I went to an allergist for unrelated hay fever sypmtoms, and he wants me to go to get some blood tests. should I be worried about this? Im a daily smoker lately.. Isnt there Dr. patient confidentiality issues?
Thanx!
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I went to an allergist for unrelated hay fever sypmtoms, and he wants me to go to get some blood tests. should I be worried about this? Im a daily smoker lately.. Isnt there Dr. patient confidentiality issues?
Thanx!
I wouldn't worry. He would have to specifically order a drug screen blood test to check for drug use, and unless you gave him any reason to suspect you're a daily smoker or told him you smoked weed, he wouldn't have any reason to do a drug screen.
Allergists/immunologists order specific allergy blood testing, and I found this link about that. I had the very same blood tests done last year. Basically, they look at your antibodies and particularly at your levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE), which go up in people with allergies. He'll probably do skin tests, too, if he hasn't already. (Mine did, and I was allergic to every type of pollen there is, practically.)
http://www.webmd.com/hw/allergies/hw198350.asp
As far as confidentiality's concerned, if you're 14 or older, in most states he's supposed to keep the results of any tests confidential between you and him, but they don't always do that with patients who are minors, particularly if parents come straight out and ask them direct questions about their kids' test results. Again, it's very unlikely he ordered a drug screen, so try not to worry. Let us know how it turns out!!!
I am an adult, so that is no issue. I know he even said the blood tests were to test for IgE... I guess I will be alright then. I have to schedule the tests for this coming week..
I just had to say, i am impressed on how well birdgirl's posts are written.