does a doctor's lab order for bloodwork ever expire?
469263
I happen to work in a lab as a phlebotomist and as a rule we do not accept lab slips that are over 6 months old. I beleive this is the policy for most offices.
92856
I believe that in New York, a written prescription expires one year after it is written.  I know that any prescription written with refills always has an expiration of one year.
785869
No. That test is very expensive and does not come over the counter. They'd phase out urine tests for the most part if the hair test was cheap enough. Companies aren't looking to spend a few hundred dollars on each person though. Compare that to $50 (last I checked). Most companies also want to know about recent behaviour. Hair tests can go back up to around 10 years (again, last I checked). But drug tests, most of them, are not over the counter. You can buy some, yes. But they are really inaccurate and can provide false positives. The real ones are sent to a lab to be analyzed. The hair one is definitly prescription. It's like if you want to buy a scalpel. Believe it or not, that's something that you have to have a prescription for. My job is to make medical devices just like that. But only doctors can have prescriptions for medical devices.\n\nOr, are you talking about using hair as currency? Then the answer is no.
1157566
A specimen of urine will be good for about 24 hours at room temperature. You can prolong that by refrigerating it, but most tests for a drug screen will record the temperature of the sample. You can also freeze your sample and it will be good for a very long time. If you want to use it for a pregnancy test you will need to use fresh urine to make sure the enzymes and hormones are in proper order for testing.
737686
Right after the donation the blood components are separated into Platelets ( good for 5 days), Plasma ( frozen good for 1year) and red blood cells ( good for 30 days). The testing is done on the extra tubes taking during donation. Testing is done for some chemistry, infectious disease ( HIV, west Nile, Hepatitis B, C, and many more). The blood is typed (A,B,AB,O and RH+/-). It is also tested for poss. bacteria contamination. A complete blood count is performed. After all the test pass acceptability, the components are released to be given. All components are constantly monitored regarding the storage temp.\nBefore blood components are given the recipient is tested to be compatible to the product. ( same blood type and compatible cross match with the donor).\nThe is a lot of checking and double checking involved in blood banking. If you need more or specific info just e-mail me.\nbeen working in blood bank for 20+ years.
906270
I didn't know that stuff expired.\n\nMaybe it won't be as effective, but I doubt it's dangerous.
602553
They are probably destroyed. Hospitals only keep medical records for 5 years if the file is inactive. Unless you have had a history of cancer, are a child at time of exam, or have mammograms. I would assume the millitary is the same
832445
Well, its generally not a good idea to drink things that are expiried.  HOWEVER, let me tell you why supplement shakes are technically OK to drink.  It has to do with food labeling laws.\n\nAll vitamins/minerals in food supplements (and drinks) decay at a certain rate.  (This is the halflife, etc...).  Some vitaminswill degrade quicker than others.\n\nACCORDING TO THE LAW, at the expiration date, the amount of vitamins/minerals in the shake has to be at that amount or HIGHER.  So, when things are well before their expiration date, they actually more MORE than the amount of vitamins/minerals than what is stated on the package.\n\nSo, if something is past the expiration date, then the vitamin/mineral/etc content will be BELOW the numbers listed in the "nutritent information" section.\n\nHowever, slim fast may be using milk or something else in it.  Generally, in the hospital setting, if tube feedings or supplement shakes are expired, we throw it out.\n\nYou probably should not eat it - but I just wanted to give you some of the law background on supplements.\n\nRegards,\nRyan
637919
Usually doesn't matter if they've gone beyond the expiration by a little bit - if they have been kept in a cool dry place.\n\nSome meds could cause harm if they're real old, and others could lose some of their potency.  \n\nThe dates the pharmacy puts on pills is usually 1 year after the day you get them.  The bottle that they got them from might say they don't expire till 2010.  Ask pharmacist next time what the bottle he's getting them from says.
1017154
Look at expiration date on bottle.  If you don't see one, throw it away and get a new one(look at its exp. date to make sure it isn't expired too)
801920
Not all docs have all samples at the same time.  They have whatever a drug reps have left with them.  Next time don't wait for the doc to offer samples.  There is nothing wrong with asking for samples.  All they can do is say no.  I, for one, do not approve of the whole sample world.  Drug reps tend to leave  samples for things that are new and expensive.  Items they want lots of patients started on. It's kind of like a street drug dealer.  The first few are free then you're hooked.  A lot of new drugs are not any better than older ones.  They are either combination products or "me too" drugs.  Ask the doctor if he/she is prescribing a newer therapy that is expensive and without generics.   If so, would a cheaper or generic item do the trick???  You pay docs more per hour than probably anyone else on the planet.  You are allowed to asked questions and disagree.  I do think samples muddy the water a little to alot.  They should not influence  what is to be prescribed.
374359
28 days after opening, unless expired.\n\n"The shelf life for HuminsulinTM N (NPH) (Isophane Insulin Human Suspension) is two years when stored under appropriate conditions. \n\nSpecial Precautions for Storage\n• Keep in a refrigerator at temperature between 2°C and 8°C. Must not be allowed to freeze\n• Do not expose to excessive heat or direct sunlight.\n• Keep the container in the outer carton.\n• When in use, Huminsulin vials are recommended to be refrigerated between 2°C and 8°C. If refrigeration is not possible, care should be taken not to expose the vials to temperatures above 30°C. Once in use Huminsulin vials may be\nused for upto 28 days. Do not use beyond this period. Do not use beyond the expiration date stamped on the pack."\n\nADDITION: New, unopened vials are good until the date stamp expires. It is just opened ones that have the 28 day restriction.
470610
only if they didnt expire
278664
every blOod work test is different.  Go to WEBMd, they have lots of links to instruct you.  I use an alternate, or blind web address, so that the insurance companies can't connect my inquiries to future applications for life, or health insurance.  AND THEY DO
510289
It's not a good sign or a bad sign. The techs are not allowed (under penalty of law) to tell you anything about the tests they administer....Only your doctor is allowed to talk to you about them. 10 days is about normal for scheduling a follow-up appointment, so don't worry yourself needlessly, until you can speak to your doctor and get the facts.\nGood luck!
557591
ALWAYS. My family's health and my own depend on it. If I find something that's expired, I also let the people at the store know.
760733
Medicine manufacturers specify the expiry date with some purpose, based on some clinical trials conducted with the medicine. \n\nFirstly the medicine both Pills and preparations will start loosing their effectiveness and it may not act for the purpose you are taking.\n\nSecondly, most of the medicine are made with chemical base and some properties turn to be toxic or poisionouos even and it may be harmful after these dates. It may be harmful to take it and will have adverse effect.\n\nSo it very essential to consume the medicines before expiry date and you need not consult anyone about taking it after the expiry dates. Just you have to throw them-.