Rambilngs about lab standards . . . . . . and another <0.0x

A bit of back history,

At my last test 3-2012 the lab I use suddenly decided to change the reporting standards from <0.04 to <0.1. This caused a bit of a furor with my Uro' and the other Drs in the area and pretty much shot our treatment plan to shreds. Well it turns out that the powers that be do listen to doctors and decided that "upon request" they would report to lower standards. After all it's the same equipment in use so the information is there, the difference is just how far it's rounded up.

I went in to the blood draw and told the tech' that "the doctor wants the lower standard" she was a bit flummoxed but said she'd check into it and call the Dr. Got a phone call that afternoon from the nurse that all blood work was good (annual checkup with my GP) and my psa was 0.02. No < but it was on the phone as a voicemail and with those numbers I'm not too worried about it, it was a nurse reporting so I don't know it the < was on the paper or not, really doesn't matter at that level.

I personally like the <0.04 standard for just this reason, it takes the "noise" out of the equation. In reality the <0.1 standard is fine and if we'd started with it it would make really no difference.

Anyway the point of the long winded story is there is probably more information available at labs that test to the <0.1 standard and if the patient and their Dr take charge they do have a bit of say in matters.

Also for those that drink Beer's on me, for those that don't I'll spot for the Fresca. As a side note yesterday I celebrated 22 years free of another affliction that affected my youth.

Also sorry I haven't been around much, life is full and PC is on the back burner in my head most of the time as we're traveling and enjoying the spring etc. I do drop in every so often and see the new folks are being well greeted which IMO is the most important thing. I hope all are doing well.

Dave - congrats on being a ZERO!!!
CELEBRATE!!!
I'll have a Newcastle

Good point, Dave. Keeping the results in the same format should be a standard procedure for all labs. I know that if I was given a <0.1 after several years of reports showing 0.00, I would get concerned. 0.09 is <0.1 just like 0.00 is <0.1.