Re: Re: Unreliable Labs

[Guest guest]

> Steve, I am glad that you have nothing to worry about at this time.

> Can I ask why you are having monthly PSA tests?

Yes you can :-)

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It's because my case is high-risk and I will not relinquish control.

Regards,

Steve J

" We must tailor the treatment to the nature of the disease. We must

listen to the biology. "

-- B. Strum, MD

Medical Oncologist

PCa Specialist

>

> Laurel

>

>

> >

> > A few minutes ago, I received word that the lab that performs my

> > monthly PSA tests had, for the second time, reported falsely.

> >

> > Briefly: I have a 28-day ultrasensitive PSA test. For the past

> several

> > months, the results, using the Roche Electrosys process, have been

> > <0.03 ng/mL (0.864 nmol if I have my numbers right). My October 20

> > test came back 0.22 ng/mL (6.336 nmol), some 7 times the previous

> result.

> >

> > Having been through a previous trauma in which my PSA was falsely

> > reported as some 400% higher than the previous result, and also

> > because the latest result seemed to be far too much of an increase

> > over just 28 days, I ordered another test, which was done on October

> > 27, just a week after the other.

> >

> > Result: <0.03 (0.864) and I thank whatever gods there be for the

> > relief. I do NOT thank the lab.

> >

> > Take-home lesson for all: Do not accept a test result that is far

> out

> > of the previous norm as The Word. Have another test performed.

> >

> > Medics are human. Labs are infested with humans. And we humans are

> > prone to error. Check and cross-check. Trust nothing and no one to

> be

> > utterly and always reliable.

> >

> > I have cried salt tears over this, as well as the previous lab

> error.

> > But I also have learned a valuable lesson.

> >

>

>