The only reason I’m now diagnosed and medicated is because I knew my numbers, researched the tests, what they’re for and what different results indicate

Had I not been keeping an eye on it, I never would have caught mistakes that were made. Instead I would have been sent home thinking my illness was all in my head

I’ve learned we have to be our own best advocates especially with autoimmune diseases since they’re are so tricky to diagnose and treat

In Portugal, it's public system and the doctors print lab tests and exams reports, if not you can ask them or at the lab. You can have them in a file case. It is useful in case you change doctors and some doctors forget to ask certain blood tests. I think it is always good for you to know what is going on and double check. I for sure know my results better than the doctors.

A strong Yes! I was a dialysis Tech for almost 14 years. Rhuemies are not specialized in eurotology and I strongly recommend you keep records of your urine tests, consistency,proteins levels in the urine and the GFR. My right kidney has been damaged due to the lupus and sjogrens. Aldo, I get hematuria a lot(blood in the urine), when I'm in a flare.
My kidney had a lot of customers on it, known as polycystic disease; which IS a form of multiple kidneys distinctions and/or failures. This is not always associated to SLE for some reason, however, I have treated many SLE patients in my time that never had this issue until their lupus took a course that we often have no control over. I'm not saying this to scared or worry...purely education. I am not a Dr. So please always consult your Specialist and others that are trained. As well all know, there is no ONE answer that fits all. Please never self diagnosed or stay on the net researching all the WHAT-IFS, LIFE IS MORE VALUABLE AND SO ARE OUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS. CONSUME YOUR MOMENTS IN THIS AND ITS THE BEST MEDICINE THAT A DOCTOR CAN NEVER PRESCRIBE😉

I live in ny and I always ask for my bloodwork papers and compare them to old ones..usually my rhem dr and reg dr give me my papers automatically or they ask if I want them...there are some sites online that you can get infor for all blood work...what is the normal ranges they should be and some sites tell alot more....like why they might be done to check for ? dx...

I like to get a copy of all my test results. My G.P. charges me $5.00 per copy. I like to have them for my records and also I like to compare them from month to month.