the
heart (e.g. heart attack or angina) or to look for
evidence of strain from high blood pressure. It can
also be helpful for patients having palpitations or
irregular heart beats. Having said that, because
the ECG is a bit like a photograph it may miss the
time that the heart is misbehaving. Your doctor may
consider referring you to have a 24-hour ECG
monitor fitted at the hospital.
X-rays
X-rays are performed at Preston Hall Hospital or
the Opthalmic Hospital. You will be given a request
form and you need to phone Preston Hall (01622
225686) or the Opthalmic Hospital (01622 226247) to
be given an appointment at a convenient time. The
results take two weeks to be sent to the Surgery.
If the radiographer is concerned about the x-ray
pictures they sometimes phone the Surgery
directly.
An x-ray is simple and painless. The only
discomfort may be trying to get into a good
position for the x-ray to be taken. It is not
dissimilar to a photograph, but shows up
particularly well broken bones or lung infections.
Most chest infections resolve well and do not need
an x-ray.
Ultrasound
Stockett Lane does not have facilities for
ultrasound. Currently our patients go to Preston
Hall and you will receive your appointment through
the post.
An ultrasound scan uses ultrasound waves to look at
different parts of the body. It can be helpful to
look for liver, kidney, gall-bladder and
gynaecological problems. It is also used very
widely to examine the babies of pregnant women to
check they are growing normally.
The examination is simple and painless. Conducting
jelly is squirted on the area that the examiner
wants to look at. A probe is then placed on the
area and black and white pictures are viewed on a
television screen.
A report is then dictated which is sent to the
doctors. This can take up to two weeks. Whilst a
negative result is always reassuring, you should
see your doctor for follow-up if your symptoms
persist. You can telephone the Surgery to get your
doctor's comment about the scan.
If your doctor has requested a pelvic scan, this is
done using a small vaginal probe. It does not have
to go in very far to get much better pictures of
the womb and ovaries than the same test done
through the abdomen. You can ask for a chaperone
during any examination if this makes you more
comfortable.
Spirometry
This is a specialist breathing test which can be performed in the Surgery by Dotty, our Practice Nurse. She has undergone special training in lung diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (smoke-related changes in the lung).
The spirometry helps to distinguish between asthma
and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It can
help determine which inhalers will be of benefit to
you. Sometimes it will be suggested that you should
have a two-week course of steroid tablets after the
spirometry and then have your readings
repeated.
The test is simple. You will be asked to blow at
least three times into a tube connected to a
machine which will record your lung function. To
get the best results you need to take a deep breath
and then blow as long and hard as you can.
The test can be affected by various factors so, to
make yours reliable, please remember the following
rules:
1. The guidelines suggest that no smoking for 24
hours before the test will give the best results.
Please tell the nurse if you have not managed to do
this.
2. No reliever (blue inhaler, Salbutamol, Ventolin)
for two-four hours prior to the test.
3. No long-acting reliever (Serevent, Oxis,
Spiriva) 12 hours prior to the test.
4. Do not take chest medicines 12 hours before the
test, e.g. Phyllocontin, Theophylline, Volmax,
Singulair, Montelukast, Ventolin.
5. No alcohol four hours before the test.
6. No heavy meal two hours before the test.
7. Wear loose fitting clothing.
8. Avoid vigorous exercise for at least 30 minutes
before the test.
If you realise that you are developing a chest
infection or are currently on steroids, please
postpone the test for at least four weeks.
Endoscopy (Gastroscopy, OGD)
This is performed at Maidstone Hospital. It is
usually requested for patients having problems with
indigestion or heartburn. The doctors at Stockett
Lane follow local guidelines about who might
benefit from one.
The test can be done with the patient awake
(usually the mouth is sprayed with a local
anaesthetic spray) or under sedation. This involves
an injection of a drug to make you sleepy, which is
reversed at the end of the procedure.
A flexible fibre-optic camera is swallowed by the
patient guided by the doctor performing the test.
This is usually a very straightforward procedure
and is at worst a little uncomfortable. The doctor
is able to see on a television screen any sore
areas which might indicate excess stomach acid or
stomach ulcers. Any sore areas might be biopsied -
i.e. a small piece is removed and analysed in the
laboratory.
They also usually do a test on the stomach contents
called the Clo test. This is to look for a bacteria
called Helicobacter pylori. If this is found, the
doctor may offer treatment to kill the bacteria.
This can speed up the healing process.
Full blood count (FBC)
This test measures the haemoglobin in the blood
that carries oxygen. It also checks the white cells
(that fight infection) and the platelets (that help
the blood to clot when you are bleeding).
A low haemoglobin is called anaemia and can be due
to a number of causes, such as low iron or vitamin
levels.
The doctor may well ask you to come back for
another blood test to check these levels.
ESR (Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate)
This test is a measure of inflammation in the body.
It is a very non-specific test and it naturally
gets higher as you get older. This can make it hard
to interpret. It is useful for monitoring
arthritis.
U+E (Urea and Erythrocytes)
This test measures how well the kidneys are
working. It can be helpful to do after a period of
illness or to guide changes in medications that can
also affect the kidneys and the salts in the
blood.
Liver Function Tests
This measures the activity of chemicals in the
liver. The liver function can be affected by
alcohol consumption, injections, gall-bladder
problems, and medications.
TFT (Thyroid Function Tests)
The thyroid gland is situated in the neck and
produces a chemical called Thyroxine. Some people
have a family (genetic) tendency towards the
thyroid gland becoming under- or over-active. An
under-active thyroid gland causes weight gain,
tiredness, and intolerance of the cold. An
over-active thyroid gland can cause sweating,
weight loss, palpitations, a tremor (shakiness),
and intolerance to heat.
Both problems can be treated. Patients on
replacement Thyroxine are asked to have yearly TFTs
to check that they still require the same dose of
medication.
Glucose
This checks your blood sugar level. If too high
this can suggest diabetes. A high result is usually
repeated. The doctor may ask for this to be a
fasting test. You may also be asked to do a glucose
tolerance test. This means no food or drink apart
from water the night before the blood test, after
your evening meal.
Glucose Tolerance Test
You need to follow a normal diet for at least three
days before the test. Fast from 10 p.m. but not
before. Water may be taken during the fasting
period and test. The test will take just over two
hours. No smoking is allowed on the morning of the
test.
Patients should rest through the test, although
short walks are permissible.
Monospot
This test is also known as Paul Burnell. It is a
test to look for the viral infection glandular
fever. This is a relatively common infection in
teenagers. It is also known as 'the kissing
disease' and presents with a severe sore throat and
excessive tiredness.
INR (International Normalised Ratio)
This is an assessment of how thick the blood is. A
normal level is one. Some patients take Warfarin to
thin their blood and they are given a target range
for the INR. The higher the level the thinner the
blood. This is monitored on a regular basis and can
become less stable after a period, or illness, or
certain medications.
Cholesterol and Fasting Lipids
High levels of fat in the blood can speed up the
onset of heart disease by 'furring the arteries'.
The accepted normal range depends on whether you
have any other risk factors for heart disease such
as age, family history, smoking, and blood
pressure. If you have diabetes, heart disease
(previous heart attack or angina), or have had a
stroke we like your cholesterol to be below 5. The
blood test is usually done fasting; this means only
water to drink (no food) after your evening meal
until the blood test is performed the following
morning.
Bone Profile
This is a test which looks at the calcium level and
other chemicals related to turnover of your
bones.
PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen)
This test looks at the amount of this enzyme
secreted in the blood, giving an indication of
disease in the prostate.
Further information is available on
www.dphpc.ox.ac.uk/crcpcerg
CRP (C-Reactive Protein)
This is a test to look for signs of inflammation
such as active arthritis or infection. It can be
used to assess response to some treatments.
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