Blood Tests For July 2011

The needles no longer give me the jitters anymore. It could be that I have become hardened to the pain or the phlebotomists (individuals trained to draw blood samples for medical testing) that I encountered were very good at what they do. I used to turn my face away to avoid seeing the needle going into the skin. Now, I watch the entire blood extraction process.

Renal function test, liver function test and lipid profile results
Renal function test, liver function test and lipid profile results.

I went for a blood test last Friday and then for the scheduled appointment at the UMMC spinal rehab clinic on Wednesday. Serum creatinine has gone up a little to 291 umol/L, nothing to be unduly worried about as it has been hovering around this level for a while now. On the other hand, the low-density lipoprotein level is above normal at 3.09 mmol/L.

The doctor advised me to watch my diet. Admittedly, I have been rather reckless with what I eat lately. I am scheduled for another blood test in November and also a KUB (kidneys-ureters-bladder) ultrasound at the same time. Hopefully, by going on a healthier diet now, the results then will be more favourable.

Love Bite From A Stranger

Bruised forearm after having blood drawn from there

No, not really. This is a bruise that developed after I had my blood drawn at the UMMC yesterday. After having an untrasound of my kidneys and bladder and dropping the urine off at another laboratory, I went to have my blood sample taken. It was for renal profile and creatinine clearance. The laboratory technician looked like she was in a hurry and stressed out.

I like to watch when the needle is inserted into my vein. The pain usually felt like a light prick and does not bother me at all. Likewise, this time but the needle went in too deep and there was no blood. She pulled it out a little and blood began to flow into the tube. When she was done and pulled the needle out, I cringed a little more than usual at the pain.

I have had my blood drawn many times and some of these technicians are so good that I hardly felt a thing after that. However, there was one time in Penang when the technician forgot to remove the torniquet before pulling out the needle. A small stream of blood gushed out right after the needle.

Anyway, when I tore away the paper tape and cotton wool after leaving UMMC, there was a relatively large patch of blood on the cotton. The surrounding area where the needle went in had a bruise. It also itched and ached. The bruise is still very apparent as I type this entry.