When I first started into this arena my biggest worry was "catching sumthin'". And I'm certain the ladies constantly have that on their mind as well.

Regardless, I was advised by a "Nurse/Provider" that it's best to get additional blood work done beyond the norm of a general physical. My quandry was how I'd ask my Doctor to do it.

I finally just told him that I am sexually active and have had several partners since my last check-up, and that here on I always want the extra testing done. (All AOK to date!)

So... my question is: What should anyone ask for to make certain a full analysis is done?

My Doc hasn't told me the exact medical terms so I just go on his word. If I saw the actual results of my blood work what would I look for to make sure it's been done?

I trust my Doctor, but most labs are out of house and the absence of the test might get overlooked.

Dear OhioLoxly,
The answer to your question is, that's usually up to the physician. You can tell him that you want to be tested for HIV, chlamydia and herpes. Beyond that, a lot of STDs are "loudly infectious" and you'd see or feel some signs in your own body or on your penis.

You WILL need to trust your physician on this one. As to the lab report, they all look different, but you would see it clearly marked somewhere in there betweeen the BUN-Creatinine, neutrophils, TSH, etc. etc.

As to the exact medical terms, hmm...what would they be, beyond the names of STDs we all know? Maybe the tests? Elisa-immunoassay (HIV)? Then again, it doesn't matter, as long as he tells you you are OK. Believe me, if there was one single disease on that report, you'd know it. But you do have a right to a copy of your bloodwork, and you'd see the panel for the STDs in there, just the same as the physician would. You would even see reference ranges for liver panels, white blood counts, etc. It's not hard to read a lab report, believe me.

Remember that your physician operates under the laws of confidentiality. He is a mandated reporter when it comes to child/elderly abuse, if you are a danger to yourself and/or others, but no matter what you tell him in terms of your sexual behavior, he does have to keep quiet. Very quiet, or else they'll yank his license. Also, physicians are horrendously busy; most of them don't care whether you take on the Tennessee Lady Vols [interesting scenario, hehe] or just stick to your partner at home. But they do owe you clear information if you have some kind of disease, STD or otherwise.

"The absence of the test might get overlooked?" Doubtful, especially if you asked him to have the lab test for everything.

Finally, being worried about this whole multiple partner business may cause you so much anxiety that maybe you should just stick to one person - if you've got one at home....

Primum non nocere,*
the Love Goddess

Hippocrates' most famous oath

-- Modified on 12/19/2007 11:01:57 PM

If you've ever seen the form that your doctor fills-out it's pretty hard for him/her to mess up. There is a list of all sorts of things to screen for and STD's have a section all their own. All he has to do is check off a bunch of boxes and the lab does the rest. Is it fool-proof? Well no, nothing is but if it's part of what doctors and labs do everyday.

If you have concerns about medical privacy and your doctor knowing too much, you can get tested at some Planned Parenthood clinics, and there are various std testing companies who allow you to make the arrangements and get the test results with your identity being a number (no name involved).  One example I know of (it does cost $$ so I do not intend this to be an exclusive endorsement) is www.tsdt.org

My experience: I did a Google search and found an clinc near me. They do free testing, all though I left a donation because money wasn't the issue. They did blood for HIV and something else, I forget what. They did a very humbling test for Syphilis and Gonorrhea, but it was worth it. They told me herpes was so common they did not usually test for it, but would if I requested, for $35. I go once a year. It should be done by everyone.

The doctors couldn't care less.

Thanks for your input. (Everyones')

I don't fret over this. I consider it to be routine maintenance and if a "nasty" did appear I certainly would make a bee-line to the Doc's.

I keep an Excel spreadsheet to track my HDL-LDL, white and red count, etc. Have been for the last 11 years, but I just ask what those are and not for a copy of the report. And I do trust the Doc to check the right boxes.

No SO at home or anywhere else. That's why I'm here.