lab values affected by transfusion?

[janet]

Any one have a list or know of resources?

Our physicians continually order anemia panels AFTER the patient has been transfused .... how reliable are results - RBC folate or retic couldn't be too accurate could they?

[Auntie-D]

We have a standard comment of 'not applicable after transfusion'.

You are right - the results would not be reliable. We do serum folate now so have eliminated that little problem

[SMILLER]

Here's a short article I Googled:

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3230/is_2_39/ai_n27166542/

[Mabel Adams]

Sometimes the tests are necessary even if they aren't precisely as accurate as they would be 24 hrs later--I am thinking of Hct & Hgb. You can't always wait the 24 hrs for the whole blood volume to adjust to transfusion. But the tests you mention aren't really in the same class as the H&H.