Every year, millions of patients in the United States undergo routine pre-surgical testing. For most, it’s a simple checkpoint on the path to a necessary medical procedure. But for a growing number, these tests can become an unexpected and deeply frustrating roadblock. When a number on a lab report doesn’t make sense, it can put lives on hold, creating a storm of anxiety and confusion. This is the story of how one of those numbers almost cost a patient her sight and how a deeper, more holistic look at her results provided the answer that was hiding in plain sight.
This is a Patient’s story.

The Six-Month Standstill: A Number That Didn’t Make Sense

At 53, a patient was looking forward to one thing: seeing the world clearly again. A cataract in her eye had progressively clouded her vision, making everyday tasks from reading to driving a challenge. The solution was a routine cataract surgery, a common procedure with a high success rate. She was hopeful and ready.

Her surgeon, like any medical professional, required pre-operative clearance from her primary care clinician to ensure she was healthy enough for the procedure. That’s when the problems began.

The patient’s A1C test came back with a shocking result: 13.2%.

For context, an A1C test measures your average blood sugar level over the past two to three months. A normal A1C is below 5.7%, while a level of 6.5% or higher on two separate tests indicates diabetes. A result over 13% is indicative of severely uncontrolled diabetes, a major red flag for any surgeon.

High blood sugar can impair wound healing and dramatically increase the risk of post-operative infections. Understandably, her primary care clinician could not clear her for surgery.

The result was baffling. The patient was active, managed her weight, and had none of the classic symptoms of severe diabetes. Yet, for six frustrating months, the story remained the same. Repeat tests, all performed at the same trusted lab, came back with the same chronically high numbers. Her surgery was postponed indefinitely.

The experience was incredibly disappointing. She felt trapped by a number that didn’t seem to belong to her. While she understood why her doctor was following protocol, both were stuck, and hope for the surgery was beginning to fade.

This is a scenario familiar to many patients and providers. The standard process hits a wall, the data is inconsistent with the patient’s clinical picture, and everyone is left in a state of diagnostic limbo.

A New Approach: The Power of Holistic Lab Result Troubleshooting

When the standard process fails, it’s time for a new one. Unwilling to accept that surgery was off the table forever, the patient found Lab2Doctors, a clinical lab support service specializing in troubleshooting complex lab results.

From the very first conversation, the approach was different. We didn’t just look at the number; we looked at the person behind the numbers. Our lab experts initiated a comprehensive review, going far beyond the lab report itself. We explored her medical history, medications, and lifestyle habits. But we dug deeper, meticulously cataloging every single vitamin, mineral, and herbal supplement she was taking.

We gathered a complete picture, asking about:

Medical History: A full review of past conditions and diagnoses.

Medications: A detailed list of all prescription and over-the-counter drugs.

Dietary Habits: What did a typical day of eating look like?

Lifestyle Factors: Sleep patterns, stress levels, and physical activity.

Supplements: This was the crucial question,a meticulous list of every single vitamin, mineral, or herbal supplement she was taking.

That’s where we found the clue: turmeric. The patient mentioned she had recently started taking turmeric.

Tumeric: Uncovering the Hidden Lab test Interference

It sounds counterintuitive, right? Turmeric and its active compound, curcumin, are often praised for their health benefits, including supporting healthy blood sugar levels.

This is where deep expertise in laboratory medicine becomes critical. Lab tests aren’t magic; they are sophisticated chemical processes called assays. And sometimes, substances in a patient’s blood can chemically interfere with an assay, producing a falsely high or falsely low result that has nothing to do with the patient’s actual health state. This is known as assay interference.

Our team suspected this might be the case. The consistent, unchanging nature of the Patient’s high result despite it not fitting her clinical picture pointed strongly toward a systemic interference rather than a biological reality.

The plan was simple and safe:

1. Stop the turmeric supplement immediately.
2. Wait three days.
3. Go for a repeat A1C test.

Importance of Lab Result Troubleshooting

The result of the retest was nothing short of astounding. After just three days off the turmeric supplement, the patient’s A1C level, which had been stubbornly stuck above 13.2% for six months, dropped to 7.2%.

This new number, while still indicating a need to monitor her blood sugar, was a plausible and manageable figure. It told a completely different story one that aligned far better with her overall health profile. It was a number that allowed her primary care clinician to confidently provide surgical clearance.

Shortly after, the patient had her cataract surgery. Her vision was restored, and the six-month nightmare caused by a daily turmeric supplement was finally over.

Bridging the Gap Between Data and Diagnosis

This patient’s story is a powerful reminder that behind every number is a person waiting for an answer. The gap between a confusing lab result and a clear diagnosis is where anxiety, delays, and unnecessary costs thrive.

This is precisely why Lab2Doctors was founded: to bridge that gap. By offering expert lab result interpretation and diligent troubleshooting, we clear the path of uncertainty for both patients and their care teams.

Accurate answers start with a deeper look. If you or your patients are facing a diagnostic roadblock, Lab2Doctors is here to help.