How long do results from a blood test normally take?

joconnell

Heya Folks,

I popped along to the doc to get checked out for any overactive thyroid and I'm getting a blood test done on monday to see whats up. In the clinic they said it'd be three weeks before they got results which seems a little long - I know they send the sample to a hospital to get checked out and then deliver results back but would there be a quicker turnaround going direct to a hospital (if referred)?

Cheers!

John

jeckle

Even though you say you are going for a blood test, the chances are that your blood will be undergoing anything from ten to fifteen different tests. The result of some of the tests would more than likely be available an awful lot quicker, but some take longer. You are being told three weeks to allow for all the test results to come through.

liberal

T4 levels should be back 3 days max

r3nu4l

Moved from the Gentleman's Club...over to you mods

Tree

Depends on the tests being done. Routine tests can be done pretty rapidly, but you have to add on time before being done (if there's a backlog) and the results being physically sent out (ye olde administration and post office for example).

Some tests that are less common and non-urgent may be batched and done ever week/month (eg, i used to be in a lab where pth was done whenever there was a full run collected, they'd sit in the freezer until the appropriate time)