Wednesday, April 03, 2013

I guess I'm healthy

Once a year, when the prescription for my blood pressure pills runs out, I have to go to the doctor where I am asked the same old questions each time and then get some blood drawn.  I've never asked what the blood tests are for, although I do know that blood sugar is one thing they watch for, because I'm not supposed to eat breakfast on the day of the tests.  A couple days after my checkup, the office calls and tells me the results of my blood work are good; they've never been anything but good.
I've never asked what all the tests are for. 
Today I got a bill for $14 from the lab for the costs my insurance didn't cover, and I saw the various tests listed, as well as the costs of each.  So I took the time to Google each test to see what it was supposed to show.
Comprehensive metabolic panel measures blood (glucose) level, electrolyte and fluid balance, and liver function.
Lipid panel measures total cholesterol, HDL, and LDL.  
Thyroid stimulating hormone blood test lets the doctor know if my thyroid is acting as it should.
Complete blood count gives information about my blood cells and platelets.  You can click on any of these links I've included to see more detailed information on the tests.  
I am putting this here mainly for my own benefit, so if I get to wondering in the future what all these tests are, I have only to come to my blog to find the links.  

In the next day or two I'm going to attempt to make cheese strictly according to directions.  I will pasteurize the milk this time, and I'll be using a different sort of rennet.  I got a few supplies (not cheap) from New England Cheesemaking Supply Company.  It seems complicated, and knowing myself as I do, I will be surprised if it's a complete success, because I'm lazy and impatient and don't follow directions very well.  But I just have to try it.  Of course Jody's calf, Jenny, might not be thrilled about this, since I am robbing her of more milk that usual in the mornings in order to have enough milk to make cheese.  She won't starve, because there's still a gallon left in the cow for her when I'm done, and then she gets to take all she wants throughout the day until six in the evening.
Cliff and I have enjoyed Jenny immensely:  She's the clown of the bunch, and smarter than your average calf.  She is intensely curious and is liable to go chasing after any dog or cat in her line of sight; sometimes she feels so good she has to run circles around the pasture, just for the pure joy of being alive.  Because she is so smart, she is the most difficult calf I've ever had when it comes to getting her in the stall every evening.  I have to drive her mom into the lot so she will follow, and even once she's in the lot, she knows she's about to be put in jail and does her best to avoid that open stall door.  I get plenty of exercise rounding her up, let me tell you.      

4 comments:

  1. Great to have good blood numbers! My cholesterol has been highish, but it's because my good chol is very high. So, it's more about the ratio on that one.

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  2. It's good to know what you are being checked out for. I think they should tell us what they are testing. Good that all yours are ok.

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  3. I hate getting blood tests. makes me squeamish. Glad all is well with yours. The cheese sounds good in advance of your attempt.

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  4. Glad to hear you are healthy. I didn't hear back about my blood work, so I'm assuming everything is ok.
    Love your header pic!

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