Bank Holiday Weekend Beta hcg & Progesterone Blood Tests.

[purplerain2000]

Hello everyone, I am patiently going through my 2ww and my OTD is Saturday 25th May. My GP has informed me today that they are refusing to send me to my local blood taking unit for the blood tests because I am undergoing IVF privately? I have said that I am happy to pay for the tests however they point blank wont send over the required ICE forms that you need to get your bloods taken??

I have also contacted several clinics within a 50 mile radius and no one is willing to carry out the tests because I am not a patient at their clinic? I had my IVF in Cyprus and one clinic suggested I go back there for my tests (shocking)...

There are also clinics that do not do carry out bloods over weekends or on bank holidays moreover the results if I can find somewhere to do them wont be back till the Tuesday, day after bank holiday.

If anybody knows of places that I could try please could you let me know. All areas I am willing to consider as my progesterone levels need to be checked to ensure I am the right dose.

Thank you for all your help in advance, I am really not sure what to do here???

[Orla9298]

The medichecks website is who I used but you’ll still struggle due to bank holiday. Xx

[purplerain2000 in reply to Orla9298]

Hi Orla, do you know if they do all the progesterone checks at the same time?

[Orla9298 in reply to purplerain2000]

Yes they do, you just add both to your basket and it’s a finger prick test. If you do them early morning and catch an early collection post box you normally get results next day xx

[purplerain2000 in reply to Orla9298]

Okay thank you very much for that. I have never used them before however like you say, it saves travelling.xx

[Hope4usall]

I used nedichecks for my last two cycles. Easy to use. First cycle took 3 days to get results and the 2nd cycle took 4 1/2, so not the quickest but save you traveling to a clinic and it was £50 for the beta HCG. Good luck xx

[purplerain2000 in reply to Hope4usall]

Thanks hope4usall, yeah I am on their website now, I think I have a wait on my hands either way like Orla has just pointed, bank holiday????

[Hope4usall in reply to purplerain2000]

Yes you probably will. My last cycle we waited longer as it was over a weekend but worth doing as it saved me a hassle of half a day round trip to clinic. Think it's probably cheaper too xx

[Wishingfortheday]

I got mine done before through Nuffield Health, I booked it online and one of their doctors contacted me by phone to arrange the referral at the nearest Nuffield health centre to where I lived. They were great and my results were emailed to me the same day. If there's no Nuffield location near you, maybe there is another private hospital (rather than an IVF clinic). Hope this helps xx

[purplerain2000 in reply to Wishingfortheday]

Hi wishingfortheday, thank you for that advise I will look on their website and see if there are any centres that can do my test for me. Do you need a referral or can you just book without?

[purplerain2000 in reply to Wishingfortheday]

Hiya just wanted to say a big thank you for your advise, I spoke with Nuffield Health today and they were so nice. They booked me into the closest one to me and even gave me a £30 discount on the original quote as the bloods are a similar line. So thanks you that's been a real help.xx

[Wishingfortheday in reply to purplerain2000]

Hiya purplerain, I've just seen both your messages now! That's great, I'm glad you found them to be of help too, I really thought they were great when I needed to have my tests, so efficient, friendly and professional. And I had my results back later the same day which was the most important bit as my clinic decided to increase my progesterone support. Glad to be of help and sending best wishes to you xx

[Amandaholland85]

Hi have you tried until sounds direct i know there is on in Glasgow thats where i had to go as my clinic was in Greece and thay did my bloods and scans for me best off luck xx

[purplerain2000 in reply to Amandaholland85]

Hi Amandaholland, I will have a look and see if there is one around me, thank you.xx

[Munthy]

What area are you in? I have a pet add blood test near me it’s in bexleyheath

[purplerain2000 in reply to Munthy]

Hi Munthy,

I am in the Midlands, so can do East or West Midlands and happy to drive up to London of need be. Thank you xx

[Hidden]

Wow I think thats shocking cant even get a blood test because you've had private ivf and your willing to pay.

[purplerain2000 in reply to Hidden]

Hi gcw, I know isn't it just. All my previews treatments have been in the UK so never had this sort of concern before although in 5 years of treatment my Dr has been horrible and will not agree to any testing so I have just put in a complaint and registered with another practice, should have done it a long time ago, I think I was hoping that some of the other doctors would be more understanding but after speaking to 11 different ones I thought there might have been a change in opinion???

[AnnieAnnie]

Do the clinics need to know whether you had ivf or not to have a hcg blood test? Whether it was a natural pregnancy or not shouldn't matter. All you need are the results of the 2 blood tests. Maybe just don't tell them you've had private ivf and only tell them that you've had a faint positive and want to confirm the pregnancy and your gp won't do it for you so you want to pay for the test to put your mind at ease (and if it is looking good you are likely to book in for an early scan etc = more money for them, more likely to help! It's the reality of private clinics unfortunately) xx

[purplerain2000 in reply to AnnieAnnie]

Hi AnnieAnnie, all the clinics I have contacted do not carry out any tests on you unless you are a patient. I was with Care Fertility only last September and have contacted them and asked if they would do my bloods and they said the same? I am no longer a patient no?? It is really bizarre as you say these clinics could get paid more money for doing outside tests???

[AnnieAnnie in reply to purplerain2000]

Have they officially discharged you then? I was under the impression with a private clinic you could go back to them at any time and ask them to carry out tests or investigations, because you are paying them and that's the nature of private clinics. Have you asked them whether you are still an active patient on their system as you haven't received anything notifying you that you are no longer a client and have been discharged from them. Your investigation would be to determine whether you are pregnant via a hcg blood test. I bet if you wanted more ivf treatment they wouldn't hesitate! My last cycle was NHS funded and was cancelled in December 2018 and that's with the same clinic you are with (albeit different area probably) I've not had anything to confirm I've been discharged. They have sent me out costs estimates for various cycles which I've requested, which I haven't done, but I've gone back to them for prescriptions, advice and scans (not had to pay for any of it yet - maybe im due a large invoice lol). Seems off to me. I assume they know you had private treatment elsewhere. xx

[purplerain2000 in reply to AnnieAnnie]

Hi yes Care discharged me in January of this year as I requested a copy of my notes for my new clinic in Cyprus. As soon as I received my notes I got a letter of discharge. When I called them to ask about bloods they just apologised and said I was no longer a patient so no can do??? Yes you will be fine no bills heading in your direction if your an NHS patient. Unfortunately as soon as you go private things can change, some of my friends have great GP's and they are really supportive mine however is quite the opposite.

[AnnieAnnie in reply to purplerain2000]

That's a shame! Yep unfortunately as you've been discharged that is it. You're no longer a patient. Have you told them you didn't ask to be discharged. I've found telling clinics less makes things easier. Sounds like you have been extremely unlucky with your old clinic and GP. Looks likely that the only way is how the other ladies above have suggested and the bank holiday is not working in your favour. Wishing you lots of luck in trying to sort this out and for a bfp xx

[purplerain2000 in reply to AnnieAnnie]

Thank you, I have just had an email back form Nuffield Health who are happy to do my bloods on Saturday and they are only a 40 minute drive away. They just want a letter from my clinic to confirm what bloods I need doing and the clinic are happy to do that. Wishingfortheday mentioned them last night so I emailed them. Looks like this is my best bet, great to get all this advise from everyone on here it really does help. xx thanks again xx

[AnnieAnnie in reply to purplerain2000]

That's great news! I'm so pleased for you. Everything seems a battle on this journey and never simple but perseverance paid off. Once this is sorted, put your feet up and try and get through the rest of your 2ww 🤞🏼 for you xx

[Emmaxxx]

Hi purple rain. I hope that you hit your blood test done and it was good news. I hope you don’t mind me asking but where I. Cyprus did you go? We are off to Cyprus in June for our 3rd attempt (1st attempt in Cyprus). Just hoping you could fill me In On some details etc xxx

[purplerain2000 in reply to Emmaxxx]

Hi Emma, I will pm you with the details. xx

[Emmaxxx in reply to purplerain2000]

Thank you xx