blood tests, where?

malc123 wrote:Do you know if they will explain the results with you.

malc123

That's your doctor's job.

Lab tests alone don't give a realistic picture; you need, at least, a thorough history and examination, so the doctor can make sense of lab results.

The people at the lab are NOT doctors; they are, at best medical technologists, who, even in the US, are not qualified to interpret lab results. Their expertise lies in getting correct lab results to give to your doctor.

If you're not seeing a doctor, how would you even know what tests to order, and if you did, why would you need the results explained?

In any case, the report you get will show a big 'H' or 'L' next to any results that are out of the normal range. Those should be brought to your doctor's attention, and be answered to your satisfaction. Don't be a fool, and try to treat yourself...

Regarding Thonburi Labs, having just used their services, my impression is generally good. They were fast, professional, and reasonably priced. The only complaint is that they had an inexperienced phlebotomist (blood drawer) who stuck me once, probed around for a while, and called it off. Then another one came in, and got the job done. I have veins like the Alaskan pipeline, and no fat on my arms...happens sometimes.

Anyone looking for free PSA tests......see the link at thonburi-lab-center-free-psa-tests-today-t23482.html

I passed a new lab on Srisuk today....don't know exactly what services they offer, but it looks like a Thonburi-lab clone under a different name. It's called Udon Central Lab (UCL)....it just opened. Located on Srisuk across the street from the satellite post office. It's next to the best Vietnamese Khaopiak (ข้าวเปียกเวียดนาม) in Udon.

While we are on the subject of checking oneself out, i use Wattana and for a mere 4999 baht not only do I get a full check up but also a card that gives me discount on various items.

if you are going to the trouble of checkingup you blood or whatever, you do need a medical ly qualified person ( ie doctor ) to explain the results and as a stand alone result could cause some concern taken overall including age etc, the results might not seem so bad.
if one is ill with a specific complaint then a regular check on that complaint may be justified, but just checking blood for one particular thing is not really worth it, whether it is cheap or not.

My thoughts are know your body, when you are well you know it, if under the weather sense why and treat if appropriate, too many of us go running to the doctor and seek advice when in fact you are just having an off day, as one gets older off days happen more often, rest and recuperation, less alcohol and more GOOD food normally works.

just my pennysworth.

Sorry for two posts on this subject but a couple of years ago, I had a PSA test at AEK which raised alarm bells, went off for a second opinion at Wattana, different result.
Spoke to my family ( doctors about the results) as one doctor here wanted to conduct further tests and one did not. The general feeling was that although PSA tests ( blood 0could highlight POSSIBLE problems undergoing further invasive tests could provide more problems that may or may not need to be dealt with at a later stage.

Again the general advice was , check , look and go by your own general health, if problems appear seek medical advice.

But it is just a thought that NOT all tests are the same the machines are handled differently or may even be geared towards providing a result that is not exactly true, to generate more income for the testing place.
regarding PSA, if one is having problems in that area, in the passing of water or even in blood in stools then it is a good time to seek medical advice, but if all systems are working well ( apart from the older men needing more toilet stops in the night ) then the chances are that you are OK I do not need 300 or even 1700 baht to tell me that.

Agree with the above KP.

In Oz, PSA tests are the exception, rather than the rule. And I recently read that they were looking at stopping them almost completely for guys over 75 - who if they had prostate cancer, are more likely to die with it, rather than from it.

Do you know if they will explain the results with you.

Try reading the thread. Asked and answered.

"I passed a new lab on Srisuk today....don't know exactly what services they offer, but it looks like a Thonburi-lab clone under a different name. It's called Udon Central Lab (UCL)....it just opened. Located on Srisuk across the street from the satellite post office. It's next to the best Vietnamese Khaopiak (ข้าวเปียกเวียดนาม) in Udon."

I stopped in the Udon Central Lab today and talked with the owner, Ms. Jidapa Chanyotha. She speaks English well enough.....said her lab is opened 7 days a week, 7AM-8PM, phone 042-241-757. If I remember correctly, she said a blood sugar test was 100 baht.

a small update on this , we went yesterday to the thonburi lab near tahaan road to check blood, but due to the festivities of birthday udon unable to get there , we went to the second UCL at srisuk road , wich is indeed a second location of thonburi labs , they draw the blood there and have to bring it to the main office at tahaan road for analysis the results came back within an hour , even before we came back from grab a bite to eat and a walk on the market...
so good service ,
some of the prices....
blood sugar 60 baht
cholesterol 60
triglycerides 120
HDL 160
LDL 150
so a complete cholesterol check 490
and i also leave them check CBC ( complete blood count ) 180 baht....
the results come completely detailed , and the limits , all easy to read if you are ok or not ,
even the ladies behind the counter can give you advise ....
and my favorite pharmacy is right behind the corner in case i need medication,so i know where to go next time...