Do they check even if you don't tell them too. ?
And what else do they check for ?
When you go for a physical and the doctor takes out blood and urine, do they check for pregnancy ?
Question posted by kristya on 22 May 2013
Last updated on 22 May 2013
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Answers
It depends. If it is just a general physical, probably not. They will tell you what they are testing for if you ask. Usually they will just check a complete blood count so things like red and white blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit-things like that. They also usually do a metabolic panel which shows your electrolytes (sodium, potassium etc) and your blood glucose and your cholesterol levels. The urine is usually just for a general urinalysis. They may add extra test like a thyroid panel or certain vitamin levels or inflammatory markers if you complain of pain. Unless you said that you thought you were pregnant, they wouldnt likely do a pregnancy test unless you were getting ready to do some procedure under x-ray and it is their protocol to do a pregnancy test in all women of childbearing age or something like that but they will usually inform you they are doing one. If you told them not to, then they wouldnt, but you wouldnt be able to do the procedure either. You have a right to know what they are testing for. All you have to do is ask. Call them and ask what tests they did if you want to know for sure.
Isn't it true that for some specific tests on blood and urine, like HIV and pregnancy, that the patient has to give written consent to do those tests? Wouldn't the consent form you have to sign specify those tests? I could be wrong.
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