Annual check - what can I expect?

[Katieb]

Hi all

I have just received a letter from my GP surgery to go for an annual check (my first). I have made 3 appointments as requested- a blood test (I have to take a urine sample from any time of the day), a GP's appointment (with an early morning urine sample) and a podiatry appointment. What can I expect and why 2 urine samples from different times of the day? I may add that I was diagnosed with impaired glucose tolerance after an OGTT and am surprised that they are paying me so much attention! Katie

 

[trophywench]

Standard tests Katie!

Not 100% certain re the pee but traditionally hitherto for those of us at hospital D clinics, one sample has been sent off to the lab for testing for creatnine - which indicates whether protein is leaking through your kidneys into your wee. It shouldn't be if your kidneys are working properly.

Then they always asked you to do one there and then, when you got to the hosp, or they gave you an extra sample bottle to bring with you on the day which they dipped with a multiple-test strip - like a very long blood test strip with lots of different squares of litmus paper along its length. This turns all sorts of pretty colours dependingon what that bit is for and amongst other things - glucose (shouldn't have any in your pee because it doesn't start spilling over into wee until your BG is already 10+ )- and nitrates which indicate UTI's. But my hospital have been told they are not to do that any more.

The blood tests - stab you once, fill several vials - HbA1c, U & E, plus eg Cholesterol, Liver Function, Thyroid if your doc wants to do those or you alredy need em (eg I'm on Thyroxine already so they chek my Thyroid most times)

So they get loads of info about you rom a couple of samples, which Dr will take you through when you see him.

Then the podiatrist obviously looks at your feet - either he or the doc will check for peripheral pules and 'feeling' in the ends of your toes. This is to make sure you don't have neuropathy. If doc does that one, you will know the podiatrist is actually going to check in case you have normal foot probs like corns, calluses, Athlete's Foot, blah blah blah. You're lucky cos we don't see a podiatrist round here unless we take it on ourselves to do so - unless we present with a dire problem already. No money for prevention round here!

 

[Pumper_Sue]

Hi all

I have just received a letter from my GP surgery to go for an annual check (my first). I have made 3 appointments as requested- a blood test (I have to take a urine sample from any time of the day), a GP's appointment (with an early morning urine sample) and a podiatry appointment. What can I expect and why 2 urine samples from different times of the day? I may add that I was diagnosed with impaired glucose tolerance after an OGTT and am surprised that they are paying me so much attention! Katie

Wow Katie,
looks as if you are a special case 3 apts
Podiatry will check the sensation in your feet and make sure you have no sores etc.
Blood test is just that samples will be taken to test for everything under the sun including your HbA1c.
GP apt will just be to go over the results and make recomendations. That's your chance to ask question's as well. (doubt you get many answers but you can try)

 

[Katieb]

I guess I should feel grateful/thankful then for the thorough checks🙂 Can you think of any questions I should ask? I had an HbA1c check last year (when they did the OGTT) but I don't know what the numbers were. I didn't feel any benefit in asking as the information wouldn't have meant anything then (I hadn't met you guys at that point!) The only advice I was given was to lose a little weight/exercise a little more, cut down on sweet stuff and eat every 4 hours, carbs at every meal😱😱 Hee hee! Glad I ignored them! Katiex

 

[Katieb]

Standard tests Katie!

Not 100% certain re the pee but traditionally hitherto for those of us at hospital D clinics, one sample has been sent off to the lab for testing for creatnine - which indicates whether protein is leaking through your kidneys into your wee. It shouldn't be if your kidneys are working properly.

Then they always asked you to do one there and then, when you got to the hosp, or they gave you an extra sample bottle to bring with you on the day which they dipped with a multiple-test strip - like a very long blood test strip with lots of different squares of litmus paper along its length. This turns all sorts of pretty colours dependingon what that bit is for and amongst other things - glucose (shouldn't have any in your pee because it doesn't start spilling over into wee until your BG is already 10+ )- and nitrates which indicate UTI's. But my hospital have been told they are not to do that any more.

The blood tests - stab you once, fill several vials - HbA1c, U & E, plus eg Cholesterol, Liver Function, Thyroid if your doc wants to do those or you alredy need em (eg I'm on Thyroxine already so they chek my Thyroid most times)

So they get loads of info about you rom a couple of samples, which Dr will take you through when you see him.

Then the podiatrist obviously looks at your feet - either he or the doc will check for peripheral pules and 'feeling' in the ends of your toes. This is to make sure you don't have neuropathy. If doc does that one, you will know the podiatrist is actually going to check in case you have normal foot probs like corns, calluses, Athlete's Foot, blah blah blah. You're lucky cos we don't see a podiatrist round here unless we take it on ourselves to do so - unless we present with a dire problem already. No money for prevention round here!

Sorry to be stupid, but what's U & E? 😱

 

[Pumper_Sue]

Sorry to be stupid, but what's U & E? 😱

There you go Katie http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/ate/liverandkidney/203017.html

PS you are not stupid. The only way we learn is by asking questions 🙂