Help Blood tests next week - need some advice

[phoenixx]

I didn't know where to post this so I hope it's ok I posted here - need some advice.

Today, I picked up my medication and had a note saying I need to arrange an appointment for blood tests and blood pressure tests (and also a medication review). I booked for my bloods/blood pressure and the appointment is for next Wednesday. Medication review is next month.

I currently should be taking 100mg sertraline a day and also iron tablets multiple times a day. The only problem is, I have not been taking either of my medication (only one 50mg sertraline tablet every now and then).

My other concern is my codeine "addiction".
I say "addiction" because I'm not sure I can count myself as addicted, as I only use once a week (sometimes more, spending how much I have). I usually take at least 300mg or more, along with vodka, and it gets me fucked up. Even though it makes me ill each time, I still keep doing it and have been for years (and I think I probably have done some internal damage, not sure. But I get pains that I think may have been caused by the codeine). Last year, I overdosed and passed out and had to visit the doctor. No one knew I overdosed. They wanted to do bloods on the day but I refused because I knew they'd find the high amount of codeine in my system so I waited a week and did it then. When my bloods come back, they found out I was very anaemic which is why I was prescribed iron tablets (not sure if the codeine overdose caused the anaemia, because the doctor was baffled that I didn't look or show any other signs that I was VERY anaemic, apart from my bloods).

So I have a few questions (if anyone could help):

If I started taking my medication now, a week before my blood tests, would it show up ok? Or would they be able to tell I haven't been taking them?

Should I be worried that the codeine I take would show up on the bloods? My last dosage was yesterday, 300mg. Would there be any way they could know I've been using codeine like this?

 

[wljourney]

Sertraline takes a good 3-6 weeks to reach a "therapeutic" level in your blood, so taking it once in a while does absolutely nothing.

Either you take it daily or you don't at all.

It would be unusual for them to check for it specifically in your blood test though, unless they assume you are not taking it and it's some sort of parole requirement.


The basic blood panel usually doesn't look for codeine (opiates) but if they do check the box, it wouldn't show up 7 days later. Codeine leaves your body usually within 2-3 days.

The blood panel is probably to check your iron levels and it wouldn't be a bad idea to start taking those iron pills now. Not for "them" but for yourself.

Edit: yes they could take a hair sample and that would show codeine use for about 90 days, but why would they.

 

[phoenixx]

Sertraline takes a good 3-6 weeks to reach a "therapeutic" level in your blood, so taking it once in a while does absolutely nothing.

Either you take it daily or you don't at all.

It would be unusual for them to check for it specifically in your blood test though, unless they assume you are not taking it and it's some sort of parole requirement.


The basic blood panel usually doesn't look for codeine (opiates) but if they do check the box, it wouldn't show up 7 days later. Codeine leaves your body usually within 2-3 days.

The blood panel is probably to check your iron levels and it wouldn't be a bad idea to start taking those iron pills now. Not for "them" but for yourself.

Edit: yes they could take a hair sample and that would show codeine use for about 90 days, but why would they.

Thank you for responding! Im a little less worried now. I was more concerned about the codeine, but I should be fine. As with the other medications, I'm going to start taking them again - not just for the blood test, but for myself too. I've been on sertraline for around 5 years or more now? It's only the past couple of weeks I haven't taken them properly. It's the same with the iron, only I haven't taken them for quite a few months. It's probably why I've been feeling shitty lately, so maybe taking both medications again will help me feel better. I just got to hope these blood tests will be ok now!

Thanks again!

 

[its-about-time]

Is there a particular reason why you feel you can't be honest with your mental health team about not taking meds and your substance use?

 

[Smart No More]

Seems weird for them to check for these things with blood tests. Usually it would be a urine test, right?

I would say start taking your iron tablets. For your health more than the test.

With the codeine you can just say you took some co-codamol pain killers. Perfectly legal and available over the counter.

Again, not sure why they would look for it in your blood tests though. The anemia yes but drug screening no. Not usually.

 

[Ta555]

I've never heard of a blood test to check for antidepressant levels and I've done shit ton of specialised blood tests but who knows.