Question 1

how reliable are fingerstick blood tests?

Accepted Answer

Very reliable: There is a specific technique that miust be followed when doing finger sticks.  If the procedure is properly performed the results are quite reliable.  They will be within about 5% of a simultaneous venous blood test.

Question 2

how reliable are genital herpes blood tests vs cultures?

Accepted Answer

Active vs past: Blood tests can detect exposure to the herpes virus but do not tell if there is active infection.  Molecular testing of the affected cells/tissue is more practical than culture for ascertaining active infection.

Question 3

how reliable are blood tests that look for monoclonal gammopathy in elevated imm levels ? are false negatives possible?

Accepted Answer

Very: the testing for gammoparhy at at the present time is very sensitive. The means by how this gets measured and analyzed is so sensitive that I can t out all of the different Antibody types.

Question 4

is immunicap testing reliable for allergy in kids with severe excema?
he already did skin prick and blood tests for specific allergies

Accepted Answer

See below: The immunocap is a blood test for allergies.

Question 5

are occult blood tests for colon cancer reliable?

Accepted Answer

Not really: The sensitivity of occult blood test is very low -about 20-25% if it is done only once. If it is done in 3 separate occasions- the sensitivity of the test to check for GI bleeding will be higher up to 90%. However, the test's accuracy for colon cancer is not high as GI bleeding can be caused by so many things-hemorrhoids, avm, gastric ulcer etc. Colonsocopy needs to be done if occult blood is +.

Question 6

hello there. i have a concern regarding a blood pregnancy test i took about a week ago. i had two negative at home urine pregnancy tests and one positive. then i had two blood tests which were negative. are the negative blood tests reliable ?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Blood tests, when done after a missed period are reliable.  If you still have doubt and do not get  a period in the next 7-10 days you could ask you doctor to do an ultrasound examination.
Visit this site for info on missed periods: http://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/menstruation/conditioninfo/Pages/causes.aspx
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Wish you good health!

Question 7

are blood tests for allergy/ige levels to foods considered reliable? paranoid over certain foods and want to put fears to rest and liberalize my diet.

Accepted Answer

False positives: If the result of either the Allergy skin test or specific IgE test is negative then it's very reliable.  Positive results on the other hand are only accurate 40-60% of the time so would need to be matched with specific allergy symptoms upon eating the food in question.  Screening for a bunch of foods without a thorough history is therefore frowned upon.  Testing for Celiac somewhat different.

Question 8

ive took several blood tests and all came back fine. whats wrong with me? please help me, i beg.

Accepted Answer

Need to examine: It is not feasible to provide a meaningful opinion without taking additional history, physical examination and may be some tests. It would be prudent to see your doctor and discuss if you may be depressed. Counter-intuitive as it may seem, exercise may help. Start with low intensity exercise such as walking and gradually increase the intensity as tolerated.

Question 9

ive been feeling nauseous for 6 months and ive taken several blood tests which came back perfectly fine. whats wrong with me?

Accepted Answer

May be nothing: It is not feasible to provide a meaningful opinion without taking additional history, physical examination and may be some tests. It would be prudent to see your doctor and discuss if you may be depressed. Counter-intuitive as it may seem, exercise may help. Start with low intensity exercise such as walking and gradually increase the intensity as tolerated.

Question 10

blood tests   of levels  pancreadits?

Accepted Answer

Pancreatitis: Typical tests done include amylase and lipase. Amylase can be elevated due to other problems, so lipase is more specific. Any elevation indicates a problem. Lab values are specific to the lab used. Severe pancreatitis can elevate the lipase into the 1000's.  Even a small elevation above normal can cause severe pain.

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Doctor answers about:

How reliable are fingerstick blood tests

A member asked:

How reliable are fingerstick blood tests?

A member asked:

How reliable are genital herpes blood tests vs cultures?

A member asked:

How reliable are blood tests that look for monoclonal gammopathy in elevated imm levels ? are false negatives possible?

A member asked:

Is immunicap testing reliable for allergy in kids with severe excema? he already did skin prick and blood tests for specific allergies

A member asked:

Are occult blood tests for colon cancer reliable?

A member asked:

Hello there. i have a concern regarding a blood pregnancy test i took about a week ago. i had two negative at home urine pregnancy tests and one positive. then i had two blood tests which were negative. are the negative blood tests reliable ?

A member asked:

Are blood tests for allergy/ige levels to foods considered reliable? paranoid over certain foods and want to put fears to rest and liberalize my diet.

A member asked:

Ive took several blood tests and all came back fine. whats wrong with me? please help me, i beg.

A member asked:

Ive been feeling nauseous for 6 months and ive taken several blood tests which came back perfectly fine. whats wrong with me?

A member asked:

Blood tests of levels pancreadits?

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