Lab results question

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-29-2007
Lab results question
4
Thu, 09-04-2008 - 5:14pm

Hi all!


This might be too medical to ask here, but I thought I would give it a shot before I ask the doctor about it.


9/07 I had labs taken in a different state than where I'm living now. The results showed high insulin and the doc dx me as insulin resistant. With weight loss the insulin number has decreased with the second insulin test in 2/08. This brings me up to today. I got back lab results and again the insulin number has come down from 29 to 25. Good news. :) BUT what I don't understand is this: the old lab company that I was sent to (in another state) had a "Normal Range" on the insulin testing of 0-17. The Normal Range listed on the labs I just got back (at a different lab company in a new state) as 0-29. I'm confused.


Do different lab companies have different numbering systems? Is an insulin level of 25 at this company the same 25 at the old lab company? Does this mean I'm in the "normal range” now?


Help! Has anyone noticed this with the labs you've had taken in the past?


TIA :)

TMZ2009


285/235/185STG

TMZ2009

Avatar for cl_coldfingers
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Thu, 09-04-2008 - 7:05pm
For some tests different labs have different 'scales'.

Avatar for cl_maryfrances40
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Thu, 09-04-2008 - 9:06pm

Do different lab companies have different numbering systems? Is an insulin level of 25 at this company the same 25 at the old lab company? Does this mean I'm in the "normal range” now?


It has to do with the normals specified by the reagents that used for the tests. They could be manufacutured by another comapny. Your number most likely wouldn't be different. It is unusal to see such variation. I will have to do some research to see what the recommended insulin levels are as I really don't know right now. So I will try and get some more information for you.




medsassistance5.gif Medicine Assistance picture by HealthAccount


iVillage Member
Registered: 12-29-2007
Sat, 09-06-2008 - 2:01am

I have a update! I went and saw a new doctor today (I just moved to a new city) for a cold that I can't seem to kick. I also wanted to ask him about these lab results I posted about before. I was super impressed with this doctor. He is an internist and told me very directly "you must see a specialist regarding this issue." He gave me a proper referral. After I kept asking him about the labs he did say that the insulin was Normal, but it doesn't mean I don't have IR now. Then he repeated that I must see a specialist.


So the good news is that my insulin IS normal according to that one test, but I'm not out of the woods. I have a appointment with a endocrine obgyn next month. I'll anxiously await her thoughts on my progress. :)


Thanks for all the responses!

TMZ2009


285/235/185STG

TMZ2009

Avatar for cl_maryfrances40
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Sat, 09-06-2008 - 1:34pm

Please let us know what you find out. I have been trying to find out more information without success. What does concern me is that with one test you could have been treated and with the other test you would be rated as normal. There is too wide a variation in the normals for the test to satisfy me and it really scares me.


Good luck and