My Current Blood Test -- Need Help

ShandyLynnRN, BSN, RN · Feb 1, 2003

Why were you getting your fibrinogen checked in the first place?

New CCU RN · Feb 1, 2003

I was thinking the same thing.... that isn't a "routine" kinda test..why did you have it drawn to begin with?

BellaTerra2002 · Feb 1, 2003

I would rather not go into that if I don't have to. It's a long story. So if you can't or won't help me without my disclosing that, that's fine. I understand.

RENAISSANCE RN · Feb 1, 2003

Hi,

There are a lot of links on the net.

http://www.1uphealth.com/health/fibrinogen_values.html#definition

Hope everything is ok.

Trauma Columnist · Feb 1, 2003

Fibrinogen is a clotting factor. Of course, dependent on disease state - is highly subjective. Good luck. judi

NurseDennie, BSN, RN · Feb 1, 2003

Hi Bella -

Well, I can't help you either way. But you know us nurses! We need to know the whole story - it's just a natural instinct to ask.

I've gotten those calls from doctor's office staff before. At Christmas, I got a series of increasingly-shrill calls from the doc who got the results of my CBC (panic value RBC's) to come in to the office, no, just go directly to admitting, no - come through the ER. I knew they were just covering their a@@ because they didn't really know if it was chronic or some acute bleed, but still, it's nerve-twanging to hear that kinda stuff!!

So, although I've totally failed to assist you in any way, I hope that whatever is the problem will be minor and easily cleared up.

Love

Dennie

BellaTerra2002 · Feb 1, 2003

Thanks to all who responded and especially those of you who tried to help. I finally got the right spelling (or rather, realized I had the right spelling) and starting looking up and following leads on the internet. Apparently this test coming out "highly unstable" can mean one of a host of things from leukemia to relatively benign 'stuff'. So there's no use in getting my panties in a bind about it. I've got a great weekend planned and college starts again Monday night. I ain't going to worry until I find out I'm dying of leukemia or need a liver transplant. And even then -- I really don't mind dying. I just don't want to put too much effort into school if I'm going to! :roll (I have a weird sense of humor.)

Thanks again!

ShandyLynnRN, BSN, RN · Feb 1, 2003

"I really don't mind dying. I just don't want to put too much effort into school if I'm going to! "

LOL... had to chuckle at that.

emily_mom · Feb 1, 2003

Me too..... (that's the kind of humor we like in these parts....)

Kristy

cargal · Feb 1, 2003

Bella,

I have the feeling you are meant to be a nurse-black humor aside!

BellaTerra2002 · Feb 1, 2003

Thanks, Kristy and Carrie! :kiss I also think I was meant to be a nurse. However, I don't think any hospital is going to hire a graduate whose uniform is hanging on a skeleton. I can just seen it now: "Excuse me, but I don't see a 'Date of Death' space on this application."

Ok, well, I'm in a better mood than I was last night, I'll tell ya. I HATE it when the doctor's office leaves a message on your answering machine and ya don't get it until hours after the office has closed (mine closes at noon). And I'm going to change doctors. This doctor has to send blood and urine out to a lab, and I know of a great women's clinic which has EVERYTHING right in the same building. Not to mention that it's been almost THREE weeks since I took that blood test AND she probably wouldn't even have noticed the results of the test if I hadn't called in for prescription refills yesterday morning.

Oh, I'm just running off at the mouth and venting because I'm a little nervous. But I'm doing just fine. THANKS for all of your answers and support.