Blood Tests: In Layman's Terms

TRS48

Hi ladies!

Ok I know I am a newbie and "newbie" questions can be a little annoying... but I promise you I have tried googling this and either A) cannot find the answer I'm looking for or I may have found an answer but it's all in medical jargon. Neither of which help me comprehend as well as you ladies do. Please forgive me!

My OBYN had me get some bloodwork done, due to my strange periods, which began occurring after she had me undergo a CKC (Cold Knife Cone). Apparently everything came back "normal" and my mysterious period issue remains unsolved but I *do* want to know what exactly my bloodwork actually says. One test shows my TSH level. The other one was called a "CBC" and shows everything blood-related (WBD, RBC, Hemoglobin, Lymphs etc).

For those who have had this type of labwork done, can you tell me what all of these things mean and what items someone TTC should pay attention to?

 

Thanks  

SunflowersBride

CBC is all of your blood counts, and TSH is your thyroid.  If you request the results from your doctor, they typically have all of the ranges along with your levels so you know if everything is normal.

I really wanted to respond to your issue about a weird period after a cold knife cone biopsy.  I had a CKC last June, and ever since, I began having spotting about 3 days before my actual period began.  I was 100% positive it had never happened prior to the cone, but my GYN basically blew off my concerns and said there was no way it was related and I probably hadn't noticed it before.  Considering I spent 6 months concerned that I had cervical cancer, I am very certain I never had spotting prior to my period before the cone.  

I was able to get pregnant about 4 months after a clean follow-up pap, so whether the spotting was related or not, it did not seem to affect my fertility.

Good luck to you! 

TRS48

My doc just said they were normal so maybe I will inquire next time I go for some elaboration. Just figured some ladies here might know from experience.  

 

Is there a certain range for TSH that is considered "normal"? 

 

Thanks again girls!  

TRS48

SunflowersBride-- Thank you so much for replying. That is exactly what I have going on. Ive always had very normal periods, and every since the CKC I have been spotting anywhere from 2-5 days before my expected period begins as well. I figured it would go away eventually but its been 6 months now and its still occurring. My OBGYN pretty much said its probably nothing but I had the bloodwork and ultrasound done to check and both were "normal". She then used silver nitrate to burn off some of the blood vessels on my endrometrium, (I cant remember the reasoning why) but it hurt like hell and hasnt helped a whole lot. I am so glad to hear you were able to conceive because I have honestly been so worried this would affect my ability to do so. Are you still pregnant or have you already given birth? I'm interested to hear how it has been after the surgery. Thank you so much, you give me hope! I hope all has gone great for you and baby (or baby to be)

TRS48

Thank you so much... Mine came up as 2.76. I was wondering if it was on the "border" so I'm glad to know now. I wonder why under 2.5 is ideal (according to your Doc)? All of this is so confusing.

SunflowersBride

TRS48:

SunflowersBride-- Thank you so much for replying. That is exactly what I have going on. Ive always had very normal periods, and every since the CKC I have been spotting anywhere from 2-5 days before my expected period begins as well. I figured it would go away eventually but its been 6 months now and its still occurring. My OBGYN pretty much said its probably nothing but I had the bloodwork and ultrasound done to check and both were "normal". She then used silver nitrate to burn off some of the blood vessels on my endrometrium, (I cant remember the reasoning why) but it hurt like hell and hasnt helped a whole lot. I am so glad to hear you were able to conceive because I have honestly been so worried this would affect my ability to do so. Are you still pregnant or have you already given birth? I'm interested to hear how it has been after the surgery. Thank you so much, you give me hope! I hope all has gone great for you and baby (or baby to be)

I'm glad I could help, honestly it was really stressful for me after going through the worry about cervical cancer and than the cone, and then having the premenstrual spotting that came out of nowhere.  The month I got pregnant, I had no spotting at all, which is what clued me in.

I'm currently about 10 weeks pregnant, and so far my cervix looks really good. They will monitor me more closely starting around 16-18 weeks, because apparently that's when cervical issues typically start to present (if they are going to happen).   

Feel free to PM me if you have any other questions! 

TRS48

SunflowersBride- Thank you so much. It is so good to know someone else who went through this whole process. It was such an emotional toll. I'm so glad we both got through it and so grateful for you reaching out to let me know you've been there and there is hope. SO happy to know you & baby to be are doing very well and I will keep you in my prayers that it stays that way! I will definitely PM you with more questions I'm sure. Thank you again, you are so sweet! 

microchik

CBC will give you insight to a lot of underlying issues and is a starting off point that most doctors employ at least annually.  I can't think of any TTC related issues that a CBC would diagnose, but it's pretty generic.  TSH is another starting point.  If it is out of the normal range, they would do further thyroid testing to help diagnose a condition.

 I work in a medical laboratory... hope this helps! 

TRS48

Thanks ladies! Good to know!