Expert: Simone Flight - 6/12/2005

Question
Hi,
After visiting a new psychiatrist for the first time, she asked that I go to the Hospitals' lab to get the following blood test done...I am diagnosed bi-polar type 2 and have recently lost my Mother to breat cancer. Just curious as to what the Doctor is looking for in these results...cancer or what ? (was too frazzled and depressed at time of visit to ask). The test are as follows: CBC(incl.diff screen), Amylase(1080), Lipase(1033), T4 (5540), TSH (5511), Comprehensive Panel(1212). Don't know if the numbers meant anything...thought I should include just in case :) Please clue me in, thanks for your help. Reg  

Answer
Hi,
There are accurate blood tests being developed to detect disorders such as bipolar but these are not yet commonplace.  
I think the tests you psychiatrist requested are to check if there is an underlying cause or contributor to your disorder (e.g. T4 and TSH are related to thyroid functioning).
Check next time you see her and get her to explain your results.
There are many helpful sites on blood tests, what they detect and what the results mean.
Hope this helps.
Simone