Can a doctor tell if I smoke ?

Conorh123

I'm 17 and have to get my bloods done. Would he know I smoke by doing a blood test ? I used to smoke 10 a day but am now only on 3 a day.. ( I'm quitiing slowly)

Diamond Doll

It's unlikely - at that quantity anyways, unless they're specifically checking for it - but you're still best to tell them!

GarIT

You should never lie to your doctor. Your doctor can't tell anyone that you smoke. If he/she does tell someone they could end up in a lot of legal trouble.

dollyk

if you smoke before you go he will smell it off your clothes,
A blood test will not show if you smoke or not.
Im presuming your parents dont know ?
Well he wont be able to tell unless you give him that information

shaunn

Being honest with your doctor is vital, even if its something bad. The doctor has to keep things between you and themselves because you have rights and they cannot tell anyone else, even your parents (unless its majorly serious, sometimes depends).

Euphoria Intensifies

Doctors can't tell your parents anything once you are over 16, unless they feel that you are at a serious risk of harming yourself or others i.e. if you are actively suicidal. I don't know if they can tell whether people smoke or not based on blood test results, but if they ask you there's no point in lying. Just in case smoking makes you more susceptible to being low in certain vitamins/minerals etc, so that they can make a more informed analysis of your health.

Baraboo

Doctors can do a dip test with a stick in a urine sample which can tell if you smoke. If you lie to an insurance company and get insurance based on a non smoking lifestyle they will still take the premiums off you, until you try and claim on a medical issue that may or may not be to do with smoking at which point they will tell you that you are not insured on that basis as you lied on your original form.

njs030

Euphoria Intensifies wrote: »

Doctors can't tell your parents anything once you are over 16, unless they feel that you are at a serious risk of harming yourself or others i.e. if you are actively suicidal. I don't know if they can tell whether people smoke or not based on blood test results, but if they ask you there's no point in lying. Just in case smoking makes you more susceptible to being low in certain vitamins/minerals etc, so that they can make a more informed analysis of your health.

Are you sure that's from age 16? I ask because my daughter has a chronic illness and doctors still discuss her care with me even though she's over 16. In this country you're a child until 18.

Op the doctor will probably smell it anyway, there's no point lying.

Gongoozler

notjustsweet wrote: »

Are you sure that's from age 16? I ask because my daughter has a chronic illness and doctors still discuss her care with me even though she's over 16. In this country you're a child until 18.

Op the doctor will probably smell it anyway, there's no point lying.

He is incorrect, it is 18.

Euphoria Intensifies

Yes, under Irish law you are a child until you reach the age of 18. But you are legally able to attend a healthcare professional by yourself, consent to medical procedures and receive confidential medical advice and treatment once you become 16. This link has more information: http://ie.reachout.com/getting-help/costs-and-confidentiality/confidentiality/

myshirt

I am no doctor, but possibly you might have an elevated red blood cell count or other dioxins.

If you were smoking anything outside what you can buy legally, including cigs from knock off Nigel, or drugs, that will be picked up. When I was your age, I googled it and it was a bad mistake, this stuff stays in the blood much longer than google will tell you.

Saying that though, doctors will only request certain tests with your bloods. In other words, they don't go for an A-Z enquiry on every blood sample. Christ, there could be a shedload of things they could find from a blood test.

beyondbelief67

It is always better to be honest with your doctor about anything, especially smoking as it can affect so many aspects of your health.
They could probably tell from the smell on your clothes and hair too_ as would family members.