Why Your Doctor Wants an Appointment Before Ordering Lab Tests
Why does my doctor like to talk to me before ordering labs?
One of the common questions we often receive at SageMED is, "Why does my doctor want to have an appointment with me before ordering lab tests?" The answer to this question is straightforward: our healthcare providers want to ensure that they are ordering the right tests for you, and to do so effectively, they need to have a comprehensive understanding of your current well-being.
Why These Appointments Matter
1. Monitoring Previous Deficiencies: If you've previously shown deficiencies that might be causing your symptoms, we want to know if those symptoms have improved before retesting for those deficiencies. This step helps us avoid ordering unnecessary tests and saves you time and money.
2. Ensuring Compliance: Sometimes, we discover that patients aren't fully following the treatment plan we've prescribed. In such cases, it's counterproductive to proceed with lab work because the results won't accurately reflect your health. We'd rather address compliance issues during an appointment before ordering tests.
One major frustration with conventional medical care is the tendency for doctors to dismiss patient symptoms when lab values appear normal. At SageMED, we prioritize your well-being and how you feel over relying solely on lab results.
Consider these real-life examples:
1. Hypothyroidism Management: A patient diagnosed with hypothyroidism is prescribed medication and asked to return for a follow-up in 4-6 weeks. If the patient requests lab work prior to the appointment, we might decline. During the follow-up appointment, if the patient still reports hypothyroidism symptoms, we adjust their medication accordingly. As a result, the patient's symptoms improve, and the subsequent labs confirm healthy thyroid levels. This approach prevents unnecessary lab draws and ensures patients receive appropriate treatment.
2. Prostate Health Evaluation: A patient prescribed testosterone follows up via video chat as instructed. In a brief 10-minute appointment, the doctor learns about the patient's emerging prostate issues. Despite the patient's age not aligning with routine PSA screening, the doctor orders a PSA test to screen for early-onset prostate cancer, avoiding the need for another lab visit.
In Conclusion
If your SageMED doctor determines that you need labs before your follow-up appointment, they will place the order during the current consultation and clearly communicate the plan to you. You can always reach out to your SageMED doctor through the patient portal if you have any questions or need clarification regarding your follow-up instructions.
In our commitment to providing optimal and efficient care, open communication with your doctor and adherence to recommended follow-up appointments are vital. Your well-being is our top priority, and together, we can ensure you receive the best possible care.