Blood tests

[TT-2018]

I have received two letters, to alert me about the 12 week isolation. Does anyone know what plans are in place to carry out blood tests in this period of uncertainty?

[Berosie]

Hi TT why do you need self-isolation? I hope its nothing to do with getting caught with Covid-19. I have a regular blood test due on this month. I am not planning to stick my heck out to take a blood test.

[TT-2018 in reply to Berosie]

I am a transplant recipient and therefore fall into the vulnerable group.

[Hidden in reply to Berosie]

I'm in the same situation re due my blood tests next week! I think I'm going to give them a miss until its ssfebto go out!

Nighty nite x

[Peter_Plymouth]

Well I can only speak for Derriford in Devon - they are taking over part of the local TA and converting the building into a sterile area that patients at risk can come to for blood test that is separate from the hospital.

I only hear this because they managed to lose one of the bottles I gave a couple of weeks ago - how, I have no idea, the other 5 ended up in the lab...

So I was called a day or so ago by my consultant to tell me that he needs more blood but the conversion is not operational yet. He will phone when it's working.

I know I shall be attending - my bloods are far too unstable not to check them every 3-6 weeks!

That's as much as I know for now. When I'm called I'll update you.

[TT-2018 in reply to Peter_Plymouth]

Thanks Peter,

My test is not due for a while, so I will wait and see what happens.

[Hidden in reply to TT-2018]

I was told on my telephone consult they will not test my blood now until July.

Jaycee

[TT-2018 in reply to Hidden]

Jaycee,

My care is currently split between my local hospital and the Royal Free. One of the letters, from my local hospital, says that they will make arrangements in due course, if I were to require a test in London. But no further details.

Take care of yourself,

Mark

[Hidden in reply to TT-2018]

You too dear Mark. 😘

[Hidden in reply to Peter_Plymouth]

Thanks Peter ! Look forward to reading your blood test update situation

X

[Gamer01]

Hi TT, l had a call from Edinburgh yesterday. If it's possible they are sending a home visit to me in a month to take bloods. Quite a sensible approach. Hope this helps. Be safe, Gamer.

[TT-2018 in reply to Gamer01]

Gamer,

Thanks, that sounds like an ideal solution. Stay safe and keep well.

Mark.

[Wass71]

Hi, I was asked to clinic this week (due to the issuettes I've been having) . From now on I'm going to gp surgery for bloods 2 weekly (I'm 7 weeks post TP). I called the laboratory service which covers our surgery to check they were able to do the Tac levels, as the surgery couldn't tell me if they did. Luckily they can do it (or they send it somewhere that can). So for now it's bloods locally and phone consultations.

They are setting up video appts as soon as they can.

[TT-2018 in reply to Wass71]

Wass,

Before the current circumstances, local blood tests are sent to a nearby hospital that specialises in Kidney patients. They have the set up to carry out Tac levels, the results just take slightly longer to receive.

Good luck with your recovery and stay safe.

Mark.

[Steak in reply to Wass71]

Hi just wondering how ur doing. I attend jimmys in leeds and my next appointment is May but I do tend 2 have my bloods done at docs in between apts and they send results 2 consultants. I had a blood test this week as they had changed my meds and wanted 2 check all was well. Take care and keep safe. 💜x

[Wass71 in reply to Steak]

Hi, I'm doing OK. I've been a bit frustrated about the speed of my recovery, but the consultant reminded me I had a bit of a rough time after TP, and am going to have to be patient. My wound and lung are the main issues. Luckily my wonderful new liver is doing really well.

Thanks for asking, hope you are keeping well, and your bloods remain stable. X

[TT-2018 in reply to Wass71]

It takes time Wass and we are all different. My wound took over three months to fully heal, but I got there eventually.

My last two blood tests are fully in range, excellent news. But I am now 19 months post transplant, it takes time and hopefully everything will get better with you.

Wishing you the very best in the weeks ahead and stay safe and positive.

Mark.

[Steak in reply to Wass71]

As long as new liver is doing well that's the main thing. I think all transplants have issues after the op. Things will settle down its early days 4 u yet. I became diabetic after op and my kidneys aren't as well behaved as b4 but nothing 2 worry about at moment.I also contacted cmv infection last year found through routine blood test and had 2 spend a week in local hospital but tests now come back negative. Take care and remember baby steps. X

[Wass71 in reply to Steak]

Thanks, yes I need to have more patience x

[Laura009 in reply to Wass71]

Wow wass l can't believe that's 7 weeks already 😱 hope you're feeling good. Take care

Xx

[Wass71 in reply to Laura009]

Thank you Laura, I know time has flown. It's a pretty amazing /challenging journey (for want of a different word)!!

X

[Hidden]

You are fortunate Mark, two letters eh? Can I have one. I've not had any letter's nor text messages. I have recently had my diabetes medication changed, that has taken eight weeks to send a letter to my GP informing him of a change of medication. No consultation, no checking of other medication that I'm presently taking. Just a prescription. So, I'm reluctant to start taking them without first having a consultation.

[Steak in reply to Hidden]

Hi i became diabetic after transplant on insulin while taking steriods. Now trying 2 manage without any meds but not doing that well my last hba1c test came back at 64 very high dropped very slightly 2 60 last week so going 2 contact jimmys re going on tablets. Take care.

[joeburger]

Hi TT-2018,

I am 10 months post transplant, I was supposed to go to my appointment at Leeds next Tuesday which has now obviously been cancelled. In my letter I have been instructed to get my blood tests done at my local hospital or gp surgery, it states what tests are needed and where to send the results.

My local surgery have a one at a time system in place you wait outside then they spray your hands and you go straight to the treatment room, no waiting room it's all closed off. Gp appointments are telephone consultations only.

I am only going for these tests because my last ones showed 4 abnormal results and lymphocytes are borderline.

Stay safe and stay well. Lesley

[Steak in reply to joeburger]

Hi r u a jimmys patient then. I had a blood test this week as instructed by hospital as they have changed couple of my meds so need 2 check if there ok. Haven't 2 go to clinic until May now so not sure whether that will happen but if I can will try and get bloods done at docs in between. Take care and stay safe. X

[joeburger in reply to Steak]

Yes I had my transplant on 25th May 2019. I see the Leeds team and then the York team at staggered appointments which works quite well. They are both fantastic.

You stay safe too xx

[Yellowsydney]

I had a text changing my appointment at Addenbrookes to a phone consultation, I queried about bloods and they said it will be discussed during my telephone call and then they will decide whether I will have any, have them at my GP or go to addenbrookes for them

Hilary

[Kristian]

I had my appointment over the phone on Thursday. I had a set of bloods done at my local hospital in December so gave them the results of that which were all pretty much similar to my last set in Birmingham. The consultant didnt ask me to get any more done this time. Maybe, given the current circumstances, they'll be happy to leave it for me until next time given everything so far has been stable. I'll see if there's anything in his follow up letter to my gp that indicates different.

[Gamer01]

Hi. I'm getting a home visit organized to take my bloods. Unit says that they won't ask anybody to attend a hospital/GP who is on the list. I'm sure this will be the same for you. Don't worry, it will be fine. You take it easy, Gamer.

[Berosie]

I haven’t heard anything from my consultant. I don’t think NHS it my GP will send me a letter. Take care of ourselves as most of us here fall into high risk group.