I just had blood test to check my serum levels of dilantin & tegretol, but accidently gave the wrong dose.

Question

I was quite unwell and when the nurse asked how much tegretol I took I groggily told her 500mg when I take a daily intake of 1000mg. I've rung the pathology co. to advise them of the mistake, but the nurse, who was terribly vague & didn't seem to understand what I was saying, wouldn't take my info. Is there anyone out there who can tell me whether the results of my tests will be effected by not providing the correct dosage or do serum levels just show whether the drug is within therapeutic ranges? I need to know whether I should pursue this with the pathologists or just speak to my GP. Any assistance will be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

The blood test measures for the therapeutic range of the medication. Your serum levels will be measured to make sure they fall in a range between the minimal effective level and the maximum level without causing toxicity. This can be easily measured without knowing your prescribed dose, as this is a set range. Relax, the lab will still be able to accurately run the test. You can discuss the results with your doctor when the results are available.

Answer 2

Inform your doctor, but I don't think it'll make a difference. If you told the 50 or 5,000, your test would've shown the same results.

Answer 3

Ok, I worked in a lab for four years. Why would you need a pathologist? Do you know what a pathologist does? Their the ones that check moles, skin, and parts of the body abnormal sells. So your confusing me here. You say you take tegretol. This leads  me to believe you either have Bipolar disorder, or you suffer from seizers. As far as you giving the wrong does to the nurse, it really doesn't matter. The blood has been taken, it's over and nothing can be done. Your doctor knows how much he's prescribe you which is 1000mg. Your doctor is the one that gets the test results. If it's abnormal in any way the doctor will call you and question you about it. So just because you told the nurse 500mg, the doctor already knows when he/she is looking at the report how much he/she wants or has you on. I think that you're worrying to much over nothing. My sugar was low once after I had given a blood sample, and my Doctor was on the phone with me within an hour to make sure I was alright. So don't seat it.