[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]Chrissy,

In effect, your doctor is doing blood work to rule out new or additional neurological problems. For example, if what you have are residuals from GBS, the first five tests should come back negative. However, if you have become hypothyroid, the thyroid profile should come back positive for hypothyroidism.

Here is a brief explanation of the tests:

CBC – complete blood count, which is a count of the number of blood cell in a particular volume. What makes it complete is that they look for the number of red and white cells and platelets. If the test was “with diff.” (with differential), then they will look at the types of white blood cells and make measurements on the red blood cells. Looking for abnormalities, mostly likely high white blood cell count and anomalies in the types of white blood cells.

Thyroid profile – most likely checking for hypothyroidism, which can cause many of the symptoms you describe.

Complete metabolic profile – If it is the classic Chem-7 test, then checking for sodium, potassium, chloride, carbon dioxide, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and glucose. If not, then still likely checking for these at least, plus others. High potassium can lead to weakness. Diabetic neuropathy is the most common neuropathy and has many of the symptoms you describe.

B-12 & Folate – looking to see what your vitamin B-12 and vitamin B-9 is. Deficiency in these, especially B-12, can cause many neurological symptoms.

RPR/FTA – Rapid plasma reagin and fluorescent treponemal antibody are two tests for syphilis. Syphilis attacks the brain, and can present with many of the symptoms you describe.

ANA – antinuclear antibody test looks for antibodies that bind to certain structures within the nucleus of the cells. This is a test of the body’s predisposition to inflammation against one’s one tissues and therefore is an indication of possible autoimmunity.

Sed. Rate Westergren – sedimentation rate, Westergren method. The sedimentation rate is simply how far the top of the red blood cell layer in a test tube of your blood has fallen in one hour. The sedimentation rate increases with more inflammation.

Sensorimotor Neuropathy Profile – a range of tests, which may depend a bit on your orders. They will be looking for specific antibodies and how much of them there are relative to other antibodies and blood components. There are lots of them to consider, and I don’t know a great deal about most of them.

When I talk with my neurologist, I have him explain all of this in detail, until my head hurts with it. That way, I will remember at least some of it. If possible, have him write it down. If not, take a tape recorder and tape the conversation and then transcribe it when you get home. You will, of course, have to have his permission.

Godspeed in this,
MarkEns[/FONT][/COLOR]