# Lab results are back, what should I ask my doctor **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 9, 2025, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lab-results-are-back-what-should-i-ask-my-doctor/1015318 "2025-03-09T01:26:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DorkVader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2025, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lab-results-are-back-what-should-i-ask-my-doctor/1015318/1 "2025-03-09T01:26:50Z")
Went to my doctor for an annual physical, had some tests done, lab results are back. My numbers are all more or less right smack in the center of the range of values given except for two. Hemacrit was a tiny bit high, but that could credibly be down to a bit of dehydration as I was drinking a lot of coffee to cope with the fasting(I forgot about the fasting when I scheduled the appointment and it was too late to change it when I realised it). The other number that was high was the thyroid numbers. 4.25 was my result with the top of the acceptable range given as 4.2. So, when I talk to my doctor next week, what questions should I be asking. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2025, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lab-results-are-back-what-should-i-ask-my-doctor/1015318/2 "2025-03-09T01:39:11Z")
> [@DorkVader](#): > > when I talk to my doctor next week, what questions should I be asking. Basically ask if it’s anything that he’s concerned about. Back when I practiced, those sorts of results wouldn’t have been a concern unless the patient’s past/present history or physical exam raised issues. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2025, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lab-results-are-back-what-should-i-ask-my-doctor/1015318/3 "2025-03-09T02:16:47Z")
You forgot to [show](https://i.pinimg.com/564x/cc/d9/e7/ccd9e7cbc5f826d2ba596add41919c8a.jpg) us your lab results. 😖 ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2025, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lab-results-are-back-what-should-i-ask-my-doctor/1015318/4 "2025-03-09T12:42:51Z")
My Dr (OK, she’s a PA-C) always has my lab results in front of her and she’ll comment about slightly higher numbers - either saying “Meh, don’t sweat it” or “We’ll see what it looks like next time.” If I ask (or not), she’ll explain what the numbers are and whether or not they’re concerning. And if I raise a question, regarding labs or not, she explains in plain English - Medical Stuff for Dummies. It’s no wonder she’s not taking new patients - she’s got more than she can handle now! ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2025, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lab-results-are-back-what-should-i-ask-my-doctor/1015318/5 "2025-03-09T13:13:10Z")
AIUI thyroid test results have a fair amount of wiggle room. More of a screener than the basis for a diagnosis. [![](https://www.verywellhealth.com/thmb/V863QLZQJH8v5e_Hsn-BibJ-tpA=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/understanding-thyroid-blood-tests-low-or-high-tsh-3233198_color3-5b84c6f346e0fb00508bffb3.png) ](https://www.verywellhealth.com/thmb/V863QLZQJH8v5e_Hsn-BibJ-tpA=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/understanding-thyroid-blood-tests-low-or-high-tsh-3233198_color3-5b84c6f346e0fb00508bffb3.png)