Blood Testing Scheduling
for Post-Operative Patients of
Dr. Cowan and the "Memphis Bypass"

I have placed some notes at the end of the "Testing Schedule" to tell about some of the tests and special requirements for specific tests. If there are "no notes" about a listed test: then it does not require you to be Fasting (NPO) prior to the test, also "no notes" means the name of the test should be enough to tell you what is being checked. Unless otherwise noted these tests are all blood tests.

This page newly updated 11/7/99
Not all doctors use the same tests for their post-op patients.
This information is posted for your reference only and for you to see what one surgeon uses.
Test schedule and test choices may differ from doctor to doctor, and test procedures may slightly differ from one Laboratory to another.

3 Months:
SMAC 24*, CBC*,
Vitamin A, D-25, B-12,
Folate*, Magnesium,
Zinc, Iron, Ferritin

6 Months:
SMAC 24*, CBC*,
Vitamin A, D-25, B-12
Folate*, Magnesium,
Zinc, Iron, Ferritin,
Lipid Profile*,
Oral Glucose Tolerance Test*

9 Months:
SMAC 24*, CBC*,
Vitamin A, D-25, B-12,
Folate*, Magnesium,
Zinc, Iron, Ferritin

12 Months:
SMAC 24*, CBC*,
OGTT*, Lipid Profile*,
Vitamin A, D-25, B-12,
Folate*, Magnesium,
Zinc, Iron, Ferritin

18 Months:
SMAC 24*, CBC*,
Vitamin A, D-25, B-12,
Folate*, Magnesium,
Zinc, Iron, Ferritin

24 Months:
SMAC 24*, CBC*,
OGTT*, Lipid Profile*,
Vitamin A, D-25, B-12,
Folate*, Magnesium,
Zinc, Iron, Ferritin

Annual:
SMAC 24*, CBC*, OGTT*,
Vitamin A, D-25, B-12,
Folate*, Magnesium,
Zinc, Iron, Ferritin

Notes about Specific Tests:

*SMAC 24:
This test is now being called a "Comprehensive Metabolic Panel" by many doctors and their laboratories.
This is a test that requires the patient to Not Eat or Drink at least eight (8) hours before having the blood drawn.
This one test is a combination of several tests, they are:
Albumin, Albumin/Globulin Ratio, Alkaline Phosphatase, Aspartate Transaminase,
Bilirubin Total, Bun/Creatinine Ratio, Calcium, Carbon Dioxide, Chloride,
Creatinine, Globulin, Glucose, Potassium,
Protein Total, Sodium, Urea Nitrogen (bun).
This may slightly differ from one Laboratory to another.
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*CBC:
This also includes:
Differential Count, Platelet Count.
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*Folate:
This test is also referred to as "Folic Acid" by many doctors and their laboratories.
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*Lipid Profile:
This test is also referred to as a "Lipid Panel" by many doctors and their laboratories.
This one test is a combination of several tests, they are:
Triglycerides, Cholesterol,
Total HDL-Cholesterol,
Cholesterol/HDL ratio (calculated),
LDL Cholesterol (calculated).
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*Oral Glucose Tolerance Test:
This test is also referred to as an "OGTT" by many doctors and their laboratories.
This is a test that requires the patient to Not Eat or Drink at least eight (8) hours before having the test done.
This test is done at intervals of:
30 minutes, 60 minutes, 90 minutes, and 120 minutes.
This includes:
Insulin, Glucose,
C-Peptide.
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My Story: (Section SIX)

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